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Now on Twitter!
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Follow Commissioner Goslin on Twitter to find out what he's been reading in the news and for live updates during County and Forest Preserve Board Meetings.
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Connect with Commissioner Goslin on Facebook to get useful updates on county programs and opportunities!
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2012 FPD Budget
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Chairman Goslin led the Forest Preserve Finance Committee through the Forest Preserve budget process this winter. On Thursday, December 15th, the 2012 FPD Budget was approved unanimously at the Special Meeting of the Forest Preserve District Board.
The total proposed appropriation for FY2012 is $195 million. This includes:
- $58M general operating budget, a 1.5% increase from 2011
- $5.7M for Construction and Development
- $13.8M for Capital Improvements
- $10.1M for Real Estate Acquisition, including $4M in new money
- $15.5M for Brookfield Zoo (the Zoo raises $48.5M)
- $9.6M for Botanic Garden; (the Garden raises $19.8M)
The main objectives for the District in 2012 are:
- Completing a new Land Acquisition Plan, releasing a more transparent Capital Improvement Plan, and completing a plan for the District's new initiative to restore and expand its historic campgrounds
- Focusing on greater accountability by implementing recommendations from the desk audit and achieving compliance with the Shakman rules
- Expanding public outreach initiatives and educational programs, particularly for children
- Continuing to restore our natural forests, savannahs and prairies
- Continuing to identify and acquire key land parcels and create connections between District properties
- Building and leveraging the District's conservation, land restoration and environmental protection work by continuing to grow our volunteer corps
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FPD Campgrounds Initiative
| Many of the Forest Preserve District's current campgrounds are in poor condition. The FPD has been working to assess the conditions and potential of its historic campgrounds--the 2012 FPD budget includes funds for demolition and planning for new campground sites.
The Departments of Recreation and Planning are working with a consultant to evaluate existing as well as potential new campground sites throughout the District. In January, they plan to set up meetings to discuss potential uses of these sites, such as family camping and partnerships with youth service centers.
If you, or a group you represent, have an interest in the future of FPD campgrounds, please contact our office so that we can add your organization to the list of stakeholders included in upcoming focus groups and public meetings.
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Vacant Buildings Ordinance
| At last week's Cook County Board Meeting, Commissioner Goslin co-sponsored an ordinance relating to the registration of vacant buildings. The Vacant Building ordinance is aimed at forcing property owners and mortgagees to take responsibility for sites they leave vacant which can quickly become run-down, overgrown, eyesores and even potentially hazardous to the surrounding community.
The ordinance requires the owners of vacant properties to register and take responsibility for them within 30 days of the buildings becoming vacant or after taking ownership of the buildings. Following a mortgage default, mortgagees have 60 days to register and pay the $250 fee.
The ordinance will take effect in February and will apply to unincorporated Cook County. Incorporated municipalities may also opt-in by entering into agreements with the county to enforce the ordinance within their own boundaries.
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Deer Grove East Update
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The eastern portion of the Deer Grove Forest Preserve is currently undergoing a five-year restoration that began in the Fall of 2009. The project is expected to restore 25.5 acres of historic wetland habitat and enhance an additional 14.5 acres of existing wetland. Openlands, the contractor completing the project, worked with ecologists from FPDCC, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other partner agencies to create the master restoration plan.
Openlands recently provided us with an update about the work they've been doing, including details on a new community volunteer group for Deer Grove East:
Last winter, Openlands completed clearing/thinning of dead trees in the gypsy moth damage area in the west portion of the project area (north of the paved trail). They also installed 3 rock weir structures along the drainage way in the woodland portion of the project area to hold back more surface water in select wetland basins.
Native seeding and plugging of the prairie and wood land portions of the project started this year. In addition, this fall there were native shrubs planted in 3 locations in the woodland part of the project area. Temporary tall fencing (darker colored fencing) was placed around the shrub plantings to protect them from deer damage.
Scouting for and treatment of invasive species and woody resprouts continued spring through fall. There was some tweaking of the water control features of the site intended to help restoration of select wetlands and keep surface water from getting onto the paved trail.
This coming winter Openlands intends to complete the last of the woody removal/thinning called for in the project plan. The clearing acreage is relatively small and no temporary trail closures are anticipated as a result of this work.
In an effort to get more people involved in the site and its long term management, Openlands is partnering with the FPDCC, Audubon-Chicago Region, and Sierra Club to recruit a volunteer group for Deer Grove East. The initial information and volunteer recruitment event took place over Columbus Day weekend. Approximately 60 people attended the event and the fledgling volunteer group--Friends of Deer Grove East--has established a website and Facebook page for themselves. These sites have more information about the group and how to get involved at the Deer Grove East preserve.
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Let's
have a conversation! As always, feel free to
reply to this newsletter, send me an email or give me a call about any
Cook County issue.
Sincerely,
Gregg Goslin, Commissioner
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