Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION November 3, 2018 The Citizens’ Environmental Commission held a regular business meeting on November 1, 2018, in the Executive Conference Room at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chair Kenney called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Citizens' Environmental Commission were present (indicated by x): X Dan Kenney (Chair) X Rachel Farrell Ken Koch X Mary McGinn X Clare Kron (Vice-Chair) X Bill Oleckno Sharon Skala Ann Shult Guest: JoEllen Charlton, City of DeKalb Community Development Director The following ex-officio members were present (indicated by x): X Amy Doll, DeKalb Park District Mike Holland, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District X Christine Lagatolla, Northern Illinois University Lacey Carlson, DeKalb County Health Department B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kenney asked for a motion to approve the agenda. MOTION - Mr. Oleckno moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Kron seconded the motion. Agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. C. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. D. APPROVAL of MINUTES MOTION – To approve minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting held on October 4, 2018. Ms. Kron moved to approve the minutes of September 6, 2018 with minor corrections by Mr. Oleckno. Ms. McGinn seconded the motion. Minutes with changes were approved unanimously by voice vote. Mr. Kenney welcomed two new additions to the Commission: 1. Rachel Farrell, Commissioner 2. Christine Lagatolla, Ex-officio member replacing Melissa Burlingame as representative for Northern Illinois University E. COMMISSION REPORTS 1. DeKalb County Health Department: Lacey Carlson No report 2. DeKalb Park District: Amy Doll The Illinois Park and Recreation Association held a meeting entitled, “Green Team Pit Stop,” with a focus on sustainability issues. Amy stated that ideas were shared on various “green issues,” such as recycling. Limitations to instituting best practices in DeKalb are often due to available funds, noting that Oak Park has only 82 acres of park area and millions of dollars. Amy also stated that the Park District is working on a new strategic plan to replace the one instituted in 2013. Ideas for next year’s pumpkin disposal after Halloween included pumpkin chucking, catapulting, and bowling, with an end result of collecting and composting the remaining pieces. Clare suggested that part of the program include re-use of the pumpkins for food. Another issue discussed was the challenge of making recycling of multiple materials more convenient, stressing that there is a different day and site for products such as electronics and medications. Two Prairie Park work days are scheduled to remove invasive woody plants: November 10 and December 1, from 9-11 am. Volunteers will meet at the Disk Golf Course. Amy also reported that Phase I of the DeKalb Park District Nature Trail is completed. Phase II will involve the wooded side of the trail where no trees will be cut, only woody invasive plants, with possible funding next year. Funding is already available in the capital budget for development of Welsh Park, with a playground. 3. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District: Michael Holland Mr. Holland had emailed a flier stating that used cooking oils, lard, and grease will be accepted at the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District to produce biogas via onsite digesters, both as a way to reduce landfill disposal and also run a generator to power the reclamation district plant. The effort is part of the district’s goal to become energy-independent. 4. Northern Illinois University: Christine Lagatolla Christine reported that she has directed the Outdoor Adventure Program at NIU for the past decade. As part of NIU’s sustainability effort, she is working on setting up a $5 “green fee” to be part of the usual student fees (though a student may opt out of paying it). Maximum revenue from the fee would equal $150,000 which would pay for a Sustainability Coordinator, student ambassadors, membership in the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), research opportunities, etc. The Student Association with have to propose and ratify the fee. Work continues on the Sustainability Plan for NIU as well as pursuing Sustainable Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) ranking in AASHE. Aluminum can collection was started at NIU tailgates and other events to raise money ($0.53/pound), using DimCo as the recycler. Can containers are provided when hosting an event. 5. City of Dekalb: Tim Holdeman No report. F. NEW BUSINESS JoEllen Charlton, City of DeKalb Community Development Director, gave a presentation on the Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan. G. OLD BUSINESS 1. LED Lights Public Forum Planning Discussion. Ms. Kron handed out profile sheets for Dr. William Mills, Assistant Professor at the Department of Engineering Technology at NIU, who will give the presentation on the effects of LED lighting at the public forum on December 6. Ms. Kron had met with Dr. Mills and verified that he is an expert in the field of lighting technology and its effects on individuals as well as the flora and fauna of the external environment. H. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Daily Chronicle had posted the PRIDE award press release, and nomination forms were available on the city website. Ms. Kron reported that Anita Zurbrugg, Program Director for the DeKalb County Community Foundation, is available to give a presentation on the DeKalb County Kishwaukee River Watershed project at the CEC meeting in December. She may be joined by Dean Johnson, DeKalb County Watershed Coordinator for the South Branch Watershed Planning Process. Ms. Kron reported that she did not receive a response to her email to ComEd representative, George Gaulrapp. She had requested model information for the newly-installed LED streetlights as well as invited Mr. Gaulrapp or another ComEd representative to attend the public forum on December 6 (see Old Business, above). Mr. Kenney requested Mr. Gaulrapp’s contact information so that he could extend the invitation as Chair. Ms. Kron also reported that the city had not yet issued a press release notifying the public of the LED streetlight installation. Mr. Oleckno requested a new category on the monthly meeting agenda: updates on delayed CEC issues. This would insure that items that could not be covered at a meeting, e.g., due to an absent commissioner, would not be forgotten, such as discussion about the company offering a vehicle charging station option. Mr. Oleckno suggested this could be an “Informational Follow- up” category after public comment. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, December 6, 2018, 4:00 pm I. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Oleckno moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. McGinn seconded. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Chair Kenney declared the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Staff Liaison Approved by voice vote on Dec. 6, 2018