Environmental Commission

Regular Meeting

Glen Ellyn, IL · October 21, 2025

Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES October 21, 2025 Board or Environmental Date: October 21, 2025 Commission: Meeting: Regular Called to Order: 7:00 p.m. Quorum: Yes Adjourned: 9:16 p.m. Member Attendance: Present/Absent Christy Truitt Chair Present Jeff Abeln Commissioner Absent Jacquelyn Casazza Commissioner Present John Day Commissioner Present Chris English Commissioner Present Mark Frigo Commissioner Present Barbara Kwiatkowsky Commissioner Present Monica Miller Commissioner Present Also Present: J.D. Barrett Staff Liaison, Management Analyst Sonia Desai Bhagwakar Trustee Liaison PUBLIC- AP government Glenbard West Students Nicholas Brenan Ellen I. Call to Order The October 21, 2025, regular meeting of the Environmental Commission was called to order by Chair Truitt at 7:00 PM at Glen Ellyn Civic Center. II. Public Comment- None III. Approval of Minutes- a. August 19, 2025-Prior to moving to approve the August 19th, Commissioner Kwiatkowsky noted the need to edit a date on the minutes prior to moving to approve. Move to Approve the Minutes from August 19, 2025 Result: Motion to approve Mover: Commissioner Kwiatkowsky Seconder: Commissioner Frigo Ayes: Unanimous b. September 16, 2025- Prior to moving to approve the September 16, 2025, minutes, Commissioner Kwiatkowsky asked to have “priority sustainability plan” added at end of meeting minutes. Chairperson Truitt asked to remove dollar amount and rephrase the paragraph related to PaleBlueDot within Part 5 of the minutes. Move to Approve the Minutes from September 16, 2025 Result: Motion to approve Mover: Commissioner Frigo Seconder: Commissioner Kwiatkowsky Ayes: Unanimous IV. Park District Report – Chris Gutmann Chris met with residents to discuss the management of Lake Ellyn to further understanding of the complexities involved and the Park District’s new approach. Over 3,000 fish were stocked between Lake Ellyn and Lake Foxcroft. 500 people attended Oaktoberfest. Thank you to Go Green Glen Ellyn for another successful event. New interpretive signs were installed at Ackerman Woods. Staff have caged the 100+ trees and shrubs planted this year in natural areas. This is to protect the trees from deer grazing and antler rubbing, which has increasingly become a problem. The Park District received the Pat Miller Community Engagement Award from DuPage Monarch Project for our new volunteer pollinator monitoring program. This is part of our newly revamped overall volunteer program for Park District Natural Areas called Habitat Heroes. Habitat Heroes launches next month. V. Trustee Liaison Report – Sonia Desai Bhagwakar Trustee Liaison Bhagwakar reported that there was a presentation on the baseline assessment followed by a meeting on budget planning. I asked about a budget item to fund Phase 2 and was informed that Phase 2 would not be funded. I expressed concern that significant work had been done for Phase 1, and now it would not be completed. The general sentiment from the Board was that they did not see the value in the consultant. They stated that Phase 1 was necessary to identify action items required for Phase 2, and they asked the Environmental Commission (EC) to develop those action items. Chairperson Truitt responded that her concern with the Phase 1 presentation was that it did not delve deeply into the documentation specific to Glen Ellyn. She noted that the data had not been acted upon and suggested that a consultant could help guide the planning process. While the EC could put together some recommendations, she emphasized that this would require involvement from staff and/or the Board. She objected to selecting just two or three items without knowing what the Village is currently considering for updates or improvements without meeting with Trustees or Staff. Trustee Liaison Bhagwakar stated that the Board would like the EC to take Phase 1 and develop action items or recommended ordinances. No specific areas of interest were raised in his meeting; the Board simply wants the EC to propose actionable items. Commissioner Kwiatkowsky noted that a couple of Board members had mentioned recycling. Commissioner English asked whether there was a sense of what would be reasonable to propose to the Board based on the consultant’s suggestions. Trustee Liaison Bhagwakar replied that the conversation was only a small part of the broader planning effort and lacked detail. He said the Board felt the scope was too broad and would prefer the EC to focus on tangible items and narrow the scope. Chairperson Truitt stated that the original goal was to implement changes over a 10- year period, and that direction could be established