It is already rapidly spreading across the east side of Hawaii. And we need to stop the spread immediately. So often with these invasive species, it is too little, too late. But now we have a chance to actually combat this growing issue. Along with funding research, HB 2139 would allow us to continue our outreach and community involvement in this project. We have led treatment workshops at OK Farms and Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences to teach community members how to apply this treatment because there is no way we can fight this beetle without the community being able to treat their own trees. We have also worked with middle school and high school students, working with them hands-on to treat trees themselves and collect long-term data monitoring their infection and health has shown them how everyone has a kuliana in protecting our ecosystems, and we can all be a part of the science behind it.
The youth apprenticeships, again, uh, the state defines apprenticeships as 450 plus hours of workplace uh, of actual work. Uh, so students can't get that in a school day. Um so again that's something that has to be set up at the state level um and some different infrastructure with that. So those could be down the road but our focus in field experience are the experiences those top four. So the first one studentled uh enterprises those are students who kind of have started up on their own business. So students who've taken our incubator entrepreneurialship classes uh would go into that. So, um, they've taken incubator, they want to keep working on their business. They would take field experience, uh, working on their own business and continuing to develop their business. Uh, school-based enterprises, those are, uh, businesses, students who are working for a business that serves the school.
In past meetings we've talked about the fact that Cook County never gave us an accurate 100% number. They've said you you've got 92, you've got 97, now you've got 92, 97. Have they ever given you 100% of what what we're owed yet? I I I In our case, I do know because we we we asked for a certain amount and I know what that amount is and I can tell what we're we're down by, but we aren't getting we aren't knowing what bucket the dollars fall into, which is a real problem. And there have been Well, there's another small school district. Most of our neighbors, if you look at, you know, Park Ridge or East Maine or someone like that or or Arlington Heights or or Mount Prospect, they're about where we are. They're 97, 98%. Uh there's a small district in the area that's gotten over 100%.
We can provide some additional information. >> Okay, that would be helpful. I'd also like to see a ground level surface. Now, you've got an existing conditions plan that shows that, >> but I'd like to see the final product ground level. >> Okay. >> Surface. So, showing, you know, spot grades and all that sort of thing, what whatever it's going to be. >> That's not included in this plan set. >> Okay. >> At least that I've seen. >> Okay. >> I don't think that'll be a problem, John. >> Okay. >> We can provide that. Anyone else? Yes, Preston. >> Yeah, I just wanted to mention some things that um that were mentioned that uh I think may be items of contention. uh just as a a heads up and to uh think about uh obviously whether or not the buildings themselves are in the flood plane is an issue because that affects you know the a lot of uh you know of the calculations uh the you mentioned the exemption uh concerning uh historic mill buildings and uh I've heard a number of people talk about uh to what extent that applies for uh the uh the portions that are not being preserved with the old buildings.
I've heard the excitement in their voices when they report back to me that the trees on their campus are doing better. This is getting them direct experience in science and aloha in their work, and is also helping to save these trees. Taking action against QLB is essential to our environmental health, food security, and cultural heritage. HB 2139 Please authorize, please. Yes. Please authorize. Okay, I'm following. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Uh Eric Tanoy? Not here. We have six others sending in testimonies in support. Anyone else here wishing to testify on this measure?
So, one example in our district right now is Bulldog Media Team. Those are kids who, uh, do broadcast um, and uh, take pictures for sports, uh, different activities, events around our district. So they would fall in that school-based enterprises. Um the third one is those clinical experiences. Those refer to medical experiences. Uh the main one within our district right now is our BNAT which is our nurse program. Uh that's through the Fox Valley Career Center. So that they kind of take care of that aspect of that right now. And then the fourth one which most people think about when they think about workplace experience is the the internship part. And that's you're actually going out in a job in the community. You're working. you're learning and again you're getting those 60 hours of experience through that. >> Okay, that's awesome. >> I can hold it, too.
