South Central Reporter

Macoupin County Board Economic Development Committee met Aug. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT: Armour, Starr, Klausing, Rosentreter, Duncan, Garrison

ABSENT: Blank, Kilduff, Payne

II. AGENDA ITEMS

1. Fairground Lease with Fair Board

Armour said that he would like to consider this topic next month after they had gotten more information on the specifics of the proposal that was discussed last month about possibly moving some of the farmland acreage to the fairgrounds for additional parking. It would be discussed next month.

2. Update on Energy Grant Application

Armour said that at Road and Bridge there had been a discussion about why the Renken Road project had been added to the grant since it was not in the works currently. Armour said he had mentioned it being a project mentioned at the committee as a passion project. Klausing said she would reach out to Madison County to see about the joint agreements for that road to see if that would be a good place to start.

Duncan and Klausing also had talked about the grant writer position. What had been put in the application was contracting with the same firm that helped with the application for them to have an grant writer on staff who would primarily assist Macoupin County. In addition, there would be a second point person hired directly by the county who be the point person and assist with the grant writing project. The particulars would be worked out in upcoming months as we wait for final grant approval.

3. Potential Mineral Rights Accommodation Agreement

There had been a presentation regarding this agreement a few months back. They had called a few times regarding getting an agreement in place so the committee needed to decide if they wanted to enter into an agreement or not.

Motion by Klausing, seconded by Starr to recommend the State's Attorney inform the company that the county is not interested in entering into an agreement.

RESULT: MOTION TO RECOMMEND [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Holly Klausing, Member SECONDER: Harry Starr, Vice Chair AYES: Armour, Starr, Klausing, Rosentreter ABSENT: Blank, Kilduff, Payne

4. Letter of Endorsement on Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative for BEAD Grant Armour said there had been a request from the Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative in Auburn for a letter of endorsement for providing broadband in northern Macoupin County that they serve. There is no financial commitment on the part of the county and no limit for how many letters the county can sign.

Motion by Rosentreter, seconded by Klausing to recommend signing a letter of endorsement.

RESULT: MOTION TO RECOMMEND [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Molly Rosentreter, Member SECONDER: Holly Klausing, Member AYES: Armour, Starr, Klausing, Rosentreter ABSENT: Blank, Kilduff, Payne

5. Solar Building Permit Ordinance

Garrison said with recent state law changes the county either would adopt a siting permit ordinance that would require all of the same steps as the wind permit and wouldn't allow them to deny the permit without risking litigation or pass nothing and let state law dictate the rules. There was a discussion about potential fees that could be collected and whether there were some restrictions the state allows us to impose that would be better for our citizens than just letting state statute dictate. Duncan suggested having the full Board vote on whether or not to have an ordinance to finally decide what action if any should be taken.

Motion by Klausing, seconded by Rosentreter to recommend having a vote of the full Board on whether or not the county should adopt a solar permit ordinance.

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