Citizens' Environmental Commission

Regular Meeting

DeKalb, IL · October 1, 2015

Minutes

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION October 1, 2015 The Citizen Environmental Commission held a meeting on of October 1, 2015 at the DeKalb Municipal Building, Haish Conference Room, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chair Oleckno called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. A. ROLL CALL Jared Heyn called the roll and the following members of the Citizen Environmental Commission were present: Bill Oleckno, Linda Yates, Mark Hein, Sharon Skala, Ken Koch, Nancy Proesel, and Clare Kron. Members Absent: Dan Kenney. Also present were: Michelle Gibson, DeKalb County Health Department, Jason Magnum, DeKalb Park District, and Jared Heyn, City of DeKalb. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION Sharon Skala moved to approve the agenda, and Ken Koch seconded the motion. Chair Oleckno add “Other” as an item to both the new and old business sections of the agenda. VOTE Motion approved by voice vote 7-0-1. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION Ken Koch moved to approve the September 3, 2015 minutes, seconded by Mark Hein. Chair Oleckno requested that Clare Kron be added to the “also present” section of the minutes. In addition, Chair Oleckno requested that the minutes be amended in reference to the PRIDE award item to state that “Bill Oleckno made the changes to the Pride Award nomination form, including the addition of the name of the nominator.” VOTE Citizen Environmental Commission October 1, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Motion carried by voice vote 7-0-1. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. Sustainability Plan and Progress Report. Ken Koch asked for an update on the Public Works Director search. Chair Oleckno advised that the new Public Works Director will be the new City Liaison once hired. 2. PRIDE Award Nominations. Chair Oleckno noted that the group should have received list of previous nominees and the current award form. He sought input from group for any nominations. Mark Hein advised of a potential nominee - Kim Kitchen in Sycamore (but works at 3M in DeKalb). Very conscious about recycling. Sharon Skala suggested DeKalb County Community Gardens be nominated. Chair Oleckno agreed. Nancy Proesel suggested Dan Kenney be nominated as well. Chair Oleckno advised that Dan Kenney has already received a pride award. Michelle Gibson recommended Melissa Burlingame be nominated for her overall work in the City of DeKalb (including composting project with the students and the community gardens). Sharon Skala sought clarification as to who can nominate someone/organization. Chair Oleckno pointed out that anyone can nominate an individual or organization. Mark Hein suggested the Commission publish a list of previous winners to increase publicity. 3. Other Old Business. Chair Oleckno shared a number of membership issues and ways in which membership appointments (regular and ex officio) could be made easier and clearer. Also discussed changes to the functionality of the Commission (minute-taking). Jason Mangum suggested perhaps it would be better to suggest offices for ex officio members, not specific individuals. Chair Oleckno agreed it was a good idea and that the Commission had done this in the past. Clare Kron and Mark Hein asked what the Commission could do to improve the process? Chair Oleckno offered to contact the Mayor to bring up the Commission’s concerns. Clare Kron suggested that the Commission work on a letter as a group. The Commission members agreed. MOTION Citizen Environmental Commission October 1, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Clare Kron moved to write a letter to the Mayor expressing Commission’s membership concerns, seconded by Linda Yates. Motion carried by voice vote 7-0-1. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. COMMISSION REPORTS City Liaison. None NIU Cooperative Effort. None DeKalb County Health Department. Michelle Gibson provided the following report: The County Health Department is providing and promoting flu vaccinations in the community. Household hazardous waste drive occurred last weekend. Had a very high turnout (about 250 cars showed up). Scheduled a tire recycling event, but it is on hold until the state budget is passed. Still moving on electronics recycling. County is still cleaning up dumped TVs without funds. A significant change to the program should be expected by January 1st. DeKalb Park District. Jason Mangum provided the following report: The Park District worked with NIU Outdoor Adventure Center on Saturday, September 26, 2015 to clean the Kishwaukee River from Hopkins Park to Prairie Park. The Park Board of Commissioners has adopted a more stringent encroachment policy. This should reduce encroachment on Park District property by surrounding property owners. Board has also passed a tree protection policy which protects trees when development occurs. 2. Other Items. Mark Hein advised that he had spoken with Mark Espy at Public Works Street Division about looking at putting City’s planters for adoption by private individuals or organizations. Clare Kron shared info on a group in Evanston that provides supplies for residents to remove compost and replacing the containers on a weekly basis. Michelle Gibson reported that the County is looking at doing this weekly through Waste Management. Ken Koch affirmed that Oak Park is doing this currently and there would be another tote for yard waste/compost. Citizen Environmental Commission October 1, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Clare Kron discussed other communities using a “give a bag, take a bag” program that provides re-usable bags for shopping. Jason Mangum advised that the safety/sanitation of such bags should be explored. Clare Kron asked how to attain certification required for Commission membership. Chair Oleckno suggested she contact Jennifer Diedrich for information on how to do it. Nancy Proesel sought clarification if living in DeKalb Township was an issue for her commission membership. G. ANNOUNCEMENTS Linda Yates announced that the County has received the first reported case of mumps in DeKalb County. Chair Oleckno announced that Ken Koch has been appointed to a new position (Energy Management Coordinator) at Baxter & Woodman. In addition, he shared that Dan Kenney was selected to receive Tribute to Heroes Award for his work with Community Gardens. Chair Oleckno asked if there were any items for the next agenda. No items were identified by members. Jason Mangum expressed his concerns about riverbank stabilization/erosion and suggested they be addressed, noting that perhaps some grants could be explored. Ken Koch agreed noting that it would fit in well with the Sustainability Plan project. Chair Oleckno agreed. H. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Linda Yates moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Nancy Proesel. Motion passed 7-0-1 on voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Jared Heyn, Public Works Intern Jennifer Diedrich, Economic Development Coordinator Minutes approved at the November 5, 2015 Regular Meeting.

