Kane County Reporter

Kane County Administration Committee met March 21

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call To Order

Chairman Kenyon called today's meeting to order at 10:40 a.m.

2. Roll Call

PRESENT Board Member Michael Kenyon

Board Member Bill Roth

Board Member Leslie Juby

Board Member Bill Lenert

Board Member Rick Williams

REMOTE Board Member Deborah Allan

ABSENT Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Vern Tepe

Also present: Co. Bd. members Kious*, Molina*, Strathmann*; KCFB Mgr. Arnold; Dev. staff Tansely & staff McKenna and Castro; Environ. & Water Res. Dir. Wollnik; ITD staff Peters; and members of the press and public.

3. Remote Attendance Requests

Committee Chairman Kenyon announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. He asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Allan attending today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.

4. Approval of Minutes: February 22, 2024

RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

MOVER: Bill Lenert

5. Public Comment (Agenda Items)

None.

6. Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

None.

7. Partners

A. Kane County Farm Bureau Updates (Steve Arnold, Manager)

KCFB Mgr. Steve Arnold announced that there will be a Legislative "Meet & Greet" at the Kane County Farm Bureau during the Touch-a-Tractor event on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. This event will be on the same day as the Kane County 4-H Foundation's Pork Chop dinner. Arnold hopes board members can attend the event which will be highlighting the Farm Bureau's support for local foods, urban agriculture, and a showing of a documentary called "Fields Apart, Growing Together." Arnold stated that the 23rd Annual Shopping Spree for local food pantries gathered $4,859 worth of groceries. He noted that the Not-For-Profit Foundation Board of Directors is currently reviewing 42 scholarship applications. A total of $38K in scholarship funds will be given out. Arnold mentioned that on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 the Farm Bureau will host a Livestock Assessment Workshop for Kane County.

8. Presentations/Announcements

A. Agriculture Planning and Program Updates (Matt Tansley, Planner; Catherine McKenna, Planner/GIS Specialist; Sarahy Castro, Farmland Preservation Administrator)

Dev. Tansley re-capped the Growing for Kane newsletter. He noted that the Development Department continues to promote the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant program. This grant would provide support for processing and distribution activities. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers insurance for eligible nursery growers nationwide, with increased coverage options. Tansley mentioned that the University of Illinois Extension Training session covers the advantages and process of establishing a Limited Liability company (LLC) for farm businesses. The three main goals to support the livestock industry are to correct the value-chain misalignment between producers and processors, develop a skilled workforce in meat processing, and support farm and processor growth and expansion. Tansley stated that the 2018 Farm Bill has been extended through September 30, 2024. The funding pool for the "Climate Smart' activities is available through September 30, 2031.

Congress is discussing the possibility of shifting the funding pool into the next Farm Bill to create a new permanent funding baseline of $1.8B per year for agriculture conservation programs.

9. New Business

None.

10. Reports Placed On File

RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

MOVER: Bill Lenert

11. Executive Session (if needed)

None.

12. Adjournment

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

MOVER: Bill Roth

SECONDER: Bill Lenert

This meeting was adjourned at 11:29 a.m.

https://www.kanecountyil.gov/MeetingMinutes/7025/24-03-21.pdf