Urban & Community Conservation Focus Area Committee

Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts

Northfield Inn

Norbert Rider Chairman

December 10, 2008

Members Present:

Dwayne Proctor

Stephen Black

Dan Doedtman

Joe Bybee

Don Lloyd

Phyllis Mace

Jim Nelson

Norbert Rider

Eric Suits

Gerard Fabrizius

Butch Rider called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. Roll call was done while introducing new people.

Butch called for approval for the agenda. Don Lloyd made a motion to accept the agenda as presented second by Dan Doedtman. Motion passed.

Butch Rider called for a motion to accept the minutes as presented, Dan Doedtman made a motion to accept the minutes as presented from September 15, 2008, second by Eric Suits.

Butch Rider turned the meeting over to Dwayne Proctor.

Dwayne Proctor called upon Gerard Fabrizius to give his report on the task force. Gerard presented a packet that they have put together to present to their Legislator when they go and visit them.

The packet consisted of New and Creative SESC Practices Seminar, Well Sealing Demonstration, Map of programs and Activities for District 28, Letters of support from Department of the Army Corps of Engineers, Resource Consulting Inc. various pamphlets on Envirothon, Education Programs, and Private Water Well Sealing Materials Program. They also provide a white paper which explains the need for districts. The have visited several representative. One representative was the Honorable Linda Chapa La Via. After January the task force wants to try and push for the health insurance.

The big question is what can they delivery to each legislators as they visit to remember what they stand for after they have left. Jim Nelson wants to come up with a way to bring the legislators and the district together. One idea was to get Mike Hoffman to come in and train the districts how they can approach and speak to their representatives. This has already been done so, Jim and Gerard will discuss going to individual SWCD board meetings to ask for input for the focused legislative task force. Then ask for volunteers to meet with legislators.

Dwayne Proctor called upon Steve Black from Madison County who serves on the Illinois Farmland Protection Task Force to give a report. Steve passed a progress report out. The Senate passed the bill and has one last opportunity for passage when the House comes back. The Task force has a meeting scheduled for January 15th to discuss the issue and decide if they want to try to get the bill through the House or reintroduce it in spring session with some word changes. Copy of the report is enclosed.

Old Business:

IEPA found funding to continue the NPDES inspection program. They have money to allot to more districts interested in the education/inspection program.

The first half of the money that was received from the Crown Victoria Foundation has to be spent by March 1^st 2009. The money is to be used to hire an engineering firm to complete more standards.

New Business:

Jim Nelson brought the committee up to date on the projects that are going on at the office. The AISWCD pervious driveway and parking lot are completed. The next project is the flagpole and perhaps a donor patio with bricks that have donor names engraved.

Jim Nelson, reported on the IUM: Two standards have been approved by the Steering and Technical Review Committees and will be sent to IEPA for final approval. Several more are in various stages of development. This winter a new agreement will be made to complete another 25-30 standards.

A motion was made by Don Lloyd and second by: Dan Doedtman to adjourn. Motion passed.