Please note: this meeting's minutes have not been finalized yet. Actions taken on legislation and their results are not available.
Meeting Name: FPD Board of Commissioners Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 9/9/2025 10:00 AM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st Street, Brookfield, Illinois
Issue Date: 9/4/2025
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Not available  
Meeting video:  
Attachments: Click to Watch Live, To comment on an item on this agenda, click here, Errata Board Agenda 9-9-2025
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25-0242 1  ReportREPORT Department: Office of the General Superintendent Request: Receive and File Report Title: Conservation and Policy Council Monthly Report Summary: Created in 2014, the Conservation and Policy Council advises the President, Board and the General Superintendent about conservation policies and practices, including the implementation of the Next Century Conservation Plan’s vision of vibrant, ecologically healthy and welcoming forest preserves system. Each month, a member of the Conservation and Policy Council will provide a verbal report detailing the work that the Conservation and Policy Council is doing as well as their recommendations to the Board regarding policies, practices, and other strategic initiatives of the Forest Preserves.   Not available Not available
25-0298 1  AppointmentPROPOSED APPOINTMENT Appointee(s): Brandon Hayes Position: Council Member Department/Board/Commission: Conservation and Policy Council Effective date: 9/9/2025 Expiration date: 12/31/2025 The Council Nominating Committee recommends the appointment of Brandon Hayes to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Megan Bang. Brandon Hayes founded Bold Bison Communications and Consulting in 2019 to provide forward-thinking communications solutions, engaging strategy and facilitation services, and inspiring workshops and trainings for nonprofits, particularly in the conservation, climate, and local food movements. Bold Bison is a national firm—working from Florida to Alaska—with geographical emphases in the Great Lakes, Texas, and the West Coast. Clients include the Chicago Region Food System Fund, Chicago Wilderness Alliance, Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas, Houston Audubon, Iowa State University, The Land Trust Alliance, Montana Land Reliance, The Morton Arboretum, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, National Forest Fou   Not available Not available
25-0301 1 FPDCC Open Recommendations Report for July 2025ReportREPORT Department: Office of the County Auditor Request: Refer to Audit Committee Report Title: FPDCC Open Recommendations Report for July 2025 Report Period: July 2025 Summary: This report was designed to communicate the status of Open Recommendations regarding the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.   Not available Not available
25-0305 1  ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION REQUEST FOR GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT AUTHORITY TO APPROVE AND EXECUTE AGREEMENTS FOR INTERCONNECTION OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES FACILITIES WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) desires to install, operate, and maintain solar and other energy-generating equipment or “distributed generation facilities” for the benefit of the Forest Preserves at certain locations now or in the future; and WHEREAS, in order for the distributed generation facilities installed by the Forest Preserves to generate electricity to offset use, the Forest Preserves must connect said facilities to the electrical grid through various utility companies such as Commonwealth Edison (“ComEd”); and WHEREAS, the Illinois Commerce Commission per Title 83 of the Illinois Administrative Code requires the Forest Preserves, as the interconnection customer, and the connecting utility company to sign and execute various interconnection agreements for the use and connectivity of any distributed generation facilities (“interconnectivity agreements”); and    Not available Not available
25-0312 1  Grant AwardPROPOSED GRANT AWARD Department: Department of Resource Management Grantee: Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) Grantor: The Nature Conservancy via the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Request: Authorization to accept grant and to enter into grant agreement Purpose: To conduct 94 acres of habitat restoration at Powderhorn Lake and Eggers Grove Grant Amount: $225,000.00 Grant Period: 9/9/2025 – 11/30/2027 Fiscal Impact: $363,000.00 in direct cash match, plus in-kind staff support for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the programs Accounts: Professional Services 51036.520840; Grant and Mitigation 51010.521314 and 51010.521444; and all future Professional Services accounts Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final agreement is subject to legal review and approval. District(s): 4 Summary: The Forest Preserves has been sub-awarded funds from The Nature Conservancy through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Sustain Our Great Lakes Program in support of habitat re   Not available Not available
25-0311 1  Intergovernmental Agreement AmendmentPROPOSED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AMENDMENT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Other Part(ies): Cook County Government, Chicago, Illinois Request: Authorization to enter into the Fourteenth Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Cook (the “County”) and the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) for the reimbursement or payment for certain services rendered by various County departments and by the Forest Preserves. Goods or Services: The County and the Forest Preserves wish to amend and restate the Thirteenth Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement (approved by their respective Boards of Commissioners on 11/21/2024 and 11/19/2024 for FY 2025) whereby they provide various services for each other. Agreement Number: N/A Agreement Period: 1/1/2026 - 12/31/2026 Fiscal Impact: Not to exceed $2,447,177.00 in expenditures and $1,802,845.00 in revenue Accounts: Various districtwide corporate expenditure and revenue accounts District(s): Districtwide Summary: The County   Not available Not available
