Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION June 1, 2017 The Citizens’ Environmental Commission held a meeting on June 1, 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 4:02 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Citizens' Environmental Commission were present (indicated by x): X Mark Hein X Dan Kenney X Ken Koch __ 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 X Amy Doll X Michelle Gibson X Mike Holland Also, present were: Anna Marie Coveny (DeKalb Area Women’s Center), Jerry Smith (Mayor), Drew Zimmerman (DeKalb Daily Chronicle), Ron Cress (resident), Abby (Citizen), Tim Holdeman (City Liaison), and Bill Finucane. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION - To approve the agenda. Ms. Shult moved to approve the motion, seconded by Mr. Lundgren. Agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. C. ACKLOWNEDGMENT OF GUESTS Guests were introduced by Chair Oleckno. D. APPROVAL of MINUTES for May 4, 2017 MOTION Ms. Skala moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Kenney. Minor edits were discussed. Amended minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote. Citizen Environmental Commission June 1, 2017 Page 2 of 4 E. SPECIAL MEDIA GUEST: Drew Zimmerman, DeKalb Daily Chronicle Chair Oleckno introduced Mr. Zimmerman. Chair Oleckno stated the purpose of inviting the media was to inform residents of the work being conducted by the Citizens’ Environmental Commission. Chair Oleckno provided background on the purpose of the Commission and the four primary goals for 2017. 1. Continue to monitor and facilitate the implementation of the City of DeKalb Sustainability Plan 2. Continue to develop new and innovative environmental education and communication programs for local residents, businesses, and organizations that promote environmental awareness and the implementation of sound environmental practices in DeKalb 3. Continue to improve cooperation and coordination between the Citizens' Environmental Commission and other groups or organizations in order to enhance the Commission's environmental mission in the City of DeKalb 4. Continue to utilize and develop Web content so as to provide readily accessible, contemporary information and resources for the community on a variety of important environmental topics Chair Oleckno also described the City’s Sustainability Plan, the P.R.I.D.E. Awards, and the programs the Commission continues to advance. Chair Oleckno described a primary responsibility of the Commission as responding to requests of City Council and the Mayor and advising City Council and the Mayor of environmental issues. F. NEW BUSINESS: Recommendations Regarding Chapter 12, “Nuisances,” City of DeKalb Municipal Code Mr. Cress thanked the Commission for considering the re-write of the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 12.01 Nuisances Declared. Item 22. Weeds. He mentioned he wanted to keep the same format as the current ordinance. Mr. Cress pointed out that the current ordinance bans native grasses and vegetables greater than eight inches tall. He said his re-write was consistent with State regulations and that he added invasive plants to the list of nuisance weeds. Mr. Cress also pointed out that it would be difficult for the Park District and Forest Preserve to adhere to Item 22 of Chapter 12 as written. Ms. Coveny spoke in favor of allowing native prairie plants. She said the situation has gone from bad to worse and would like the ordinance to allow prairie plants city-wide. Ms. Coveny would like to discuss ideas about how to allow rain gardens in the city and how to teach others how to grow them. Members of the Commission discussed the re-write presented by Mr. Cress. Comments included the need for public education and awareness, engaging neighbors before planting a garden, the difference between letting weeds grow and actively cultivating native plants. Mayor Smith addressed the Commission and thanked them for their work and willingness to tackle the weeds ordinance. He said he welcomes the discussion. Alderman Finucane identified the process of incorporating the public’s desires in the ordinance as, 2 Citizen Environmental Commission June 1, 2017 Page 3 of 4 1) having the Commission receive information from the public, 2) the Commission making a recommendation to staff, 3) staff evaluating the Commission’s recommendations, and 4) staff bringing a recommendation to City Council. Mr. Cress described his citation for nuisance weeds and the fine of $50 plus a lien on his property for the first offense and that a second offense would be a minimum fine of $300. There were questions raised about how to contest the citation. No one could provide answers to that question. Chair Oleckno stated that supporting natural vegetation is good. He said the question is how the City will implement this concept. Chair Oleckno believes we should hear both sides as part of the process of composing an alternative rule and that more research is needed before the Commission puts its recommendations together. Chairman Oleckno said he wants to hear the opinions of the neighbors and better understand their concerns. The discussion then focused on what other municipalities are doing. Wheaton and Plainfield were cited as communities with ordinances that allow native plantings. Changes were made in these communities based on complaints, similar to what we are experiencing in DeKalb. Some communities have a permitting system. Chair Oleckno mentioned that some residents may see permitting as an obstacle. He advocates a common sense solution that including community education. Chair Oleckno summarized the discussion as follows: more input is needed, need to research what other communities are doing, the revised rule should include native plants and vegetables, need to consider the structure of the rule, and the need to review penalties. The next Commission meeting is on July 6 and will include a public hearing. The business meeting can be completed from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm and then at 5:00 pm the public hearing can be started. G. OLD BUSINESS 1. Update on CEC Logo and Website Mr. Lundgren will contact the City. 2. Update to Sustainability Plan No report. 3. Update on the Share-A-Bag Program No report. H. COMMISSION REPORTS 1. DeKalb County Health Department: Michelle Gibson The Household Hazardous Waste Drive was a success. The limit was reached and some patrons were turned away. June 3 will be paint collection at the Health Department. Electronics. Currently residents are not being charged for disposing of electronics. Senate Bill 3 Citizen Environmental Commission June 1, 2017 Page 4 of 4 1417 will allow businesses to charge residents to recycle, municipalities can opt in. 2. DeKalb Park District: Amy Doll No report 3. NIU: Melissa Burlingame No report 4. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District: Michael Holland The District is recycling the landscaping around the homes that are being demolished on Hollister Avenue. 5. City Staff Liaison: Tim Holdeman There will be a pre-construction meeting for the Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Multi-Use Path on June 14. The Community Works Land Use Committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation provided a grant for signs identifying the S. Branch of the Kishwaukee River. The City and other municipalities are placing them on bridges that cross the S. Branch of the Kishwaukee River. The purpose is to bring awareness to this important natural resource in our area. 6. Communications Subcommittee: Clare Kron No Report I. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS There was a brief discussion about President Trump pulling out of the Climate Accord. J. NEXT MEETING: JULY 6, 2017 AT 4:00 P.M. k. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Koch moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Skala. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Chair Oleckno declared the meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Public Works Director Minutes Approved July 6, 2017 4