OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Finance Committee of the Forest Preserve of Cook County - April 14, 2026

Board of Commissioners — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyCook County, Illinois
SessionBoard of Commissioners
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Having reached the hour of 9 30 a.m.

0:06

I'd like to call the meeting of the finance committee of the forest preserved to order.

0:09

Madam Secretary, can we please call a roll?

0:11

Thank you, ma'am.

0:11

Commissioner Aguilar.

0:13

Commissioner Britton.

0:15

Is present.

0:16

Thank you.

0:16

Commissioner Daly.

0:18

Is present.

0:19

Thank you.

0:19

Commissioner Degnan.

0:22

Commissioner Gaynor is excused.

0:25

Commissioner Laurie.

0:27

Is present.

0:28

Thank you.

0:28

Commissioner McCaskill.

0:31

Present.

0:31

Thank you, Commissioner Miller.

0:32

Miller here.

0:34

Commissioner Moore.

0:35

Present.

0:36

Thank you, sir.

0:36

Commissioner Marita.

0:40

Morita present.

0:41

Commissioner Marita is present participating remotely.

0:44

Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

0:48

Thank you.

0:48

Commissioner Sean Morrison.

0:50

Commissioner Scott.

0:51

Present.

0:52

Commissioner Stamps.

0:54

Is excused.

0:56

Commissioner Trevor.

0:57

Here.

0:58

Commissioner Vasquez.

1:01

Is present.

1:02

Thank you.

1:02

Commissioner, I'm sorry, Chair Anaya is present.

1:06

Ma'am, you have all present with the exception of an excused absence for Commissioner Gaynor.

1:11

Excuse absence for Commissioner Stamps.

1:14

There is a core.

1:15

Do we have remote participation?

1:17

You do require remote participation.

1:19

So I'll entertain a motion to allow for remote participation.

1:22

This is moved by Vice Chair Kevin Morrison, second by Commissioner Daly.

1:27

And we'll take a roll call.

1:29

Thank you.

1:29

Commissioner Aguilar, your vote, please.

1:31

Aye.

1:32

Commissioner Aguilar is aye.

1:33

Commissioner Britton.

1:34

Aye.

1:35

Commissioner Daly is aye.

1:37

Yes, sir.

1:38

Thank you.

1:38

Commissioner Degnan.

1:39

Aye.

1:40

Commissioner Gaynor is excused.

1:43

Commissioner Laurie.

1:44

Aye.

1:45

Commissioner McCasco.

1:47

Your vote is aye.

1:48

Thank you.

1:49

Commissioner Miller.

1:50

Aye.

1:51

Commissioner Moore.

1:52

Previous votes were all aye.

1:54

Commissioner Marita.

1:58

Morita A.

1:59

Commissioner Marita is aye.

2:00

Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

2:01

Aye.

2:02

Commissioner Sean Morrison.

2:04

Morrison I.

2:04

Commissioner Scott.

2:05

Aye.

2:06

Commissioner Stamps is excused.

2:09

Commissioner Trevor?

2:11

Aye.

2:11

Commissioner Vasquez.

2:14

Aye.

2:14

Thank you.

2:15

Madam Chair.

2:16

Aye.

2:17

Madam Chair is aye.

2:18

Previous votes were all aye.

2:20

Therefore, 15 ayes.

2:22

To excuse absence for Commissioner Gaynor and Commissioner Stamps, ma'am.

2:27

Thank you.

2:28

Um motion passes.

2:29

Are there any uh registered public speakers or changes to the agenda?

2:33

No changes for your meeting and no speakers for this meeting either.

2:36

We'll begin with the first um item.

2:38

This is item 26-0217.

2:40

This is the committee minutes uh from our last meeting that took place on March 10, 2026.

2:47

Um this has been moved for approval by Vice Chair Kevin Morrison, second by Commissioner Larry.

2:53

Um, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:56

All those opposed, nay.

2:58

The ayes have it.

2:59

Motion passes.

3:00

I am gonna be bundling the next items because we have remote participation.

3:04

So the next item, the items for this uh meeting are item 26-0206.

3:11

This is a proposed bid recommendation from the Department of Planning and Development.

3:16

Um and this contract is authorizing the Forest Preserve of Cook County to enter into a construction contract with uh Fablex Technology, LLC, Chicago, Illinois for improvements of the Sand Ridge Nature Center located in the in South Holland, Illinois.

3:30

Then it is approval of item 26-02 uh 03.

3:36

These are recommendations of the finance subcommittee on litigation.

3:39

Item 26-0204, also for approval recommendation of the finance subcommittee of the workers' compensation.

3:47

Um and finally, a receive and file for item 26-0102.

3:52

This is a report.

