Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 05/07/2007

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head up the campaign and that the committee be registered with the State. She suggested the EPB members who are active in putting a ballot measure together can be involved as individuals, but committee members who are seen as supporters should represent schools, parks, the religious and business community. Keeping it a diverse committee is prudent. Ms. Pierson provided EPB members with packets of information about the TPL and various other resources. She put together a list of resources, with results of land conservation votes nationally and statewide for conservation efforts. She provided various literature items for the EPB members. Chairperson McDilda asked about the 12 month timeframe. He asked if one year is a typical timeframe to expect. Ms. Pierson stated that any of the stages in the timeframe are compressible or expandable. She stated it depends on how ready the community is and the campaign needs. Board Member Bentz asked if the TPL could provide a list on sources of information for grants, scholarships, and recommendations for searching such things out. Ms. Pierson stated that in terms of private funding, there are some organizations in Minnesota that will fund for particular purposes, but there is fairly scarce funding compared to the funding needs. Depending on the purpose, $75 to $100,000 might be raised. There isn't one list of philanthropists. Campaigns are not a charitable purpose. Funds have to be raised that are not tax deductible. Community foundations are allowed to give to campaigns, but there are more IRS constraints on raising funds for a campaign. In many communities, there are businesses or corporations that have a very strong tie to the community that will donate to campaigns and land conservation efforts. Coordinator Anderson asked Ms. Pierson to speak about whether it would be a positive or negative if there is a state conservation measure on the ballot. She stated that the TPL keeps track of all the votes for land conservation measures at the state and local level. She stated what they have seen is that a local ballot measure does better if there is a state question on the ballot. If there is a statewide campaign going on at the same time, measures for advertising are ongoing to raise awareness. There is a potential likelihood of a question on the state ballot in 2008. The data, so far, shows that it doesn't pull down the local measure when there's something on the state level on the ballot as well. Chairperson McDilda recessed the meeting for a 15 minute break. Chairperson McDilda resumed the meeting at 7:54 p.m. Case #2: Changes in Future Funding of Oak Wilt Program Coordinator Anderson introduced Mark Rehder, Kunde Company. Coordinator Anderson stated that he was asked to be present to act as a technical advisor. Coordinator Environmental Policy Board/ April 2, 2007 Page 7 of 14