Watching Government

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

8:00 a.m. – McHenry County College Finance and Negotiations Committee –

A report is scheduled from Internal Auditor, Nancy Gonisorek, followed by a Fiscal Year Audit Update from Larry West, Chief financial Officer.

The Committee is also to discuss a purchasing threshold, along with new budgeted positions, and private/public partnerships, an update on GMH Trust Property.

5:00 p.m.—McHenry County Conservation District Finance and Administrative Committee  --

Will meet in the Brookdale administrative offices, 18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock. This committee will be presented with the Annual Audited Financial Report by Sikich, LLP along with the 2011 Property Tax Levy Extension and Truth in Taxation Ordinance.

A number of change orders and amendments to professional service agreements are also to be considered as well as administrative policy amendments including a second reading for Board Committees and a first reading for Salary and Wage Compensation Administration.

5:00 p.m. – McHenry County Conservation District Outreach and Advocacy Committee—

Will be meeting at the same time in the Brookdale Administrative Offices, to consider a Citizen Advisory Committee Status Report; Fox Bluff Conservation Area Master Plan; a second Reading of the administrative Policy: Board Committees, and also to consider any Outreach projects and a legislative update.

6:00 p.m. -- McHenry County Conservation District Board of Trustees –

Meeting at the District office, 18410 U.S. Highway 14, Woodstock, IL.

The Board is to go into an Executive Session regarding Collective Bargaining, Probable or Imminent Litigation and Pending Litigation, and Review of Closed Session Minutes.

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Conservation District Board – Open Session

When the Board meets in open session, the communications Department is slated for a presentation and introductions followed by committee assignments and reports.

Board Business includes approval of minutes of prior meetings; a Treasurer’s Report, staff monthly report for August.

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report prepared by Sikich, LLP for Fiscal Year 2011 is being presented for acceptance.

A number of contracts are being presented for approval of eight contracts for a total cost not to exceed $308,473.07 for the completion of seeding projects on approximately 237 acres of various habitats for standards mixes, bond projects and dedicated account projects within the conservation areas.

Many actions are being requested of the trustees regarding approval of contracts and modifications regarding numerous projects such as:

•  Completion of the rain gardens at the Lake in the Hills Fen Conservation Area;
• Engineering of the Boone Creek Conservation Area;
• Demolition of buildings at the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation area;
• Replacement of the Meyer South Middle Bridge for a cost not to exceed $191.996 plus any necessary construction of repair of trail;
• Authorize acceptance of a $24,260 Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Konopasek Dam Removal and Alternatives Analysis study of the Brookdale Dam;
• Reject bids received for the purchase of two Polaris and purchase the vehicles directly off the Illinois Sate Contract at a price not to exceed $21,534;
• Adopt Resolution authorizing the execution of a Letter of Understanding between McHenry County Conservation District and McHenry County establishing a framework to increase cooperation and coordination between the parties regarding Stormwater Management Ordinance;
• Authorize ratification of a $900 Change Order from Champion Paving Corp, Hampshire, for modification to the scope of work for Pleasant Valley Conservation Area Project
• Approve awarding a contract to Homer Tree Service, Lockport, as the lowest responsible bidder for the removal of brush and invasive species at North Branch Conservation Area for cost not to exceed $34,000;
• Central Forestree of Hoffman Estates is to be awarded a $29,800 contract for removal of invasive brush at the Hickory Grove Conservation Area;
• Farm leases are being presented for approval-one to execute the Farm Lease agreement and also to let bids to secure a farm lease on the Cavanaugh parcel;
• Approval is being sought for approval of a $33,000 change order from Champion Paving Corp., Hampshire, for modification to the scope of work for Pleasant Valley Conservation Area;
• Motion is being presented to award a contract to Behm Pavement Maintenance, Crystal Lake, for asphalt and overlay repairs for four projects and to reject a bid for one other one;
• Authorization for preparation of specifications and letting of bids to replace wood decking on the Prairie trail South Huntley/Algonquin Road Bridge;
• Motion to authorize preparing specification and letting bids on hardware necessary for the installation of automatic entrance gates;
• Motion to accept the Carl Mitchell scholarship Final Report by award recipient Danielle Carlson, McHenry.

Other Board business includes the payment of bills for August 2011; the 2011 Property Tax Levy; appointment of the Board’s delegate to Coon Creek, Greenwood, Hebron Drainage Districts, and approval of any change orders.

7:30 P.M. – Crystal Lake Park District Board of Commissioners –

Meeting in the District administrative Office, One E. Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake.

In addition to payment of bills and committee reports, the Board will consider the unwished business of a Feasibility Study recommendation.

The Board heard from two possible firms at the last meeting including Ballard * King and AECOM provided presentations on feasibility studies for the Board. Staff was directed to contact references for both agencies and a final recommendation is going before the Board at this meeting.

The Board is being requested to approve the execution of a feasibility study contract with AECOM team in an amount not to exceed $54,055. This is contingent upon the confirmation of a land purchase contract being finalized. However, so far no word has been given as to the location of this land.