McHENRY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 201 5

Transcription

1 McHENRY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, CALL TO ORDER The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the McHenry County Conservation District was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by President Heinsohn on the evening of Thursday, December 17, 2015, at the Brookdale Administrative Offices, US Highway 14, Woodstock, Illinois ROLL CALL 2.1 Roll Call Trustees Present: Trustees Absent: Bona Heinsohn, President Brandon Thomas, Vice President (arrived at 6:10 p.m.) Stephen Barrett, Secretary Pete Merkel, Trustee David Kranz, Trustee Kent Krautstrunk, Treasurer Vern Scacci, Trustee Counsel & Staff Present: Carolyn Schofield, County Board Liaison Robert K. Bush, Legal Counsel Elizabeth S. Kessler, Executive Director John Kremer, Director of Operations & Public Safety Andy Dylak, Director of Administration & Finance Ed Collins, Director of Land Preservation Natural Resources Wendy Kummerer, Marketing & Communications Manager Anne Basten, Executive Assistant John Berg, Facilities Maintenance Manager Deb Chapman, Educational Services Manager Sara Denham, Wildlife Resource Center Manager Jeff Diedrick, Chief of Police Jenny Heider, Human Resource Manager Amy Peters, Planning Manager Val Siler, Land Preservation Manager Perry Weborg, Sites & Fleet Manager Brad Woodson, Natural Resources Manager Lyn Drathring, Administrative Assistant Communications 3.0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Heinsohn. 4.0 CONSERVATION ETHIC Trustee Kranz read Goal #6, our conservation ethic and Secretary Barrett read Goal #3 aloud. Open Session Minutes Page 1 of 7

2 5.0 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments made at this time. 6.0 PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS 6.1 Retirement of Lyn Drathring, Communications Administrative Assistant This item was postponed until after item Recognition of Service Awards: 5 Years (Kurt Klinger, Mike Schultz); 15 Years (Deb Chapman, John Kremer); 20 Years (Kim Compton); 25 Years (Anne Basten, John Peters) Executive Director Kessler explained that normally the award recipients are recognized at the annual Holiday party but had been awarded at the last staff meeting since no Holiday party was being held this year. The Board members congratulated those present COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS & REPORT 7. 1 Trustee Reports on Conferences ft Meetings Attended 7.1 a Fox River Ecosystem Partnership Trustee Scacci reported that he had he had not attended the last meeting. 7.1 b Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Director of Land Preservation and Natural Resources Collins reported that the group had not met since the previous month. 7.1 c Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership Trustee Kranz reported that the most recent meeting had been cancelled at the last minute d Chicago Wilderness Executive Director Kessler reported that the group had met by phone to discuss the budget. She also shared that 2016 will be the Twentieth Anniversary of the organization and that activities to celebrate are being planned. 7.1e Agricultural Conservation Easement and Farmland Protection Commission President Heinsohn reported that the meeting dates for 2016 have been set and they did not meet in December of f IACFPD/IAPD/NRPA Treasurer Krautstrunk reported that the IACFPD will be meeting in January of 2016 as part of the IPRA/IAPD Annual Conference. Board members were invited to attend a dinner hosted by Ancel Glink that same evening. She announced that the IACFPD is asking for volunteer board members to serve as officers to the association and if anyone is Open Session Minutes Page 2 of 7

