Byron Forest Preserve District Board met Jan. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Commissioners present: Baker, Breen, Patterson, Remhof, and Vincer.
Commissioners absent: none.
Staff present: Brown, Brunner, Dahlberg, deOliveira, Gerke, Herman, McCammond, Ruggiero, Tucker, and Wombacher.
Guests present: none.
The meeting was called to order at 7pm following a reception celebrating Mark Herman’s retirement from the District.
Director Tucker suggested deleting Agenda Items 13A-13C, Executive Session.
REMHOF MOVED AND PATTERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. BREEN – YES, PATTERSON – YES, REMHOF – YES, BAKER – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
REMHOF MOVED AND BREEN SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING AND EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2021. PATTERSON – YES, REMHOF – YES, BAKER – YES, BREEN – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
BREEN MOVED AND REMHOF SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 01-22 A RESOLUTION TO RELEASE MINUTES OF CLOSED BOARD MEETINGS:
WHEREAS, the Open Meetings Act under (5 ILCS 120/2.06) (from Ch. 102, par.42.06) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 102-653) Sec. 2.06. Minutes; requires the Board of Commissioners to review, at least semi-annually, those minutes of Closed Sessions that have been kept closed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE BYRON FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT, OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The Board of Commissioners of the Byron Forest Preserve District hereby finds and declares that all closed meeting minutes of all meetings prior to January 1, 2022 shall be open to the public.
SECTION 2: After January 1, 2022, closed meeting minutes will be reviewed at the regular monthly meeting by the Board of Commissioners to determine if the minutes should be kept closed or be opened to the public and any minutes that are not released to the public shall be reviewed at the January and July meetings.
SECTION 3: The Board determines and directs that all recordings of closed meetings that are older than 18 months should be destroyed.
SECTION 4: All policies and resolutions of the Byron Forest Preserve District which conflict with the provisions of this resolution shall be and are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
WHEREAS, this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
PASSED THIS 24th DAY OF JANUARY 2022.
ROLL CALL: REMHOF – YES, BAKER – YES, BREEN – YES, PATTERSON – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
The correspondence was noted and briefly discussed.
President Vincer opened the floor to Shawn McCammond to discuss the financial reports for December. Shawn said the General Fund ended up with a $21,000 surplus and the Golf Fund has a $284,000 surplus. All accounts in the black and look good. Brief discussion followed.
BAKER MOVED AND PATTERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2021. BAKER – YES, BREEN – YES, PATTERSON – YES, REMHOF – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
The President’s Report: President Vincer thanked Mike Brown for the use of the mini excavator stating that it saved the day with the water main break at the public works department. He noted that it is great to have the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Byron and the Forest Preserve.
President Vincer thanked Mark Herman for his years of service to the District and congratulated him on his retirement. He appreciates what he did as an educator for the District.
President Vincer briefly discussed the upcoming state conference this week.
President Vincer opened the floor to District Department Heads to present their Staff Reports. Todd Tucker, Administrative Services Department-7:17-7:20pm-He noted that the IACD conference is coming up in February. Commissioner Patterson stated that he would like to attend. Todd congratulated Mark Herman on his retirement and Janet Dahlberg on her move up to the position of Superintendent of Education.
Mark Herman and Janet Dahlberg, Education Department-7:20-7:26pm-He thanked Todd for hiring him and giving him a chance. He is most proud of the museum remodeling and the preschool program, which is like a “feeder” program to bring people here for other family events. He commended Janet on being the best summer camp director. He enjoyed doing the Biggest Tree in the State campaign and getting top rated media outlets to cover it. He thanked Russell for teaching him a lot about the prairie and allowing him to help with prairie burns and becoming certified. He is excited to come back and volunteer to do prairie burns.
Russell Brunner, Restoration/Maintenance Department-7:26-7:37pm-He thanked Mark Herman for his help with prairie burns and seed picking over the years. He reviewed his photos with the board. Commissioners Breen and Remhof commended him and his crew on the condition of the preserves especially the recently purchased property near the main preserve entrance. Russell briefly discussed his department’s assistance with the lower level remodeling project at the Jarrett Prairie Center. Discussion followed regarding declaring the 2006 GMC Canyon as surplus so it can be traded in towards a new truck.
Scott deOliveira, Golf Course Operations-7:37-7:51pm-He introduced Patty Ruggiero, PrairieView’s new Food and Beverage Manager. Scott reported that the leagues at PrairieFire are going well. He noted that there have been several holiday parties held at PrairieFire including the Byron Fire Department who usually go to Uptown Lanes. Staff changed the menu at PrairieFire. Commissioner Patterson asked if proshop items were sold at PrairieFire. Scott said that some items are sold but PrairieFire also has its own retail items. The proshop didn’t have very much left after last season. Some of the accessories were brought over to PrairieFire to be sold. PrairieView items have a different logo than PrairieFire, which limits what is sold in each area. Replacing the fire tables at PrairieFire was discussed. The new tables will have more table space around the fire for glasses, plates, etc. President Vincer noted that making small changes keeps the place fresh and new. Commissioner Remhof asked about the status of the new golf carts. Scott answered that the agreement is signed and the carts should be delivered in April.
Mike Brown, Golf Course Maintenance Department-7:51-8:03pm-He reviewed photos with the board. Preventative maintenance has been done on equipment preparing for spring. His crew began work on a bunker on hole #3. He met with Rainbird regarding replacing the 30-year old irrigation system in the next couple of years. Commissioner Breen asked about the number of companies who can replace the system. Mike answered that there are only two, Rainbird and Toro. He also noted that there are only three construction companies in the area that can install a new system.
REMHOF MOVED AND BAKER SECONDED A MOTION TO DECLARE THE 2006 GMC CANYON TRUCK AND THE FIRE TABLES PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED AT PRAIRIEFIRE AS SURPLUS. BREEN – YES, PATTERSON – YES, REMHOF – YES, BAKER – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
REMHOF MOVED AND BAKER SECONDED A MOTION TO DONATE THE WATERCOLOR BARN PAINTINGS BY HARRY NURMET TO THE OREGON LIBRARY’S ART COLLECTION SINCE HE WAS FROM OREGON, ILLINOIS. PATTERSON – YES, REMHOF – YES, BAKER – YES, BREEN – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
REMHOF MOVED AND BAKER SECONDED A MOTION AT 8:11PM TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. REMHOF – YES, BAKER – YES, BREEN – YES, PATTERSON – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
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