Boone County Conservation District. Minutes of the Meeting of February 19, Index

Transcription

1 Boone County Conservation District Minutes of the Meeting of February 19, 2014 Index Roll Call and Call to Order Minutes I II Minutes of the January 15, 2014 Regular Meeting Financial Reports III January 2014 Public Input Reports District Affairs IV V VI Authorization to proceed with survey work to site deer stand locations PARC Grant Program Application Seed Harvester Grant Resolution FY 2015 Budget Proposal Executive Session Action Taken As a Result of Executive Session Accounts Payable Board Member Comments VII VIII Adjournment IX

2 I. Roll Call and Call to Order Boone County Conservation District Meeting February 19, 2014 Minutes The regular meeting of the Boone County Conservation District Board of Trustees was called to order by Board President Dave Sliktas at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at the Belvidere Township Building, 8200 Fairgrounds Rd., Belvidere, Il. Roll call was taken and the following board members were present: Dave Sliktas, Jan Soltys, Mike Peterson and John Todt. Board member Bill Wolf was absent. Also present were Dan Kane, Attorney Deborah Loos, Mick Johnston, Josh Sage, Pam Stock, and Cathie Johnson. II. Minutes of the January 15, 2014 Meeting John Todt motioned and Mike Petersen seconded that the minutes of the January 15, 2014 meeting be approved as presented. Poll votes were: John Todt aye Mike Petersen - aye Jan Soltys aye Dave Sliktas - aye Motion approved. III. Financial Reports The financial reports for the month of January 2014 were filed subject to audit. IV. Public Input No public was in attendance. V. Staff Reports Staff reports were submitted for review with the board packets and are attached to the minutes. VI. District Affairs Authorization to proceed with survey work to site deer stand locations Director Kane requested authorization to proceed with survey work to site deer stand locations in preparation for the District s shotgun deer hunt. John Todt moved and Jan Soltys seconded that Director Kane be given the authorization to proceed with the survey work to site deer stand locations. Poll votes were: John Todt aye Mike Petersen - aye

3 Jan Soltys aye Dave Sliktas - aye Motion approved. PARC Grant Program Application Director of Operations Mick Johnston explained that the District is in the process of submitting a PARC grant in hopes of getting funding for repair work on the LPT. He requested that the board sign the resolution needed to proceed with the grant application. John Todt moved and Mike Petersen seconded that the resolution for the PARC grant program application be signed. Poll votes were: John Todt aye Mike Petersen - aye Jan Soltys aye Dave Sliktas - aye Motion approved. Seed Harvester Grant Resolution Josh Sage, BCCD Restoration Resources and Natural Areas Manager, is going to submit a grant request to ComEd in hopes of getting funding to purchase a seed harvester. He requested the board sign the resolution needed to complete the grant application. Jan Soltys moved and John Todt seconded that the board sign the resolution needed to complete the grant application. Poll votes were: John Todt aye Mike Petersen - aye Jan Soltys aye Dave Sliktas - aye Motion approved. Executive Session John Todt moved and Mike Petersen seconded that at the hour of 5:07 p.m. the board retire to executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Poll votes were: John Todt aye Mike Petersen - aye Jan Soltys aye Dave Sliktas - aye Motion approved. The board returned to open session at 5:37 p.m.

4 VII. Accounts Payable Jan Soltys motioned and Mike Peterson seconded that the District pay the payables due through February 19, Poll votes were: John Todt aye Mike Petersen - aye Jan Soltys aye Dave Sliktas - aye Motion was approved. VIII. Board Comments Mike Petersen thanked the board for all of the staff s efforts. IX. Adjournment Jan Soltys motioned and Mike Petersen seconded that at the hour of 5:40 p.m. the meeting be adjourned. Poll votes were: John Todt aye Mike Petersen - aye Jan Soltys aye Dave Sliktas - aye Motion was approved. President Secretary

5 BOONE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUMMARY REPORT for the Board of Trustees MONTH ENDING JANUARY 31, 2014 Illinois Checking Payroll Fund Total Beginning Balance 7, , ,249, ,299, Revenues 10, , , Expenditures 25, , , , Transfer In 80, , , Transfer Out 48, , , Ending Balance 23, , ,102, ,182,450.27

