Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Agriculture Committee

Meeting Minutes

KENYON, Roth, Allan, Juby, Lenert, Sanchez, Williams, ex-officios Pierog (County Chair) and

Tepe (County Vice Chair)

Thursday, October 19, 2023

10:00 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Kenyon called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Michael Kenyon

Board Member Bill Roth

PRESENT

Board Member Leslie Juby

Board Member Bill Lenert

Board Member Rick Williams

Board Member Deborah Allan

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Vern Tepe

REMOTE

ABSENT

Also present: Co. Bd. members Bates*, Daugherty*, Kious*, Molina*, Strathmann*;

Dev. staff Tansley, Hill, Thavong, Environ. & Water Res. Dir. Wollnik; ITD staff Peters;

and members of the press and public including KCFB Manager Steve Arnold.

Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Kenyon announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

She asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Members Allan

and Sanchez attending today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: September 21, 2023

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Bill Roth

Public Comment (Agenda Items)

None.

Partners

Kane County Farm Bureau Updates (Steve Arnold, Manager)

KCFB Manager Steve Arnold announced several meetings that will be coming

up including the Annual Illinois Farm Bureau in December, the American Farm

Bureau Federation in January and the young-leader conference in February.

One of the more popular meetings is the "Everything Local' Conference which is

also held in January. Arnold reviewed the handouts he distributed including the

Harvest Progress Report. Arnold also announced that during the month of

October, Casey's will be placing promotional information on all of their carry-out

pizza boxes highlighting the Illinois Farm Family Campaign. Arnold reminded the

Committee that the Kane County Farm Bureau Foundation's fundraiser is taking

place in their parking lot on Randall Road. There are mums, corn stalks, straw

bales, and decorations available for purchase. Money raised will be used to

support college scholarships and agriculture literacy programs. Arnold

addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

Northern Illinois Food Bank Updates (Corey Incandela, Advocacy Specialist)

No report was made.

Presentations/Announcements

ARPA Applications Update (Mark VanKerkhoff, Director)

Dev. Planner Tansley provided a presentation highlighting the ARPA projects

that are being managed by the Development Department. They are seeking

ARPA funding for five different project areas each of which are at different

approval stages. The purpose of requesting these funds is to support existing

projects and programs. At the same time, they will continue to apply for grand

funding. Tansley laid out the process for the Committee. He highlighted two

projects currently being worked on: the Agriculture Recovery and Sustainability

Fund; and, the Kane County Tourism Recovery and Promotion for a Sustainable

Future Fund. He provided background, details, and status of the projects.

Tansley addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion

ensued.

Agriculture Recovery and Sustainability Fund Proposal (Matt Tansley, Planner)

Dev. Planner Tansley spoke on a proposal submitted by the Conservation Fund

which is named the Farm Business Resiliency Project for Kane County. This

includes a budget request of over $2M. Because this is a larger request, it is

imperative to review this more closely and proper due diligence in getting this

approved at all the required levels. This project focuses on supporting food

system resilience in Kane County as a result of the pandemic. This would

provide support for land access, capital, and technical assistance to support

businesses. Tansley explained how the program addresses these needs and

listed other grants available to farmers. Tansley addressed questions and

comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Water Resources Updates (Jodie Wollnik, Director)

Environ. & Water Res. Dir. Wollnik stated they continue to work with the

drainage districts on the various ARPA infrastructure improvements. Wollnik

indicated that they have an opportunity for a federal grant. This grant would be

for climate action. They will be addressing this at the Energy & Environment

Committee. Sarah HInshaw, the new Sustainability Coordinator, will be working

on this grant application with a focus on agriculture. Wollnik will keep this

Committee up to date on the status. Wollnik addressed questions and

comments from the Committee.

Agriculture Conservation Easements (Janice Hill, Executive Planner)

Dev. Exec. Planner Hill is looking forward to working with Wollnik and her team,

in particular, Sarah HInshaw, on their grant. Hill provided a presentation on

easements that have come out of the Farmland Protection Commission. She will

be looking for the Committee's support on the resolution taking action on the

easements. She provided additional information and background on the

farmland protection program and the budget and grant process. Hill addressed

questions and comments from the Committee.

New Business

None.

Approving Six Applicants for Protection Through the Kane County Farmland

Protection Program

Hill addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion

ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

Michael Kenyon, Bill Roth, Deborah Allan, Leslie Juby, Bill

Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog, and Vern Tepe

ABSENT:

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Bill Roth

10.

11.

12.

Executive Session (if needed)

None.

Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

None.

Adjournment

RESULT:

APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

This meeting was adjourned at 11:03 AM.

Rachel Santora

Recording Secretary