Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission

Village of Winnetka Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission Meeting July 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM Winnetka Village Hall Council Chambers - 510 Green Bay Road AGENDA 1. Introduction & Chair's Remarks 2. Public Comments 3. Review and Approval of Minutes a. June 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes 4. Old Business Updates a. a) Update on Climate Action Plan kick-off b) Friends of Green Bay Trail Day and sign c) Green event guidelines d) Dark skies engagement/ordinances e) Tree wellness checks f) Road salt usage g) Recycle Coach h) Caucus questions i) Farmers' market 5. New Business a. Solar panel ordinance and barriers to solar adoption b. EV charging permitting and barriers to adoption c. Net metering 6. Communications a. Communications plan revamp update 7. Committee/Staff Reports 8. Open Forum 9. Adjournment NOTICE All agenda materials are available at villageofwinnetka.org (Government > Council Information > Agenda Packets & Minutes); the Reference Desk at the Winnetka Library; or in the Manager’s Office at Village Hall (2nd floor). The Village of Winnetka, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that all persons with disabilities who require certain accommodations to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting or have questions about the accessibility of the meeting or facilities, contact the Village ADA Coordinator, at 510 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, Illinois 60093, 847-716-3543; T.D.D. 847-501-6041. Page 1 of 4  WINNETKA ENVIRONMENTAL, FORESTRY, AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2025 A record of a legally convened meeting of the Environmental and Forestry Commission of the Village of Winnetka, which was held in the Council Chambers at Village Hall, 510 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, Illinois, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Call to Order: Chair Eck called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Voting Members present: Chair Peter Eck and Commissioners Liz Kunkle, King Poor, Tim Ring. A quorum of presently appointed members was present. Voting members absent: Gregory Frezados, Brandon Andrew, Dave Varca. Village Council Representative present: Kim Handler. Student Representative absent: Scarlett Harper. Staff Liaison present: Elyse Steiner, Sustainability Coordinator. 1) Introduction & Chair’s Remarks: Chair Eck welcomed new Commissioner King Poor followed by introductions. Announced that the Commission’s new name is official. 2) Public Comment: NONE 3) Review and Approval of Minutes a) Approval of the May Regular Meeting Minutes There was a numbering error noted in the draft minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Kunkle, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the minutes with the correction. AYES: KUNKLE , RING, ECK NAYS: NONE ABSENT: FREZADOS, ANDREW, VARCA 4) Old Business: a) Status of IMEA contract extension b) Friends of Green Bay Trail Day and sign c) Green event guidelines d) Dark skies engagement/ordinances e) Tree wellness checks f) Road salt usage Page 2 of 4  g) Recycle Coach h) Shared file folder for EFSC work products i) Update on Climate Action Plan kick-off and roles 5) New Business a) Mid-year Review Commissioners discussed focusing on local initiatives that include, but are not limited, to clean energy. Waste reduction, better winter road salt practices, Dark Skies to protect nocturnal and migrating wildlife, mobility, and other topics were raised. Commissioners are also considering questions for the upcoming Caucus survey of residents. Questions should provide input or insights on specific, actionable items. Commissioners want to identify opportunities to support the Council on Village priorities. The Commission is interested in having a conversation with Public Works about winter road salt practices and will invite them to a future meeting. Following up on the Forestry presentation, Elyse will suggest an item in the next Winnetka Report to inform residents about the importance of good tree maintenance and health checks. b) Farmers’ Market Attendance, Plans Trustee Handler is scheduling EFSC to volunteer at the farmers’ market in late June and September. Brainstormed topics or activities to organize in order to engage residents at the market. Considering the topic of Village forestry/ tree health care for September. 6) Communications: Elyse will resend shared folder link. Will save KERAMIDA Climate Plan proposal in the folder for Commissioners to access. Chair Eck offered to take a first pass at updating the 2019 communications calendar that identified suggested messaging. Other Commissioners will provide support with suggested content. 7) Commission/Staff Reports: The IMEA contract extension resolution was introduced at the June 3 Village Council meeting. A vote is expected on June 17. The Sustainability Resolution is also on the agenda for June 17. Liz Kunkle reminded the EFSC to check out Recycle Coach on the website and app to learn more about its functionality. Page 3 of 4 8) Open Forum: None. 9) Adjournment: There being no further business, Chair Eck asked for a motion to adjourn which was moved by Commissioner Kunkle and seconded by Commissioner Poor. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote; the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Page 4 of 4