as the process unfolds. Commissioner Casazza mentioned that he had emailed a document to Sonia and that JD had spoken with staff in Skokie about their EC initiative program. Chairperson Truitt proposed that once recommendations are assembled, a workshop should be held to collaboratively review and agree on which items to move forward with. She noted that while the EC can initiate programs and initiatives, meaningful progress would require ordinance changes, which the EC cannot enact. She asked whether, in the absence of a consultant, we would commit to scheduling workshops to support this effort. Trustee Liaison Bhagwakar referenced the workshop, where the list was narrowed down to five items, and suggested using that list. Commissioner Casazza asked whether parameters could be developed to help gain Board support for environmental changes. Commissioner English observed that the length of time it took to reach this discussion during the meeting highlighted the need for Village funding and facilitation of workshops, as well as an understanding of the time commitment involved. J.D. Barrett suggested potentially holding a special meeting with just the EC and said he would follow up with Ted to see if he had the list of the top five items from the June 3 Workshop Draft review of the baseline assessment. VI. Staff Liaison Report- J.D Barrett The Sustainability Assessment was discussed at the Village Board budget workshop. The Board’s direction was to consider alternative approaches. Commissioner Kwiatkowsky noted that the objection was not primarily about funding, but rather a concern about the content. The Board was not impressed with the presentation or the information provided. Mark Franz suggested the work be taken in-house. They were underwhelmed and felt it did not meet their expectations, they wanted clear action items. Trustee Bhagwakar was supportive during the meeting and stated that staff resources would be necessary. Commissioner Kwiatkowsky responded that the task now is for the EC to identify three to four priorities and seek agreement from the Trustees on those, along with an action plan. Chairperson Truitt said that Phase 2 is feasible, but it requires the right people to sit down and discuss it. J.D. Barrett shared that he had reached out to the Village of Skokie, which has one full-time employee dedicated to sustainability. Skokie also worked with PaleBlueDot. He expressed uncertainty about who on staff could take on this responsibility and emphasized the need for direction from the Board. Chairperson Truitt suggested that demonstrating and clearly communicating the EC’s vision could help paint a more accurate picture. There are areas where the EC lacks visibility, such as electric vehicles. The best the EC can do is recommend the use of renewable energy for vehicles, but they do not know when such recommendations would be implemented. She proposed providing a list of items for the Board to consider. Regarding Tree Preservation Enforcement, J.D. Barrett stated that he will compile the notes and send them out to everyone. The Zoning Plan RFP will be published at the end of the month and will include an environmental sustainability component. A consultant will be selected to ensure that environmental considerations are incorporated into ordinance updates. The timeline is to publish the RFP by the end of the month, select a consultant by mid-December, and begin the project in January. Commissioner Casazza asked about bike lanes: how are they considered, and how would modifications be made to incorporate them? Chairperson Truitt responded that where streets are wide enough, there will be space for bike lanes. Asphalt will remain asphalt, and concrete will stay concrete. For new streets, different decisions can be made. Conversations about using sidewalks for bike lanes are ongoing. Commissioner Casazza stated she was under the assumption that all streets were redesigned without any consideration for bikes and questioned whether the EC could assess such matters. Chairperson Truitt asked which streets were being referred to, noting that for the train, the streets will be wider to support pedestrians. Commissioner Kwiatkowsky commented that there had been significantly more discussion about parking than about bike trails. Commissioner Frigo remarked that some analysis should have been presented to the EC Commissioners. Commissioner Kwiatkowsky added that she does not believe any part of the Village is obligated to show the EC the work they do and suggested that the EC’s role may need further discussion. Commissioner Casazza suggested that it would be useful for high-impact projects to be routed through the EC, so Commissioners are aware of projects relevant