Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes
AISWCD Quarterly Board
December 10, 2007

Members Present:                                                               Advisors Present:
Lee Bunting                                                                           Sue Davis
Aaron Ferguson                                                                   Rich Nichols
Jake Klein
Larry Sterett
Jim Todd
Tom Anderson
John Beckhart

Chairman Jim Todd called the meeting to order.  The following were added to the agenda under NEW BUSINESS-Illinois Roster, Clean Water Act legislation.  A motion was made by Aaron Ferguson and seconded by John Beckhart to add to the agenda, motion carried.  A motion was made by Lee Bunting and seconded by Larry Sterett to approve the September 2007 minutes as presented, motion carried.

Reviewed Resolutions:

• 2007-3-Farmland & Open Space Protection-Steve Black & Rich Nichols have 16 or 17 names for the Task Force.  A meeting has been set for January 14, 2008 at Illinois Dept. of Ag.  They will get acquainted and go over responsibilities of the Task Force.  They are looking for home builders, realtors, and county zoning officials to be on the Task Force.  Will report at the March Quarterly Board meeting.
• 2007-4-Proposed Resolution to Direct NPDES Permit Fees to the IEPA-Had a Task Force meeting on October 23, 2007 with Doug Scott, Marcia Wilhite, Toby Frevert, Bruce Yurdin, Chris Davis, Jim Todd, Mike Hoffmann, Shannon Allen, Rick Macho, and Rich Nichols.  There is no new meeting date set.  They plan to expand and include District personnel from Northern Districts in Illinois.  Decided not to pursue legislation to keep permit fees from being swept.

No Partner Reports.

Task Force Update-The date for the Legislative Breakfast/Day will be chosen by Mike Hoffmann, it was decided to do flower boutonnieres and use the same location if available.  No baskets for this year. They will talk with Mike soon to get the date set.  It was discussed when Easter week is this year and to stay away from that in 2008 as legislators would be on Spring break around this time.

Legislative Update-Mike Hoffmann was absent.  There was discussion about the email that Mike sent out.

NEW BUSINESS

Summer Conference Sessions-It was decided to possibly have a Legislative session again at Summer Conference.  We should invite a couple of legislators, Mike Hoffmann to talk, etc.  The following were mentioned as possible legislators to invite:  Rich Meyers, Tom Cross, John Sullivan, Gary Hannig, Rep. Debbie Halverson, Senator Frank Watson, and others.  A topic that was discussed was “How to Approach Legislators”.

State Budget-IDOA is working on FY09 budget.  A motion was made by Lee Bunting and seconded by John Beckhart to ask for the following for FY09.

• 3% Cost of Living Increase.
• 12-14% increase for health insurance (based on increases over the past few years).
• $500,000 back to C2000 funds for a total of approximately $1 million in operating funds.
• CPP-there was $4.2 million this year and requests should be for a 3%  increase for FY09.

After discussion, motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Illinois Roster-The ad for this year is $1,055.00 and a decision needs to be made by January 31st.  It was discussed to tie in water and water quality with the ad this year and possibly have more pictures that might include employees, urban pictures, etc.  Larry Sterett made a motion, seconded by Jake Klein to go ahead with the ad for $1,055.00, motion carried.

Amendment to Clean Water Act-Lee Bunting discussed this and he stated if this is passed the Corp of Engineers will have control of all waters which would include control of drainage tile, prior converted wetlands etc.  It is HB 2421.  A motion was made by Lee Bunting and seconded by John Beckhart for the AISWCD to write a letter to support the defeat of this amendment and this letter should be sent to Jerry Costello, Dan Lipinski, and Tim Johnson, motion carried.

Friend of Conservation Award – It was discussed to present this award to Emil Jones. 

A motion was made by Larry Sterett and seconded by Lee Bunting to adjourn, motion carried.

Submitted by:  Sue M. Davis
                           AC, Christian County