Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION May 5, 2016 The Citizen Environmental Commission held a meeting on May 5, 2016 at the DeKalb Municipal Building, Haish Conference Room, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chairman Oleckno called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. A. ROLL CALL Tim Holdeman called the roll and the following members of the Citizen Environmental Commission were present: Sharon Skala, Dan Kenney, Ken Koch, Bill Oleckno, and Clare Kron. Members Absent: Mark Hein Also present were: Tim Holdeman, City of DeKalb, Mike Holland, DeKalb Sanitary District, Michelle Gibson, DeKalb County Health Department B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION Ms. Skala moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Koch. Agenda was approved by voice vote 5-0. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Members of the community introduced themselves, including Mary Johnson, DeKalb County Community Gardens, Mike Lundgren, DeKalb Public Library, Ann Shult (resident), and Capresha Williams (resident). D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES for APRIL 7, 2016 MOTION Ms. Skala moved to approve with amendments, seconded by Ms. Kron. Minutes were approved by voice vote 5-0. Citizen Environmental Commission May 5, 2016 Page 2 of 4 E. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Chairman Oleckno discussed the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award. He recommended that we not pursue it this year because there is a need for data to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Sustainability Program. We have an opportunity to collect data and track changes over the next year. Chairman Oleckno asked member to be more cognizant of the need to collect data and to attend meetings regularly. He also indicated additional meetings may be needed. 2. Chairman Oleckno mentioned he had reviewed the City’s website pertaining to the Commission and that he will work with City staff to get it updated. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Chairman Oleckno highlighted the 2013-14 annual report and asked for input for the current Annual Report. Ms. Williams mentioned that she helps children at shelters, teaching them about the environment. She expressed concerns about our children learning about the environment. She believes people with disabilities can help teach these children. Ms. Gibson mentioned the shoe share program as an opportunity to teach children about the environment. This program will be conducted again this year at the3 Green Living Festival. Mr. Kenney indicated he would talk with Ms. Williams after the meeting about other opportunities. Mr. Kenney agreed to go through last year’s minutes to identify items to include in the current Annual Report. Mr. Holdeman will look for electronic versions of the Sustainability Plan monitoring matrix. Mr. Oleckno asked for any contributions to the Annual Report to be submitted to him by mid-month. 2. Commission Goals-- Review and Update Chairman Oleckno asked that Commission members take responsibility for monitoring progress on the Sustainability Plan. The following areas were assigned. City Operations, Goals 1-4: Mr. Holdeman Air Quality, Goal 5: Mr. Koch Green Economy Development, Goal 6; Food Security and Healthy Living, Goals 8 & 9: Mr. Kenney Solid Waste, Goal 13: Ms. Gibson Natural Environment, Goals 10 & 11: Ms. Skala Housing and Urban Design, Goal 12: Ms. Kron Transportation, Goals 14 & 15: Mr. Hein Alternative Energy, Goal 7: Chairman Oleckno Water Resources, Goals 16, 17 & 18: Mr. Koch and Mr. Holland Citizen Environmental Commission May 5, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Chairman Oleckno asked the Commission to report monthly the following information for the areas they are assigned: Where do we stand? What has been accomplished? What needs to be done? What documented results are available to demonstrate sustainability? 3. Sustainability Plan Progress No reports. 4. Commission Membership Status Ann Shult was introduced as a prospective new member of the Commission. She is a biology teacher at DeKalb High School where she also started an environmental group. She has a Master of Science degree from NIU and she did graduate research on flooding. There was discussion concerning Mike Lungren as a possible new member of the Commission. 5. Commission Meeting Schedule MOTION Mr. Koch moved to change the meeting time of the Commission to 4 pm effective June 2, 2016. Ms. Kron seconded the motion. Motion was approved by voice vote 5 – 0. G. COMMISSION REPORTS 1. City Liaison: Tim Holdeman The City celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, April 29 by planting three trees at City Hall. The Mayor proclaimed that day as Arbor Day in the City. These events were required to qualify for Tree City USA status. 2. DeKalb County Health Department: Michelle Gibson The Daily Chronicle had a piece on the Share-a-Bag program. There will be a second TV collection day. The County will take reservations and it will be limited to 1300 TVs. Residents can also pay $20 for small and $30 for large TVs to be disposed of by DC Trash. Household Hazardous Waste drive sponsored by Waste Management will be May 21. Ms. Gibson distributed information on the Shoe Share program. Regarding the Solid Waste and Recycling Community Advisory Committee; the County has no resources to pursue composting at this time. They will evaluate alternatives. Citizen Environmental Commission May 5, 2016 Page 4 of 4 3. DeKalb Park District: Assigned Representative No Report H. OLD BUSINESS 1. Proposed Green Living Festival Update: Michelle Gibson There is a meeting scheduled for the end of May, Ms. Gibson will have more information next month. 2. Share-A-Bag Program Update: Clare Kron The program had a successful launch on Earth Day. Got some good press. Ms. Kron spoke of modifications made to the bins using bricks to add weight. The bins are located at the Laundry Lounge, DeKalb Public Library (2), Barb Food Mart, Salvation Army, and DeKalb County Health Department. 3. Proposed Municipal Code Chapter 50 Update: Bill Oleckno MOTION Chairman Oleckno moved to accept previously distributed revisions to Chapter 50. Ms. Kron seconded the motion. Motion was approved by voice vote 5 – 0. I. NEXT MEETING: June 2, 2016 at 4:00 PM J. ADJOURMENT Mr. Koch moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Skala. Motion carried by voice vote 5-0. Chair Oleckno declared the meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Public Works Director Minutes Approved June 2, 2016