ESC_2025_02_11 MINUTESENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, February 11 – 7:30 A.M.
Lake Forest City Hall – 220 E Deerpath
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chairman Novit called the meeting to order at 7:32 A.M. Aldermen Alice
LeVert and Pete Clemens were present.
Staff in attendance included George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager and
Keri Kaup, Assistant to the City Manager.
II. ACTION ITEMS
a. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 7, 2024, MEETING MINUTES
Alderman LeVert moved to approve the November 7, 2024, meeting
minutes. Alderman Clemens seconded the motion. The motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. PRIORITIES – STATUS UPDATES
i. SWALCO INITIATIVES
Assistant to the City Manager Kaup provided a progress report for
various SWALCO partnership initiatives. Staff are currently exploring
options to add a centrally located, 24/7 accessible textile recycling
bin in the City. Once a suitable location has been identified, staff will
work with SWALCO to order the bin and have it delivered. Staff are
also working with SWALCO to determine the feasibility of hosting a
Household Chemical Waste disposal event. The City will host a shred
event in April as part of Earth Day activities. Promotion of that event
will be forthcoming. Chairman Novit asked that events be added to
the calendar once they are scheduled so residents are aware of
them.
The spring Dialogue will feature a column reminding residents of
services available through SWALCO. Finally, staff will continue to
monitor additional SWALCO offerings such as rain barrel sales and the
garden learning series. Alderman Clemens stated that any promotion
of rain barrel sales should include educational information for how to
properly use them.
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Page 2 of 3
SWALCO has launched a web and mobile app called “Recycle
Coach” that gives residents hyper-local information about waste
management programs, including garbage, recycling, and
composting. Staff will be working with SWALCO to add the City’s
waste management information to the site as another resource for
residents.
ii. COMPOST PROGRAM UPDATE
Assistant to the City Manager Kaup reviewed the WasteNot Compost
program status. WasteNot has 228 residential customers from Lake
Forest as well as 6 commercial customers. The Committee discussed
future messaging including information about pickup location options
to include front porch service. Assistant to the City Manager Kaup
discussed plans for connecting WasteNot with the Chamber of
Commerce to provide more information to restaurants and businesses
in the City. Additionally, the City plans to add two City facilities to the
program in FY26, including the Recreation Center and Dickinson Hall.
b. RESEARCH UPDATE – GAS POWERED LEAF BLOWERS
Assistant to the City Manager Kaup provided an overview of the ordinance
changes comparable communities have made to their gas-powered leaf
blower regulations since the 2021 Working Group report. Seven
communities from the group now have a seasonal ban while four
communities continue to enforce through a noise ordinance only. Assistant
to the City Manager Kaup also explained the current commercial-grade
technology available and the cost of gas-powered versus battery-
powered equipment. The Committee noted that the communities who
have implemented gas-powered leaf blower bans have allowed for their
continued use during fall and spring cleanups which is when most
complaints are received due to noise. The Committee discussed the need
to balance the interests of both the residents and the small businesses and
expressed interest in changing the landscaping noise hours rather than
banning a type of technology. Assistant City Manager Issakoo
recommended that staff review the issue with Community Development to
fully understand the history and feasibility.
Assistant City Manager Issakoo stated the Committee should have a formal
recommendation to Council for the ordinance change. Staff will research
the issue and bring a recommendation back to the Committee to consider.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public were present.
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Page 3 of 3
V. NEXT MEETING DATE(S)
The Committee asked that the next meeting be scheduled as soon as staff
have a recommendation on a potential noise ordinance update. Assistant
to the City Manager Kaup stated she will email the Committee to set the
meeting date.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Alderman LeVert moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental
Sustainability Committee at 8:14 A.M. seconded by Alderman Clemens. The
motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Keri Kaup
Assistant to the City Manager