to their scope. J.D. Barrett indicated he will follow up with John regarding streets and bike lanes. Chairperson Truitt stated that surfacing and repair work on streets was discussed more in relation to the southern routes, and how implementation might be possible. Chair Report – Christy Truitt Thank you to many for their support of Volunteer Park as a TCF Certified Sustainable Site - as celebrated on September 16, 2025. GE Forestry Superintendent Max Brown and the Public Works team for sponsoring this site to become a sustainable pollinator garden, and for all of their work to install, water, and care for this site. Mary Colby of Grandview Green for designing the garden and sourcing plants and volunteers. The Conservation Foundation, Jim Kleinwachter and Beth Peluse, for consulting on design, for certifying the site, and for recommending the pilot of low-mow grass, Pearl's Premium. Glen Ellyn resident Meredith Bachner for collecting and raising Monarch eggs found on local milkweed and bringing a pair of Monarchs for release at the certification event. Glen Ellyn Management Analyst JD Barrett for attending the event, photographing the festivities, and posting a notice to Village e-news. Thank you to the Village of Glen Ellyn for supporting sustainable landscaping both in the streetscape planters on the North side of the central business district and in the future implementation of the Crescent parking lot. Thank you to GEPD and Go Green Glen Ellyn for sponsoring Oaktoberfest this year! Many great participants from multiple communities (Wheaton, Elmhurst, Aurora, Lombard, etc.). At the EC table, I invited visitors to discuss either recycling, trees, or sustainable landscaping - most groups included children, and they chose sustainable landscaping (probably because of the picture game). We played a plant identification game, and they learned how certain flowers and trees can make a big difference to pollinators - and they were encouraged to contact TCF to learn about Conservation@Home. Chairperson Truitt asked if there were any additional questions regarding the environmental impacts of pesticides. Commissioner Casazza requested confirmation of spray dates and asked that residents be notified. She also recommended avoiding spraying on Friday and Saturday evenings. Chairperson Truitt indicated she would follow up on this. The Recycling Event at the College of DuPage will feature three vendors and is scheduled for November 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Three requested changes were made to the Tree Preservation Ordinance, focusing on clarity, tree protection, fees, and tree funds. It was suggested that the first two changes be requested in January and February, and that larger revisions be postponed until the full rewrite is completed. J.D. Barrett stated he will speak with Paul, the Village Attorney, to see if this can be accomplished. VII. Old Business Topics 1. Strategic Planning Priorities- Chairperson Truitt emphasized that each item should be under the control of the Village. She also requested that each goal be revisited to assess its impact on commercial and residential sectors. As the group reviews each section, some items may fall entirely under municipal control, some under EC control, and others under shared control. She added that the Commission should celebrate all that has been accomplished, which is why they are pursuing certifications. She will follow up with J.D. and ask for his feedback. The Commissioners discussed what the Village Board is seeking in reference to Phase 2 items. The Board is looking for a narrowed list of three to five items to focus on, based on the areas outlined below. It was agreed that each Commissioner would take responsibility for one area, as assigned, and return to the November meeting with a refined list of items. Assigned areas: • Greenspace – Completed • Health and Safety – Completed • Water – Monica Miller & Chairperson Christy Truitt • Waste – Jacquelyn Casazza & John Day • Transportation and Land Use – Chris English & Barbara Kwiatkowsky • Building and Energy – Mark Frigo & Jeff Abeln IX. New Business 1. Role of Environmental Commission on Large Scale Projects X. Adjourn: 9:16pm Submitted by Adriana Ohl, Recording Secretary Reviewed by J.D. Barrett, Management Analyst

Agenda

Packet

