Meeting Name: FPD Board of Commissioners Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 2/4/2025 10:00 AM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: Cook County Building, Board Room, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois
Issued On: 1/30/2025
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes  
Meeting video:  
Attachments: Click to Watch Live, To comment on an item on this agenda, click here, PUBLIC SPEAKERS FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
File #Ver.Agenda #NameTypeTitleActionResultAction DetailsVideo
25-0066 1  Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MICHAEL DESANTIAGO TO THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY WHEREAS, in November 2014, Michael DeSantiago (Mike) was appointed by President Preckwinkle and the Board of Commissioners to the Conservation and Policy Council of the Forest Preserves of Cook County to help guide the implementation of its Next Century Conservation Plan (NCCP), an ambitious vision to protect and care for nature in the 21st century, benefiting all citizens of Cook County; and WHEREAS, he served on the Council from 2014-2024 and throughout that time generously shared his wisdom and expertise in business management and sustainable design, helping the Forest Preserves implement the NCCP effectively and thoughtfully; and WHEREAS, Mike co-chaired the development of the Council’s position paper on “Nature-Compatible Recreation,” which included key recommendations to prioritize nature-compatible recreation and oppose new uses that do not align with the Forest Preserves’ mission; and WHEREAS, in developing the position paper, Mike created an evaluation tool to heapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0072 1  OrdinancePROPOSED ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE A FOREST PRESERVE NEAR SWEET WOODS AN ORDINANCE CREATING A FOREST PRESERVE in part of Section 10, Township 35 North, Range 14, East of the Third Principal Meridian, all in Cook County, Illinois near Sweet Woods in District 5. WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois (the “District”), pursuant to the statutes in such case made and provided, has from time to time acquired by purchase, condemnation, gift, grant, devise, or otherwise, lands necessary and desirable for District purposes containing one or more natural forests or parts thereof, or lands connecting such forests or parts thereof, or lands capable of being reforested for the purpose of protecting and preserving the flora, fauna, and scenic beauties within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois, and to restore, restock, protect, and preserve the natural forests and said lands together with their flora and fauna, as nearly as may be, in their natural state and condition, for the purpose of the education, pleasurereferPass Action details Not available
25-0073 1  Acquisition of Real EstatePROPOSED PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE Department(s): Legal Department Other Part(ies): Walter Shults and Jo Ann Shults (Owners of Record) Request: It is respectfully requested that this proposed purchase be approved. Description of Real Estate: Part of 360 E. Glenwood Dyer Road, Glenwood, Illinois Section: N/A Parcel(s): Part of PIN: 32-10-200-006-0000 EXCEPTING THAT PART NORTH OF DEER CREEK; THAT PART LYING SOUTH OF THE CENTER LINE OF GLENWOOD DYER ROAD, IN THE EAST ½ OF THE WEST ½ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 10, TOWNSHIP 35 NORTH, RANGE 14 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. SAID PARCEL CONTAINING 849,420 SQUARE FEET, OR 19.50 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. Fiscal Impact: $835,000.00 purchase price plus closing costs up to $10,000.00 (up to $845,000.00 in total). Accounts: Real Estate and Land Acquisition Fund 51006.560010; and ARPA Fund 51032.560010 District(s): 5 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) has identified a parcel of land for acquisition that would add to the Forest referPass Action details Not available
25-0083 1  ResolutionPROPOSED PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ITEM AMENDMENT AMENDING RESOLUTION 25-0002 - APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, CHAIRS AND VICE-CHAIRS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES AND MEMBERS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, that, effective upon passage, the following Commissioners are designated and appointed as President Pro Tempore, Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the Standing Committees and Subcommittees of the Board. Section 1. The President Pro Tempore of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners shall be Commissioner Daley. Section 2. The Chair, Vice-Chair and members of the committees and of the subcommittees of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners shall be as follows: AUDIT (7 members) Chair: Degnen Vice-Chair: S. Morrison Members: Aguilar, Anaya, Britton, Lowry, Miller BOTANIC GARDEN (9 members) Chair: Britton Vice-ChaapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0001 1  AppointmentPROPOSED APPOINTMENT Appointee(s): Commissioner Tara S. Stamps Position: Member of the Board Department/Board/Commission: NeighborSpace Board of Directors Effective date: Immediate Expiration date: 6/30/2025 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) requests approval of the appointment of Commissioner Tara S. Stamps to the Board of Directors of NeighborSpace, an affiliate partner of the Forest Preserves. In 1997, the Forest Preserves entered into an agreement with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District to form NeighborSpace, a nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago that preserves and sustains gardens on behalf of dedicated community groups. NeighborSpace owns and manages property so that community groups can focus on gardening and their community-building vision. NeighborSpace-protected gardens give community members an opportunity to get their hands in the earth and enjoy nature right in their own neighborhoods. A Forest Preserves Commissioner, the General Superintendent, and an additional Forest Preserves stsuspend the rulesPass Action details Not available
