The Public Policy Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Thursday, February 5, 2004 at 6:30p.m. at the Legislative Center’s Liberty Room. Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias called the meeting to order. Members present were Patricia LaVigne and Dennis Sands.  There was no quorum present. 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

No quorum was present to vote on the approval of the minutes. 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

No quorum was present to vote on the approval of the agenda. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There were no public comments for the evening.  

COUNTY GOVERNMENT WEEK IDEAS

Chairman Tobias said that the theme for this year’s County Government Week is “Transportation.”   Chairman Tobias will be gathering information from the Highway Department for this topic.  The committee discussed the volunteers for the cleanup on the side of the roads, signage, Voluntary Action Center, to be included in the groups that the committee will be contacting.   She said that there would be a proclamation that this committee will be forwarding to the board to be read in March for County Government Week, also. 

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Chairman Tobias said that the Legislative Breakfast is being planned by Mr. Gary Hanson and Mrs. Joan Berkes-Hanson, once again this year.  The 3 legislators have been notified by letter about the event and that Chairman Tobias said that she would be contacting Senator Burzynski’s office, Representative Pritchard’s office and Representative Ron Wait’s office to make sure that they will all be attending.   The committee will be inviting all department heads, county board members and Mr. Millburg from the Farm Bureau.

Chairman Tobias said that she reviewed the various other county board’s legislative agendas affiliated with Metro Counties.  She will be combining her findings into a summary and then will have copies distributed amongst the committee members to discuss along with our legislative agenda items.   

OTHER UNIVERSITY COUNTIES RESPONSE  

Chairman Tobias said that Ms. Supple, County Board Coordinator, has sent out the letters last week to all of the Chairmen of the various University Counties.  So far there has been one emailed response from the Chairman of Coles County, which is Eastern Illinois University, who is interested in discussing various common issues with DeKalb County and other university counties. 

JAIL TAX NEWSPAPER LETTERS

With regards to the Jail Tax Newspaper Letters, Chairman Tobias, said that she is currently working on it.  She said that the issue has been receiving quite a bit of coverage in the newspapers so far and was glad to see that happening.  The committee felt that the coverage has been positive so far.   

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting could not be adjourned for lack of a quorum.

Respectively submitted, 

______________________________           Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias                 

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Mary C. Supple, Secretary