ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE 2020/12/17 MinutesENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 1
Thursday, December 27, 2020 – 6:30 P.M. 2
REMOTE ACCESS MEETING 3
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ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER 5
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Chairman Melanie Rummel called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Alderman 7
Jed Morris was present. Alderman Jim Preschlack was absent 8
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Staff in attendance included Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager; Michael 10
Thomas, Director of Public Works; Dan Martin, Superintendent of Public Works; 11
Cathy Czerniak, Director of Community Development; Chuck Myers, 12
Superintendent of Parks, Forestry and Special Facilities; Robert Ells, 13
Superintendent of Engineering and Layla Werner, Administrative Intern. 14
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Also in attendance was Mark Pruitt, Consultant. 16
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There were approximately 2 members of the public that attended the meeting 18
remotely. 19
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Chairman Rummel made the following statement as required by the Open 21
Meetings Act. In accordance with state statute, Chairman Rummel has made a 22
determination that it was not practical or prudent to schedule an in-person 23
Committee meeting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why this 24
October 26, 2020 Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting is being held 25
remotely. 26
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Chairman Rummel introduced Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works to 28
present to the Committee on fleet electrification. Director Thomas gave a brief 29
overview of the attended webinar hosted by ComEd. He explained that specific 30
vehicles will be converted for fleet purposes to utilize renewable energy 31
resources within the next four years. Mr. Thomas stated his interest in pursuing 32
vehicles lie this for the City, if they are able to fulfill the level of service current 33
vehicles are able to conduct. 34
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The Committee thanked Director Thomas for sharing this information, with the 36
potential of adding vehicles like this to the City’s fleet. 37
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Additionally, there was discussion about hybrid vehicles versus 100% electric 39
vehicles. 40
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ACTION ITEMS 42
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I. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 26, 2020 MEETING MINUTES 44
Alderman Morris moved to approve the October 26, 2020 45
Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting minutes subject to 46
changes shared with Layla Werner. Chairman Rummel seconded 47
the motion. The following voted “Aye”: Chairman Rummel and 48
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
December, 17 2020
Alderman Morris. The following voted “Nay”: None. 2-Ayes, 0 Nays, 49
motion carried. 50
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II. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S PLAN OF 52
OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR ITS ELECTRICITY 53
AGGREGATION PROGRAM – Presented by Mike Strong 54
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Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager, gave a brief presentation 56
updating the Committee regarding Electrical Aggregation. He 57
gave the Committee a brief background on Municipal 58
Aggregation, when the program first began in 2012 and how 59
customers were able to benefit through reduced rates. Upon 60
ComEd costs becoming more competitive, the program was idled 61
in May 2017. He continued to explain the participation in a new 62
Aggregation program, which would still generate savings for 63
customers. Mr. Strong stated that at this time, 7% of the energy 64
supplied in the ComEd territory is from a renewable energy source, 65
with an overall 25% target by 2025. 66
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or comments 68
from the public. 69
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The Committee had lengthy discussion about customer rates, and 71
reimbursement of funds to the City. 72
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or comments 74
from the public. 75
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There was additional discussion regarding the timeline of the 77
project, and implementation. 78
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Chairman Rummel moved to recommend approval to the City 80
Council to Amend the City’s Plan of Operation and Governance to 81
Facilitate the Exploration of an Electricity Aggregation Program. 82
Alderman Morris seconded the motion. The following voted “Aye”: 83
Chairman Rummel and Alderman Morris. The following voted 84
“Nay”: None. 2-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried. 85
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional comments 87
from the Committee. Seeing none she asked if there were any 88
questions or comments from the public. 89
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 91
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December, 17 2020
III. CONSIDERATION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC RECYCLING 96
PARTNERSHIPS – Presented by Layla Werner 97
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Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager introduce Layla Werner, 99
Administrative intern to provide background on a potential 100
partnership for a single-use plastic recycling campaign. Layla 101
Werner gave a brief presentation regarding opportunities to 102
partner with local retailers in Lake Forest, as designated drop-off 103
locations for residents. She further explained the partnership local 104
retailers have with the identified company Trex, who collect single-105
use plastic bags which are ethically recycled for eco-friendly 106
composite decking alternatives. Staff has identified the initial 107
location as the Lake Forest Compost & Recycling Center to be a 108
collection site, which would be dropped off at Jewel-Osco. 109
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or comments 111
on this agenda item. 112
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The Committee had discussion regarding the potential of having 114
additional drop off locations. 115
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Alderman Morris moved to recommend approval to begin a single-117
use plastic bag recycling campaign. Chairman Rummel seconded 118
the motion. The following voted “Aye”: Chairman Rummel and 119
Alderman Morris. The following voted “Nay”: None. 2-Ayes, 0 Nays, 120
motion carried. 121
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional comments 123
from the Committee. Seeing none she asked if there were any 124
questions or comments from the public. 125
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 127
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ADDITIONAL ITEMS 129
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I. REVIEW OF SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES – 131
Presented by Mike Strong 132
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong gave a brief overview of the 134
potential sustainability initiatives and priorities as developed by MIST 135
Environment and the Committee. Additionally, he updated the 136
Committee on the status of specific projects discussed at the 137
previous meeting. Mr. Strong explained the budgetary impacts of 138
future sustainability initiatives, as they correlated with the “grey to 139
green” infrastructure concept developed by the Committee. He 140
stated that this idea log would be attached in the monthly agenda 141
packet, to ensure the Committee can continually discuss potential 142
projects. 143
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
December, 17 2020
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The Committee discussed future projects, and potential timelines. 145
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 147
comments from the Committee. Seeing none, she asked if there 148
were any questions or comments from the public. 149
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 151
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PUBLIC COMMENT 153
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any public comments on any non-155
agenda items. 156
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Seeing none, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda item. 158
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NEXT MEETING DATE(S) 160
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Mike Strong stated the next meeting would be scheduled for the third week in 162
January. 163
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ADJOURNMENT 165
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Alderman Morris moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental 167
Sustainability Committee at 8:02 P.M. seconded by Chairman Rummel. The 168
motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 169
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Respectfully Submitted, 171
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Layla Werner 173
Administrative Intern 174
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Reviewed by, 177
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Mike Strong 179
Assistant City Manager 180