Executive Committee Meeting
December Quarterly Board
December 10, 2007
Northfield Inn & Suites - Onyx Room
8:00 a.m.

Terry Davis, President, NACD Delegate
Jim Todd, Vice President, NACD Alternate
Aaron Ferguson, Secretary
Rollie Spaniol, Treasurer
Jerry Snodgrass, Area I VP
                                                                        Darrell Roegge, Area II VP
John Beckhart, Area III VP
Nobert Rider, Area IV
Josh Joseph, ISWCDEA RC Co-Chair
                                                                        Annyce Winters, ISWCDEA AC Co-Chair
Richard Nichols, AISWCD
Erin Pate, AISWCD
Stacy Stremsterfer, AISWCD
Jim Nelson, AISWCD
Sarah Dillman, AISWCD

President Terry Davis called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

Secretary Aaron Ferguson took roll call.

Approval of Agenda
Terry Davis asked to add the following items to the agenda; a letter from IDNR, and landscaping plans under new business, the state budget situation to Financial Management Focus Area Committee Update, and the passing of NACD President Olin Sims to new business.

John Beckhart made a motion to approve the agenda with the additions, seconded by Jim Todd, MCVV.

Committee and Taskforce Updates

Communications
John Beckhart had no updates.

Education
Jerry Snodgrass asked Stacy Stremsterfer to provide an update on from the Director Training Taskforce. Stacy Stremsterfer stated she met with Rich Nichols, Steve Chard and Mike Rahe in May in which they reviewed a proposed outline for the new director training program. They were going to take this information back to IDOA to review and make comments/suggestions. Nothing had been received, prompting an e-mail to Mike Rahe. She stated she was waiting to hear back from IDOA their thoughts about the outline.  Discussion was held on new director training and regular director training.  Terry Davis stated NACD was working on developing a director training outline.  The North Central Region had developed the framework for the NACD guidelines which will be discussed and up for approval at the NACD Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada which will be held in February of 2008.  NASCA was also developing a training procedure outline as well. 

Jerry asked Stacy to give an Envirothon Taskforce update.  Stacy stated a Envirothon session had been held at Winter Training.  The Land Use Council contacts received information for the 2008 Envirothon competition.  The 5th category for the 2008 Envirothon is “Recreational Impacts on Natural Resouces.”  The 2008 Illinois Envirothon woiuld be held May 7th and 8th.  Canon Envirothon will be held at the same time as Summer Conference.  Stacy stated she spoke with Rich Nichols and he agreed not to send donation requests to districts this year with the state budget situation, Rollie recommended to send the letter since some districts would be able to donate.  

Jerry Snodgrass stated the Water Use Taskforce met at Land Use Council 16 with Jim Nelson in attendance.  Jerry felt waiting an additional year to submit a resolution to NACD would be beneficial for the passing of the resolution until after the program had been developed in Illinois.  Jim Nelson stated the Taskforce should stress to districts the need to campaign about awareness of water consumption and problems with water quality would be helpful.  Jim added a meeting would be held at the DeKalb Farm Bureau for LUC 16 to inform urban areas that areas close are experiencing water shortages.  Jerry hoped the meeting could expand to a Summer Conference session. 

Financial Management
Rollie Spaniol stated the current financial situation is alright.  Rollie planned to recommend to the Financial Focus Area Committee that we send due statements to districts but do not demand payment at the time, in order to see if AISWCD could collect payments from districts that were willing and financially able to pay dues.  Jim Todd stated Steve Chard was trying to get Chuck Hartke to attend the board meeting the following day to speak about the current budget situation.  Discussion was held on including information about speaking with legislators about the funding that did not get passed this year.  Terry Davis stated he included information in his Conservation Catchall report about exercising his presidential right to extend dues payments until after the first of the year when funds are available to districts for them to pay their association dues.  Terry stated the feedback they received from legislators showed they were shocked to learn that districts had not received their funding.  Discussion was held on legislator feedback other committee members had received. 

Josh Joseph stated employees asked questions at Winter Training such as, “If employees are laid off and go on unemployment if their health benefits would be affected,” discussion was held on the matter.  Discussion was held on how long after funds are released to IDOA would long it would take for districts to receive their allocations.  Terry stated it would most likely be at least six weeks.  He felt AISWCD could operate on a cash basis for three to four months and if times get worse, there is a reserve in the Funds Held account.  Terry recommended not sending dues notices to some districts and not to others.  Discussion was held.  Norbert Rider asked for a plan for AISWCD to cut spending to show solidarity to districts. 