3:54

Uh the Department of Finance and Administration, uh, the uh corporate fund analysis of revenue and expenditure for the month of January uh first, 2026 to uh February uh 28, 2026.

4:09

This has been um moved by Vice Chair Kevin Morrison, seconded by Commissioner Daly.

4:17

And then are there any additional uh comments?

4:20

Uh superintendent for any of these items before we take questions.

4:24

Yeah, I'll just mention on 26-0206 the improvements to the Sandridge Nature Center.

4:30

Um this work is is uh gonna be very beneficial for us.

4:33

It's really focusing on updating the kitchen that we use for our ambassador animals uh prep and and and food safety there.

4:40

So it'll be uh a huge help with staff um just to ensure that the efficiencies in providing the best care for your animals.

4:47

Additionally, is the uh the upgrade to the main entrance to to maintain uh accessibility.

4:52

So the work there uh is again is something that's a long time coming and much appreciative.

5:00

Anything to add, Damon.

5:05

Thanks, I don't uh the uh corporate fund revenue and expense report for February 2026.

5:11

Uh revenues are attributed to approximately 10 million one hundred sixty-seven thousand one hundred and sixty-eight or ten percent of budget.

5:18

Uh revenue collected reporting on a cash basis is approximately four point eight million below last year through February, primarily due to the change, the later due date in the installments for the second installment for 2025 and the first installment for 2026.

5:36

Uh non-tax revenues are approximately 544,000 above the prior year, primarily due to uh license agreement collections are uh ahead of last year.

5:46

Uh February expenditures are approximately 7,721,401 dollars or 8% of budget.

5:54

Uh in summary, a year-to-date revenues exceed year-to-date expenses by approximately 2.4 million, and that concludes this report.

6:03

Thank you.

6:03

Great, thank you.

6:04

Any questions by yes?

6:05

Uh Commissioner Shaw Morrison?

6:07

Just a question that caught my eye.

6:09

Um on the uh revenue side.

6:11

I noticed that interest uh is showing a negative balance uh compared to budget.

6:16

Um sorry.

6:19

Not a substantial amount, but I'm just curious as to why that would why that would have a have a negative connotation to it.

6:24

Um I'm sorry, uh Commissioner, can you repeat?

6:26

On the interest section on your revenue report.

6:29

Yes.

6:30

I'm noticing that on the interest part, the year to date current is showing a negative uh not that it's a substantial amount at 93,000 dollars, but I'm just wondering why why that would be um year to year to year to year for through the month.

6:44

That means we collected more through February uh last year than we did this year.

6:48

Rates fluctuate as balances fluctuate.

6:52

Yeah, yeah, purely a collection issue.

6:53

Uh yes.

6:54

Thank you.

6:55

Yep, thank you, Commissioner.

6:56

Any other questions?

6:58

Um for the first item, Superintendent Um 26-0206.

7:04

Um it says uh the contract period is 360 days from the um issuance of the notice.

7:09

What do we know when that's gonna be?

7:11

And then is it as soon as this gets approved or is it at a later time once contract gets you know finalized?

7:20

Um I'm gonna ask excuse me, Tom Connellan, to come up here and touch on some of the contracting specifics.

7:26

Okay.

7:27

Yeah, because usually we get a date on here.

7:29

Um this this caught my attention.

7:31

So uh good morning, Tom Connolly, Director of Procurement.

7:39

Uh the first step is to get awarded by the Board of Commissioners, and the second step is to review with the legal team to get our dot our I's crossed our T's, get the legal department approve it, as well as the president of the board.

7:50

Then we will issue the notice to proceed.

7:53

What is the estimate is that like in a month or so?

7:57

A couple weeks or so with only within a month.

7:59

Okay.

7:59

But then we'll put out, you know, during this time after it's been awarded, we also get the um I forget a document for the insurance requirements.

8:12

Okay.

8:12

Thank you.

8:13

Um and then do we foresee that it is gonna be completed in 360 days.

8:22

Um Chris, do you mind coming up here to um talk about the the plan scheduled for the Sandridge Nature Center?

8:29

Yeah.

8:31

Oh and please go to the public speaking mic.

8:34

Thank you.

8:43

Good morning, Chris Slattery, Director of Planning and Development.

8:46

Uh answer is yes, though.

8:48

This is a fairly modest scope of work, so um we are anticipating that they'll be starting um soon.

8:55

Um so we have to get the contract signed.

8:57

They'll be starting this summer.

8:58

Um and it's certainly within a year's scope.

9:02

Okay.

9:03

Thank you.

9:04

Appreciate it, Chris.

9:05

Um, okay.

9:06

Any other questions?

