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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
TITLE 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE, CHAPTER 18 - CONSERVATION AND POLICY COUNCIL
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Title 1 - Administrative, Chapter 18 - Conservation and Policy Council, of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Code is hereby amended as Follows:
1-18-1: - GENERAL PROVISIONS.
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B. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following words or terms shall have the meaning or construction ascribed to them in this Section:
1. Council means the eleven-member Conservation and Policy Council charged with providing public recommendations to the President, Board of Commissioners, and Superintendent on all matters relating to the conservation policies of the District and the Next Century Conservation Plan.
2. Chairperson means the chairperson of the Conservation and Policy Council.
3. District means the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois.
4. District Board means the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois.
5. Member means a Member of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Conservation and Policy Council.
6. Ordinance means the Ordinance Establishing the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Conservation and Policy Council Ordinance, as amended.
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C. Purpose. The purpose of the Conservation and Policy Council is to safeguard, expand and bring additional resources to the District by providing public recommendations to the President, District Board, and the Superintendent regarding conservation and other related areas, based on the Council's knowledge, skill, leadership and expertise. in the field of conservation and other related areas, to the President, District Board, and the Superintendent of the District. The Council shall review and evaluate the implementation of the Plan.
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1-18-2: - MEMBERS OF THE CONSERVATION COUNCIL.
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C. Appointment of Members.
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7. Prior to their confirmation hearing, each candidate for appointment by the President or Board of Commissioners shall submit a notarized, signed affidavit to the Chairman of the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the District Board, that:
a. Is signed by the candidate;
b. Is sworn under oath, under penalties of perjury;
c. Is notarized;
d. Attests that the candidate fulfills the requirements set forth under the requisite statute, ordinance, law or regulation that creates the appointment;
e. Attests that the candidate possesses the adequate qualifications and skills.
8. If there is any change in the information contained in the affidavit after the candidate is appointed, the candidate will notify the President and the District Board in writing within seven (7) business days of the change.
D. Terms of Members.
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2. The remaining Members. The Chairperson and the other remaining nine (9) Members of the Council shall serve terms as follows:
a. For the Initial Members:
(i) Three (3) of the Members initially appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the District Board, other than the ex officio Member, shall serve a term that expires on December 31, 2015.
(ii) Three (3) of the Members initially appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the District Board, other her than the ex officio Member, shall serve a term that expires on December 31, 2016.
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G. Officers. The Council shall contain three (3) Members that serve as Officers: (1) Chairperson, (2) Vice-Chairperson and (3) Secretary. The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary are elected by the Council. Each of the three (3) officers, respectively, shall be entitled to vote on all matters before the Council and may be appointed to serve successive terms as officers. The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall each serve for a one three-year terms or until his or her term expires or is otherwise terminated, whichever event occurs earlier.
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I. [Standing or Ad Hoc Subcommittees.] The Council may create Standing or Ad hoc Subcommittees. The Chairperson may appoint non-voting members to those subcommittees. The District shall assign appropriate staff to the Council so that the Council may further and carry out its purposes and activities.
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1-18-3: - QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS.
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B. No individual shall be considered for nomination or appointment to serve as a Member if such individual is one or more of the following:
1. An elected official (excluding the Ex Officio Member) or a paid staff member of an elected official;
2. An employee of the District (excluding the Ex Officio Member) or any other government entity for which there could be a perceived conflict of interests between the interests of the governmental employer and the interests of the Council;
3. An employee of the Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo), Chicago Botanic Garden, or Forest Preserve Foundation;
4. An employee of a conservation advocacy organization; or
5. An individual who owns five percent (5%) or more of, or an individual who is employed by, a business entity that is a party to a contract with the District; or any individual with perceived conflict of interest.
1-18-34: - Meetings of The Conservation Council.
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G. The Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities that shall be posted on its or the District’s website.
1-18-5: - Annual Report of The Conservation Council.
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B. Included in the report shall be:
1. Any recommendations for additional legislation or other action which may be necessary to carry out the mission, purpose and intent of the District with respect to conservation and other related issues; and
2. A report on the progress of the District towards meeting the specific goals set forth in the Plan.
C. The Council shall submit the minutes of its meeting to the District Board within thirty (30) days of each meeting. The minutes shall be received and filed by the District Board.
Effective date: This ordinance shall be in effect immediately upon adoption.
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