Steven M. Chapman

The Board meeting included presentations on audit results and updates regarding Wild Roots. Action items involved the approval of bills, acceptance of various paving project bids for Ledges Golf Course, Seward Bluffs, Sugar River, and Atwood Homestead Golf Course, as well as the approval of change orders for the new natural resources facility and a new intergovernmental agreement for police services with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department. Discussion topics included data center development, updates on the employee handbook, and various departmental activity reports. Furthermore, the Board authorized the review and release of closed session minutes.

The Board met to conduct several items of business, including the introduction of a new Golf Manager. Key approvals included the implementation of Lightspeed software for golf operations, the purchase of new beverage carts for golf, and a professional services contract for a hydraulic restoration project at Sugar River Alder. The Board also held a discussion regarding the Holt House, specifically addressing its naming, historic boundaries, and the appointment of a committee for further work. Additionally, the Board authorized the release and destruction of meeting verbatim recordings and received announcements regarding upcoming training sessions and the seasonal opening of the bird observatory.

The agenda covered several critical action items and discussions. Action items included approval of bills for February, approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers, adoption of a Budget Amendment Resolution for an IMRF Accelerated Payment totaling $83,725, approval of the Safety Footwear and Safety Eyewear Reimbursement Policy, and support for the nomination of the Holt House and Severson Barn to the National Register of Historic Places, which includes leading an RFP process for the nomination writing. Discussion items focused on Employee Handbook Updates, including requested authority for the Executive Director regarding short-term contracts and personnel actions, and the Strategic Plan development, where parameters for the upcoming RFP for a facilitator were discussed, including the plan's length and the interview process for consultants. Reports included updates from Preserve Operations, Natural Resource Management (noting the conclusion of the deer management program and a Wildlife Biologist's departure), Golf Operations, Marketing, and Human Resources (noting progress on the compensation study and Employee Handbook revision). A resolution was also passed regarding the review, release, and destruction of verbatim recordings of certain closed session minutes from 2019 and 2020.

Under New Business, the Board authorized payment for the December bills totaling $622,372.23. Additionally, approvals were granted for the purchase of a golf utility vehicle for Ledges Golf Course and budget amendments related to additional golf personnel and reappropriating funds for the Natural Resource building. A resolution was also approved to implement a length of service bonus for staff. During discussion, an update was provided on the next steps for the Holt House project, with a proposed completion date of May 1st, 2027. Staff reports were submitted for Preserve Operations, Natural Resource Management, Golf Operations, Communications, and Human Resources. It was noted that the OSLAD Grant for the Clarcor Pavilion Restroom Renovation Project was not approved. The Board also announced the acquisition of the 45th preserve, the Paula Swanson Forest Preserve. A closed session was held to discuss personnel, with no action taken. Finally, the Board approved the release and destruction of verbatim meeting minutes from previous dates and adjourned the meeting.

The board meeting agenda included routine items such as a Roll Call and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by public comments. Key action items involved approvals for the purchase of a Front Deck Mower, a Golf Slope Mower, and a Pickup Truck with Plow, all budgeted under the 2025-26 capital budget. The board also addressed the acceptance of bids for the Klehm Garden Gazebo Roof Replacement and for Fertilizers and Chemicals, with the latter having a total bid price of $109,043.46. Updates and reports were provided across Preserve Operations, Natural Resource Management (including closing on the McKee property purchase and focusing on the 2026 deer management program), Golf Operations (covering clubhouse inventory, new hiring, and maintenance), Marketing, and Human Resources (reviewing employee handbook revisions and compensation studies). A resolution was adopted authorizing the payment of bills for January totaling $1,122,188.82. Furthermore, the board resolved to destroy verbatim recordings of several Closed Sessions dating from March 2021 through September 2021.