Terry Davis asked for input on the IDOA budget and if there was any items that the committee would request be added to the budget.  Terry stated the previous year AISWCD asked for an increase formally to IDOA and got a decrease instead.  Terry stated the original increase amount was $50,000, and that could have covered cost of living increases and would have shown the state that AISWCD knew the pain of the state.  Discussion held with Mike Hoffman led to asking for ten percent as state revenue was going up ten percent and that was how the $635,000 amount developed and led to requests of legislators, who agreed and the amount was passed in the budget, but the budget was still on the governor’s desk.  Discussion was held on program funds that were included in the budget, CPP and operations funds.

Terry informed the committee NACD President Olin Sims had passed away.  Terry asked the committee to consider a monetary donation as a memorial be sent to NACD.  Terry recommended a memorial in the amount of $500.  Jerry Snodgrass made a motion to send a $500 memorial for Olin Sims to NACD, seconded by John Beckhart, MCVV.

Legislative
Jim Todd reported there was not much to report on regarding legislative issues other than the budget.  Jim stated the Resolution 2007-4 Taskforce had met with IEPA Director Doug Scott concerning the transfer of NPDES permits. IEPA did not think it would be feasible, but were interested in finding other funding.  Discussion was held on the national Farm Bill. 

Rich Nichols asked Terry Davis to review with the committee the agreement between the AISWCD and Karen Steele. The AISWCD would serve as the lead contact fielding all concerns from the districts before sending them on to Karen. A database will be kept on file at the AISWCD to be used as a resource on future concerns, cutting down on repetitive work. The AISWCD will then bill the district a rate of $60 per hour for Karen’s services. Terry Davis stated the agreement would be on the agenda for the full board.

Planning
Aaron Ferguson stated the committee would meet later that day and have important discussion.  Aaron asked if the C2000 Taskforce was needed, discussion was held.  Terry recommended requesting a follow-up meeting of the C2000 Taskforce to see if their work was concluded.

Urban
Norbert Rider stated the group had discussed an urban conservation award to be given at Summer Conference much like the Farm Family award.  Jim Nelson said a model for the award had been created with help from Kent Sims.  The challenge in offering the award was to find funding and what type of award to give.  Jim stated the Urban Manual Executive Committee, which included the highest level individuals from agencies they could get to participate would meet in Chicago on Monday December 17, 2007.  Jim Nelson gave an update on the grant he received from the Grand Victoria Foundation.  Jim stated he had been working with NRCS and other groups to develop the standards for updating the urban manual.
 
Area Vice President Reports
Area I VP, Jerry Snodgrass
Jerry stated he had attended LUC meetings and had a few more he planned to attend.

Area II VP, Darrell Roegge
Absent, no report.

Area III VP, John Beckhart
John stated a new development group had worked with landowners on the Sangamon River informing them of the CREP program.  The program was a success with CREP enrollment up 85% in his area.  Terry stated districts might have to be more proactive about contacting landowners. 

Jerry Snodgrass stated districts are not as informed as they should be about the positive aspects of the ICCI program and requested a letter be sent to districts explaining the program and how to communicate the benefits to landowners.

Area IV VP, Norbert Rider
Norbert stated there was concern about health insurance claims not being paid in his area, discussion was held.

Old Business

NASCA Meeting
Terry Davis stated it had been a good opportunity to host the event for NASCA.

Building Update
Jim Nelson handed out a possible design for the landscaping of the AISWCD building location.  Discussion was held on the design. 

New Business

ISWCDEA Report
Josh Joseph stated winter training went very well and attendees were satisfied with the sessions.

Mileage Rate
Discussion was held on the current federal, state, and AISWCD mileage rate.  John Beckhart made a motion to pay the state rate, seconded by Norbert Rider, MCVV.  The current state rate was $0.445.

Mid Executive Meeting Date
Terry asked to set the meeting date as February 5, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. since March Quarterly Board will be held March 3-4, 2008 and the date would be before board members leave for the NACD Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada. 

IDNR Letter
Terry informed the group he received a letter requesting Rich Nichols to participate in a meeting to see if districts would participate in updating the Natural Area’s Program.  Jerry Snodgrass made a motion to investigate the program, seconded by John Beckhart, MCVV.

Approval of Minutes
Jerry Snodgrass made a motion to approve the September Executive Committee Minutes and the minutes of the Mid-Executive Conferene call, seconded by Norbert Rider, MCVV.

Terry stated he needed to hold an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

Executive Session
Jim Todd made a motion to recommend to the Financial Focus Area Committee a 3% pay increase and $300 Christmas bonus for all employees, seconded by Norbert Rider, MCVV.