**These minutes were prepared by ECICOG**

Minutes of the Public Leadership Group

South Slope Coop Communications Co.

980 N. Front Street

North Liberty, Iowa

Thursday, January 25, 2007

 4:30 p.m.

Co-chair Barron called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.

Present:  Linn County Board of Supervisors Lu Barron, Linda Langston and James Houser; Johnson County Board of Supervisors Sally Stutsman, Terrence Neuzil, and Pat Harney. 

Also present:  Ely Mayor Dale Stanek, Hiawatha Mayor Tom Patterson, Coralville Mayor Jim Fausett, Council member Brian Fagan, City of Cedar Rapids, Central City Mayor Don Gray, Mike Sullivan, Johnson County, Mary Day from Sen. Grassley’s office, Beth Freeman from Sen. Harkin’s office, Les Beck and Mike Goldberg, Linn County, Kent Ralston and John Yapp from JCCOG, Council member Dee Vanderhoef, Iowa City, Allen Witt, Michelle Grida and Bruce Anderson, CR Chamber of Commerce, Joe Raso, ICAD Group, Nancy Quellhorst, IC Chamber of Commerce, Greg Parker, Johnson County Engineer.

ECICOG staff present:  Doug Elliott, Chad Sands

1. Welcome and Introductions:  Attendees were asked to introduce themselves.

2. Update on Trail Link: Supervisor Pat Harney reported on the trail link. The Johnson County Engineer stated that a 12 member advisory committee is currently being established.

3. Regional Land Use Presentation: Chad Sands presented background information on the Regional Land Use Project. He presented the data gathered by Iowa State University Extension. General discussion followed about how the data will be used and maintained. Discussion was held to convene the Regional Sub-Committee to set goals for the use of the data. If necessary, ECICOG would email participating cities to ask if the data may be put on the internet.

4. Discussion of Legislative Priorities: Dee Vanderhoef of Iowa City, reported on the annual priorities of the Iowa League of Cities. General discussion followed. Supervisor Pat Harney reported on the priorities of the Iowa State Association of Counties. General discussion followed.

Allen Witt reported on the Technology Corridor Business Alliance Initiative. General discussion followed. ICAD and the IC Chamber provided information. It was discussed again that the Regional Sub-Committee would convene.

Future Agenda Items:  It was agreed that the next meeting would be a goal-setting meeting to establish priorities of the Leadership Group.

Next Meeting date: The next meeting will be at 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, April 26, at the South Slope conference room.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m.