25-0292 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet Vendor: ASH North America, Inc., D/B/A Aebi Schmidt North America, Chilton, Wisconsin (parent company of Monroe Truck Equipment, Inc., Monroe, Wisconsin) Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Upfit or modification of certain fleet vehicles based on Sourcewell contract #062222-AEB expiring 8/15/2026 Contract Value: $600,000.00 Contract Period: 9/9/2025 – 8/15/2026 with one (1) year optional renewal to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent, subject to the renewal of the underlying contract on which the piggyback contract is based. Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $150,000.00, FY 2026 $300,000.00, FY 2027 $150,000.00 (optional) Accounts: Vehicle Purchase 51033.560266, 51001.560266 and 51009.560266 Contract Number(s): #74000016712 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval. Piggy   Not available Not available
25-0293 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet Vendor: Ameresco, Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Energy Consultant Services for Natural Gas and Electricity for Forest Preserves-Owned and Leased Facilities Contract Value: $528,312.00 Contract Period: 10/1/2025 – 9/30/2028 with one (1) two-year renewal option to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent. Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $24,879.00, FY 2026 $100,260.00, FY 2027 $103,263.00, FY 2028 $106,365.00, FY 2029 $109,548.00 (optional), FY 2030 $83,997.00 (optional) Accounts: Professional Services 51001.520830 Contract Number(s): #74000016656 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval. The vendor has met the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Ordinance via direct participation. District(s): Districtwide Summary: Under this   Not available Not available
25-0295 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet Vendor: Davis Equipment Corporation D/B/A Turfwerks, Johnston, Iowa Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Jacobsen Repair Parts and Service Contract Value: $375,000.00 Contract Period: Five (5) years from date of execution Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $18,750.00, FY 2026 $75,000.00, FY 2027 $75,000.00, FY 2028 $75,000.00, FY 2029 $75,000.00, FY 2030 $56,250.00 Accounts: Equipment Supplies and Maintenance Service 51033.540275; and all future Equipment Supplies and Maintenance accounts Contract Number(s): #74000016690 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval. Sole Source contract with no MWBE participation goals. District(s): Districtwide Summary: The Forest Preserves’ Facilities and Fleet department is requesting to purchase Jacobsen repair parts and equipment service on a sole source basis fr   Not available Not available
25-0307 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Law Enforcement Vendor: Mark43, Inc., New York, New York Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Records Management System and Evidence Management System for the Department of Law Enforcement Contract Value: $652,883.50 Contract Period: 10/31/2025 – 10/30/2028 with two (2) one-year extension options to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $114,359.04, FY 2026 $161,265.60, FY 2027 $92,219.04, FY 2028 $92,219.04, FY 2029 $94,985.61 (optional), FY 2030 $97,835.17 (optional) Accounts: Professional Services 51001.520840 Contract Number(s): #74000016672 issued under Project #24-70-010618 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval. The contract specific Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise goal for this contract was set to zero. District(s): Districtwide Summary: The D   Not available Not available
25-0254 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming Vendor: Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend and increase contract Good(s) or Service(s): Animal food and bedding for utilization at the Forest Preserves Nature Centers to care for live animals. Original Contract Period: 3/20/2022 - 3/19/2026 Proposed Contract Period Extension: 3/20/2026 – 4/7/2027 Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $140,000.00 Original Approval: 2/8/2022, $140,000.00 Previous Increase(s): N/A This Increase Requested: $35,000.00 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2026 $10,000.00, FY 2027 $25,000.00 Accounts: Supplies and Materials - NOC 51001.530252 Contract Number(s): #74000010503 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final amendment is subject to legal review and approval. Sole Source contract with no MWBE participation goals. District(s): Districtwide Summary:   Not available Not available
25-0303 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Planning and Development Vendor: Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., Rosemont, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend contract Good(s) or Service(s): Phase III engineering services for construction oversight relating to construction of approximately 1.7 miles of the Des Plaines Trail from Bryn Mawr to Lawrence Avenue also known as Segment 3 Original Contract Period: 8/1/2022 - 7/29/2024*; Administrative Extension 8/1/2024 – 7/31/2025 (*Board approved term ended on 7/29/2024 but due to clerical error end date of 7/31/2024 was entered on executed contract) Proposed Contract Period Extension: 8/1/2025 (retroactive) - 7/31/2026 Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $688,543.00 Original Approval: 5/10/2022, $688,543.00 Previous Increase(s): N/A This Increase Requested: N/A Estimated Fiscal Impact: N/A Accounts: Professional Services 51009.520830, 51010.520830, 51029.520830, 51031.520830 and 51036.520830; and futu   Not available Not available
25-0304 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Planning and Development Vendor: Warehouse Direct Inc. D/B/A Midwest Office Interiors, Woodridge, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to increase and extend contract Good(s) or Service(s): Office Furniture Supply and Installation Original Contract Period: 12/27/2024 - 3/26/2026 Proposed Contract Period Extension: Five-year optional renewal to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent, subject to the renewal of the underlying contract on which the piggyback contract is based. Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $150,000.00 Original Approval: 12/27/2024, $150,000.00 Previous Increase(s): N/A This Increase Requested: $550,000.00 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY2025 $50,000.00, FY2026 $100,000.00 (optional), FY2027 $100,000.00 (optional), FY2028 $100,000.00 (optional), FY2029 $100,000.00 (optional), FY2030 $50,000.00 (optional); FY2031 $50,000.00 Accounts: Building Improvements 51009.560105, 51031.5601   Not available Not available
