ESC 2022 04 20 MINUTESENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 1
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 5:00 P.M. 2
City Council Conference Room 3
City Hall, 220 E. Deerpath 4
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ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER 6
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Chairman Melanie Rummel called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. Aldermen 8
Jim Preschlack and Eileen Weber were present. 9
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Staff in attendance included Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager; and Mark 11
Pruitt, Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network 12
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INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 15
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I. REVIEW OF EARTH MONTH ACTIVITIES – Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager 17
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong, provided a brief update regarding 19
the planned activities for Earth Month. He explained that the City had 20
partnered with various institutions throughout the community to develop 21
and aggregate programs, special events, and challenges throughout the 22
month to help promote the campaign. A brief video was shared at the 23
end of the update. 24
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional comments or 26
questions from the Committee. 27
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Alderman Weber asked about any data or metrics that were available 29
regarding e-news articles, or the mobile application. She suggested that 30
future promotion could include push notifications through the mobile 31
application. She also suggested that the order of articles in the e-news be 32
reviewed, that perhaps moving topics around could help encourage 33
engagement. 34
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 36
comments from members of the public. 37
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 39
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II. UPDATE ON RAVINE MAINTENANCE/EDUCATION CAMPAIGN – Mike Strong, 41
Assistant City Manager 42
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong, provided a quick information update 44
to the committee regarding a letter that was sent out to approximately 45
215 properties adjacent to ravines. Mr. Strong explained that the City was 46
working collaboratively with Lake Forest Open Lands to promote property 47
inspections of ravines to help inform residents on how best to care for 48
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
them. He stated that the database was developed through a three-year 49
process whereby City staff inspected each ravine and categorized them 50
based on current conditions. 51
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The Committee asked clarifying questions regarding how properties were 53
being targeted, and whether staff could target higher priorities properties 54
based on their condition. Mr. Strong stated he would update the letter 55
and track participation in the program. 56
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any comments or questions or 58
comments from the Committee. 59
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Seeing none, Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or 61
comments from members of the public. 62
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 64
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ACTION ITEMS 66
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I. APPROVAL OF January 19, 2022, MEETING MINUTES 68
Alderman Preschlack moved to approve the January 19, 2022, 69
Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting minutes subject to 70
changes discussed by the Committee. Alderman Weber seconded the 71
motion. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 72
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II. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON NEW SOLAR GENERATION FACILITIES 74
PROJECT – Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager 75
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Assistant City Manger Mike Strong provided background regarding the 77
solar panel investigation that was underway. He reviewed a presentation 78
that included information concerning the procurement process, financial 79
proposal comparisons between respondents, type of financial 80
arrangement proposed, roof replacement schedules, and franchise 81
account information. 82
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The Committee had a lengthy discussion, focusing on understanding the 84
financial arrangement that would be entered into with the solar 85
developer. Items discussed included contractual provisions that would be 86
included in a future agreement, including service level agreements, risk 87
mitigation, disruption impacts, and costs to the City, both upfront and 88
ongoing. 89
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In addition, the Committee discussed the roofing conditions at each of 91
the proposed facilities and directed staff to focus on the portion of the 92
Public Safety Building that is planned for replacement this summer. Mr. 93
Strong stated that roofs at the proposed facilities are in the middle of their 94
estimated useful life and stated that most solar installations occur when 95
the roof is replaced. The Committee was supportive in considering only 96
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
the new portion of the public safety building at this time. The Committee 97
also discussed the City’s franchise account, and how the City would 98
organize the accounts to benefit from the solar installation. The 99
Committee recommended that City staff connect with references for the 100
vendors to understand the conversion and installation of solar panels. 101
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The Committee directed staff to follow up with the two finalist vendors to 103
request proposals for the public safety building portion that is being 104
replaced for future consideration. 105
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DISCUSSION ITEMS 107
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I. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES – Mike 109
Strong, Assistant City Manager 110
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong, reviewed an update on the current 112
projects that are underway including an update on the greenhouse gas 113
emissions inventory and stormwater management projects. 114
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The Committee had lengthy discussion, focusing on the initiatives 116
recommended to be brought forward by City staff. Items discussed 117
included the stormwater projects, green infrastructure incentives, and 118
composting opportunities. Each Committee member provided their 119
thoughts on the initiatives presented. Additionally, the Committee had 120
discussion regarding top initiatives identified to move forward with 121
discussion this summer. The Committee discussed various priorities 122
including anti-idling campaign, community gardening, coal tar 123
monitoring and potential implementation of licensing program, natural 124
area management program. 125
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The Committee directed staff to focus on investigating community 127
gardening and licensing incentives related to coal tar-based sealants. The 128
Committee also directed staff to continue work on the solar panel 129
investigation. 130
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 132
comments from the Committee. 133
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Seeing none, Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or 135
comments from members of the public. 136
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 138
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PUBLIC COMMENT 140
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any public comments on any non-142
agenda items. 143
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Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Seeing none, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda item. 145
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NEXT MEETING DATE(S) 147
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong stated that the next meeting would be 149
scheduled for the week of May 23, 2022. 150
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ADJOURNMENT 152
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Alderman Preschlack moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental 154
Sustainability Committee at 7:01 P.M. seconded by Weber. The motion carried 155
unanimously by voice vote. 156
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Respectfully Submitted, 158
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Mike Strong 161
Assistant City Manager 162