Environmental Improvement Commission

Tuesday, February 26, 2019 7:30 I. Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present: were Shamili Ajgaonkar, Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, David Popham, Christine Richardson, Allison Torrence, Carlo Treviso, and Bob Young. Absent was Tony Majszak. II. Approval of Minutes: Kay moved that the minutes from the January meeting be approved. Bob seconded. The minutes were approved. III. Budget Report: Bob reported that there were no new expenditures, leaving $5500 open to spend. IV. Public Comment: 1. Wheaton resident Greg Cox addressed the commission about placement of cell phone towers on public lands and the radiation these antennas emit. He expressed concerns about the effects of this radiation on trees, animals, and humans. Ted explained that we are an advisory commission with no powers except to provide recommendations to the city council. Bob will contact the Morton Arboretum and Kay will contact Kevin Maloney to see if there is more research supporting the concern about trees. V. Reports: 1. Electronic Recycling: On Feb. 9 Bob Young, David Popham, Tony Majszak, and Tony Pope from EIC, resident volunteer Jim Truesdale, student volunteer Katie Johnston from WWSHS, Boy Scouts Jacob Tamas fromTroop 8 and Charley Black from Troop 52, and six employees from E Works helped about 200 vehicles, handled more than 600 fluorescent bulbs, and collected about 5 gallons of cooking oil. VI. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling: March 9 Bob will be crew chief 2. Paper Shredding (April 6): Kay reported that newly-elected DuPage County Sheriff Mendrick will spearhead a collection of epipens and syringes at this event. Information about how to prepare these items for collection will be available soon. Epaint will collect latex paint for the following prices: quart $1/can, gallon $3/can, $10/5gal pail. Oil-based paint prices are $4/quart, $8/gallon, $20/5gallon pail. Mercury thermometers, barometers, and thermostats will also be collected. 3. Arbor Day (April 26): Lowell School will be celebrating their 100th anniversary, and the Arbor Day tree will be planted there. 4. Native Plant Sale (April 27): Tony Pope reported that orders have been placed with two nurseries. Set up will be Friday from 9-12. Quantities will be limited until 9:30. Compost will not be available this year. Rain barrels will be available. Volunteers are needed for set up Friday and the sale on Saturday.  5. Prairie Path Clean Up (April 27): Christine reported that the “save the date” email has generated a number of volunteers. Kay reported that Sheriff Mendrick would like to be notified if there are additional areas that need attention after the clean up, so community service workers can be sent there. 6. Adopt a Highway: Nancy scheduled EIC’s first clean up for March 30 at 8 am at ChickFilA. VII. Unfinished Business: Nurses’ Closet: still no location VIII. New Business: 1. Event Supply Funding: Kay moved that we allocate up to $300 for water and doughnuts for upcoming events and ongoing electronics recycling. Cathy seconded. The motion carried. Kay moved that we allocate $1200 for paper shredding trucks. Cathy seconded. The motion carried. 2. Honorary trees (Phil, Myrt, and Howard): Kay will talk to Kevin Maloney from Wheaton Forestry Department about location and type of tree to honor long-time EIC members who have passed away. 3. We Are Still In resolution: Carlo presented information on efforts by local governments to support the Paris Accord on climate change. Members will read and discuss next month. 4. Climate Mayors Status: This is an online community that would follow adoption of We Are Still In resolution. 5. Social Media Channels for EIC: Carlo would like to develop these, and he will check with communication department about policy and permission. 6. Greenest Region Compact: Kay would like to discuss this regional program at the next meeting. 7. Medicine Collection Program: Wheaton is one of the few DuPage County communities which does not have this program. IX. Adjournment Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Allison seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2019, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman 2