Environmental Improvement Commission

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 7:30 I. Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Bill Cavanaugh, Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Brian McKee, Kay McKeen, David Popham, and Bob Young. On Zoom were Shamili Ajgaonkar, Tony Majszak, Christine Richardson, and Allison Torrence. Absent were Khizar Jafri and Tony Pope. II. Approval of Minutes: Bob moved that the minutes from the August meeting be approved. Kay seconded. The minutes were approved. III. Budget Report: Bob reported that expenditures to date total $4405.87, leaving $17,094.13 open to spend. IV. Public Comment: None V. Reports: 1. Electronic Recycling (September 12): Bob reported that he and David and his sons and scouts worked on this busy, wet day. 360 cars came through. Items collected included 2-3 gaylords of textiles, 10 gallons of cooking oil, and over 400 fluorescent bulbs. 2. Adopt a Highway: Nancy reported that EIC has held the required four clean ups. If weather permits, another clean up is scheduled for October 24. 3. Green Strategic Plan: Allison reported that she attended the City Council Strategic Planning Session on September 12 and spoke during public comment. The City Council adopted Environmental Sustainability as one of their five priorities. VI. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (October 10): Bob, Tony P., and David and his sons and scouts will work this event. 2. Paper Shredding (October 31): scheduled 8:30-11:30; volunteers needed 7:00-12:00. 3. Pumpkin Smash Composting Event (November 7, 8:30-11:30): Scholastic News is featuring this in their student newspapers, and Suburban Life has requested information. 20 Northern Illinois cities have applied to participate. 4. Cooking Oil Recycling (November 28, 9-11): This event to collect cooking oil from Thanksgiving turkey frying will be held in the public works yard area. 5. Arbor Day: Kay and Kevin are trying to schedule with Wiesbrook and Sandburg Schools. VII. Unfinished Business: 1. Nurses’ Closet: Nancy shared pictures of the space and discussed logistics for how the program might run.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 22, 2020 2. New Green Strategic Plan—next steps: We now need to consider ways to implement these plans of action. 3. Library Donations: Bob reported that the check has been sent to the library, and he will share a list of materials when he receives it. 4. Honorary Ideas (Myrt, Howard, Phil): Bob shared information about engraved stones that could be purchased to match Helen’s marker and be placed around the tree. VIII. New Business: 1. Funding for EIC events: Kay requested a feather banner for the Pumpkin Smash to make it easier to locate them in the parking lot. Cathy moved that we spend up to $200 for a feather banner for this yearly event. Nancy seconded. The motion carried. 2. Battery Recycling: Kay reported that the most asked question SCARCE receives is what to do with household batteries. Correct disposal is expensive. Discussion focused on ways that we could accept batteries at monthly electronics collections and/or the yearly recycling event for a fee based on weight. This discussion will be continued. IX. Adjournment: Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Bob seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2020, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman 2