Water Conservation Committee

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, March 3, 2021 3:30 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Water Conservation Committee Commission Members Maria Rafac Marc Kaufman Richard Rodriguez Water Conservation Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 3, 2021 Page 1 of 1 Water Conservation Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 3, 2021 Pursuant to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Guidelines recommend best practices that limit an in-person meeting to 50 people or less (Council Chambers allows for 18 members of the public) while adhering to social distancing guidelines. During meetings, any member of the public physically present in the Council Chambers in excess of the limit will be asked to wait in another room with live feed to the meeting until the Citizens To Be Heard on Agenda Items section or Public Comments section of the meeting has commenced. Speakers will be rotated into Council Chambers to allow everyone an opportunity to speak. Pursuant to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Guidelines, it is recommended that any individual appearing in-person wear a face-covering to cover their nose and mouth. Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. ROLL CALL Present Maria Rafac and Marc Kaufman Absent Richard Rodriguez APPROVAL OF MINUTES The approval of the minutes is being moved to the April 7, 2021 meeting. Minutes 2-3-21 ID-296-20 Attachments: Meeting Minutes 2-3-21 CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS No one was present to speak. NOTE: There is a new temporary procedure for public speaking. Details can be found on the Joliet.gov “Public Comments” web page. DISCUSSION: REBATE PROGRAMS UPDATE Amy Ferris, Deputy Director of Engineering, discussed the updates to this program. This year 5 rain barrels have been subsidized. Three toilet rebates have been approved. DISCUSSION: WEBSITE UPDATES Amy Ferris discussed "Fix a Leak" week at the City that was updated on the website. It is running March 15, 2021 to March 21, 2022. Amy Ferris just received the water conservation plan and there is a whole communication plan for March and April for the social media accounts as well as advertising on the PACE buses. Also, Practical Plumbing handbooks are being distributed by City Hall. Also being advertised are the tablets to do toilet testing. DISCUSSION: RESTAURANT INITIATIVE UPDATE Amy Ferris said there are no updates on the Restaurant Initiative. However, the City was authorized to hire summer interns this summer. One position would focus on water conservation and the other position would help with the construction side of things . Maria Kaufman said there were a handful of GIS students last semester so Maria will send the job description to the teacher. She will also share with USF and Louis University. DISCUSSION: COMMUNITY WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS Amy Ferris discussed the updates. There is a communication plan for March and April. Page 1 of 2 Water Conservation Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 3, 2021 There will be a communication plan for the rest of the year geared toward information to the community. Discussed were different ways to get water conservation efforts out to the public. DISCUSSION: EDUCATION EFFORTS FOR AREA SCHOOLS - UPDATE Maria Rafac discussed Water Week and trying to do something every day regarding this program. They are focusing on the environmental justice piece of water and water in our areas. They have students working on short videos and different effects. It will all be in the Catholic Diocese and is through the church leaders. Also discussed is how to reach people regarding this through our teachers. DISCUSSION: ISTC WATER AUDITS Amy Ferris said she left this on the Agenda because Troy was planning on attending. He had a conflict so he could not make it. He sent Amy a revised list of the large users. Amy Ferris also received a marketing flyer. Amy Ferris would like to get these flyers mailed out to the large water users' list. It talks about the water audit and their ability to participate. Amy would like a letter to go out with information regarding the Michigan Water updates, other things that are coming up and the importance of looking at water usage. Amy Ferris will get a letter together to send for everyone's review. Maria Rafac mentioned she thought there were some new plumbing codes. Also discussed was gray water recycling. Maria Rafac suggested and discussed possible ways to recycle water to save water. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION Maria Rafac mentioned she thought there were some new plumbing codes. She would like info regarding this. Also discussed was gray water recycling. Maria Rafac suggested and discussed possible ways to recycle to save water. PUBLIC COMMENT No one was in attendance or called in. NOTE: There is a new temporary procedure for public speaking. Details can be found on the Joliet.gov “Public Comments” web page. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Maria Rafac to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Rafac and Kaufman Absent: Rodriguez This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 2 of 2