Environmental Improvement Commission

Tuesday, July 28, 2020 7:30 I. Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:35. Present in person were Bill Cavanaugh, Cathy Coleman, Kay McKeen, Nancy Flynn, Tony Pope, David Popham, and Bob Young. Attending on Zoom were Shamili Ajgaonkar, Khizar Jafri, and Christine Richardson. Absent were Tony Majszak and Allison Torrence. Also in attendance on Zoom was Justin Lucas from Restore Services. II. Approval of Minutes: Bob moved that the minutes from the February meeting be approved. Tony Pope seconded. The minutes were approved. III. Restore Presentation: Justin Lucas from Restore Services gave a presentation on Construction Demolition Salvage. Restore outlets sell donated new and used construction materials to raise money for Habitat for Humanity projects. He would like to have their brochures included in City of Wheaton Building Department demolition packets, to make people aware that they can keep demolition materials out of the landfills and help Habitat for Humanity at the same time. They will schedule pick ups, and they have demolition crews that will come in and remove materials, both at no cost. If a remodel or demolition is planned, a team member will come in to evaluate and let the homeowner know what they will take. Ted also suggested a link on the city website to make people aware of this service. IV. Budget Report: Bob reported that expenditures to date are $4205.87, and $17,294.13 remains open to spend. V. Public Comment: None VI. Reports: 1. Electronic Recycling (June and July): Tony Pope reported that both events were very well attended. In June 409 very packed cars came through, and in July 397 cars with a normal amount of stuff came through. There continue to be large numbers of fluorescent tubes. 2. Adopt a Highway: Nancy reported that socially-distanced clean ups were held in March, May, and June, and the EIC area is now in good shape. No other Adopt-a highway groups are doing clean-ups due to COVID-19. 3. Arbor Day: Kay reported that although the April events were cancelled, a ceremony is required for Wheaton’s Tree City USA designation. Although children are usually required, that has been waived for this year. Kay and Kevin Maloney will be meeting with the principals to schedule tree plantings which can be shared on Zoom. 4. Native Plant Sale: Although the sale was cancelled, plants had been ordered a year in advance. One vendor notified the city that they would be charging 75% of the cost and a 25% restocking fee, so they decided to accept the plants, which were donated to the garden at DuPage County Jail.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 28, 2020 5. Illinois Prairie Path Clean Up: The event was cancelled. VII. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (August 8): Bob, Bill, and Nancy will work this event. Volunteers are needed. 2. Adopt a Highway (August 22): 8 am 3. Paper Shredding (October 31): 8:30-11:30 Working Bikes will be there, Lions Club will collect glasses and hearing aids, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department will collect syringes, canned and aerosol paint will be recycled for a fee, and SCARCE will collect books and records. 4. Pumpkin Smash Composting (November 7): Kay reported that she has had requests for information from other states and the UK and Scholastic will be featuring the event in their news magazine for school children. 5. Cooking Oil Special Collection (November 8) VIII. Unfinished Business: 1. Nurses’ Closet: Nancy has continued to work on this project. 2. Honorary Ideas (Myrt, Howard, Phil): on hold 3. New Green Plan/Strategic Plan: Allison emailed the latest draft 4. Solar Workshop: Christine has a local installer lined up to do a presentation for businesses as soon as things open up. IX. New Business: 1. Election of Officers: The current officers were reelected. Chairman-- Ted Witte, Treasurer --Bob Young, Secretary --Cathy Coleman. 2. EIC Annual Report: This has been submitted 3. Funding for EIC events: ●Kay made a motion for $1400 for three shredding trucks for October 31. Bob seconded. The motion carried. ●Cathy moved that we spend $100 on sanitizer, masks, and water for October 31. Bob seconded. The motion carried. ●Bob moved that we donate $200 to the library for environmental materials. Tony seconded. The motion carried. X. Adjournment: Nancy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Cathy seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for August 25, 2020, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman 2