Environmental Improvement Commission

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 7:30 I. Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Shamili Ajgaonkar, Cathy Coleman, Brian McKee, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, David Popham, Allison Torrence, Seema Wadia, and Bob Young. Absent were Nancy Flynn and Mike Nicolosi. II. Approval of Minutes: Bob moved that the minutes from the January meeting be approved. Seema seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. III. Budget Report: Bob reported that there have been no expenditures, and $22,000 remains open to spend. IV. Public Comment: None V. Reports: 1. Electronic Recycling (2/12): Bob reported that he, Kay, and David, 4 EWorks employees, the president of the COD environmental club, and Tria from SCARCE worked the event. There was a constant double stream of cars the entire time. Lots of textiles, scrap metal, and fluorescent bulbs were collected, as well as 8 smoke detectors and some cooking oil. VI. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (3/12): Bob and David will work this event. 2. Recycling Extravaganza (4/2): Kay reported that the DuPage County Sheriffs will collect syringes, epi-pens, sharps, lancets, and medicine; Working Bikes will collect bikes, bike parts, helmets, air pumps, repair tools; SCARCE will collect books, records, musical instruments, small ink cartridges, Brita filters and pitchers, keys from cars and homes, x-rays, and bread tags; Wheaton Lions Club will collect eyeglasses, sunglasses, and hearing aids; Melba’s Closet will collect walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches; AmeriGas will collect propane tanks; Interstate Battery Company will collect car and other large batteries; Flat Can will collect aerosol cans for a fee; ePaint will collect latex paint for a fee; Soccer Gear for Zambia will collect soccer shoes, balls, nets. Hoping to collect household batteries for a fee; Document Shredding—no plastic file tabs, no checkbook covers, no plastic page protectors, no batteries, funded in part by DuPage County. 3. Native Plant Sale (4/23): Tony reported that he will be meeting with Wheaton Park District and Jason, the new forestry superintendent. 4. Prairie Path Clean Up (4/23): Seema reported that she has contacted Christine and the IPP coordinator. She has sent a Save the Date email to previous participants. 5. Arbor Day (4/29): Kay reported that the event will be held at Emerson School at 9:30 and a White Oak will be planted. VII. Unfinished Business:  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 22, 2022 1. Battery Recycling (4/2): Kay is hoping to pilot a fee-based program ($2/lb) at Recycling Extravaganza 2. Nurses’ Closet: we will refer people to Melba’s Closet and other local lending sites. 3. Sustainability Awards: Shamili presented the award criteria. She will contact Susan Bishel from communications to see how the award description and nomination form can be presented and how nominations could be collected. We are aiming to present the awards (with city council approval) at the June 6th council meeting in honor of UN World Environment Day on June 5. VIII. New Business: 1. Boards and Commissions Draft Ordinance Review: Ted compiled last month’s discussion and commission members reviewed and made a few suggestions for changes. Ted will update and distribute. 2. EIC Mission Statement Review: This was covered in the responses to the boards and commissions draft. 3. Business Composting: Kay reported that the downtown business group just sent an email to organize a meeting. Kay plans to attend. 4. Funding for EIC events: none 5. Earth Day Proclamation: This is expected to be presented at the April 4 City Council Meeting. Ted will contact the City Clerk to get it on the City Council agenda. Kay will assist with drafting the proclamation. 6. National Night Out (8/2): Crystal Mirobali from the Wheaton Police Department contacted Kay to see if the EIC would have a booth at this event in Memorial Park. The topic will be discussed further at the next EIC meeting. IX. Adjournment: Allison moved that the meeting be adjourned. Bob seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for March 22, 2022, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman 2