Environmental Quality Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK October 17, 2013 Chairman Jeremy Reynolds called the EQC meeting to order at 7:13 p.m. in the Shermer Study of the Northbrook Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane. The following Members were in attendance: Chairman Jeremy Reynolds, Scott Robson, Linda Masters, Sandra Garber, and Brian Bruce. A full quorum was met. Also Present: Liaison Andrew Letson, Doug Gerleman, and Frank Bleeker Members absent: Fred Paul Minutes The minutes of the July 18, 2013 meeting were reviewed. Member Bruce made a motion to approve the minutes as presented and was seconded by Member Garber. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. Chairman’s Report Staff Liaison Letson provided a brief update on the status of the strategic sustainability plan. He stated that the Community and Sustainability Committee was scheduled to discuss the plan at their October 29 and he would provide a copy of the materials to the commissioners prior to the meeting. Chairman Reynolds stated that a few of the commissioners had arrived early to do some cleanup of the rain garden, however it was too dark to do any work. He requested that staff cut back the garden when doing a cleanup of the other Village Hall vegetation. Citizen Concerns Hear from the Audience Doug Gerleman of Go Green Northbrook stated that he was present to provide a follow up to the information he presented at the last Commission meeting. Mr. Gerleman said that members of his organization met with representatives of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and the Order of Divine Word to discuss the idea of constructing a trail between Techny Road and Willow Road along the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Both organizations were supportive of the idea. General discussion focused on possible sources of grant funding. Mr. Gerleman stated that the next step is to meet with the neighboring businesses and homeowners associations to discuss the proposal. Once Go Green Northbrook will make a formal proposal to the Village once they have developed a plan for the project and know what support they need from the Village. Village Staff Liaison Letson provided a brief overview of staff’s request of the Commission to develop a grant application for the conversion of two detention basins from turf grass to native plantings. The group weighed the benefits of applying for different types of grants. Chairman Reynolds stated that in his experience, pilot programs have a good opportunity to receive funding. Commissioners expressed that they were interested in providing as much as assistance as possible. Member Bruce provided an update on the status of the Community Garden. He stated that the organization had their fall meeting in September and the organization had harvested around 700 pounds of vegetables to the food pantry. A few scout projects are still ongoing at the Crestwood location which when complete, will finish the enabling garden. Member Robson is currently working to conduct another scout project at the Crestwood site. Member Bruce said that there are currently 30 people on the waiting list. This number is expected to be reduced in the spring as some gardeners are expected to not renew. Chairman Reynolds requested commissioners provide ideas for goals to be completed over the coming year. Ideas focused on outreach efforts such as holding programs at the farmer’s market and the library. Chairman Reynolds said that he is still in favor of an adopt a riverbank program to encourage maintenance of the river. As conversation waned, the group was requested to provide Staff Liaison Letson with any ideas prior to the next meeting. New Business No new business was discussed. Next Meeting The next regular meeting of the EQC will be held on November 21, 2013. Adjourn Member Robson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The motion was seconded by Member Masters. On a voice vote, the motion passed. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Andrew Letson Liaison