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15 Dan Kane, Executive Director Monthly Report February, 2014 Previous Issues & Activities: Grant Updates: Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF): 2011 Grant Project: The BCCD closed on the Herbert property on Friday, January 17 th. The request for distribution of grant funds is still being prepared. Several documents are required elements of the request for payment, including the site development and management plan. Once submitted the District will receive grant funds totally $79,200 toward this land purchase Grant Project: No change in the status of this grant project. An interim report is being prepared for submittal as required by the conditions of this grant. Easement/License Agreement Request(s): Engineer Kevin Bunge has scheduled a site visit to show district staff the exact location of the proposed private entrance crossing over the Long Prairie Trail. No application has been filed yet. The Village of Capron is working on an application for a license agreement to allow the extension of a new water main to cross the Long Prairie Trail. A license agreement application packet was e- mailed to the village representative that contacted the District. No follow-up has occurred since the initial contact. Proposed Land Donations: No items to discuss. OpenLands Project: 1. The County Line Road Bridge Project: There is no new information to report. Update BCCD Master Plan: No additional work has occurred on this project. BCCD Emergency Disaster Plan: There is no new information to report on this topic. Risk Management Committee Report: There are no new issues to discuss. Village of Capron Zoning Request: Developer Tim Carlin has met with District staff to provide an updated conceptual plat for the development project located adjacent to the Long Prairie Trail. The new conceptual plan is similar to the previous proposal, but has increased lot sizes that are now required by the Village of Capron s new ordinance governing the use of prefabricated modular homes. The proposal will be reviewed by the Village of Capron s Zoning Board of Appeals on February 25 th. Long Prairie Trail (LPT): There is no new information to report. New Effort to Assess Groundwater Resources: There is nothing new to report on the status of this effort. Tax Sale of Delinquent Properties: This issue involved properties still owned by developers, but intended to be donated to agencies involved in the Land/Cash Ordinances of either the county or municipal jurisdictions. Discussion with the County Treasurer indicates that there is no intended follow-up with respect to the meeting on this issue. The Treasurer noted that he would check the status of properties that we provide Property Identification Numbers (PIN) for there were several that the Planning Department had noted might be up for sale due to delinquent taxes. Follow-up is in progress. New Issues & Activities: Firearm Hunt to assist IDNR with Chronic Wasting Disease: District staff has been working with the Boone County GIS Department to create maps of each conservation area and establish hunting stand locations that meet the IDNR Hunting Regulations as well as addressing risk management (safety) aspects.

16 Access routes and shooting lanes will also need to be established for each stand location. Engineer Kevin Bunge was contacted to provide a quote for surveying the location of each stand site and fixing a permanent reference point to each. The cost estimate for the survey work will be incorporated into the FY 2015 budget. Other aspects of organizing this hunt are also under consideration. Consultation with other Districts, Our insurance provider, and others is underway. Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Proposal: The first draft of the FY 2015 budget has been prepared for board review. The budget accounts for revenue reductions associated with declining property tax values. The proposal reduces the total number of full-time district staff to nine employees and redistributes staff positions between departments to make operations more efficient. A narrative accompanies the numeric budget to explain this year s changes and emphasize the project work detailed for the upcoming year. Much of the proposed work is focused on addressing the re-occurring pavement failure on the Long Prairie Trail. If grant funding isn t received, sections of the trail may need to be closed if spring conditions reveal new problems that haven t already been treated with temporary repair measures. (This issue will be on the board agenda for discussion/action) Cooperative Agreement with the Village of Poplar Grove: Village officials contacted the District office to see if an arrangement to allow the Village Public Works Department to plow snow off of the Long Prairie Trail between Hill Street and State Street. Officials were concerned that school students were walking on the roads to get to school because there are no sidewalks in that location. Permission was granted contingent on the Village accepting all liability for the activity and use of the trail during the winter season when it is officially closed for use. The Village agreed and will work with us to develop a complete agreement to cover this arrangement. Ice Fishing Clinic Cancelled: The Coon Creek Casters elected to cancel the ice fishing clinic due to extreme weather conditions. Organization of Data Relating to Anticipated Wind Farm Application: BCCD staff has been working to organize data about species of concern known to occur in Boone County. Staff has developed a map of Boone County divided into a grid system, which will be used to demonstrate the location and distribution of known species of concern (as listed in the Illinois State Wildlife Action Plan) across the county. Additionally, this database and map have been submitted to the review staff of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for their input and critique. Since the zoning application process only allows for a relatively short period of time to conduct a review and submit comments, District staff have been working pro-actively to develop data that can be shared quickly with local zoning officials and the public. Atwood Award: The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District contacted us to request staff and board members to attend the Atwood Award Program at the Klehm Arboretum on April 24 th. I will provide additional details as they become available regarding the program. PARC Grant Program Application: District staff is working with associates from Baxter & Woodman Engineering to prepare and submit a grant application to fund repairs on the Long Prairie Trail. The application requires a resolution, authorized by the board of trustees, as part of the grant documents. The District will be seeking $300,000 in requested grant funds and will need to match this with $100,000 as the grant program is a 75:25 funding ratio. (This issue will be on the board agenda for discussion/action) Belvidere Chamber of Commerce Donates Original Gary Simon Painting: Tom Lassandro contacted the District and presented the original painting titled Christmas Cabin, to Executive Director Dan Kane. The artwork was commissioned for the 2010 Hometown Christmas and was made available for sale as a reproduction print & was depicted on the 2010 event button. The artwork reflects the Murray Cabin in a beautiful winter scene. *Remember to check the BCCD Website for new programs and activities! The web address is: Please feel free to call me in advance of the meeting if you have questions about anything in this report, the accompanying documents, or about a district related issue. Thank you!