Agenda Village of Glen Ellyn Environmental Commission Meeting Tuesday, October 21, 2025 7:00 PM Glen Ellyn Civic Center, Room 306 Members of the public are welcome to speak to any item not specifically listed on tonight's Agenda. For those items which are on tonight's Agenda, the public will have the opportunity to comment at the time the item is discussed. Individuals wishing to address the Commission shall exercise proper decorum and respect for the proceedings and the business of the Environmental Commission, and shall refrain from abusive demeanor and language. Commissioners are not obligated to respond to questions. A. Call to Order B. Public Comment C. Approval of Minutes 1) Approve August 19, 2025 Meeting Minutes 2) Approve September 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes D. Reports 1) Park District Liaison Report 2) Trustee Liaison Report 3) Staff Liaison Report 4) Chair Report E. Old Business 1) Strategic Planning Priorities F. New Business 1) Role of the Environmental Commission in Large-Scale Projects G. Adjourn Civility Pledge - In the interest of civility, I pledge to promote civility by listening, being respectful of others, acknowledging that we are striving to support and improve our community, and understanding that we each may have different ideas for achieving that objective. Page 1 of 12 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES August 19, 2025 Board or Environmental Date: August 19, 2025 Commission: Meeting: Regular Called to 7:10 p.m. Order: Quorum: Yes Adjourned: 8:59 p.m. MEMBER ATTENDANCE: Present/Absent Christy Truitt Chair Present Jeff Abeln Commissioner Absent Jacquelyn Casazza Commissioner Present John Day Commissioner Absent Chris English Commissioner Present Mark Frigo Commissioner Present Barbara Kwiatkowsky Commissioner Present Monica Miller Commissioner Present Maggie Frigo Student Commissioner Present Also Present: Max Brown Public Works Forestry Superintendent Sonia Desai Bhagwakar Trustee Liaison PUBLIC Jill Paulus I. CALL TO ORDER The August 19, 2025 regular meeting of the Environmental Commission was called to order by Chair Truitt at 7:10 PM at Glen Ellyn Civic Center. II. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Jill Paulus, resident of school district and park district, lives right behind Hadley. Comments are in regard to the upcoming project at Glenbard West. Unaware of the referendum and project on the school. Upon realization there would be a large Page 2 of 12 Environmental Commission 2 August 19, 2025 addition, she attended the May and June Plan Commission meetings as well as additional public meetings related to the project. Proceeds to reference comments of note from those meetings. From the May 22 meeting, she references a statement made by Plan commissioners Dawson, Wyand, and Loftus, that “there would be no hardship”. During the 2nd meeting in June, Loftus stated “it is up to the Village to do what the people want and is the rationale for passing it to the Board.” On July 14, there was an overflow meeting of residents opposed to the project at West. On page 8, architect Kelly from Wold “we best identified how to limit impact to the hill, especially to the mature vegetation…the intent would be for students to be able to interact with the vegetation even more.” Paulus states she discussed with 36 neighbors and only 5 were aware of the referendum/project. The project is proposed to be 4 stories which is as high as the McChesney property. Plan commission was asked if the EC was asked and the answer was that the EC was informed of the project. The architect said that the EC gave approval to remove the trees and that the EC said there is no formal process. Chair Truitt clarified that the EC has not been consulted in any formal capacity on this project. There is no formal requirement for this to be brought to the Environmental Commission; however, no one on the environmental commission was consulted regarding the trees. Rob Aubrey, who is a citizen volunteer and possibly involved with the tree inventory, was in attendance at a public meeting. During this meeting, they explained which trees would be lost and additional trees would be impacted as a result of the construction. EC has not been consulted on trees / ribbons tied on trees are not as a result of any input from the EC. While EC has not been asked, EC will be giving a list of formal recommendations. Commissioner Mark Frigo lists two failures. A massive construction project in this town went to the Village without bringing this to the EC. The second failure was that the district hired architects who found out there was no requirement to bring anything to EC and therefore didn’t. Trustee Liaison Bhagwakar stated that the architects followed the steps to complete the project and didn’t have to consult with the EC. Commissioner Miller adds that the high school should recognize that they want to be a good neighbor to the rest of the village. Chair Truitt states that 3 recommendations will be submitted to be included with the permit: how to care for the property during construction; considerations for the building (i.e. bird friendly glass); and post-construction care for the area. III. ANNOUNCEMENTS • None. