DRAFT

The sixty-third Annual Meeting of the Kankakee County Soil and Water Conservation District was held on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Quality Inn in Bradley with 60 people present. Jeff O’Connor welcomed the guests and offered a blessing before the meeting.

Chairman Jeff O’Connor opened the Business portion of the Annual Meeting at 7:45 A.M. by thanking everyone for coming. He then introduced board members and staff: Director Dave Peters and Alan Wissmiller, Associate Directors John Settle and Alex Panozzo, Conservation District Manager Rich Howell and NRCS District Conservationist Bob Gotkowski.

Dave Peters reported the minutes of the 62nd Annual Meeting had been published in the Annual Report. A motion was made by Gene Rademacher to approve the minutes as printed; it was seconded by Larry Blanchette. Motion passed.

Dave Peters reported the financial statement had been published in the Annual Report. A motion was made by Alan Wissmiller to approve the report as printed, it was seconded by Phil Blanchette. Motion passed.

Alex Panozzo reported for the nominating committee and presented the names of Dave Peters of Manteno Township, Alan Wissmiller of Limestone Township and Brian Grob of Norton Township in nomination for 2-year terms each. He then asked for nominations from the floor and when none were received he moved to accept the nominated candidates as duly elected, it was seconded by Paula Karlock. Motion passed.

Rich Howell introduced the invited guests in attendance. Included were Will County Board Chairman Larry Walsh, Congresswoman Halvorson's Aide Nick Allen, Village of Bradley Mayor Bruce Adams, Village of Grant Park Mayor Fred Meyer, Kankakee County Board Chairman Mike Bossert, Kankakee County Board Members Steve Liehr, Jim Tripp, George Washington, Jr. and Leo Whitten, County Treasurer Mark Frechette, Kankakee County Economic Alliance President Mike Van Mill, Kankakee County Farm Bureau Manager Chad Miller, Kankakee County FSA Executive Director Ed Brown, NRCS Assistance State Conservationist Jon Hubbert, Bureau of Land and Water Resources Regional Representative Joe Bybee, Universiity of Illinois Extension office Beth LaPlante, James Theuri and Joyce Goodwin.

Rich Howell presented the Friend of the District Award to Paul Vicari of Land Resource Management Group. Jeff O'Connor presented the Teacher of the Year Award to Susan White, Kindergarten Teacher at Lafayette School in Kankakee.

Jeff O'Connor announced the winners of the Environmental Education Teacher Grants. This is the eleventh year the District has offered a grant program for local teachers to enhance and expand their agricultural or environmental programs. The grant in the amount of $250 is to be used for the spring or fall 2010 semester. The recipients will also receive a copy of the book Creating Habitats and Homes for Illinois Wildlife for their classrooms. The grants are judged on how well they further the District's mission and vision for natural resources, if they are replicable and how they help achieve State standards. This year's recipients are a team of science teacher from Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center, Lori Henry, Tiffany Lanoue, Nancy Brownfield and Barbara Soucy.

Rich Howell gave a PowerPoint presentation review of the District's activities from the past year.

Rich Howell introduced the speaker, Paul Vicari from the Land Resource Management Group. Vicari spoke on LRMG projects in Kankakee and Will County that highlight bringing conservation best management practices to urban development along with agricultural areas..

The meeting adjourned at 9:04 A.M.