25-0001 1  AppointmentPROPOSED APPOINTMENT Appointee(s): Commissioner Tara S. Stamps Position: Member of the Board Department/Board/Commission: NeighborSpace Board of Directors Effective date: Immediate Expiration date: 6/30/2025 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) requests approval of the appointment of Commissioner Tara S. Stamps to the Board of Directors of NeighborSpace, an affiliate partner of the Forest Preserves. In 1997, the Forest Preserves entered into an agreement with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District to form NeighborSpace, a nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago that preserves and sustains gardens on behalf of dedicated community groups. NeighborSpace owns and manages property so that community groups can focus on gardening and their community-building vision. NeighborSpace-protected gardens give community members an opportunity to get their hands in the earth and enjoy nature right in their own neighborhoods. A Forest Preserves Commissioner, the General Superintendent, and an additional Forest Preserves stapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0069 1  Grant AwardPROPOSED GRANT AWARD Department: Department of Facilities and Fleet Grantee: The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) Grantor: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. Request: Authorization to accept grant and enter into grant agreement. Purpose: Authorization is sought for the Forest Preserves of Cook County to accept grant and enter into an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles grant funding to support the purchase of four (4) zero-emission waste haulers. Grant Amount: $1,040,000.00 Grant Period: 1/1/2025 (retroactive) - 12/31/2026 Fiscal Impact: Not to Exceed $1,400,000.00 in direct match (FY 2025 $1,400,000.00) Accounts: Vehicle Purchase 51009.560266 and 51010.560266 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final grant agreement is subject to legal review and approval. District(s): Districtwide Summary: The Forest Preserves has been awarded a Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles grant from the US EPA that will support the purchase of four Zero-EmisapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0079 1  License AmendmentPROPOSED LICENSE AMENDMENT REQUEST Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”), as Licensor to amend a License to Streamwood Park District, Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain water main at a different location a few hundred feet to the south on the same parcel that was previously approved by the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners on February 7, 2023 (Board Item No. 23-0016). There are no other proposed changes to the existing License #1800 besides the change in the location of the water main. Term: Ten (10) years (no change from original term) License Fee: N/A License Application Fee: N/A License Review Fee: N/A YELAR Fee: N/A Total one-time upfront fee of N/A for the term of the License (Sec. 5-2A-4 and 5-2B-4) Tree Mitigation Fee: N/A The area of the License is: 0.0114 acre(s) Concurrence(s): The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final amendment is subject to legal review and approval. Grantee will be required to meet the insurance requirements under the amended License Agreement. The ForeferPass Action details Not available
25-0020 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Resource Management Vendor: Various vendors expanding a pre-qualified vendor pool for tree planting services, listed below: Contract No. Vendor Name 74000015427 Semper Fi Landscaping, Inc., Yorkville, Illinois 74000015430 Gale Construction Company of Illinois, Joliet, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Districtwide tree planting services Contract Value: Not to exceed a combined total of $1,000,000.00 per calendar year (or $4,000,000.00 through 2028, which does not include $2,000,000.00 allocated as part of prior Board Item No. 22-0356) in conjunction with contract number #74000011240 issued under RFP #22-31-104R, and all contract numbers listed above. Beginning in 2029, an additional $1,100,000.00 will be made available for the final two (2) option years, if needed, bringing the maximum authority of tree planting services to $7,100,000.00 between 2023-2031. Contract Period: 3/1/2025 - 2/28/2027, with two (2) optiapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0080 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Planning and Development Vendor: Hey and Associates, Inc., Volo, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend contract Good(s) or Service(s): Professional civil engineering services for unpaved trail repairs and improvements at various locations across the Forest Preserves Original Contract Period: 1/26/2021 - 1/25/2024, Administrative Extension (1/26/2024 - 1/25/2025) Proposed Contract Period