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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
FEES AND OCCUPANCY OF DISTRICT LANDS
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Title 1 (Administrative), Chapter 9 (Land Acquisitions and Dedications) of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Code of Ordinances is hereby amended as follows:
CHAPTER 9 LAND ACQUISITIONS AND DEDICATIONS FEES AND OCCUPANCY OF DISTRICT LANDS
1-9-1: [REPEALED] LAND ACQUISITIONS.
A. Appraisals Required: All land recommended for purchase by the Land Acquisition Team shall be appraised by a competent real estate appraiser.
1. No surplus real estate owned by the District shall be sold or exchanged unless two written independent fee appraisal reports have first been obtained and presented to the District Board of Commissioners and the proposed sale or exchange has been presented to the Real Estate Committee. At least one of such appraisals shall be an M.A.I. appraisal. The grantee may be required to pay the cost of such appraisals as a condition of conveyance of the real estate proposed to be sold or exchanged.
2. Unless the purchase price is $50,000.00 or less, no real estate shall be purchased by the District unless two written independent fee appraisal reports have first been obtained and presented to the District Board of Commissioners and the proposed purchase has been presented to the Real Estate Committee. At least one of such appraisals shall be an M.A.I. appraisal.
B. Negotiations: All negotiations with the respective owners of lands sought to be acquired by purchase or condemnation shall be carried on by the Chief Attorney, assisted by the Real Estate Agent, who shall give a full report to the Board with recommendations.
C. Titles to Land: The title to all land ordered purchased by the Board shall be examined and passed upon by the Legal Department of the District before the purchase price is paid.
D. Reports; Purchasing Land: The Legal Department having examined the title to land ordered to be purchased by the Board shall report in writing to the President of the Board the name of the party or parties in which title in fee simple has been found, the name or names of other parties in interest, if any, the exact acreage of the land, as certified by the Planning and Development Department, the purchase price decided upon by the Board and the compliance with all the conditions imposed by the Board, by date and number of page. When the Legal Department in its report recommends the payment of the purchase price, then the President, Treasurer and Comptroller shall pay as the purchase price, to the grantor or grantors upon the delivery of property instruments, such sum or sum of money by checks or bonds of the District in such manner as may be recommended by the Legal Department and approved by the President.
(1989 Code; Ord. of 1-4-95)
1-9-2: [REPEALED] DEDICATION OF LANDS FOR HIGHWAY PURPOSES.
On all designated County State Aid Roads, and State Bond Issue Roads running through or adjacent and contiguous to the various Forest Preserves in the District, the use of a strip of land fifty feet (50') on either side of the center line of said designated highways, being a part of the Forest Preserve lands, may be designated for highway purposes, subject to the approval of the General Superintendent.
(1989 Code)
1-9-3: FEES AND OCCUPANCY OF DISTRICT LANDS.
A. Occupancy by Other than Forest Preserve District Employees: Hereafter, all leases, privileges and occupancy must be requested by the applicant from the Board of Forest Preserve Commissioners, and no leases or permits of occupancy shall be given without first having the approval of the Board.
B. Resident District Employees: Employee occupancy shall be governed as follows:
1. All Employees occupying residences are required and must agree to perform the following duties.
a. Must be thoroughly familiar with District boundaries within their assigned area and make periodic inspections to make certain that District property is protected and report any prohibited or illegal activity and encroachments.
b. Be on constant watch for fires. During times of extreme fire dangers, must be available to report for fire duty. All watchman residents must be fire certified as a burn crew member and be in possession of the issued personal fire protection gear, flapper and/or backpack pump.
c. Check all bodies of water; clean up all minor debris; check all facilities for vandalism; and during the appropriate seasons check area frequently for illegal hunters.
d. Complete and submit Resident Watchman Report on a bi-monthly basis.
e. Must be constantly aware that as a public employee residing on public lands assistance must be offered to those visitors who need and request help and/or information. Must ensure that the District provided sign indicating that the residence is a Watchman Residence is prominently posted at all times.
2. All occupants of District residences will pay utilities costs (heat, electric, water and sewage).
3. An employee granted permission to occupy a Residence that is attached to a District facility shall pay an occupancy fee of Four Hundred and sixty-eight dollars ($468.00) per month.
4. An employee granted permission to occupy a Residence that is adjacent to a District facility shall pay an occupancy fee of Five Hundred and eighty-five dollars ($585.00) per month.
5. An employee granted permission to occupy a Free Standing residence shall pay an occupancy fee of Seven Hundred and two dollars ($702.00) per month.
6. Every two years, subject to approval for renewal of the Occupancy Agreement, every resident will sign a new agreement with any changes that have been voted upon by the Housing Committee and approved by the General Superintendent. Any fee increase will commence at this time based on the Consumer Price Index added to the current fee and incorporated into the new Occupancy Agreement.
7. All fees collected will be placed into a Special Revenue fund, which will be used to maintain the major repairs of the residences and/or build standard maintenance facilities with an attached apartment. A house that has been deemed obsolete or is a burden to the District will be authorized for demolition.
8. The Housing Committee shall conduct no less than one annual inspection of all residences. If a house has been deemed by the Housing Committee to be obsolete or a burden to the District, a recommendation for demolition will be presented to the Board of Commissioners. The Housing Committee may authorize random inspections of each residence in the Housing Program as deemed necessary to maintain the integrity of the program and compliance with the terms of the Occupancy Agreement.
9. All residents will be responsible for "Minor Maintenance" and the Forest Preserve District will be responsible for "Major Maintenance", as each term is defined in the Occupancy Agreement.
10. This section, relating to Fees and Occupancy of District Lands, shall be re-evaluated by the Housing Committee and reported to the General Superintendent on an annual basis.
11. Those employees who retire or resign from employment with the District shall be required to vacate the premises within a reasonable time, not to exceed sixty (60) days after their last day of employment. Retirees and employees who resign shall be responsible for paying all required fees.
12. Widows/Widowers of employees shall be required to vacate the premises within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed six (6) months after the spouse's demise, provided widows/widowers are appropriately indicated in the Occupancy Agreement. Widows/Widowers shall be responsible for paying all required fees, but shall not be responsible for providing services of the Occupancy Agreement.
13. The General Superintendent shall establish policies and procedures for the occupancy of District residences as set forth in the Resident Watchman Program Manual. The General Superintendent has the discretion to add or subtract any task necessary to assist in the mission statement of the Forest Preserve District.
14. A Housing Committee shall be appointed and designated by the General Superintendent.
15. The performance of all duties and responsibilities of the resident watchman as set forth in the Occupancy Agreement shall be monitored by the Housing Committee. Failure to perform or to adhere to the terms of the Occupancy Agreement by the resident watchman and authorized occupants of the District residence may result in termination of the Occupancy Agreement.
16. The Forest Preserve District Superintendent shall place on the agenda of the March meeting of the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners an Annual report to the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners listing the names of employees occupying forest preserve homes for part or all of the fiscal year, as well as their job titles and salaries. In addition, the report shall contain copies of all watchman reports filed by employees occupying forest preserve homes.
Effective date: This ordinance amendment shall be in effect on January 1, 2025.
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