25-0306 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Law Enforcement Vendor: Axon Enterprise, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to increase contract Good(s) or Service(s): Purchase of an additional twenty-five (25) Body Worn Cameras, twenty-five (25) Taser units, as well as all related licensing, software, warranties, cloud storage and training services for law enforcement. Original Contract Period: 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2029 Proposed Contract Period Extension: N/A Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $2,000,000.00 Original Approval: 10/22/2024, $2,000,000.00 Previous Increase(s): N/A This Increase Requested: $460,934.35 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $129,061.63, FY 2026 $110,624.24, FY 2027 $110,624.24, FY 2028 $110,624.24 Accounts: Equipment 51001.540132 Contract Number(s): #74000014996 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final amendment is subject to legal review and approval. Piggyback contract based on    Not available Not available
25-0316 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Planning and Development Vendor: Interface Engineering, Chicago, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to increase contract Good(s) or Service(s): Professional Services to provide architectural and engineering design and construction administration services for a new heating and air conditioning system for the Forest Preserves’ General Headquarters in River Forest. Original Contract Period: 12/15/2021 - 3/14/2025; 3/15/2025 - 3/14/2026 (Administrative Extension) Proposed Contract Period Extension: N/A Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $351,628.00 Original Approval: 12/14/2021, $184,846.00 Previous Increase(s): 3/25/2022, $17,450.00 (Administrative Increase); 4/5/2022, $55,215.00 (Board Approval); 2/7/2023, $74,989.00 (Board Approval); and 8/27/2025, $19,128.00 (Administrative Increase) This Increase Requested: $38,610.00 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $38,610.00 Accounts: Professional Services 51009.52083   Not available Not available
25-0317 1  Previously Approved Item AmendmentPROPOSED PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ITEM AMENDMENT Department: Office of the General Superintendent Request: This item makes a correction to reporting date for receipt of additional ARPA funds. Item Number: 24-0523 Fiscal Impact: N/A Original Text of Item: PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR ADDITIONAL ARPA GRANT FUNDING FROM COOK COUNTY TO THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY WHEREAS, on March 11, 2021, the federal government authorized the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”), which includes $1.9 trillion in federal stimulus funds to hasten the United States’ recovery from the economic and health effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, specifically, the federal government has authorized and allocated a federal award of approximately $1,000,372,385 of ARPA funding to Cook County (“County”) to assist the County in its recovery from the economic and health effects of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, on June 24, 2021, the County’s American Rescue Plan Act Framework (the “ARPA Framework”) was presented to the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and WH   Not available Not available
25-0088 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Procurement and Disbursement Report Report Period: 6/1/2025 - 7/31/2025 Summary: Submitting the Procurement and Disbursement Report for the periods of June and July 2025. The report is to be received and filed in compliance with Section 1-8-2 (BB) of the District’s Code of Ordinances.   Not available Not available
25-0161 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Vehicle Steering Committee Annual Report Report Period: 1/1/2024 – 12/31/2024 Summary: This report is required per Section 1-14-1 (Districtwide Vehicle Steering Committee) of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Code of Ordinances. The report addresses changes to the District owned vehicle inventory for fiscal year 2024.   Not available Not available
25-0300 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (the “ACFR”) Report Period: Fiscal Year Ending 12/31/2024 Summary: The ACFR has been prepared by the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) for the fiscal year ending 12/31/2024. The report has been prepared in accordance with the principles and standards for the financial reporting set forth by the Government Accounting Standards Board and audited by a firm of independent auditors retained by the Forest Preserves.   Not available Not available
25-0315 1  ReportREPORT Department: Departments of Legal and Finance Request: Receive and File Report Title: Workers’ Compensation Reports (June 2025 and July 2025) Report Period: 6/1/2025 - 7/31/2025 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County Departments of Legal and Finance are submitting Workers’ Compensation Claim Payments for the months of June and July of 2025. Payments total $79,686.07 for June 2025 and $71,159.39 for July 2025.   Not available Not available
25-0309 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 9/9/2025-10/20/2025 Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes. Friday, 9/12; 4pm-7pm Faire at the Square, Cummings Square, River Forest Drop in and enjoy our creative-reuse carnival! The games will be made from repurposed materials. You can win prizes, learn about local plants and animals and explore other activities. For more information, please call (312)533-5751. Friday, 9/12; 7pm-9pm Movie Under the Stars, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Attention all movie lovers! Join us on our front lawn for a special movie viewing. Registration required. Please call (847)381-6592. Saturday, 9/13; 9am-4:30pm Art, Nature, and Culture Series: Nature Sketching and Photography Meetup, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs Explore how art can intertwine with nature and culture by enjoying and learning about various art forms   Not available Not available