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • None, June Minutes to be reviewed and approved in September V. TRUSTEE LIAISON REPORT – Page 3 of 12 Environmental Commission 3 August 19, 2025 • Strategic Plan will be reviewed for the next 5 years in order to provide clarity on the Village’s role. VI. STAFF LIAISON REPORT – • Working on fall plantings, getting trees planted and placed for this coming fall, additional plants to be planted at volunteer park. Wanted to celebrate volunteer park as a sustainable park, arbor day celebration in “oaktober.” A number of little trees were lost last year than normal due to cicadas. 123 trees planned for fall and targeting another 80. VII. PARK DISTRICT LIAISON’S REPORT – • Conservation Dogs Cooperative assisted staff in locating potential bumblebee nests at Maryknoll Park. This launches the second phase of our pollinator monitoring program. The first phase was butterfly monitoring, which is in its second year. • The popular Nature Camps have concluded for the summer. These summer camps provided children of various ages the opportunity to learn about and explore park district natural areas. • The District utilized an amphibious harvester to manually remove algae from Lake Ellyn ahead of the 4th of the July festivities. • Grant-funded buckthorn removal and cattail treatment is near completion at Churchill Park. • The Native Tree and Shrub sale is now live at https://glen-ellyn-park- district.square.site/. Pre-orders can be submitted until September 14th. Pickup is September 27th from 9-11 a.m. at the Frank Johnson Center. VIII. CHAIR REPORT • Recycling mini recap from Commissioner Kwiatkowsky - 185 cars in 2 hours; great success; November 8 for the next mini is already scheduled; 9-11am at COD. Feedback on previous mini was there was more reuse than recycling, which was impactful and different. Discussion of vendors for next mini- Junk luggers, textile collection, perhaps styrofoam recycling, paint recycling? Not SCARCE unless they can collect their own items. Discussion on whether to invite earth paint or flatcan. Kwiatkowsky will check with vendors and revert back for the September meeting. English and Mark Frigo can volunteer. Truitt and Miller are TBD. Casazza is unavailable. • Upcoming recognition of the EC for our 50th year at a Board meeting. Ted Redmond will be presenting at the Board workshop. Dates TBD and Christy will advise. • Staff Liaison Change - John Hubsky will be the Commission’s staff liaison for the next few months. • Thank you to The Conservation Foundation for including two Glen Ellyn properties on their July 19th Conservation@Home DuPage Garden Showcase. These inspiring homes highlighted both vegetable gardens and native pollinator gardens along with native trees. • Thank you to Commissioner Jacquelyn Casazza for coordinating the July 26th Compost Giveback at Village Green - a terrific opportunity to make compost Page 4 of 12 Environmental Commission 4 August 19, 2025 accessible to our community. Thank you to the Glen Ellyn Park District for making the site available! • Thank you to Commissioner Barbara Kwiatkowsky for her tireless efforts to coordinate and lead the July 26th Recycling Mini - overcoming many odds to enable four vendor stations (textiles, furniture, electronics, and books) at COD Parking Lot #6, all of which were overflowing after the brief but successful 2-hour event! We look forward to hearing from her on Tuesday night with a recap and any recommendations for future mini recycling events. Thank you to community volunteers, along with Commissioners Mark Frigo and Chris English and Chair Truitt, for volunteering at the event. • Thank you to Glen Ellyn Garden Club volunteers, along with Trustee Bhagwakar, Commissioner Kwiatkowsky, and Chair Truitt, for working on July 31 to transplant native plants into the Fire Station Prairie Garden, the Volunteer Park Butterfly Gardens, and the Civic Center Pollinator Gardens. These gardens continue to grow more beautiful and full of life with both birds and pollinators! • Thank you to the Public Works Forestry team for their ongoing support of these gardens, watering this season to establish the new plants. • Thank you to two Glen Ellyn residents and professional landscape designers for volunteering their time to design and shepherd the ongoing development of Glen Ellyn sustainable municipal gardens: o Former Commissioner Jennifer Umlauf, Civic Center Pollinator Gardens o Glen Ellyn Garden Club member Mary Colby of Grandview Green, Volunteer Park Butterfly Gardens o Both Jennifer and Mary continue to volunteer to design for upcoming projects. • Thank you to Forestry