[BCNnet] May and June FPDCC board meeting reports

Fri Jun 16 16:14:29 CDT 2006

June FPDCC Board Meeting Report

Seven new Illinois Nature Preserves were approved at the June Forest
Preserve District of Cook County board meeting. Following the approval, the
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission will review and hopefully formally
dedicate Powderhorn Marsh, Green Lake Savanna, Calumet City Prairie, Deer
Grove, Black Partridge Fen, Tinley Creek Woods, and McMahon Fen.

If and when the sites receive Illinois Nature Preserve dedication they will
enjoy the highest level of protection a natural area can receive in
Illinois. The FPDCC currently has the most acreage of all forest preserve
districts with 16 sites totaling 4,335 acres (approximately 10% of all
Nature Preserve land in Illinois). The addition of the seven new sites will
add approximately 3,360 acres to the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission
system and will bring the FPDCC total to approximately 7,700 acres for 23
sites. Total acreage will be more than DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will
County Forest Preserve Districts combined (7,631acres).

Special counsel from the firm of Neal and Leroy was appointed to handle
eminent domain proceedings on One Aloha Land - one of several parcels the
FPDCC is attempting to acquire as part of a buffer zone for Wolf Road
Prairie. Commissioner Anthony Peraica questioned the methods of choosing the
outside counsel while President John Stroger is absent due to illness. The
President has the authority to appoint such counsel, which must then be
approved by the Board. Chief Attorney Robert Kinchen said he recommended the
firm and that staff and representatives from the President's office
discussed the recommendation prior to the meeting. Commissioner Peraica
continued questioning the process until President Pro-Tem Mario Moreno shut
him down.

Commissioners received an update on the progress of SB-83 and other major
funding source projects from the Department of Planning and Development.
Many of these projects were approved during the Finance Committee meeting,
including trail resurfacing, comfort station rehabilitation, and picnic
shelter rehabilitation.

A structurally damaged bridge over Salt Creek in Bemis Woods, that was
originally slated to be repaired, will now be replaced. The bridge suffered
extensive damage due to flooding and will now need to be replaced and not
just repaired.

The Village of Northbrook was given permission to locate, operate, and
maintain a 24" x 38" elliptical storm sewer and outfall structure, and
regrade an existing roadside ditch on District property. Commissioners Larry
Suffredin and Mike Quigley scrutinized the plan, asking many questions about
the design, need, and the precedent that is being set. District staff and
Commissioner Gregg Goslin ensured that the design is actually an improvement
for the District. Commissioner Quigley voted no on the item.

There were five speakers during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Two gentlemen spoke about major issues with what they said was a bad
contract with the District. They said that more than 50 letters concerning
the issue sent to the legal department and others went unanswered.

Benjamin Cox, Executive Director of Friends of the Forest Preserves, spoke
in favor of the support shown by the Commissioners for the new nature
preserves, Wolf Road Prairie, and Earth Day.

A woman spoke about concerns with the Spring Creek restoration.

George Blakemore was last to address the Board with concerns about
employment opportunities for African Americans.

Commissioner Roberto Maldonado was absent and President Stroger was noted as
being excused from the meeting.

May FPDCC Board Meeting Report

Commissioner Anthony Peraica was met with intense objections by fellow
Commissioners when he suggested that a high school in his district should be
allowed to build a parking garage on FPDCC land. His argument was that
Brookfield Riverside High School had been allowed to have a parking lot on
FPDCC land for many years, that they had recently passed a large bond issue
to expand the campus, and that they needed the land. 

Commissioner Deborah Sims objected, noting that her inquires regarding a
land swap with a steel mill in her district were shot down last year.
Joining in the objection were President Pro-Tem Mario Moreno, Commissioner
Gregg Goslin, and Carl Hansen.

Pro-Tem Moreno said they should cease and desist and that the FPDCC should
file a lawsuit to ensure that they do. Commissioner Goslin noted that all of
the encroachments in his district had been resolved voluntarily by the
violators. Commissioner Hansen repeatedly said that he has major concerns
with liability issues.

The FPDCC heralded the selection of Bartel Grasslands Restoration Project as
a recipient of an Environmental Award by the National Association of County
Parks and Recreation. 

The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, in collaboration with the
FPDCC, will inventory historic materials within the forest preserves at no
cost to the District.

A ban on smoking was approved for the Chicago Botanic Garden and the
Brookfield Zoo, as recommended by Commissioner Mike Quigley.

A contract for shoreline restoration at Beck Lake, Busse Lake, and Schiller
Pond was approved during the Finance Committee meeting.

George Blakemore was the first of seven speakers to address the Board during
the public comment portion of the meeting.

Bartel Grassland Volunteer Steward Dick Riner spoke about the NACPRO award
and played a tape of songbirds at the site that the Commissioners were
pleased to hear.

Palos equestrian group representatives Lynn Richardson, Susan Collins, and
Patricia Provensano (sp?) all heaped praise on Mike Hart, FPDCC Trails
Coordinator, for many recent improvements to the trails in their region.

Benjamin Cox, Executive Director of Friends of the Forest Preserves,
presented a report on Friends Earth Day activities.

A woman spoke about concerns with the Spring Creek restoration project.
Commissioner Carl Hansen joined in, speaking negatively about the efforts
being conducted by outside agencies.

Commissioners Peter Silvestri and Earleen Collins were absent and President
John Stroger was noted as being excused from the meeting. 

Benjamin Cox

Executive Director

Friends of the Forest Preserves

205 W. Monroe St., 4th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606-5006

o. (312) 696-0070

c. (773) 398-1178

 <http://www.fotfp.org/> www.fotfp.org

 <mailto:benjamin at fotfp.org> benjamin at fotfp.org

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