Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission

UNAPPROVED DRAFT — INTENDED FOR COMMISSION REVIEW / APPROVAL Memorandum TO: Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commissioners FROM: _______________________________________________________________________ Andrew D. DeCanniere, Commissioner, Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission DATE: November 10, 2025 SUBJECT: October 28, 2025 Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission (SEAC) Meeting Minutes Meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM in Conference Room D/E at Skokie Village Hall Present: Chairperson Jennifer Grossman, Commissioners Andrew DeCanniere, Michael Gershbein, Lisa Gotkin, Emily Okallau, Robert Render, Charles Saxe, Sustainability Coordinator Lisa Sanzenbacher Absent: Vice Chair Jim McNelis, Commissioners Christopher Buccola, Alma Likic, Olivia Mahoney, Rick Moskovitz Also Present: Lauren Grodnicki, Liaison, Go Green Skokie Paul Gross, Skokie Resident Max Slankard, Director of Public Works I. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Saxe to approve the minutes from the September 29, 2025 meeting of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission, seconded by Commissioner Render. The minutes were approved as presented. II. Old Business a. Recap of the Strategic Plan Community Visioning Session Commissioner Saxe recapped the Village of Skokie’s Strategic Plan Community Visioning Session. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Gotkin noted that there were many comments about making Skokie more walkable and safer for pedestrians. Traffic safety, Downtown Skokie and environmental sustainability seemed to be among the major topics/issues raised. The session seemed well run and organized. Page 1 of 4 UNAPPROVED DRAFT — INTENDED FOR COMMISSION REVIEW / APPROVAL b. Recap of the FRIA (Food Recovery Infrastructure Assessment) Forum The recent FRIA Forum, held on October 6th, was recapped. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Gotkin noted how, during the program, they discussed how landfills are contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, and are being filled up with food that people could have eaten. 38 grocery stores and restaurants were studied. Most of those are composting, but many are also donating food while still lacking a formal structure to do so. It was further noted that the biggest barrier seems to be staff training, and that grocery stores are more likely to donate food, mostly because the food is readily portable. Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher said it seems as though no municipalities have an organized structure for donating food. The possibility of using Recycle Coach as a tool that could be used to give people tips on donating food was discussed. However, it is as yet unclear whether this is doable. c. Update for the Community Solar Campaign Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher said that there have been a few sign-ups thus far. There has been some community engagement and they have talked to some Commissions about the program, as other Boards and Commissions could be a great way to reach the community. It was also noted that Nexamp and MC Squared Energy Services will not engage in door-to-door solicitation. Go Green Skokie Liaison Grodnicki noted that they had a booth at the Skokie Farmers’ Market and handed out flyers promoting the program. d. Register for the Skokie Green Business Recognition Event Chairperson Grossman reminded Commissioners to RSVP to the Skokie Green Business Recognition Event if they will be attending. Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher stated that each business will be recognized individually at the reception. As the venue is closed to the public on Mondays, it is by invite / RSVP only. All businesses that are to be recognized as on the path to going green, taking steps to become more environmentally sustainable. At the Board Meeting itself, following the reception, these businesses will be at the top of the Agenda. The second cohort of the Skokie Green Business Program will be opening later. Page 2 of 4  UNAPPROVED DRAFT — INTENDED FOR COMMISSION REVIEW / APPROVAL III. New Business a. Volunteers for Pumpkin Smash - Sunday, November 2, 2025 Chairperson Grossman noted that volunteers are still needed for the upcoming Pumpkin Smash, to be held on Sunday, November 2nd, in the lot across from the Skokie Village Hall parking lot, as per usual. b. Skokie Residential Sustainability Awards Commissioner Gershbein noted that he and Vice Chair McNelis have been meeting with Alex Franz (Assistant to the Village Manager) every other month, and proceeded to inform Commissioners regarding where things currently stand with the awards program. It was noted that it has been suggested that the award submissions be reviewed solely by the SEAC. Discussion ensued regarding the process reviewing award submissions, possible approaches to encourage / highlight eco-friendly improvements to properties, as well as when the awards themselves would be given out. Commissioners voted unanimously to take on responsibility for reviewing applications, issuing awards, and establishing guidelines regarding eligibility of awards. The awards shall be issued annually. Commissioners then subsequently voted on a motion to encourage the Village to utilize all communications resources to promote the Residential Sustainability Awards, including (but not limited to) quarterly shoutouts to property owners in the Village newsletters, on social media, and via other available vehicles or outlets. The motion passed unanimously. c. Q3 (July/August/September) Actions Items of the Sustainability Plan Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher discussed Q3 updates and data. It was noted that there seems to be a decrease in yard waste compared to the third quarter of 2024. Composting seems to be increasing monthly (both free and subscription). No complaints have been received regarding contamination. Discussion ensued. d. Advise the Village SEAC’s Recommendation of e-motos and e-bikes Public Works Director Slankard noted that there were two info sessions on the subject, one with the Northwest Municipal Conference. Commissioner Saxe noted that there are classifications for e-bikes and then there are unclassified bikes. The Ride Illinois Guidance document lays things out well. When Page 3 of 4  UNAPPROVED DRAFT — INTENDED FOR COMMISSION REVIEW / APPROVAL the Village wants to have a conversation about how best to move forward, it would be good to open that up and give people the opportunity to provide input. It was suggested that we could take a look at the Skokie Valley Trail and the Channel Trail and consider what to do. It was also noted that we should not rule out the use of e- bikes for legitimate transportation purposes. Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher noted that the Village staff is meeting with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for Skokie, which will then inform the Transportation chapter of the Village’s Comprehensive Plan. Commissioners then voted unanimously that, in considering rules and ordinances regarding e-bikes/motos, the Village staff use Ride Illinois’ Guidance for Municipalities. IV. Other Business During the meeting, it was noted that Lauren Grodnicki has been made an official liaison for Go Green Skokie. V. Public Comment Skokie resident Paul Gross noted that he has lived in Skokie since 1996, and was at the meeting to discuss the subject of lawns. He went on to say that lawns offer nothing to animals, are grossly unsustainable, and require constant attention. After a couple of years, he replaced his lawn with many species of native plants. Walking around the community, he said he found that there is no animal activity. He has been doing reading as to the possible alternatives to lawns. He wanted to submit a document to educate people and to perhaps find an alternative type of lawn. The community could then perhaps buy into this alternative option. He went on to inquire as to whether the SEAC would be the appropriate group to which to submit this document. VI. Next Meeting Based upon the expected availability of Commissioners, the next meeting of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission will take place on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The meeting is to be held in Conference Room D/E at Skokie Village Hall. VII. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM with a motion from Commissioner Okallau, seconded by Commissioner Saxe. Page 4 of 4