17 Monthly Report February 2014 Director of Operations Mick Johnston Illinois Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) January 15, 2014 after allowing the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Il. DNR) five years of sharpshooting (to control CWD in deer) on BCCD sites the BCCD Board voted 4-1 to reverse their decision. This means that the ILDNR will not participate in sharpshooting on BCCD sites in This decision puts a halt to sharpshooting on BCCD sites, but does allow some alternatives for the future. It could open the door to include local hunters to work with the ILDNR to help with lowering deer herd numbers. Or if the DNR changes their stance on the disease management it could mean to new approaches on how to manage the disease. BoCo February1, 2014 Pam S. and Mick J. were on hand for the BCCD booth at the BoCo held at the Belvidere Community Center. In spite of the snow we had a steady stream of visitors. It was nice to meet with Illinois State Representative Bob Pritchard (R- Hinckley) of the 70 th District at our booth! Things were very positive all day. Thanks for being there Pam. Coon Creek Casters Kids Ice Fishing February1, 2014 Due to the weather (snow) the Coon Creek Casters cancelled the event. Maintenance 1. Worked on filling the area on the ceiling in the board room. 2. Picked up salt from Mr. Goodwater. 3. Reset the toilet in the maintenance building. 4. Plowed and shoveled snow at all sites. 5. Started servicing all mowers. Power wash, change fluids, change filters, and sharpened blades. 6. Cleaned and sharpened chain saws. 7. Changed security light on maintenance building. 8. Serviced #1 Ford ranger filters and front brakes. 9. Took firewood and kindling to dog park. 10. Picked up litter and emptied garbage at all open sites. 11. Moved snow plies everywhere with Bobcat. 12. Set up for ice fishing, plowed field (for parking) and the road to the pond, hauled firewood, picnic tables and garbage cans. (cancelled) 13. Put a new pump on the diesel tank on truck. 14. Paint dry wall patches at the office. 15. Got bus ready for the Eagle watch. (cancelled) 16. Put in a new light in the men s restroom at the Gustafson center. 17. Cleaned the maintenance building. 18. Worked on the ford tractor. 19. Worked on the F250 s plow. 20. Took mower tire for repairs. 21. Worked on fuel line for F350 (broken plowing) 22. Serviced Bobcat skid steer, ford tractor, gator. 23. Changed lock numbers back on gates.

