Urban Community & Conservation Focus Area Committee Meeting
March 5, 2007
Butch Rider: Chairperson

Present:
Shannon Allen
Joe Bybee
Jim Nelson
Dwayne Proctor
Jim Rospopo
Chris Davis
Don Lloyd
Dwayne Proctor
Jim Rospopo
Mike Rahe
Phyllis Mace

Dwayne Proctor called the meeting to order. Those present introduced themselves. The minutes were read and approved by: Don Lloyd, second by: Dwayne Proctor.

Motion was made by Don Lloyd second by Dwayne Proctor to approval the agenda.

Old Business:
Jim talked about the Urban Community Annual Awards that we could have for next year for Summer Conference.

Don Lloyd stated the NACD was also looking at the Urban Manual.

The Mississippi River Basin might be a great place to apply for grants.

It was stated that the committee would like to see a Forestry session at Summer Conference.

Jim stated that he was contacted by letter from the Grand Victoria Foundation as a possible grant in the amount of 65,000.00 dollars. There are 3 steps of a guideline which has to be answered. He was going to get back to them with more information. For more information see attachment.

Mike Rahe passed out a compiled list of suggestions for Cost Share Program that he received from directors and SWCD employees. Mike explained the Special Projects Fund which will be a pilot practices to see how it goes. Mike also stated that the state budget will play a major roll in how things are funded. New guidelines will have to be developed and written for the new projects. It is hoped that this will help address some of the district needs. See attachment for more information.

 In our last meeting we talked about setting up a task force to help wok on setting up awards for Urban Farm Family at Summer Conference: The following will be working on this task force:
NRCS
Jim Rospopo
Jo Bybee
Council 16
Steve Black
Jim Nelson
Kendall County
Eleanor Blackman

New Business:

Resolution 2007-4
Resolution 2007-4 is a proposed resolution to direct NPDES Fee to the IEPA.

Don Lloyd sated that this resolution came from district employees’ state wide.

Chris Davis stated that the contracts would start on June 30 and go through to December 31, 2008. Chris stated that she would look into where the funds are presently going.

Don Lloyd stated that he was concerned about the aquifers and the amount of water they will have in 2-5 years. He would like to see someone attended the meetings at the NE IL. Regional Water Planning Committees.

Chris Davis passed out the results from the Monkey.Com Survey. Survey results are attached.

Don Lloyds made a motion to close the meeting, second by Dewayne Proctor.