Environmental Improvement Commission

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:30 I. Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:45, due to Zoom issues. Present in person were Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Brian McKee, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, and Bob Young. Present on Zoom were Shamili Ajgaonkar, David Popham, and Allison Torrence. Absent were Bill Cavanaugh, Tony Majszak, and Christine Richardson. Also in attendance was Assistant City Manager John Duguay. II. Approval of Minutes: Bob moved that the minutes from the January meeting be approved. Kay seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. III. Budget Report: Bob reported no expenses, leaving $21,500 open to spend. IV. Public Comment: None V. Reports: 1. Electronics Recycling (February 13): ●Kay reported that she, Bob, David, Sheila Rutledge, and two students worked. There was a large turnout, and it was very cold. ●Kay also compiled a report about what was collected in 2020 from monthly events, October event, Pumpkin Smash, and Post- Thanksgiving oil collection: 155,207 pounds electronics, 560 gallons cooking oil (4256 pounds), 13,500 pounds of textiles, 38 bikes (approximately 950 pounds), 107 boxes of books and school supplies (3241 pounds), 48 syringes, 129 cans of aerosol paint (54 pounds), 389 gallons of latex paint (2950 pounds), 538 tons of pumpkins. VI. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (March 13): Bob, David, and scouts will work this event. 2. Recycling Extravaganza (April 10): Kay reported that there will be three shredding trucks and car batteries, propane tanks, aerosol paint, latex paint, electronics, scrap metal, cooking oil, books, school supplies, and bikes will be collected, and the DuPage County Sheriff will collect medicine, sharps, and Epi-pens. Unsorted household batteries may be collected for $2/pound, if the City of Wheaton can work out a way to collect the money. Lots of volunteers will be needed for this event. 3. Native Plant Sale (April 24): Tony reported that the plants are ordered, the Wheaton Park District is set up to accept credit cards, checks will be accepted, and there will be no cash sales, plexiglass for the payment stations has been found 4. Prairie Path Clean Up: This event has been officially cancelled, but residents are encouraged to do a clean up on their own. 5. Arbor Day (April 30): Jefferson Preschool  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 23, 2021 VII. Unfinished Business: 1. New Green Plan/Strategic Plan: Shamili reported on ideas for the Green Citizen Award. She spoke with Colleen Atwell from the Community Relations Commission about their process for the Good Citizen Award. Their nominating process basically asks who is being nominated and why. Shamili suggested that we might have categories for citizen, employee, and business, and we could get input from the Downtown Business Association for business. We could have categories like water conservation, waste reduction, planting. Another option is setting a series of criteria for people to complete and then they would qualify to be a “Green Citizen”. Whatever we decide to do, Kay would like to see the citizens recognized at the April City Council Meeting when the Earth Month Proclamation is read. 2. Battery Recycling: Kay has been working with HazChem from Addison on this project. They would accept all household batteries, pick them up on Monday after the event, and sort and recycle them for $2/pound. Logistics about a payment system and how often to do it still need to be addressed. 3. No Idling Signs: no report VIII. New Business: 1. Solid Waste/Recycling Contract: Assistant City Manager John Duguay presented information about the Lakeshore Recycling contract which is in its fifth year, with an option for a 3-year extension. He shared that the city has the only contract of its kind in the area, and the staff has been pleased with the contract and Lakeshore. The EIC provided feedback on features under consideration for the 3-year contract extension. EIC and city staff hope to keep the same contract, particularly “pay as you throw”, even if there is a price increase. 2. Funding for EIC events: ●Bob moved that we authorize $1500 for the three shredding trucks for the April 10th event. Nancy seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. ●Cathy moved that we authorize up to $400 for honoraria. Bob seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. IX. Adjournment: Bob moved that the meeting be adjourned. Tony seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2021, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman 2