Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB Citizens’ Environmental Commission October 7, 2021 The Citizens’ Environmental Commission (CEC) held a regular business meeting on October 7, 2021 in the Second Floor Training Room at the DeKalb Police Department. Chair Clare Kron called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. A. Roll Call Roll call was recorded by Management Analyst Scott Zak, and the following members of the CEC were present: Chair Clare Kron, Vice Chair Steve Honeywell, Rachel Farrell, Kyle Moore and Nick Newman and Ex-officio Members Mat Emken and Mike Holland. Not present were Adrian Lopez and Ex-officio Member Sarah Fox. Also present was resident Ron Cress and Management Analyst Scott Zak. Chair Kron announced that Sharon Skala had resigned from the Commission. MOTION A motion was made by Chair Kron to send a thank you note to Ms. Skala for her years of service to the Commission, seconded by Mr. Newman. VOTE The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. B. Approval of Agenda MOTION Ms. Farrell moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Honeywell. VOTE The agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote. C. Public Comment Resident Ron Cress updated the Commission on his effort, inspired by author Doug Tallamy, to encourage his neighbors to plant natives to help create a native plant corridor. Ten neighbors accepted his offer of free milkweed plants, and one reported a caterpillar two weeks later. He said he has not yet organized a meeting of City officials, a commissioner and his homeowners’ association president to discuss the initiative. He invited Commissioners to join him when the president and chair of Midwest Groundcovers tours his property in the Spring.  D. Approval of Minutes 1. Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes of September 2, 2021 MOTION Mr. Honeywell motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Newman. VOTE The minutes were approved by a unanimous voice vote. E. Commission Reports 1. DeKalb County Health Department With Emily Sitkie’s appointment not yet approved, no report was given. 2. DeKalb Park District Ex-Officio Member Mat Emken reported 57 trees will be planted across the Park District using a new GIS tree inventory to diversify the tree population with more natives. Fencing is being added and paths mowed to expand the dog park in Katz Park. There will possibly be a buckthorn removal in early November. 3. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District Ex-Officio Member Holland shared a second power generator running on methane gas produced at the Reclamation District will be delivered soon and will hopefully in operation in January. The District is working with NIU on a grant application to install a residence hall pulper to send food waste to the District instead of the landfill. A ComEd grant will be used to change out lights to more energy-efficient LED lighting, and an evaluation for a solar farm has been done. 4. Northern Illinois University With Ex-Officio Member Sarah Fox absent, no report was given. 5. City Staff Liaison Management Analyst Zak shared that a five-megawatt solar farm is proposed for around 48 acres of land on the northwest side of the DeKalb Airport property. The City Council will give input at their Oct. 11 Council meeting. F. New Business 1. New contact: Edith Makra, Director of Environmental Initiatives with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Chair Kron reported she pursued a joint presentation on solar power with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, but the effort was unsuccessful. 2. P.R.I.D.E award nominations Possible nominations were discussed including the Trash Squirrels, Phil Hendrickson for his support of the Trash Squirrels and Ron Cress if he has not been a recipient before or for his new initiative to create a native plant corridor. A news release seeking nominations will be sent to the media. Ex-officio Member Holland left the meeting at 4:45 p.m. G. Old Business 1. Letter to the City Council regarding construction input Mr. Newman has consolidated the LEED recommendations to be distributed to builders. Based on feedback, he will make it clear that the list does not indicate requirements and he will add an explanation of the chart. Mr. Zak will check if the recommendations need to go to the City Council for implementation or if that can be done administratively. 2. Trash pick-up on Oct. 16 Chair Kron reported that while the Trash Squirrels have confirmed their participation in the pick- up, there were not yet definitive answers from the Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club and the NIU Green Paws. The Trash Squirrels will be asked if the pick-up can be moved to Oct. 23 to allow more time to arrange participation. 3. Adopt-A-Park It was agreed that the Commission’s participation in the Park District’s Adopt-A-Park program went well. Ex-Officio Member Mat Emken left the meeting at 5:06 p.m. 4. Next article for Daily Chronicle Mr. Honeywell will be writing the November article on whether homeowners should rake their leaves. 5. Recommendation for new CEC member Chair Kron reported that a suggestion for a new member from NIU Sustainability Coordinator Courtney Gallagher declined. Julie Jesmer from Trash Squirrels and Ron Cress were suggested as possible commissioners, and Mr. Newman said he knew someone who may be interested. 6. Grant possibilities Following his search, Mr. Newman reported that the Commission may be eligible for only one grant, and that the grantor, the Illinois Rural Water Association, may require applicants to be a member or have a sponsor. He will check if the Commission is eligible for the grant, which is funding for educational programs. 7. Updates on other issues Chair Kron said she would contact the organizers of STEM Café to see if there is interest in a joint program on climate change, and that 350Kishwaukee agreed that a request for the City to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would not be made to the City Council since it was unclear. The discussion returned to funding for CEC initiatives, and it was asked if the City can provide the Commission with a small budget. Mr. Zak said if a Commission were planning to make a budget request, now would be the time since the City budget is being crafted now, and it was agreed a request would be made. H. Announcements 1. New announcements No announcements were shared. 2. Next meeting: November 4, 4:00 p.m. I. Adjournment MOTION Mr. Newman motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Farrell. VOTE The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. The meeting was declared adjourned at 5:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Scott Zak, Management Analyst Approved by the Citizens’ Environmental Commission on November 4, 2021.