3 interested they should let Executive Director Kessler know since she serves on the Nominating Committee g McHenry County Conservation Foundation Treasurer Krautstrunk reported that the group is seeking the reappointment of two Directors for three-year terms and will hold their Annual Meeting in January where officers are selected. 7.1 h McHenry County Council of Governments Secretary Barrett was not able to attend. Executive Director Kessler attended the December Meeting hosted by the City of McHenry and spoke about the Conservation Congress and reminded municipalities present to return their completed credentials. 7.1 i Green Drinks Crystal Lake Trustee Kranz reported that the speaker on home brewing was informative and well received and that you can make beer for $.50 a bottle j Conservation Congress 2016 President Heinsohn reported that the Steering Committee had met earlier in the week and will revisit delegates in January after the credential deadline has passed. Director of Land Preservation & Natural Resources Collins is working out training for the facilitators, scribes and group guides. 7.1 k Other There were no other reports. 6.1 Retirement of Lyn Drathring, Communications Administrative Assistant President Heinsohn read Resolution #15-49 recognizing Communications Administrative Assistant Drathring upon her second retirement. A motion was made by Trustee Merkel, seconded by Secretary Barrett, to adopt Resolution #15-49 Resolution of Appreciation for Dedicated Service by Lyn Drathring as presented. A voice vote resulted in all Ayes. President Heinsohn presented the executed resolution to Ms. Drathring and asked everyone to take a break to celebrate. 7.2 Finance & Administrative Committee 7.2a Summary of items discussed at the meeting held on December 17, It was reported that the Committee meeting was cancelled late this same afternoon when it was determined that there would not be a quorum present for the 5:00 p.m. meeting due to a health emergency Open Session Minutes Page 3 of 7

4 by Trustee Krautstrunk. Committee items on the Consent Agenda have been moved to Other Board Business and each agenda item will be handled separately Outreach &. Advocacy Committee 7.3a Summary of items discussed at the meeting held on December 17,2015. Secretary Barrett reported that the committee recommended approval of the minutes as presented. The group discussed legislative updates, outreach contacts made and recommended approval of the items on the Consent Agenda related to the MIAT intergovernmental agreement as presented. It was noted that the LWCF was expected to be extended for three years with a final vote coming later in the week in Washington, D.C. He also reminded those present of the night hike scheduled at Prairieview for the upcoming weekend. 8.0 COUNTY BOARD LIAISON REPORT County Board Liaison Schofield reported that the Unified Development Ordinance review was moved into January with additional changes. The Regional changes to the 2030 plan are coming up for review by a task force being chaired by County Board Member Schofield and they are expected to conclude by December of New members of the Zoning Board of Appeals were being seated. There are still openings for alternates. 9.0 BOARD BUSINESS - CONSENT AGENDA 9.1 Approval of Minutes 9.1a November19, Board Committee Minutes to be Received and Placed on File 9.2a Finance&. Administration Minutes for November 19, b Outreach &. Advocacy Minutes for November 19, Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report for November 30, 2015 as presented. 9.4 Motion to adopt Resolution# authorizing the Executive Director to execute the Agricultural Lease Agreement on /- acres of the Twin Gardens Parcel with Alan Schuring of R &. E Schuring Farms, the highest responsive bidder, for the term of April 1, 2016 thru February 28, 2019 at a lease rate of 36.00% (Bid # ) Second Reading. Motion to pass Ordinance # Amending Finance Policy - # Purchasing Policy&. Procedures. 9.6 Motion to adopt Resolution #15-51authorizing the Executive Director to execute a License Agreement for Temporary Access and Construction with Kraemer North America, LLC concerning this project on the Prairie Trail North in Richmond Motion to adopt Resolution #15-52 authorizing the Executive Director to execute a Temporary Road Construction Easement and Public Dedication Parcels to Nunda Township for Silver Creek Road. Open Session Minutes Page 4 of 7

5 9.8 Motion to reappoint Brad Semel and Kimberly Becker as Directors to the McHenry County Conservation Foundation for a three-year term ending January Motion to authorize staff to negotiate the listed CRP farm leases for the listed time frame beginning with the 2016 crop year Motion to suspend employee cost sharing for Health Insurance (Medical, Dental and Vision) for January and February of 2016 due to the 2% rate relief negotiated with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois on all plans Motion to adopt Resolution #15-53 authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the McHenry County Sheriff, various McHenry County Municipal Police Departments, and the McHenry County Conservation District for the Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT) Motion to adopt Resolution #15-54 authorizing the Executive Director to execute a First Amendment to License Agreement for Temporary Access and Construction with 300 West, LLC and Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corporation Motion to appoint additional delegates and alternates representing the McHenry County Conservation District and its associated programs/ activities to the 2016 Conservation Congress. Items 9.2a, 9.3, 9.5 and 9.10 were removed from the Board Business-Consent Agenda since the Finance &: Administration Committee did not meet to discuss these items prior to this meeting. These items were place under Other Board Business. A motion was made by Secretary Barrett, seconded by Trustee Merkel, to approve the Board Business-Consent Agenda items except items 9.2a, 9.3, 9.5 and as presented. A roll call vote gave the following results: Barrett-yes, Merkel-yes, Thomas-yes, Kranz-yes, Heinsohn-yes OTHER BOARD BUSINESS Approval of Bills Payable for the Month of November 2015 A motion was made by Vice President Thomas, seconded by Secretary Barrett, to approve the payment of bills as indicated on the Submission of Bills Pending Report for the month ending November 30, 2015 as presented. A roll call vote gave the following results: Kranz-yes, Thomas-yes, Barrett-yes, Merkel-yes, Heinsohn-yes. 9.2a Finance&: Administration Minutes for November 19, 2015 A motion was made by Vice President Thomas, seconded by Trustee Merkel to approve the Finance & Administrative Committee Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2015 as presented. A voice vote resulted in all ayes. Open Session Minutes Page 5 of 7

