ESC 2022 09 19 MINUTESENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 1
Monday, September 19, 2022 – 5:15 P.M. 2
IN-PERSON MEETING 3
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I. ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER 6
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Chairman Melanie Rummel called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M. Aldermen 8
Eileen Weber and Jim Preschlack were present. 9
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Staff in attendance included Jim Lockefeer, Assistant to the Director of Public 11
Works and Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst. 12
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II. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (:05 – :15 per item) 14
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a. FOOD CYCLER AT-HOME COMPOSTING UNIT PRESENTATION – Alex 16
Hayman, VP Business Development 17
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Alex Hayman, Vice President of Business Development at FoodCycler 19
Municipal Solutions attended the meeting virtually to present preliminary 20
information on the FoodCycler product and their pilot municipal program. 21
Based on FoodCycler’s current partnerships with municipalities, Lake 22
Forest demographics, and general counsel, the presentation described in 23
detail how both the product and pilot program would work and operate 24
in Lake Forest. Included in this information was accompanying financial, 25
social, and environmental impacts for the City of Lake Forest. The 26
presentation concluded with an estimated ROI (return on investment) 27
analysis. 28
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After a lengthy discussion, the Committee had several questions for the 30
consultant, including what specific communities have implemented a 31
pilot project as presented, credibility of both the product and company, 32
functionality of the return-on-investment model, environmental impact 33
returns, and other financial cost that the city could potentially incur. 34
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The Committee thanked Alex for attending and requested internal staff 36
review the return-on-investment model for accuracy and potential project 37
outcomes to be presented at the next Committee meeting. The 38
Committee ended the discussion with positive notes about the product 39
but emphasized the financial and environmental impacts must align to 40
consider moving forward with the project. 41
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 43
comments from members of the public. 44
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 46
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Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Monday, September 19, 2022
III. ACTION ITEMS (:10 - :15 per item) 49
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a. APPROVAL OF JULY 12, 2022 MEETING MINUTES 51
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Chairman Rummel moved to approve the July 12, 2022, Environmental 53
Sustainability Committee meeting minutes. Alderman Weber seconded 54
the motion. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 55
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 57
comments from members of the public. 58
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 60
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IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS (:15 - :20 per item) 63
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a. UPDATE ON COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT – Reagan Walsh, 65
Management Analyst 66
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A Community Garden Program Update was presented to the Committee 68
by both staff members present. The update gave insight into what work 69
has been conducted in preparation for a potential community garden, in 70
addition to outlining the strong alignment with the city’s strategic and 71
sustainability plan. Preliminary garden details were also presented, 72
including location, acreage, financial structure, garden design, and 73
funding opportunities. The presentation concluded with a timeline of the 74
entire project, emphasizing that community feedback and 75
design/engineering work would be coming in the pending months to 76
decipher the project’s overall viability. 77
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The Committee shared a collective interest for the project, with emphasis 79
on collaborating with the many potential community partners that could 80
assist in the preparation, operation, and promotion of the project. 81
Additional insight was given on possible funding avenues and the 82
importance of community feedback throughout the process. The 83
discussion ended with the Committee thanking the presenters, with the 84
notion that more project updates would be given at the next Committee 85
meeting. 86
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 88
comments from members of the public. 89
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 91
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V. ADDITIONAL ITEMS (Packet Material Only) 94
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Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Monday, September 19, 2022
a. STATUS REPORT ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES - Jim 96
Lockefeer, Assistant to the Director of Public Works 97
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Jim Lockefeer, Assistant to the Director of Public Works, provided an 99
update on the 2022-2023 Work Plan attached in the meeting packet. 100
Included in the Work Plan are initiatives currently being undertaken by the 101
Committee and upcoming projects slated for the next quarters. 102
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 104
comments from members of the public. 105
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 107
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VI. PUBLIC COMMENT 110
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any public comments on any non-112
agenda items. 113
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Seeing none, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda item. 115
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VII. ADJOURNMENT 118
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The Committee confirmed the next meeting date for October 19, 2022, at 120
5:30PM located at Lake Forest City Hall. 121
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Chairman Rummel moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental 123
Sustainability Committee at 7:03 P.M. seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The 124
motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 125
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Respectfully Submitted, 128
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Reagan Walsh 130
Management Analyst 131