Extension: 1/26/2025 (retroactive) - 12/25/2025 Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $288,750.00 Original Approval: 1/26/2021, $275,000.00 Previous Increase(s): 1/26/2024, $13,750.00 Administrative Increase This Increase Requested: N/A Estimated Fiscal Impact: N/A Accounts: N/A Contract Number(s): #7400008708 issued request for proposal #21-80-03 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final amendment is subject to legal review and approval. The Minority- and Women-Owned Business goals are not applicable for thisapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0017 1 FPCC - ARPA General Headquarters Remodel ReportReportREPORT Department: Office of the County Auditor Request: Refer to Audit Committee Report Title: FPCC - ARPA General Headquarters Remodel Report Report Period: January 30, 2024, through August 2, 2024 Summary: This audit was designed to determine if the program was in compliance with the Financial and Monitoring provisions of the beneficiary agreement.referPass Action details Not available
25-0018 1 ARPA - FPCC New Restroom Beaubien Woods Audit ReportReportREPORT Department: Office of the County Auditor Request: Refer to Audit Committee Report Title: ARPA - FPCC New Restroom Beaubien Woods Audit Report Report Period: January 30, 2024, through August 16, 2024 Summary: This audit was designed to determine if the program was in compliance with the Financial and Monitoring provisions of the beneficiary agreement.referPass Action details Not available
25-0068 1 OCA - FPCC FY24 4th Quarter Open RecommendationsReportREPORT Department: Office of the County Auditor Request: Refer to Audit Committee Report Title: OCA - FPCC FY24 4th Quarter Open Recommendations Report Period: December 2024 Summary: This report was designed to communicate the status of Open Recommendations regarding the Forest Preserves of Cook County.referPass Action details Not available
25-0021 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Procurement and Disbursement Report Report Period: 12/1/2024 - 12/31/2024 Summary: Submitting the Procurement and Disbursement Report for the period of December 2024. The report is to be received and filed in compliance with Section 1-8-2 (BB) of the District’s Code of Ordinances.receive and filedPass Action details Not available
25-0078 1  ReportREPORT Department: Departments of Legal and Finance Request: Receive and File Report Title: Workers’ Compensation Report - December 2024 Report Period: 12/1/2024 - 12/31/2024 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County Departments of Legal and Finance are submitting Workers’ Compensation Claim Payments for the month of December 2024. Payments total $91,969.07 for December 2024.receive and filedPass Action details Not available
25-0067 1  Calendar of EventsPROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 2/4/2025 - 3/10/2025 Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes. Wednesday, 2/5; 6pm - 7:30pm Thankful for the Dark, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs Join us and learn why light pollution is harmful to people and wildlife while hiking in the largest Urban Night Sky Place. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897. Friday, 2/7; 6pm - 8:30pm Valentine’s Day Candlelight Walks, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland Families, friends, and couples are welcomed to celebrate love in its many forms with a candlelit walk and light refreshments. Registration required. Please call (708) 868-0606. Friday, 2/7; 6:30pm Winter Fire Building Workshop, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook Join us and learn fire building skills indoors and try out your new talent outdoors. Ages 10 and up. Ages 10-17 with an adult. For more information, pleareceive and filedPass Action details Not available
25-0016 1  AppointmentPROPOSED APPOINTMENT Appointee(s): Alaka Wali Position: Member Department/Board/Commission: Conservation and Policy Council Effective Date: Immediate Expiration Date: 12/31/2027 Alaka Wali is curator emerita of North American Anthropology in the Science and Education Division of the Field Museum. Alaka was born in India and came to the United States as a child. Curious about issues of cultural identity, she studied anthropology at Harvard and Columbia, focusing on the challenges facing Indigenous peoples and their efforts to maintain cultural practices and worldviews. She was the founding director of the Center for Cultural Understanding and Change at The Field Museum from 1995- 2010. During that time, she pioneered the development of participatory social science research and community engagement processes based in museum science. She curated the North American collection, one of the Museum's largest regional anthropology holdings. Since 2000, she has worked closely with ecologists and museum educators to develop innovative community engagement strategapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0003 1  ReappointmentPROPOSED REAPPOINTMENT Appointee(s): Jacqui Ulrich, Director, Department of Conservation & Experiential Programming Position: Member of the Board Department/Board/Commission: NeighborSpace Board of Directors Effective Date: 1/15/2025 Expiration Date: Two (2) year term expiring 12/31/2026 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) requests approval of the reappointment of Jacqui Ulrich, Director of the Conservation and Experiential Programming Department (“CEP”) to the Board of Directors of NeighborSpace, an affiliate partner of the Forest Preserves. NeighborSpace is a nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago that preserves and sustains gardens on behalf of dedicated community groups. NeighborSpace owns and manages property so that community groups can focus on gardening. NeighborSpace-protected gardens give young and old alike an opportunity to get their hands in the earth and enjoy nature, right in their own neighborhoods. CEP connects diverse audiences to nature through a wide range of educational and outdoor recreation experiencapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0076 1  Recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee (Litigation)RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE (LITIGATION) Finance Subcommittee Meeting on Litigation - 2/4/2025 The Finance Subcommittee on Litigation met on the above listed date and recommends the following for approval: Proposed Settlements Approved Fiscal Year 2025 to Present: $0.00 Proposed Settlements to Be Approved: $0.00 Legal Fees Approved Fiscal Year 2025 to Present: $49,399.25 Legal Fees for 2/4/2025 to Be Approved: $31,448.00approvePass Action details Not available
25-0077 1  Recommendation of the Finance Subcomittee (Workers' Compensation)RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE (WORKERS’ COMPENSATION) Finance Subcommittee Meeting on Workers’ Compensation - 2/4/2025 The Finance Subcommittee on Workers’ Compensation met on the above listed date and recommends the following for approval: Workers’ Compensation Claims approved Fiscal Year 2025 to present: $21,983.69 Workers’ Compensation Claims to Be Approved: $27,276.00approvePass Action details Not available
25-0022 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Corporate Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenditures Report Period: 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2024 Summary: Detailed Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenditures for December 2024.receive and filedPass Action details Not available
25-0012 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Refer to Finance Committee Report Title: American Rescue Plan Act Sub-Award Annual Report Report Period: 7/26/2022 - 10/31/2024 Summary: This report serves as an annual update on the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s (the “Forest Preserves”) American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) sub-award funds pursuant to Board Resolution No. 22-0289. This report covers the period of July 26, 2022 through October 31, 2024 and includes Forest Preserves’ expenditures and activities for ARPA projects. ARPA funds seek to address the negative health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on communities nationwide. The Forest Preserves remained open throughout the pandemic and saw firsthand how important nature is to the residents of Cook County, with visitor numbers jumping from an estimated 62 million visits per year to 100 million during this time. ARPA funds support the Forest Preserves mission in providing access to nature for all residents of Cook County.receive and filedPass Action details Not available
25-0007 1  OrdinancePROPOSED ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE A FOREST PRESERVE NEAR MICHAEL J. O’MALLEY PRESERVE AN ORDINANCE CREATING A FOREST PRESERVE in part of Section 30, Township 35, Range 15, all in Cook County, Illinois near Michael J. O’Malley Preserve in District 6. WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois (the “District”), pursuant to the statutes in such case made and provided, has from time to time acquired by purchase, condemnation, gift, grant, devise, or otherwise, lands necessary and desirable for District purposes containing one or more natural forests or parts thereof, or lands connecting such forests or parts thereof, or lands capable of being reforested for the purpose of protecting and preserving the flora, fauna, and scenic beauties within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois, and to restore, restock, protect, and preserve the natural forests and said lands together with their flora and fauna, as nearly as may be, in their natural state and condition, for the purpose of the education, pleasure, and recrapprovePass Action details Not available
25-0006 1  ContractWETLAND MITIGATION BANK AGREEMENT AND PROPOSED ACCEPTANCE OF REAL ESTATE DONATION Department(s): Department of Resource Management Vendor: HGS, LLC D/B/A RES Environmental Operating Company, LLC, Bellaire, Texas Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Agreement for HGS, LLC to develop, manage and maintain a wetland mitigation bank on Forest Preserves property in unincorporated Cook County near Sauk Village, and authorization for the Forest Preserves to accept donated property from HGS, LLC with a corresponding deed restriction or similar instrument. Contract Value: Not to exceed $10,000.00 in miscellaneous real estate fees, such as closing costs. Contract Period: From date of execution until Mitigation Bank Closeout as determined by the appropriate federal authorities (the Forest Preserves will assume long-term maintenance responsibilities thereafter). Estimated Fiscal Impact: Not to Exceed $10,000.00. After Mitigation Bank Closeout, the Forest Preserves expects approvePass Action details Not available
25-0004 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Law Enforcement Request: Refer to Law Enforcement Committee Report Title: Model Policing Report Period: 7/1/2024 - 12/31/2024 Summary: Report on the status of achieving the goal of a Model Forest Preserves Police Department.receive and filedPass Action details Not available