Superintendent Max Brown for envisioning current and future opportunities for sustainable municipal gardens in Glen Ellyn. One opportunity has led to others, and the ripple effect continues to expand to beautify our village. IX. OLD BUSINESS TOPICS • Tree ordinance - Trustee Christiansen will be taking this forward. Additional content will be added in from the Wilmette tree ordinance. Truitt will connect with Commissioner English on the tree ordinance. • Strategic Planning Priorities Glenbard West Recommendations Draft of Recommendations for Glenbard West Expansion Project o Tree Preservation During Construction - for trees marked for preservation ○ Fencing to drip line ○ Pre-construction soil treatment to hibernate Oak trees ○ Restriction of soil changes near drip line for Oak trees ○ Restriction of addition of soil near Oak trees post-construction ○ Post-construction soil treatments for Oak trees (multi-step process) ○ Plan for post-construction mulching (no volcano mulching) or native plants within the drip line o Post Construction Environment Restoration Page 5 of 12 Environmental Commission 5 August 19, 2025 ○ Tree replacement recommendations for type, quantity, and location - to rebuild total DBH of trees removed and to prioritize oak grove restoration ○ Ongoing budget for tree care with soil treatments and pruning ○ Arboretum Campus certification ○ Partnership with The Conservation Foundation for Conservation@School collaboration and certification of landscape plans o Sustainability in Building Design and Maintenance ○ Bird-safe glass applications (see Feather Friendly as example from Chicago's McCormick Place Lakeside Center) ○ Dark sky-compliant exterior building and path lighting ○ Dark sky-compliant exterior visibility of interior nighttime lighting ○ Light warmth of 2700 or 3000 for interior and exterior lighting ○ Occupancy timers for lighting and use of daylight for lighting where possible ○ Transition to safe cleaners such as steam cleaning solutions ○ Organic landscape care to avoid sending pollutants into Lake Ellyn and the DuPage River ○ Concrete vs asphalt surfaces for cool surfaces and to avoid polluting water systems ○ Permeable walkways where possible Commissioner Frigo asked about the enforcement for the tree preservation during construction. Typically, this is community development. Concerns about mulching and volcano mulching. Truitt and Frigo measured the DBH of trees to be removed and are cataloging what will be lost versus what will be maintained. Wilmette’s recommendation is greater than 1:1 DBH and increases proportionally depending on the size of the trees. There would be recommendations made on where to put the trees given there will not be enough space at West to replace the trees. Commissioner English asks if it is possible to make it more preferable for the school to choose these recommendations. Commissioner Frigo points out that it would behoove Glenbard West to review and adopt recommendations made by the EC given the feedback from the community about the addition. Commissioner Casazza asks to add something related to no rubberized walkways or synthetic turf added in certain areas, referencing an example that a section of synthetic turf was recently installed at Lincoln Elementary without notification to the community. Commissioner English motions to submit our recommendations to Glenbard west as presented today and including amendments added during the meeting. Frigo seconds. Motion carries unanimously. X. NEW BUSINESS TOPICS • Review Sustainability Assessment priorities Page 6 of 12 Environmental Commission 6 August 19, 2025 o GE 1: Increase tree cover, particularly in the priority neighborhoods, over the existing tree canopy coverage Draft goal: 5% by 2035 and 7.5% by 2040 (equal to an increase of 1.9% and 2.8% of Village wide land area respectively). o GE 2: Increase pollinator supportiveness of lawns by replacing turf with native grasses and wildflowers Draft goal: achieve a 7% turf replacement (approximately 8 acres annually) o GE 3: Reduce heat island effect through “dark” impervious surface coverage reduction, particularly in neighborhoods identified with higher heat island impacts Draft goal: 5% annually (approximately 4.5 acres annually). o GE 4: Reduce invasive species and increase climate resilience and biodiversity of the Village’s tree canopy, parks and greenspaces. Priorities to review each meeting - health and safety (done in June), greenspace (Sept), waste management (Oct), water (Nov), transportation, buildings (Jan/Feb), Commissioner Truitt has specific recommendations for each area. Discussion ensued; commissioners to send any feedback on greenspace by September 9 in bcc for each other to review, and come prepared