So, someone clearly didn't know how much they were supposed to get. Um and And one of the things that through the Cook County Tax Coalition, um we had the libraries uh jump on. The libraries are nowhere close to 98%. We're getting our money because we made a lot of noise about it. The librarians have been very polite and we all love librarians because of that way, uh but most of the libraries are you know, last time I saw 30, 40% we see. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Okay, I just one last update for the board. Um we have uh also planned for uh you tonight you approved the IGA for the National Night Out, uh but we also reminded the folks at the city who are wanting us to do the National Night Out, but the same folks that want to widen the road over here next to the school.
Um so there's uh I I know a number of of residents have mentioned that in the past. Uh so it's something we're going to definitely uh want to pay attention to. And uh uh what sounds like a little detail, the um the tide gates, which I assume basically it's something effectively like a flap. so that the water can go out the hole but then water coming in is blocked. Uh that affects um the amount of water you know if the river is flooding you know that may keep water out of your site but that's water that instead of coming onto your site is then going downstream. Um so that has um that is a concern that um it could be causing other problems and that's something that obviously um uh we'll have to uh look at and address. So that that that may be of concern as well.
Hearing none, members, any questions? Yes, go ahead. Adapt, please. Thank you. This bill is to get a study started, yeah, but do you folks have any solutions right now? Do you Do you have any path forward? Because I'm afraid that the study is going to take so long that it's going to jump over to other islands, so Currently, no. And in fact, right now, working with actually Becky on to fund a project similar to this, actually, to help them start on this. So, hopefully, whatever the results they get from this particular project with her is going to help to complement the work that they're going to be doing if this you get funded. >> Oh, so this is is going to partner with another project? Is that what you're saying? >> my understanding is that right this this Currently, I'm working with Becky on a project on a contract for them to start this project.
>> Yeah, I'm not very good at that part. >> Oops. All right, so we're kind of breaking down what the calendar looks like for our field experience course. This past fall, you guys approved it, so thank you for that. Um, so we had that approval process go through this past fall, and once we were approved, we really built in that time to talk to our counselors and our students about what is field experience? if you want to take this class, who are you? What is this about? We want to make sure that you're ready and fit for this program. So, in the fall, we talked to our counseling department. Um, we met with them during their learning community on a Thursday morning, Mike and I did, and we talked exactly about the student that we would like see in this class in their future. Who is the perfect fit for this class?
So, we're really trying to work with them so that all these things don't clash cuz we're also putting the full day kindergarten here, too. So, it could be a you know, an interesting uh National Night Out. So, we're going to try they understand that that could be problematic. Um so, just throwing that out there. We just wanted to let you know that when that day comes, August 4th, and if they're not done widening the street over here, um with this is uh if if they're also going to be doing some resurfacing on Fourth Avenue between Fourth and Lincoln, but they're going to avoid all that when this tournament. Could be some impact parking for our big their big night out our big night out. So, this year that's all I have. And they just did something 2 years ago. No. Okay, thank you so much.
Um those are the things that came up tonight that immediately raised flags that we're going to have to talk about. So, I thought it was uh worth mentioning those now uh so that none of this comes as a surprise later. >> Yes, thank you. I I I fully agree with the the the discussion items I think based on comments we've received from the commission and staff and DP. The the building in the flood plane will be further discussion and the tide gates. Um regarding the historic mill complex, um it's it's it's not so much what's there now as far as the historic buildings. That's a historic issue that's not applicable to the Well Protection Act. It really comes into um whether or not you meet the definition of a historic mill complex, which we clearly do in this case. Um therefore, based on the regulations, if you're in the footprint of that mill, it solely means you're exempt from the riverfront performance standards.
>> Right, but this Yeah, but this is just to study it. I think the question is What What is the department doing Right now, nothing. So, Nothing. There is nothing you can do? I mean I mean in terms of treatment, no. We have not We have no treatment available right now. >> Where did this beetle come from? Queensland, Australia. I know I heard it. Do you know how it got here? So, I am I don't know. This happened Okay, my understanding is it was detected back in 20 2009. And then it was by Bishop Museum. And then We did nothing since 2009? >> Uh, I can't speak for what happened back then. I joined the I I I I joined this this position last year May, so I'm inheriting this. Uh, so I'm trying trying to do now is to uh at least help to spearhead this.