18 Monthly Report By: Joshua Sage Natural Resources Management Department February Seed Harvest Time is being spent cleaning and organizing seed mixes for this winters seeding projects. The seed storage area is being prepared for the next harvest. Seeding has started and is near completion. The large amount of snow has slowed us a bit. 2. Piscasaw Fen WHIP Restoration Project Seed mixes have been planted with the help of machinery and volunteers on snowshoes! 3. Goats The goats are being taken care of by staff and volunteers. 4. Blanding s Turtles They have gone into hibernation. Their locations are known and will be monitored again in March. 5. Kinnikinnick USFWS Project The BCCD was awarded $10,000 to remove middle and understory invasive trees and brush within the nature preserve and buffer at Kinnikinnick Creek Conservation Area. Invasive tree and brush removal is in full swing. The very cold temperatures have made machinery difficult to negotiate but progress is being made. 6. Invasive Plant Removal Tree and brush removal will continue into March. 7. LIB USFWS Project A native seed mix has been planted with machinery and by hand. 8. Snow Removal Helping when needed. 9. Prescribed Fire Josh and Ace both attended a prescribed fire symposium at McHenry County College.

19 Education Department I. School Programs o There have been 11 school groups out with 3 more to go. o I have made 6 in-school visits with 2 more left to go. o I am helping the BHS team prepare for the Envirothon. o I have been teaching a class once a week for BHS Advanced Topics. II. Public Programs o The Eagle Watch was cancelled due to poor road conditions. o There were 10 people who attended the Large Predator program. This was a cooperative program with the U of I Extension. III. Scouts o Troops are beginning to schedule/inquire about our new program. IV. Camp o Currently accepting applications for summer staff. V. Meetings/Conferences o Attended EEAI Board meeting via conference call. o Attended Four Rivers Environmental Coalition meeting. VI. Other o I had an intern from Montessori Private Academy for a week.

20 Board Report February 2013 Special Events and Public Outreach Manager I did an interview with Comcast Corporation for their Newsmaker show. They air five minute segments that focus on local organizations and estimate the value at $7,000 in-kind. The segment, if chosen by their production crew, will run every day for one week during the news. Mick and I attended BOCO on February 1 at the Belvidere Community Center. The BOCO display showcased Summer Camp, Volunteers, Conservation Areas and Special Events. On a computer monitor a slideshow ran during the event showing pictures of volunteers, special events, public programs, campers and conservation areas. Despite the snow there was a good turnout and we had many positive comments on what we, the conservation district, do. The Heirloom Seed Sale will be February 15; U of I Master Gardeners will be participating, answering garden questions. There have been several newspaper articles about the seed sale and the BCCD Heritage Gardens, it has been advertised in local papers, online calendars and on facebook and several bloggers have added the event information to their sites. I will be attending the University of Illinois Winnebago County Master Gardeners Gardening for Food and Fun event March 1. I will be recruiting volunteers, promoting BCCD and the heritage gardens. I received a request from RSVP in Rockford and Belvidere to partner with them on the German Garden. RSVP will be acquiring a grant from the City of Rockford to help pay for the costs of putting in raised beds so that senior citizen volunteers and youth volunteers can work in the gardens. Produce grown in the gardens will be used for demonstrations, special events and seed saving as well as being donated to local food pantries. I have been shadowing Tina to learn the 1 st grade program. I will be her backup in case of illness or emergency. A Belvidere high school student will be working in the office and gardens for the rest of the school year to earn credit towards graduating early. She started the second week of Feb. We also have a college student volunteering weekly to help take care of the animals in the Nature Center. Pamela Stock

21 RESOLUTION NO. The Boone County Conservation District BOONE COUNTY, ILLINOIS A Resolution Authorizing Application to the 2014 ComEd Green Region Program for the Native Seed Harvester Project WHEREAS, the Boone County Conservation District desires to undertake the Native Seed Harvester project; and WHEREAS, the Applicant desires to apply to the ComEd Green Region Program for a grant for the purpose of carrying out this project; and WHEREAS, the Applicant has received and understands the 2014 ComEd Green Region Program Guidelines. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Boone County Conservation District Board of Directors hereby approves this project and authorizes application to the ComEd Green Region Program in the amount of $12,950, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the Applicant commits to the expenditure of matching funds in the amount of $6, necessary for the project s success. SO RESOLVED this 19th day of February Attest Signatures

22 Final accounts payable for February

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