6 9.3 Motion to approve the Treasurer' s Report for November 30, 2015 A motion was made by Trustee Merkel, seconded by Vice Pres;dent Thomas, to approve the Treasurer's Report for November 30, 2015 as presented. A voice vote resulted in all ayes. 9.5 Second Reading. Motion to pass Ordinance # Amending Finance Policy - # Purchasing Policy & Procedures A motion was made by Trustee Merkel, seconded by Vice Pres;dent Thomas to pass Ord;nance pass Ord;nance # Amend;ng flnance Policy - # Purchas;ng PoUcy ft Procedures as proposed. A roll call vote gave the following results: Merkel-yes, Kranz-yes, Barrett-yes, Thomas-yes, Heinsohnyes Motion to suspend employee cost sharing for Health Insurance (Medical, Dental and Vision) for January and February of 2016 due to the 2% rate relief negotiated with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois on all plans Director of Administration & Finance Dylak gave an overview of the recent changes in the health insurance rate increases, the financial impacts to the District and the employees as approved at the November 19, 2015 meeting. He reported that the District was able to negotiate an additional 2% rate reduction plus several employees opted to switch to more economical health plans after the information on the out-of-pocket and co-pay rate increases were shared with the staff. The rate relief reduction brought the total net annual health insurance cost to the District to 3.4% over the prior year after instituting the increased cost sharing to the employees and other plan changes. The Executive Leadership Team's recommendation was to pass the newly received savings on to the employees to temporarily offset the immediate impact to the employees. The net effect on the District is an additional $6, 908 in the current Fiscal Year, which will be offset by operational surpluses realized in the current operational budget. A motion was made by Vice Pres;dent Thomas, seconded by Trustee Merkel, to suspend employee cost shadng for Health Insurance (Medical, Dental and Vision) for January and February of 2016 due to the 2% rate reuef negotiated with Blue Cross Blue SMeld of /Wno;s on all plans as presented. A roll call vote gave the following results: Barrett-yes, Merkel-yes, Thomas-yes, Kranz-yes, Heinsohn-yes PRESIDENT'S REPORT Open Session Minutes Page 6 of 7

7 President Heinsohn thanked the staff for the information from the December 10, 2015 long range planning presentations. She reminded everyone present that no decisions have been made and that this is an ongoing process. The Human Resource capital will be discussed in March of TRUSTEES' REPORTS The Trustees wished those present a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS' REPORT Executive Director Kessler reviewed that staff would continue with the budgeting process using the assumptions already presented. She reminded the Board that the Meet and Greet meeting with the County Board has been tentatively set for March 18, 2016 with the tentative District budget being discussed with the Natural and Environmental Resource Committee of the County Board the following week. Staff is pulling together comments on the draft Economic Development plan. Executive Director Kessler also reported that the District received recognition in the recent newsletter from PDRMA for our excellent safety practices ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Board, a mouon was made by Trustee Kranz, seconded by Trustee Merkel, that the meeung be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. December 17, 2015 Res~ ec ullllyy s~itted, d,,., / /; ~~ ~/?~( Stephen Barrett, Secretary Date Open Session Minutes Page 7 of 7