Agenda

DeKalb Municipal Building Haish Conference Room - Second Floor 200 South Fourth Street DeKalb, Illinois 60115 AGENDA Citizen Environmental Commission October 1, 2015 4:30 p.m. A. Roll Call B. Approval of Agenda – Additions / Deletions C. Public Participation D. Approval of Minutes 1. September 3, 2015 E. Old Business 1. Sustainability Plan and Progress Reports 2. P.R.I.D.E. Award Nominations F. New Business 1. Commission Reports a. City Liaison: Jennifer Diedrich b. Cooperative Effort: Melissa Burlingame c. DeKalb Co. Health Depart.: Greg Maurice or Michelle Gibson d. DeKalb Park District: Jason Mangum 2. Announcements G. Adjournment MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION September 3, 2015 The Citizen Environmental Commission held a meeting on of September 3, 2015 at the DeKalb Municipal Building, Haish Conference Room, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chair Oleckno called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. A. ROLL CALL Linda Yates called the roll and the following members of the Citizen Environmental Commission were present: Bill Oleckno, Linda Yates, Dan Kenney, Mark Hein, Sharon Skala, Ken Koch, and Melissa Burlingame. Members Absent: Nancy Proesel Also present were: Jennifer Diedrich, Economic Development Coordinator; Michelle Gibson, DeKalb County Health Department; Melissa Burlingame, NIU; Mike Holland, Waste Management, Jason Magnum, DeKalb Park District, Matt Duffy, Chamber of Commerce. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS Dan Kenney moved to approve the agenda, and Ken Koch seconded the motion. Agenda approved by voice vote 7-0-1. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dan Kenney moved to approve the July 9, 2015 minutes, seconded by Mark Hein. Minutes were approved by voice vote 7-0-1. E. OLD BUSINESS None. F. NEW BUSINESS Special Guest: Matt Duffy, Executive Director, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce: Matt Duffy reported that the Chamber of Commerce consists of approximately 550 members. The Chamber drafted the Sustainable Commerce plan about 10 years ago which is now time to revise and expressed interest in working with the Citizen Environmental Commission. Dan Kenney asked Citizen Environmental Commission September 3, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Matt Duffy about the Frontier Grant deadline which is November 6. The grant process is 11 months, for $100,000 and would start April 2016. Matt Duffy advised that the city of DeKalb is a quarter finalist in the Frontier Communication’s “America’s Best Communities” competition and the award amount is 1 to 3 million dollars. The Chamber of Commerce’s Proudly DeKalb program is underway and gaining much attention. Pictures with people holding the sign have been taken around town and at Corn Fest. The Chamber of Commerce has monthly roundtable discussions and plans to discuss composting by businesses and other green economy initiatives. Mr. Duffy also indicated that the Chamber of Commerce is very interested in working with the Commission on the Sustainability Plan, especially as it related to Green Economy Development (Goal 6). The Chamber is open to other cooperative efforts with the Commission, and both our organizations could benefit from this cooperation. Commission Reports City Liaison: Jennifer Diedrich did not have an update on the status of the intern position for the Commission. She reported that Clare Kron is anticipated to be appointed to the Commission at the September 14, 2015 City Council meeting. Jennifer Diedrich reported that Mayor Rey is in the process of reviewing commissions and does not want to increase the number of Ex Officio members. This causes uncertainty as to whether Mike Holland, DeKalb Sanitation District, and Melissa Burlingame, NIU, will be able to be Ex Officio members for the Citizen Environmental Commission. Cooperative Effort: Melissa Burlingame reported on the Contemporary Artists Exploring Relevant Social Issues exhibit at the NIU Art Museum. A public reception is September 10th from 4:30-6 p.m. for the Embarrassment of Riches exhibit. She reported the launch of the Sustainability website at NIU this summer and that