Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION May 4, 2017 The Citizens’ Environmental Commission held a meeting on May 4, 2017, in the Haish Conference Room at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chairman Oleckno called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Citizens' Environmental Commission were present (indicated by x): X Mark Hein X Dan Kenney __ Ken Koch X Clare Kron X Michael Lundgren X Bill Oleckno X Sharon Skala X Ann Shult The following ex-officio members were present (indicated by x): __ Melissa Burlingame __ Amy Doll X Michelle Gibson X Mike Holland Also, present were: Dale Osterle (resident), Nancy Proesel (resident), Jerry Smith (Mayor), Ron Cress (resident), Carol Russon (resident), Patty Rubeck (resident), Tim Holdeman (City Liaison) B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION - To approve the agenda. Ms. Skala moved to approve the motion, seconded by Ms. Kron. Agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION/ANOUNCEMENTS Mr. Ron Cress (3060 Wedgewood Drive, DeKalb) introduced himself as a long time DeKalb resident and Chief Steward of the Prairie of Walnut Grove. Mr. Cress told the Commission of a warning he received from the City of DeKalb Police Department concerning a violation of the City Code concerning nuisance weeds. He stated that a neighbor had filed a complaint with the City, which is what prompted the warning letter. Mr. Cress read portions of Chapter 12 of the City Code that refer to nuisance weeds or plants greater than 8 inches high. He asked the Commission to consider rewording Chapter 12 of the City Code. Citizen Environmental Commission May 4, 2017 Page 2 of 4 Members of the Commission and the public discussed the need to rework Chapter 12 of the City Code. Mr. Kenney and Ms. Shult agreed to lead an effort to research the topic and bring alternative language for the City Ordinance to the next meeting. Mr. Oleckno attended City Council meeting on April 10 and received the Earth Day Proclamation from Mayor Rey. D. APPROVAL of MINUTES for April 6, 2017 MOTION Ms. Kron moved to approve, seconded by Ms. Shult. Minor edits were discussed. Amended minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote. E. COMMISSION REPORTS 1. DeKalb County Health Department: Michelle Gibson The County Health Department is collecting shoes for its Shoes Share Program. The Household Hazardous Waste Drive will be May 20. The Composting pilot is underway with 87 participants. The Glidden Homestead is trying to get rid of cobblestone bricks. 2. DeKalb Park District: Amy Doll Park District Work Day at Prairie Park is this Saturday from 9 – 11 a.m. Will have another work day on June 2 and are trying to get work days scheduled monthly. Walk for the (DeKalb Rotary Park) Trail event will be May 21. 3. NIU: Melissa Burlingame The Green Team was awarded funding to hire a student in the fall to develop a searchable database of environmental achievements at NIU. Environmental Studies received similar funding to hire a student to start the creation of an online Environmental Resource Center (to answer questions like “how do I get solar panels for my home?”). The next Green Team meeting is Wednesday, June 7th and the sustainability website for NIU should be updated by that date. Enrollment in the course to write the sustainability plan (ENVS 491) is slow and will hopefully grow to at least 10 students once classes start in August. Housing is working with Goodwill again for the donation drive with student move out (May 1- 15). The NIU Earth Week went very well with over 10 events and hundreds of people in attendance over the week. Green Team moving forward on the NIU Sustainability Plan. They are also revamping their web site. 2 Citizen Environmental Commission May 4, 2017 Page 3 of 4 4. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District: Michael Holland Demolition of houses along Hollister Dive will begin soon. Landscaping will be transplanted. The District will be planting native turf grass with wildflower pollinator plants. 5. City Staff Liaison: Tim Holdeman There was an Arbor Day Proclamation made at City Council on April 22. Arbor Day was April 28. The Public Works Department planted two trees along Haish Boulevard as part of the Arbor Day celebration. The City received the Tree City USA designation again this year. 6. Communications Subcommittee: Clare Kron No Report F. OLD BUSINESS 1. Update on CEC Website/Logo/Retention Ponds Mr. Lundgren is continuing to work on items for the web site. Retention Ponds have been cleaned. Look good. 2. Update to Sustainability Plan Mr. Kenney noted that under item 8.3 that the DeKalb County Community Garden has received a grant to purchase a grow mobile. E. NEW BUSINESS: Future Directions, Priorities and Leadership Chair Oleckno led a discussion on how to increase exposure for the Commission. Ideas included doing interviews on radio, publicizing the P.R.I.D.E. Awards, putting information on Channel 14, possibly videotaping the meetings for playback on Channel 14, inviting the public and media to the meetings. Chair Oleckno asked members to think about these ideas for further discussion at the next meeting. Chair Oleckno mentioned that he believes the Commission needs to focus their efforts on specific objectives. Chair Oleckno announced that he would not be continuing as Chairman of the Commission. He encourage members to let the Mayor know if they are interested. It is a two-year commitment. 3 Citizen Environmental Commission May 4, 2017 Page 4 of 4 Mayor Smith commended the Commission for its passion to improve the environment. He said the City of DeKalb is fortunate to have a Citizens’ Environmental Commission and members who are committed to serving the community. He invited the Commission to recommend an appointment to him for the new Chair. Chair Oleckno said he would like to stay on the Commission as a member. H. NEXT MEETING: June 1, 2017 at 4:00 PM I. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Kenney moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Hein. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Chair Oleckno declared the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Public Works Director Minutes Approved June 1, 2017 4