Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION November 3, 2016 The Citizens’ Environmental Commission held a meeting on November 3, 2016, at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chairman Oleckno called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Citizens' Environmental Commission were present: Bill Oleckno, Ken Koch, Dan Kenney, Clare Kron, Sharon Skala, Mark Hein, Melissa Burlingame (ex-officio), and Mike Holland (ex-officio). . Members Absent: Ann Shult, Michael Lundgren, Michelle Gibson (ex-officio), and Amy Doll (ex-officio), Tim Holdeman (City Liaison). Also present were: Dale Osterle, DeKalb resident. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION Ms. Skala moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Koch. Agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Ms. Dale Osterle, former participant in developing the Sustainability Plan, was in attendance to listen. D. APPROVAL of MINUTES for October 6, 2016 MOTION Ms. Skala moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Kenney. There were minor grammatical changes to the minutes. Minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote. E. NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Mr. Hein was reappointed to the Commission as a regular member until 7/2018. 2. Discussed Green Leaf program with Mr. Kenney in charge. Will initiate next spring, Citizen Environmental Commission November 3, 2016 Page 2 of 3 awarding deserving businesses. Will need approval from the CEC regarding guidelines. Ms. Kron suggested that Sozo Market, dealing in Fair Trade goods, should be recognized as well as promoted. Mr. Kenney suggested an interview with the owner by the Daily Chronicle or Midweek. Ms. Kron will recommend her. 3. Ms. Kron expressed concern about the manner of announcements sent out by Mr. Holdeman, (e.g., notifying CEC members about the upcoming climate change movie, Before the Flood, and inquired as to the necessity of requiring the City Liaison to send the group email for such an issue). Chair Oleckno stated he would meet with Mr. Holdeman the following week to clarify OMA restrictions. 4. Mr. Koch was congratulated on his recent award, ... 5. Ms. Burlingame (NIU) and Mr. Holland (DeKalb Sanitary District) are now officially ex officio members of the CEC. F. COMMISION REPORTS 1. City Liaison: Tim Holdeman No Report 2. DeKalb County Health Department: Michelle Gibson No Report 3. DeKalb Park District: Amy Doll No Report. 4. NIU: Melissa Burlingame Met with John Heckman who accepts the CEC applications for Student Engagement Funds, regarding the NIU Green Team Environmental Plan. There is up to $1200 at $10/hr. for each student accepted. Various time allocations are possible (e.g., 5 hrs./wk.). Looking for committee members to help develop the Environmental Plan. Considering an NIU Climate Pledge with the Student Association. Terracycle will no longer to available for pen recycling. Dec. 7, next NIU Green Team meeting. 5. DeKalb Sanitary District: Michael Holland Mr. Holland showed a map of the DeKalb wastewater treatment plant with surrounding open space that is mowed. He wants to transform the area into a natural habitat with deep-rooted plants. He will need the capacity to do a burn (mowing possible but not as effective). Possibilities: work with an outside contractor, student or community rep (preferred) One option: horticultural student group from Kishwaukee College. He will contribute funds and may work with the Sycamore Park District. The planting would result in $1200/acre per year in savings. Mr. Kenney will provide instructions as he’s in the process of restoring a 10-acre prairie at Walnut Grove. Ms. Burlingame suggested contacting Dr. Barber, NIU biology professor, who 2 Citizen Environmental Commission September 1, 2016 Page 3 of 3 does burns and herbicide applications, as well as Dr. Holly Jones, NIU biology professor. Both may be interested in having their students involved. G. OLD BUSINESS 1. No updates on Sustainability Plan 2. Update on Share-A-Bag Program—Ms. Kron reported that the Salvation Army food bank manager, Gary, went back to plastic bags because his clients wouldn’t bring back the reusable bags. She will format a flier that graphically explains the necessity of reducing plastic waste and have it available as a handout for both the Salvation Army and the Barb Food Mart. There’s an opportunity to speak to groups of clients at both establishments. 3. Littered retention ponds—Mr. Lundgren (absent) 4. CEC logo— Mr. Lundgren (absent) 5. Community Education on Green Issues—Ms. Kron suggested making a video that promotes using uncarved pumpkins as a food source after use as decorations on porches. She will discuss this idea with Ms. Shult and Mr. Lundgren. 6. Student Interns—Chair Oleckno stated that the CEC received one resume from a student in the public health program, Eric Fonder. Decisions on accepting a given applicant will need a review process, necessitating a subcommittee. Will discuss this with Mr. Holdeman. Chair Oleckno will also follow up with the other departments at NIU for possible interns. 7. City Website— Ms. Shult and Mr. Lundgren (absent) H. NEW BUSINESS 1. P.R.I.D.E. Awards: Postponed to next meeting. I. NEXT MEETING: December 1, 2016 at 4:00 PM J. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Koch moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. Skala. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Chair Oleckno declared the meeting adjourned. Minutes taken by Ms. Kron Minutes Approved December 1, 2016 3