Kane County Agriculture Committee met Feb. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
Kane County Agriculture Committee Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018
1. Call to Order
Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 10:11 a.m.
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 Present
Thomas Smith Chairman Absent
Also present: Co. Bd. staff Nagel; Development Dir. VanKerkhoff & staff Hill, Tansley; Health Dept. staff Zeng; Water Resources Dir. Wollnik; ITD staff Peters; Finance staff Dobersztyn; County Clk. Cunningham; and members of the press and public including Steve Arnold with the Kane County Farm Bureau and Steve Ericson of NIFB.
2. Approval of Minutes: January 18, 2018
Result: Approved With Voice Vote [Unanimous]
Mover: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member
Seconder: Don Ishmael, Board Member
Ayes: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez
Absent: Thomas Smith
3. Public Comment
None
4. Partners
A. Kane County Farm Bureau Updates - Steve Arnold, Manager
Mr. Arnold reminded the committee of the Chili Cook-Off fundraiser tonight. The NIFB has scholarship applications going out to committee judges for 2018 college scholarships. The scholarships will be for students pursuing an education in an agricultural related career field. They will be raffling off a 1965 Ford 100 at the Kane County Fair this year. Arnold discussed the annual shopping spree and upcoming events. Barreiro participated in the shopping spree. She raised $1,000 for Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.
B. Northern Illinois Food Bank Updates - Steve Ericson, Dir. Food Procurement
Mr. Ericson stated they have a sizable contingent in Washington right now for the National Hunger Policy Conference. He thanked the Farm Bureau for their support of local food pantries through the shopping spree. NIFB has just received about $150,000 from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to purchase healthy foods for local pantries.
5. Presentations/Announcements
A. Kane Energy Efficiency Program - Mark VanKerkhoff, Director of Development & Community Services
Referencing a PowerPoint presentation included in the agenda packet, Development Dir. VanKerkhoff shared an overview of the proposed Kane Energy Efficiency Program (KEEP), which is also known nationally as the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. KEEP offers a financing option for commercial property owners to fund energy efficient measures for their properties. VanKerkhoff discussed the program process and benefits. He reviewed a map showing locations within the United States where PACE has been enabled or is has an active program. The county has chosen to use a third-party administrator for the program. He discussed the county's next steps.
B. GFK Updates
Referencing a PowerPoint presentation included in the agenda packet, staff Tansley promoted upcoming farmer training events, which include the Illinois Farmer's Market Association Conference (ILFMA) on March 14, the Good Food Expo on March 23-24, and the Elgin Farmer Training event on March 13. He reviewed a calendar of upcoming workshops offered through the county. He provided an update on Growing for Kane and reviewed the program funding. Hill and Tansley will be attending the National Good Food Network Conference on March 27-30. Brief conversation occurred.
C. Proposed Legislation on Agricultural Areas - Janice Hill, Executive Planner
Staff Hill discussed land protection tools Agricultural Areas and Transfer of Development Rights. SB2555 proposes amendments to Agricultural Areas. Hill will monitor the bill and provide an update at the next committee meeting. She noted the last report from Illinois Department of Agriculture states in Illinois there are 122,888 acres enrolled in Agricultural Areas. Brief discussion followed.
D. Association of Drainage Districts Meeting - Jodie Wollnik, Assistant Director of Environmental and Water Resources
Water Resources Dir. Wollnik discussed the Illinois Association of Drainage District Conference held in January. At the conference, she was able to discuss ideas and receive feedback from resources on proposed changes to the county's Stormwater Management Ordinance. The key presentation was on the idea of stored drain water in landscape. Wollnik provided an update on the Des Moines Water Works’ lawsuit.
6. New Business
None
7. Reports Placed On File
Result: Place Written Reports On File [Unanimous]
Mover: Don Ishmael, Board Member
Seconder: Myrna Molina, Board Member
Ayes: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez
Absent: Thomas Smith
8. Executive Session (If Needed)
None
9. Adjournment
Result: Adjourned By Voice Vote [Unanimous]
Mover: Theresa Barreiro, Board Member
Seconder: Margaret Auger, Board Member
Ayes: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez
Absent: Thomas Smith
This Meeting Was Adjourned At 10:59 a.m.
Christie Duffy
Recording Secretary
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