Kane County Reporter

Kane County Agriculture Committee met April 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

1. Call to Order

Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.

Attendee Name; Title; Status; Arrived:

Margaret Auger; Board Member; Present;

Theresa Barreiro; Board Member; Present;

Don Ishmael; Board Member; Present;

Michael Kenyon; Vice Chair; Present;

Myrna Molina; Board Member; Present;

Jarett Sanchez; Board Member; Absent;

Thomas Smith; Chairman; Present;

Also present: Co. Bd. member Lewis; Development Dir. VanKerkhoff; Env. staff Wollnik; Finance staff Dobersztyn; ITD staff Peters; and members of the public including Teresa Schryver with NIFB.

2. Approval of Minutes: March 23, 2017

Result: Approved with Voice Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Michael Kenyon, Vice Chair

Seconder: Myrna Molina, Board Member

Ayes: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Thomas Smith

Absent: Jarett Sanchez

3. Public Comment

None

4. Partners

A. Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) Updates – Teresa Schryver, Communication Specialist

Ms. Schryver announced they received the USDA’s Gold "Turnip the Beet" Award which recognizes extraordinary sponsors. She promoted their upcoming Summer Food Service Program Site Summit on April 21, 2017. Lt. Governor Sanguinetti will be speaking at the event. Schryver announced a partnership in southern Illinois will be supplying them with 2M lbs. of chicken.

5. Presentations/Announcements

A. Food Hub Project Updates - Mark VanKerkhoff, Director of Development and Community Services

Referencing a PowerPoint presentation included in the agenda packet, VanKerkhoff provided information on the Food Hub Readiness through partnerships with Rush-Copley Foundation, Foxtrot Organic Farm, and the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center (JJC). He shared statistics from a grower and buyer survey identifying land currently utilized for production, potential expansion land available, and a breakdown of spending by type of produce. VanKerkhoff presented the top barriers for growers. He went over Hub Operating Model strategies, business analysis, and regional economic benefits. VanKerkhoff provided an update on the potential site and operator searches. He reviewed a timeline on program funds pursued and project activities. He shared information on the project team and contributors. Brief conversation followed.

Co. Bd. member Kenyon provided an update on the Kane County Farm Bureau's Touch-A-Tractor event on April 7-9, 2017.

B. Draft Regulations for Roosters and Other Fowl - Mark VanKerkhoff, Director of Development and Community Services

Referencing a PowerPoint presentation not included in the agenda packet, Dir. VanKerkhoff provided a review of the county's current ordinance. The new regulations would not apply to property already exempted for agricultural use just properties primarily zoned residential. VanKerkhoff met with Steve Arnold of the Kane County Farm Bureau to request their feedback and recommendations. He provided the next steps for drafting an ordinance. Feedback to date has been in support of restricting roosters. Aside from lot size and set back requirements, the Farm Bureau recommended the committee take into consideration the type of landscaping on the property and to also include restrictions on peacocks and guineafowl. Brief discussion followed.

6. New Business

Water Resources Asst. Dir. Wollnik provided an update on the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit noting the Iowa Supreme Court found in favor of the drainage districts. She discussed the county’s Stormwater Ordinance. The Stormwater Committee met on April 11, 2017 and approved an engineering firm for an update. The committee also approved Technical Advisory members and appointees for the Agricultural Subcommittee. The first Technical Advisory Committee meeting will be in mid-May. They are working on scheduling the first Agricultural Subcommittee meeting.

Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff announced the launch of the Chicagoland Food and Beverage Network earlier this month. The organization was formed because Chicago has been determined to be the "Silicon Valley" of the food and beverage industry. The network will offer support to the industry through training and various programs. The event stressed the importance of supporting local growers. VanKerkhoff plans to have a representative from the network conduct a presentation at an upcoming Jobs Committee meeting.

7. Reports Placed On File

Result: Place Written Reports on File [Unanimous]

Mover: Margaret Auger, Board Member

Seconder: Theresa Barreiro, Board Member

Ayes: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Thomas Smith

Absent: Jarett Sanchez

8. Executive Session (If Needed)

None

9. Adjournment

Result: Adjourned by Voice Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Don Ishmael, Board Member

Seconder: Michael Kenyon, Vice Chair

Ayes: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Thomas Smith

Absent: Jarett Sanchez

This meeting was adjourned at 10:42 am.

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