Communication Focus Area Committee Minutes
December Quarterly Board
Northfield Inn
John Beckhart, Chairman
December 10, 2007
Present: Absent:
Lee Bunting Mark Besse
Sarah Dillman Van Bitner
John Beckhart Dick Breckenridge
Phyllis Mace Jody Christiansen
Rich Nichols Chris Davis
Norbert Rider Terry Davis
Amy Ishmael
Ken Kesler
John Maudlin
David McCormick
Chairman John Beckhart called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. John thanked Lee Bunting for serving as chair at the September Quarterly Board Communications Focus Area Committee meeting in his absence.
Approval of Minutes
Lee Bunting made a motion to approve the September Communications Focus Area Committee meeting minutes, seconded by Norbert Rider, MCVV.
Sarah Dillman completed roll call.
Illinois Channel
John Beckhart introduced Phil Zeni from the Illinois Channel. Phil Zeni gave a background on the Illinois Channel. Phil passed informational packets out to the committee and stated the viewing audience of the Illinois Channel is almost identical of CSPAN’s audience. Phil stated commercials only run about two minutes per hour on the Illinois Channel as opposed to twenty minutes for regular commercial television. Phil stated the financial commitment needed to be locked in before rates increase on January 1, 2008. Discussion was held on the Illinois Channel and Phil Zeni fielding questions.
Phil Zeni exited the meeting and discussion was held on the Illinois Channel proposal. The committee decided not to pursue a contract with the Illinois Channel.
New Business
Conservation Catchall
Stacy Stremsterfer asked the committee to look at pricing and spacing requirements for selling ads in the Conservation Catchall. Discussion was held on the size of ad space to offer. The group determined to offer ad size for 1/3, 1/4, and 1/16 (or a business card.)
Norbert Rider made a motion to sell a 1/3 ad for 1 issue for $75, 6 issues for $250, and 12 issues for $450, seconded by Lee Bunting, MCVV.
Lee Bunting made a motion to sell a 1/4 ad for 1 issue for $50, 6 issues for $175, and 12 issues for $300, seconded by Norbert Rider, MCVV.
Lee Bunting made a motion to sell a 1/16 (or a business card size) ad for 1 issue for $40, 6 issues for $125, and 12 issues for $200, seconded by Norbert Rider, MCVV.
Summer Conference Sessions
John Beckhart stated he was going to try and get AM 580 Market Outlet to attend the Summer Conference. Discussion was held on the ICCI session that was recommended by the Planning Focus Area Committee and further discussion was held on the ICCI program.
Lee Bunting suggested a session on water quality and urban construction site monitoring and the NPDES. The Mahomet Aquifer Consortium was also discussion as a possible session topic. Phyllis Mace suggested a session on invasive species.
Rich Nichols stated Paige Buck from NRCS gave him information on local workgroups. Discussion was held on the topic.
Lee Bunting asked the committee for feedback as to why some districts have trouble spending CPP dollars. Phyllis Mace stated timing of when funds were received was the problem but now that districts have two years to spend the funds, that is more than enough time. Discussion was held on IDOA’s concerns about the spending of CPP funds.
John Beckhart asked for an update on the website. Sarah Dillman explained Stacy Stremsterfer had worked with the designer and the new site would be up and running before the end of the year.
Lee Bunting made a motion to adjourn, Norbert Rider seconded, MCVV. Meeting adjourned at 2:31 p.m.