Who are we trying to recruit? What does this program actually look like? And who are the people that should be taking this class? because our counselors pop into all of our kids' courses and when they're working with our students, they're telling them before course selection, this is what these classes look like. So, it's an important time to make sure that our counselors are educated on what the course looks like as well as our students. Once students began that registration process, any student that was interested in becoming a member of our field experience course, came to anformational meeting. We had how many students attend that? >> Uh over over a hundred. >> We had over a hundred students attend those two meetings. So, one of the requirements for this course was if you're interested in come like being a member of our field experience forced course in this next fall, you need to come.
Next is main Township Treasurer summary report of February 26th. Uh thank you Mrs. Mrs. Mass. In February there were two new investments totaling $2.3 million. And both investments were 3.72% and they were locked in for nearly 5 years. So, that's a I think a pretty good number. We did receive more than $2.3 million last month from the county, but again as as in last month a good chunk of that money went to our our liquid account as we got they got so depleted with the delays as I mentioned. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you. Next up is the FOIA reports. Yes. So, for our FOIA tracker we are busy with FOIAs all the We love FOIAs, too. Oh, jeez. Everybody. All right. I mean not all FOIAs, but the ones that hold people accountable we like. Um I don't know if this is my favorite review here.
That's all it means. It doesn't have anything to do with historic buildings and whether or not they should be torn down or not torn down. That's that's not the jurisdictional one protection act. It really is more just to are you in a mill complex or historic mill complex or not? Yes. Um I think that's that's pretty clear here, but we can further discuss that. And then if we are, we're exempt from the rivers act and the performance standards within the footprint. It it would also just be interesting to get a sense of how important that detail is for the project. Um, so I I know some of the residents feel very strongly that they disagree with your legal interpretation and I'm not a lawyer. So, and I don't I don't know that we've uh had legal counsel of ours weigh in on this yet. But it just, you know, if it turns out that that we there's a disagreement in the interpretation, but it doesn't actually change the outcome, that would also be uh useful information going forward.
Um, so yeah, so it was detected back in 2009 and then for a brief period of time was it was it wasn't in detect detection until back in 2013 and 2014. >> Cuz you guys are asking for a position, yeah? Or no? No, position just >> is to UH. Oh, yeah. To UH, yeah. Um, so my my concern is that well, how long will the study take? Do you guys have a deadline on that? >> Actually, this is quite promising because they they they're working with um a a local strain of uh uh nematodes. So, I believe they do have uh preliminary study uh results already. And so, it's quite promising and that's why I'm working with back here. Uh So, no idea how it's getting transferred within the state I mean, sorry, within the island of No, it's I I don't have information. And and and the and the true and manner is also I'm trying to establish um to survey the modest positions to help to get information like that.
We need to make sure that you know kind of what we're expecting of you. And some of our students weeded themselves out during that process. So, we did that in the fall. Um, and that was part of our course selection integration that was wrapped up this January. >> So, the the next steps were in the winter and kind of what we're in progress with right now is um we took those 180 students who had interest. We narrowed it down in the meeting. students then narrowed it down again by filling out an application for this course uh who truly felt that they were ready and interested and it fit their schedule. And then with that we pulled their all a bunch of their data uh you know attendance records uh uh GPA just a variety of different data to look at those students and try to see the big picture of which students are going to be ready.
Sorry. Got it. All right. Yes, so these were all three commercial and they're same groups that did leave asking us for the same information. Just about 2 months apart. So, other than that I think we're fulfilled on all three, correct? That were listed today.
Just >> Right. No, that's good. I do believe the peer review should resolve this. Um it's it's a pretty common thing we deal with with the Rivers Act. So I think, you know, once once you have a peer review, I'm I'm pretty confident they'll they'll agree with us and if not, we'll discuss with them and see what we can resolve. But um I think hopefully that'll resolve the commission's concerns there. Um hopefully the public's as well. >> Yeah. And and if it does turn out that that uh you're correct on that, then uh we we definitely need to be uh very clear with the the public as to the legal reasoning on that. >> Right. And and on the if what and playing devil's advocate, if we didn't we weren't a historic mill complex, I'd be confident we could meet the redevelopment standards of the riverfront anyway based on what the site is and the improvements we're making.