the number of ENVS majors has increased from 105 students last year to 130 students. Fall 2015 is the first semester that ENVS 100 course was offered. Melissa reported that the NIU Green Team is in the process of developing a sustainability plan for NIU and that Next Door, the free private network for neighborhood communities, is growing and currently there are over 100 members in the N. 1st Street neighborhood. DeKalb County Health Department: Michelle Gibson reported for Greg Maurice that the community septic in Fairdale will be voted on. She dispersed flyers for the household hazardous waste drive which will be September 26 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau 1350 W. Prairie Dr., Sycamore. It is open to the first 200 cars and you must show proof of DeKalb County residency. Michelle reported that there is a new state law regarding electronic recycling and that the county will not recycle CRTs. Mark Hein asked if the Health Department looked into Secure Recycling in Dixon but Michelle said they do not want to change from New Life as the county’s electronic recycling because other companies would have a different pick up date. Michelle Gibson reported that the Shoe Share drive collected 400 pairs of shoes that were distributed at the Back to School Program. DeKalb Park District: Jason Mangum reported on the Dark Skies Initiative which is a 4 year plan to have DeKalb park lights replaced to efficient LED, dark sky compliant lighting. He reported Citizen Environmental Commission September 3, 2015 Page 3 of 4 that these lights have the same amount of ground coverage to address safety concerns. The new lighting fixture with a black pole and globe can be seen at Hopkins Park. The Park District will begin river bank stabilization at Prairie Park. Jason Magnum reported that September 26th is National Park and Lands Day. NIU will partner with the Park District for a cleanup of the East Lagoon on the campus of NIU. More information can be found at the DeKalb Park District’s Facebook page. Other Items: Discussion of CMAP Sustainability Indicators Guide and Sustainability Planning White Paper: Chair Oleckno reviewed the contents of the white paper. Discussion continued between all present. Sustainability Plan and Progress Reports: Chair Oleckno asked if anyone had any updates for the Sustainable Master Plan. P.R.I.D.E. Awards: Chair Oleckno made changes to the Pride Award nomination form, specifically to add the name of the nominator. MOTION: Sharon Skala made a motion to approve the Pride Award nomination form and Dan Kenney seconded the motion. Motion passed by voice vote 7-0 Chair Oleckno asked for nominations for the Pride Award. Update on "Zero Waste" Initiative: Michelle Gibson reported on the Zero Waste Committee and the 20 Year Plan update. She plans to share this information with the Chamber of Commerce for inclusion in their newsletter. Michelle Gibson reported that the food composting pilot program with Waste Management will run from April through November (and coincide with the yard waste pick-up). The test area will include 300 homes in the Hillcrest neighborhood. She reported that a food composting program was tried in this area about 10 years ago. She will distribute surveys to determine interest in the program. Rochelle Municipal Utilities: Dan Kenney reported on the completion of the 312kW Photovoltaic Solar Plant, located at the Water Treatment Facility in Rochelle. Earth Overshoot Day 2015: Bill Oleckno reported that August 13th was Earth Overshoot Day 2015, which indicates the day that humans have exhausted the earth's budget for the year. He also reported that DeKalb received its first request for a permit under the new Solar Energy System regulations. G. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Ken Koch moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Sharon Skala seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0 on voice vote. Citizen Environmental Commission September 3, 2015 Page 4 of 4 ________________________________________________ Linda Yates, Secretary Citizen Environmental Commission ________________________________________________ Jennifer Diedrich, Economic Development Coordinator