Environmental Improvement Commission

MINUTES Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission Tuesday, February 23, 2016 Roll Call: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Nancy Flynn, Kay McKeen, Tony Majszak, Arlan Schattke, Joseph Wilmarth Tyna, and Bob Young. Cathy Coleman, Nancy Allured, Hanna Self, Christine Richardson, and Tony Pope were absent. Also attending were City of Wheaton Management Intern Thomas Schubert, Sustain DuPage Representative Andrew Van Gorp, and prospective EIC member Allison Torrence. Minutes: Bob Young moved that we accept the minutes of the January meeting. Kay McKeen seconded. The minutes were approved. Public Comment: Andrew Van Gorp invited our group to make a presentation at the Sustain DuPage event which will be held at 10:00 am on March 12th at the REV3 Innovation Center, 1120 E. Diehl Road in Naperville (the NIU campus). Kay plans to make a presentation and Nancy Flynn will attend. Budget Report: Bob reported that our expenditures total $646.83, leaving $4853.17. Bulb crusher parts cost $217.61. Other Reports: The New Life truck was very full from the Feb. 13th electronic recycling. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronic Recycling: For March 12th crew chiefs Bob and Tony Majszak 2. Paper shredding: April 9th The county will contribute $500 towards the $1000 cost 3. Arbor Day tree planting at Washington School, April 29th , time TBD 4. Native plant sale and Illinois prairie path clean-up scheduled for April 30th 5. Bike Fest on August 13th, possibly add bike registration 6. Adopt-a-Highway on March 5th , 8:30 am at Chick-Fil-A, weather permitting Unfinished Business: 1. Helen Bartlett Memorial: Bob reported that the bricks are done. 2. Street Lamp Banners design contest: Tony M. will work on a mission statement to precede the contest 3. Founders Park Improvements: Kay will send a letter to local businesses 4. Waste hauling contract: Thomas Schubert shared that 1900 surveys have been filled out with a week left to complete the survey. Approximately 84% of residents approve of our current garbage pick-up and 95% like the recycling system. 30% are dissatisfied with stickers and 28% want food scraps collection. Wheaton residents currently pay $3.62 per sticker, but the cost will certainly increase. Warrenville’s new contract charges $4.55 per sticker with that charge increasing to $5.22 in 2020. Glen Ellyn residents pay at least $16/month. Chip technology is too new, maybe in 5-8 years. It is currently only available in Grand Rapids, MI. 5. Bulb Eater relocation: Bob will discuss at next meeting. We approved an additional $400 if needed. New Business: Rain barrels will be displayed in the library in April. We approved $160 if needed for Kay to display rain barrels for our commission. Kay shared that the 10th Sustainable Design Contest will be held on April 5th, 9-11 am, at the County Building. The 5th Green Drive will be held on May 19th on the NIU campus on Diehl Road in Naperville. Adjournment: Joe moved that the meeting be adjourned. Bob seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for March 22, 2016, at 7:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Flynn