ROCHELLE — On Monday night, Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District commissioners heard an update from Randy Vogel and John Ryan, of Land and Water Resources, Inc. about the progress of the creek and vegetation restoration project on the north side of Skare Park.

“The Deer Creek restoration is going well and the construction portion is about 85 percent complete at this point,” said Ryan. “This spring we will go into management mode for a couple of years, and then in year three we plan to do a burn and after that the vegetation really takes off.”

Ryan said the company is working hard at completing the remaining construction phase before the ground freezes this winter.

“We need to get finished, not only because it’s critical to get it done before freezing and the spring rains, but also because the airport wants to buy more credits and we need to get this done and approved before that can happen.”

By doing this project Land and Water Resources earns credits from the Army Corps of Engineers that can be sold to offset other projects that affect the regional watershed, and in this the expansion of the Rock Island airport near Moline.

The project calls for returning Deer Creek to its original meandering state on the property, while also removing all invasive trees and vegetation and restoring the natural species that were present prior to man arriving in the area.

“When it’s all done will the existing walking trails be put back?” asked park board member John Dobbs.

“Yes, but we need to have a discussion on that to figure out the best way to do that,” Vogel responded.

Ryan interjected and explained that it would be better to allow the new vegetation to take solid hold before trying to put in walking trails in prematurely.

“Until we get that vegetation strong, we need to wait on opening the trails, because it will be a muddy mess,” he said. “It would be wise to wait until you see how it all gets established first.”

Vogel added that he believes the walking trail to the south could be put back in more quickly, but the north trail would need more time for the grasses to become solid.

Lake Sule fish

Dave Wyffels of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources addressed the commissioners during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting to give share details of the fish habitat condition at Lake Sule.

Wyffels explained that he oversees a wide region and his goal with the IDNR is to improve the fish environment at various state bodies of water.

“Lake Sule is a bit of a challenge as it has significant algae bloom each year, and there is a large population of rough fish,” he explained. “Every year we restock Lake Sule with sport fish such as musky, channel fish and striped bass, but 50 percent of the lake is made up less desirable carp and buffalo species.”

Wyffels added that there is also some heavy wind erosion that occurs on the banks of the lake, but there are a number of measures that can be taken to help improve the fish habitat.

“There are some things that we just can’t do anything about, but there are several ways to make the sport fish environment stronger,” he said. “The fishing piers you have put in are great and there are things we can do together structure wise that should make a positive impact.”

Tax levy approved

In a 6-0 vote, the commissioners voted on Monday to approve the 2018-19 annual tax levy of $675,750. The board passed the annual budget and appropriation ordinance in September, and passing the tax levy is a formality related to executing the budget process.

Wants referendum

During the public comment portion of the meeting, former park board member Jim Kenney addressed the board and urged the commissioners to hold a referendum vote regarding the newly planned community recreation center at the Helms South property next to Walgreens.

“I want to start by saying that my friends and I think you guys are doing a great job with the improvements you are making all over,” Kenney began. “But, we have some concerns about this new rec center facility. I think it’s important to have a public referendum on it because it’s going to raise taxes on a lot of older folks on a fixed income who won’t use it.”

Kenney, who previously served eight years on the park board, said he would definitely support the building of the facility if the public voted in favor of it, but doesn’t want to see the district push it through without more public input.

“I know you don’t have to put it up for a vote and you have the bonding authority to tax us for it,” but have you thought about what it’s all going to cost?” he continued. “Plus, I would add that if you aren’t going to build pool with it right off the bat, then you are wasting your time. You would stop a lot of hearsay if you just put it up for a referendum.”

Park commissioner Dale Wells told Kenney that the district has been open about the project and suggested Kenney and any other Flagg Township residents visit the park district office to see the plans and discuss them with the staff.

“We welcome the public to come down and ask questions and eliminate the hearsay by finding out the facts,” Wells said.

Last month the park district announced preliminary plans for an $11 million community recreation center complex to be built, which would include a large multi-purpose field house turf playing area, gymnasium space, fitness equipment, a multi-use meeting space and a walking track around the perimeter. A second phase of the project could allow for an indoor pool to be added in the future.

The district could increase its annual tax bonds from $860 to $1.4 million over 20 years to pay for the construction of the facility, and usage memberships would be offered to the community to help cover the costs of operations