Urban Community & Conservation Focus Area Committee Meeting
September 11, 2007
Butch Rider: Chairperson
Present:
Butch Rider
Shannon Allen
Don Beisiegel
Jim Nelson
Jim Singer
Jim Rospopo
Renee Hildebrandt
Phyllis Mace
Butch Rider called the meeting to order and took roll call.
Motion was made by Don Beisiegel to except the agenda second by
Butch Rider. Any discuses, at that time Jim Nelson requested that Urban Manual in old business and Resolution 2007-2 to new business be added. All approved.
Butch made a motion to accept the minutes from the meeting held on June 5, 2007. Second by: Don Beisiegel all approved the minutes.
Old Business:
Annual Meeting Session.
Jim Nelson stated that the Annual Meeting held at Summer Conference had a good participation of about 35-40 people.
Award for Urban Conservation Family:
A task force will be formed to look at the possibility of guide lines for this award. Jim Nelson passed copies of other states that already have present this awards. How they rate eligibility, procedures and judging criteria.
Water Use Planning:
Jim Nelson distributed article on NE Regional Water Supply Planning Group. Jim stated that he would like to see representation sit in on their meetings.
Urban Manual:
The Grand Victoria makes a site visit. Jim stated that after a conversation with them. Their concerns were, no women listed on the AISWCD board and no other partners/agencies were contributing money to the IUM currently. Jim explained that the IUM Technical committee was made up of employees of these agencies and that their input was through in-kind services. The GV board meets on Wednesday of this week.
An executive meeting of the Urban Manual is set for 16, 17, or 18 of October. With the federal budget being in question they are waiting to see what other agencies are going to do. After the meeting they hope that all will be on board.
CPP
Joe Bybee passed out information on program guidelines and an application form for special projects. He explained the purpose of the special projects that districts can request that tend to be unique to a limited area or region of the state. Any district that is interested in applying must summit a plan to IDOA on or before September 15.
New Business:
Regional Water Supply Group:
It was discussed that they would like to know how an Ethanol plant mite effect the amount of water that is used and the stress on local water supply.
Resolution 2007-4:
This resolution is a proposed to direct NPDES Permit fees to the IEPA. Shannon Allen stated that they are waiting to talk to IEPA before setting up a task force. It was stated that they receive 80% which is put into the general fund. Their may have to be a new law written to change its present wording. Mike Hoffman will help the task force. The group was informed that a task force has been set up. A task force has been formed to look into an educational program on how much water we have and how we can inform the public. They are looking for funding for educational, to reach out to adults and the youth. The group made suggests of possible contacts that Jim may conceder: Target, Home Owners Association. Jim will be looking for possible grants for the task force to install a major campaign. Shannon Allen, Rich Nichols, Terry Davis and Jim Nelson will serve on this task force. Copy of the Resolution 2007-4 is attached.
Resolution 2007-2:
This resolution wants to promote the need for comprehensive water use planning and water conservation. The group asked Jim if he could look into how 15% of the water is going out of the system and 85% goes back into the system. A task force has been set for this resolution. Jim is looking for funding to accomplish this task. Renee stated that the funding has not been posted yet, but she may have funding for $5000.00 that will have to be use.
Renee Hildebrandt:
Renee informed the group about what is happing with Emerald Ash Borer. Renee acknowledged that it hitchhikes on traveling firewood. Renee understood one way to help is by not moving firewood. She explained that the adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. She gave a web site that you can find more information on. They are working on getting a grant to help replace the Ash trees they cut down with alternate species.
Renee informed the group about Green Roof which consists of plants being grown on roofs tops in the inter city. Renee suggested that we mite look at the web site Vest Pocket, it is a good site to view.