to discuss and vote at the next meeting in Sept. Discussion of upcoming stroll articles; suggestion to do write up on any federal or state sustainable incentives for homeowners which are ending soon. Commissioner Mark Frigo agrees to write this article. XI. Next Meeting & Adjournment A. The next EC meeting – September 16, 2025 B. Commissioner Frigo motions and Commissioner English seconds the motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:59 pm. Submitted by Jacquelyn Casazza, Commissioner Reviewed by Staff Liaison Hubsky Page 7 of 12 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION (EC) MINUTES September 16, 2025 Board or Environmental Date: September 16, 2025 Commission: Meeting: Regular Called to 7:07 p.m. Order: Quorum: Yes Adjourned: 9:30 p.m. MEMBER ATTENDANCE: Present/Absent Christie Truitt Chair Present Jeff Abeln Commissioner Absent Jacquelyn Casazza Commissioner Present John Day Commissioner Present Chris English Commissioner Present Mark Frigo Commissioner Present Barbara Kwiatkowsky Commissioner Present Monica Miller Commissioner Present Vacant Commissioner Also Present: John Hubsky Staff Liaison Present Sonia Bhagwakar Village Trustee Present Chris Gutman Glen Ellyn Park District Present JD Barrett Management Analyst Present PUBLIC Matthew Jones GE Zoning Board, Trustee candidate Jill Paulus (via mail) Wheaton Resident I. CALL TO ORDER The September 16, 2025 regular meeting of the Environmental Commission was called to order by Chairman Truitt at 7:07 PM at Glen Ellyn Civic Center. II. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – • Matthew Jones is observing. He is on the GE Zoning Board and a trustee candidate. • Jill Paulus, resident of Wheaton, provided the following written note mailed to Commissioner Frigo: To all the Environmental Board: Thank you for all your work to protect Glen Ellyn Natural Resources for our community. I thank you too, for allowing me to comment at length on the trees and hill preservation at Glenbard West. I understand D87 is now in direct communication with the Commission, so I hope that is fruitful. Page 8 of 12 Environmental Commission 2 September 16, 2025 III. ANNOUNCEMENTS – None. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 19, 2024 MEETING – • Date typo at the top of the August 19 meeting minutes needs to be fixed. There needs to be some additions to those minutes that Chair Truitt will provide later. So, the Commission will just table the approval of the August meeting minutes. • Commissioner Kwiatkowsky motions and Commissioner Day seconds the motion to approve the minutes from June 17, 2025 meeting and defer the approval of August 19, 2025 minutes to next month. MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM JUNE 17, 2025 RESULT: Motion unanimously carried MOVER: Commissioner Kwiatkowksy approve June and defer August minutes. SECONDER: Commissioner Day AYES: # all V. TRUSTEE LIAISON REPORT – • PaleBlueDot presented to the Board yesterday. How to move to action items is next phase. Staff Liaison Hubsky is going to get Ted from PaleBlueDot to present a $20K proposal on actionable items. VI. STAFF LIAISON REPORT – • Finishing up some construction projects. • Prepping for winter. • 10 miles of roadway to be reconstructed in 2026. • Explanation of capital budgeting on equipment provided by Staff Liaison Hubsky. • No definitive plans for bike lines right now, but are considered in street design. • Explanation of concrete versus asphalt streets provided. VII. PARK DISTRICT LIAISON’S REPORT – • Ackerman (Lenox Road area) o Finished Lenox Road section of Ackerman with new parking lot. o Outdoor nature classroom. o Garden plots there starting next summer. • Native tree and shrub sale  sold 94. • Foxtrot - Lotus lily pads treated and removed. • Weekly migratory bird walks ongoing. Page 9 of 12 Environmental Commission 3 September 16, 2025 • Planning for Oaktoberfest. Discussion held around Environmental Commission paying for permit fee. See further discussion below. • Oak regeneration project. • New tree care person hired for GEPD. VIII. CHAIR’S REPORT – • Commissioner Miller helped with setting up restoration of monarch habitat. Mary Colby put together design for Montclair location. Volunteers coming. • Tree ordinance update: Commissioner English and Chair Truitt met to discuss changes. Used Wilmette as an example. Recommendation that for every tree of 5 inches of DBH removed, you would replace it with another tree (1-1.5 inch trees). Replace on private land, public land, or put money into fund to be used for grants for other tree plantings on private or public property. Trustee Christiansen to review with attorney and present to Board after budgeting season, likely early 2026. EC