Rural Development Commission Meeting XV
January 29, 2008 12:20- 2:05 P.M.
The Ferguson Center – Lincoln, Nebraska
Meeting Minutes
Chair John Jordison called the meeting to order with 14 Commissioners present. The meeting opened with self-introduction of all Commissioners, staff Linda Fettig, Sandi Kaskie and Tara Barkmeier) and guests ( Reggie Robinson (HUD) and Joseph Young DED).
John Jordisonstated that a copy of the Open Meeting Law was located on the backwindowsill for review by anyone attending.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda and Director’s Report was made by Mary Gerdes and seconded by Christine Petersen. Motion carried with a unanimous roll call voice vote.
ESSAY COMMITTEE
John Jordison, Chair, reported on their progress.
The committee recommends that the essays would include a cross section of 10 to 12 topics which would be no longer than 5 pages in length. The completed project may be available in several media formats.
In addition to reaching the Governor, legislators and the press, the committee feels this would be a good way to promote Nebraska and hopefully, aid in convincing individuals to return to Nebraska.
TOUR COMMITTEE
Scott Blehm, Chair, advised that the Tour Committee is looking at a past USDA national levelprogram to increase rural community awareness. The committee feels that looking into this program is a great starting point and will assist with defining the positive and negative points within that program.
The Tour Committee would like to target state senators and staff to increase their education and awareness of rural Nebraska. These goals will be reached through presentations, geography and other resources. The committee feels the tours should last two days.
The committee would like to implement this program either early spring or early fall, as these times coordinate with the senator’s schedules.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Ross Garwood, Chair, with the assistance of Joseph Young, Legislative Coordinator for DED, presented the commission information on the following legislative bills of interest.
- LB 609 - Adopt the Nebraska Recruitment Promotion Act.
(Support and send a letter to Senator Carlson advising of the RDC’s support.)
- LB 777 - Would Change Property Valuation for Taxation Purposes.
(Monitor)
- LB 789 - Change the Value-Added Ag Grant Program.
(Support – Ross will testify on the RDC’s behalf.)
- LB 824 - Provide for Gender Balance on Boards and Commissions.
(Monitor)
- LB 486 - Change Motor Fuel Taxes.
(Monitor)
- LB 859 - Lied Main Street Program.
(Support)
- LB 860 - Remove Fingerprinting Requirements for background checks of Executives of GrainWarehousing Companies.
(Monitor)
- LB 875 - Change Eligibility Requirements for the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Act.
(Monitor)
- LB 881 - Impose an Excise Tax on Production of Ethanol.
(Monitor)
- LB 921 - Adopt the NE Energy Independent Act.
(Monitor)
- LB 922 - Adopt the Cellulosic Biomass Renewable Energy Initiative and Impose and Change Taxes
(Monitor)
- LB 923 - Change Provisions relating to Energy Easements.
(Monitor)
- LB 946 - Impose an Excise Tax on Production of Ethanol.
(Monitor)
- LB 961 - Provide for Transfers of Funds and Increase Property Tax Relief.
(Monitor)
- LB 997 - Changes to LB 840.
(Support - Karl will testify on the RDC’s behalf.)
- LB 1027 - Provide a Personal Property Tax Exemption Under the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Act.
(Monitor)
- LB 1033 - Change Provisions of the NE Advantage Act.
(Support)
- LB 1040 - Impose a Tax on Ethanol Production, Terminate an Excise Tax and Change funding for the Water Resources Cash Fund.
(Monitor)
- LB 1046 - Change Application Limits Under the NE Advantage Rural Development Act.
(Support)
- LB 1053 -Create a Production Incentive for Biodiesel Production.
(Monitor)
- LB 1088 - Eliminate Limits on Tax Credits under the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit Act.
(Monitor)
- LB 235 - Provide Business Incentives for Film and Music Production.
(Monitor)
Motion to adopt the Legislative Committee’s recommendations was made by Ross and seconded by Tim. The motion carried with a roll call voice vote.
Linda advised the next RDCmeeting has been rescheduled for April 4th in Curtis. Anyone with a conflict is to notify Linda or Sandi ASAP.
At the recommendation of the Commission, Linda is to come up with suggestions for future meeting dates and possible locations. Those dates will then be emailed to the commissioners for consideration.
Linda informed the Commission that there were remaining BECA grant funds for this year and she intends to have a grant application cycle in May that will hopefully be announced in July, and another one in August, intended to be announced in October. Additionally, she tentatively intends to host grant workshops in Bridgeport, Auburn and possibly another one in some community up north.
Edgar Hicks was recognized with a selection of Nebraska food products for his dedication and prior service to the commission as interim chair.
Business Meeting Adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
Next RDC meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2008 – Curtis
Minutes were prepared by Sandi Kaskie, reviewed by Linda Fettig, and are presented on behalf of the executive committee.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Meeting January 29, 2008
COMMISSIONER / ATTENDANCE(X = Present) / MOTION #1Consent
Agenda / MOTION #2
Legis. Comm.
Recommend..
X / Y-N-A / Y-N-A
Richard Baier / X / X /
A
Scot Blehm / X / X / XLarry Cooper
Karl Elmshaeuser / X / X / X
Ross Garwood / X / X / X
Mary Gerdes / X / X / X
Robert Gustafson
Edgar Hicks / X / X / X
Dan Hoffman / X / X / A
Greg Ibach
John Jordison / X / X / X
Charles Karpf / X / X / X
Tim Kenny
Marge Lauer
M.L. Martin
Gayle McClure
Senator McDonald / X / X / -
Marilyn Mecham / X / X / X
Lance Morgan
Bryce Neidig
Christine Peterson / X / X / A
Sandy Scofield / X / X / X
Tim Shafer / X / X / X
*NOTE*: No vote received is indicated by a dash (-).
DRAFT
Rural Development Commission
Meeting: January 29, 2008
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