Environmental Committee

Village of Schaumburg-Environmental Committee Minutes Meeting of May 7, 2026 Page 1 of 3 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm by Chairperson Donna Panico-Atkins ROLL CALL Members Present: Chairperson Donna Panico-Atkins, Ryszard Puskarz, Robert Wachsmuth, Sandeep Alavandi Mahesh Prajapati, and Pratik Patel (arrived at 7:05pm) Member(s) Absent: Elizabeth Wimmer and Donna Johnson A quorum was present. Also Present: Monica Richart – Sustainability Planner Taylor Storm – Recording Secretary Robert Mamrot – Engineering and Public Works APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 2, 2026 Mr. Alavandi made a motion to approve the minutes with one edit, seconded by Mr. Puskarz. All Ayes. Two members were absent. MOTION CARRIED NEW BUSINESS UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. 2026 Environmental Fair- Planning Ms. Richart stated that the Environmental Fair will have one longer presentation with a speaker from the Master Gardener program, hosted in the library in the room next to the lobby. She stated that the Master Gardeners will also do the seed ball activity as a part of their presentation. Ms. Richart stated that she purchased three ceramic planters and mini watering cans with the remaining funds from the fiscal year budget to raffle off as prizes at the fair. Ms. Richart stated that the Committee will have up to 50 saplings to give away at the table, which will be picked up by Mr. Alavandi and Mr. Prajapati the week prior to the fair. Ms. Richart said the committee members should be present 30 minutes prior to the start of the fair. 2. Status of Comprehensive Green Action Plan (CGAP) – Review of Draft Goals Ms. Richart introduced the Comprehensive Green Action Plan summary memo with the focus areas and goals. Each goal will have action items, which explain how each goal will be implemented. She explained that every year, the Village will pick a goal to focus on and each department will use the action items to implement the goal where applicable. She asked for feedback from the committee for anything that needs to be adjusted, added, or moved. She added that this memo is still a draft and is still under review with several departments internally. Village of Schaumburg-Environmental Committee Minutes Meeting of May 7, 2026 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Puskarz asked which goal the Village will start with. Ms. Richart stated that the goal will be determined by previous priorities and if any public grants are available for certain projects. Mr. Alavandi asked if the goals or action items will trickle down to the committee. Ms. Richart explained that the committee’s largest involvement with the action items is through the “Engagement and Leadership” goal, which engages the public at a community level through outreach and educational events. She used the Al Larson Awards, Landscape Awards, and the Environmental Fair as examples of how the committee is already fulfilling the engagement goal. Chairperson Panico-Atkins stated that this is a very comprehensive series of goals. She asked if the session with the Master Gardeners can be recorded. Ms. Richart stated that they do not allow any of their sessions to be recorded, and that the committee will need to come up with something different for the webinar. Mr. Wachsmuth asked what topic gained the most interest on the CGAP board at the 2025 Environmental Fair. Ms. Richart stated that native plants garnered a strong interest, as well as biking and walking paths. Chairperson Panico-Atkins stated the committee could work with other local environmental groups to fulfill the community outreach focus area. She also asked how the committee would help implement the plan. Ms. Richart clarified that the committee would not be implementing the plan, but instead helping to write it. Mr. Alavandi asked how local environmental committees could work together to learn more about CGAP. Ms. Richart clarified that CGAP not a national association, but instead a Schaumburg program. Chairperson Panico-Atkins asked if the committee could film local groups like a garden club to post on the website or use in a webinar. Mr. Patel asked how many trees are in Schaumburg, either in the parkway or in public spaces. Ms. Richart stated that there is a preferred planting list, as well as a program for reforestation. She suggested the committee host an event surrounding education on types of trees allowed in Schaumburg or other information regarding private tree planting. This would fit into the land use goal and the extreme weather & resiliency goal. Mr. Mamrot stated that the recycling events had good turnouts, and the official numbers will be available with the report at the June meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT DEFERRALS ADJOURNMENT