9:07

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

9:11

And ma'am, just for the record, we will not do a remote roll call now because Commissioner Marita has come to the room, but that was a bundle motion for the following items.

9:20

0206, 0203030, I'm sorry, 0204 and 0102.

9:27

Bundle motion.

9:28

Thank you.

9:28

So all those in favor signify by saying aye.

9:30

All those opposed, nays, eyes have it.

9:33

Uh motions uh pass.

9:35

Uh without any further business before this committee on to change a motion to adjourn.

9:38

This is moved by Commissioner Brand, second by Commissioner Scott.

9:42

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

9:44

All those opposed, nays, size have it.

9:46

We're adjourned.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████47%
Procurement███████████████████████████████████37%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████16%
Summary of Proceedings

Finance Committee of the Forest Preserve of Cook County - April 14, 2026

The Finance Committee of the Forest Preserve of Cook County met on April 14, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting included a roll call, approval of remote participation, approval of prior minutes, and consideration of bundled agenda items including a construction contract for Sand Ridge Nature Center improvements and a financial report.

Actions Taken

  • Roll Call and Remote Participation: The committee approved remote participation for Commissioner Morita with a motion by Vice Chair Kevin Morrison, seconded by Commissioner Daly. The motion passed with 15 ayes; Commissioners Gaynor and Stamps were excused.
  • Approval of Minutes: The committee minutes from March 10, 2026 (Item 26-0217) were approved by voice vote.
  • Bundled Items (Motion): The following items were bundled in a single motion by Vice Chair Kevin Morrison, seconded by Commissioner Daly, and passed by voice vote:
    • Item 26-0206: A proposed bid recommendation from the Department of Planning and Development authorizing a construction contract with Fablex Technology, LLC, Chicago, Illinois, for improvements to the Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland, Illinois. The project includes updating the kitchen used for ambassador animal food preparation and upgrading the main entrance for accessibility. Superintendent noted the work is long overdue and beneficial.
    • Item 26-0203: Recommendations of the Finance Subcommittee on Litigation.
    • Item 26-0204: Recommendations of the Finance Subcommittee on Workers' Compensation.
    • Item 26-0102: A receive-and-file report from the Department of Finance and Administration: the Corporate Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenditure for January 1, 2026, to February 28, 2026.

Discussion Items

  • Financial Report (Item 26-0102): Damon presented the report. Revenues were approximately $10,167,168 (10% of budget). Revenue on a cash basis was approximately $4.8 million below the prior year through February, primarily due to a later due date for the second installment of 2025 and first installment of 2026. Non-tax revenues were approximately $544,000 above the prior year due to license agreement collections. February expenditures were approximately $7,721,401 (8% of budget). Year-to-date revenues exceeded expenses by approximately $2.4 million.
  • Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Sean Morrison noted a negative balance of $93,000 in the interest section year-to-date compared to budget. Damon explained that collections for interest were lower than the prior year due to fluctuating rates and balances. Superintendent and Director of Planning and Development Chris Slattery confirmed the Sand Ridge Nature Center project is expected to take 360 days from issuance of notice to proceed, with work starting this summer.

Key Outcomes

  • The bundled motion for items 26-0206, 26-0203, 26-0204, and 26-0102 passed by voice vote.
  • The contract for Sand Ridge Nature Center improvements will proceed after board approval, legal review, and insurance documentation.
  • The meeting adjourned by motion of Commissioner Brand, seconded by Commissioner Scott.

Meeting Transcript

Having reached the hour of 9 30 a.m. I'd like to call the meeting of the finance committee of the forest preserved to order. Madam Secretary, can we please call a roll? Thank you, ma'am. Commissioner Aguilar. Commissioner Britton. Is present. Thank you. Commissioner Daly. Is present. Thank you. Commissioner Degnan. Commissioner Gaynor is excused. Commissioner Laurie. Is present. Thank you. Commissioner McCaskill. Present. Thank you, Commissioner Miller. Miller here. Commissioner Moore. Present. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Marita. Morita present. Commissioner Marita is present participating remotely. Commissioner Kevin Morrison. Thank you. Commissioner Sean Morrison. Commissioner Scott. Present. Commissioner Stamps. Is excused. Commissioner Trevor. Here. Commissioner Vasquez. Is present. Thank you. Commissioner, I'm sorry, Chair Anaya is present. Ma'am, you have all present with the exception of an excused absence for Commissioner Gaynor. Excuse absence for Commissioner Stamps. There is a core. Do we have remote participation? You do require remote participation. So I'll entertain a motion to allow for remote participation. This is moved by Vice Chair Kevin Morrison, second by Commissioner Daly. And we'll take a roll call. Thank you. Commissioner Aguilar, your vote, please. Aye.

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