will be able to review final draft. Unclear when in sequence EC review would happen. Current changes are for tree preservation with building permit. IX. NEW BUSINESS TOPICS • We are eligible for Leadership Circle, and can move up to Champion Circle for Monarch pledge. Chris English will be focusing on. What’s needed: if we want Champion Circle then we need to change weed ordinance to meet requirements. GE doesn’t enforce weed ordinance for native plant installations (as long as it is taken care of). • Commissioner English gave an update on the Mayor’s Monarch pledge. One of the things the EC can do is support a seed bank. The Glen Ellyn Public Library currently has one. Commissioner English is going to check with them on what support (publicity/seed sharing/donation) they need. Commissioner English will come back to the EC with a recommendation on what they need and what we can provide to meet that need. • Mini Recycling: Only one vendor committed (Junk Luggers). The question discussed within the EC is whether to still hold the event. Importance of having a regular cycle and “muscle memory” within GE noted. Commissioner Kwiatkowsky to reach out to Junk Luggers and see if are interested being the only vendor. Guidance from EC given  By September 30, if we get two more entities, go forward. If not, cancel unless Junk Luggers is willing to do it on their own. • Curbside composting. Have Grant do a marketing blurb on this. • Need stickers from Groot to finish job on putting recycling instruction on cans. Might be better for Recycle Coach App and in Village Newsletter using a QR code. • Oaktoberfest – October 4 from 1 – 4 p.m. 20 different vendors. May need volunteers. MOVE TO APPROVE $150 FOR EC TO PAY FOR PERMIT FOR OAKTOBERFEST. RESULT: Motion unanimously carried MOVER: Commissioner English SECONDER: Commissioner Miller AYES: # all • Glenbard West tree inventory: Chair Truitt and Commissioner Frigo took a tree inventory. They met with Glenbard West to offer advice. Conservation Foundation, Page 10 of 12 Environmental Commission 4 September 16, 2025 Morton Arboretum (Chicago Region Tree Initiative – CRTI), and Bartlett Tree Co. are willing and interested to collaborate with Glenbard West. Glenbard West is requesting its building permit this fall. Chair Truitt requested that non-binding recommendations and advice be attached as an addendum to the building permit. This request spurred debate on the role of the Environmental Commission in large projects in Glen Ellyn, and the appropriateness of providing advice and commentary on projects outside the bounds of the Environmental Commission Meeting (see next bullet). • Several members of the Environmental Commission have expressed frustration and major concern on how the Commission has not been consulted on construction projects and purchases that can have a major environmental impact on the Village (for example, Glenbard West addition and purchase of a new fleet of golf carts). No real process seems to exist in the Village to 1) identify major projects in Glen Ellyn that need environmental review and advice, and 2) how to properly engage the Environment Commission to provide any relevant recommendations for the Village Board to consider. Staff Liaison Hubsky and Trustee Bhagwakar have agreed to consider this to see if there is a solution. The Environmental Commission needs to think of potential solutions as well. This should be discussed at a future Commission Meeting. X. Next Meeting & Adjournment A. The next EC meeting – October 21, 2025. B. Commissioner Casazza motions and Commissioner Kwiatkowsky seconds the motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm. Submitted by Mark Frigo, Commissioner Reviewed by J.D. Barrett, Management Analyst Page 11 of 12 Glen Ellyn Environmental Meeting 10/21/2025 7:00 PM Commission Department: Administration 535 Duane Street Department Head: Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 Category: Other Prepared By: AGENDA ITEM (ID # 2025-885) DOC ID: 2025-885 Strategic Planning Priorities Statement of the Issue: - LAND Stewardship – Cultivate Green Infrastructure and Resilient Landscapes - Sustainable Landscapes - Environmental Impacts of Pesticides (Mosquito Abatement) - Tree Planting and Preservation - Tree Preservation Ordinance - Tree Protection Enforcement - WASTE Stewardship – Reduce Landfill Waste - Recycling - November Mini Event Checkpoint - Composting - ENGAGE – Educate & Motivate - Communications - Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Update - Events and Education - Plans and Publications - Action Item Planning for the Sustainability Assessment Analysis: Budget Impact: Contribution to Strategic Plan Action Requested: Attachments: Page 12 of 12