ESC_2024_11_07 MINUTESENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, November 7, 2024 – 3:00 P.M.
Lake Forest City Hall – 220 E Deerpath
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chairman Novit called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.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. PUBLIC COMMENT
One comment was made by a member of the public regarding gas
powered leaf blower use, specifically related to both noise levels and
emissions levels. The resident inquired as to why Lake Forest has not
implemented regulations. Assistant City Manager Issakoo gave a history of
the consideration the City has given leaf blower regulations, to include
costs and enforcement capabilities. Chairman Novit recommended staff
relook at the issue to determine what other communities have done and
report back to the Committee.
III. ACTION ITEMS
a. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 13, 2024, MEETING MINUTES
Alderman LeVert moved to approve the August 13, 2024, meeting minutes.
Alderman Clemens seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously
by voice vote.
IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. SUSTAINABILITY FUNDING FOR CIP
Chairman Novit provided an overview of how sustainability funding
contributes to Capital Improvement Projects. Assistant City Manager
Issakoo notified the committee that the upcoming FY26 budget will not
include any projects that require sustainability funding. The project that
does include sustainability elements is coming from the Cemetery Fund and
the hybrid vehicle previously identified by Public Works will not be
purchased due to supply chain issues. The Committee had further
discussion regarding how to make recommendations for future
sustainability funding for projects.
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Page 2 of 3
b. COMPOST PROGRAM UPDATE
Assistant to the City Manager Kaup reviewed the WasteNot Compost
program status. WasteNot has 199 residential customers from Lake Forest
as well as 6 commercial customers. WasteNot has been happy with the
City’s participation. Assistant to the City Manager Kaup discussed plans for
continued education and information pushes to residents through eNews
and Dialogue articles, as well as seeking a partnership with the Chamber
to provide more information to restaurants and businesses in the City. City
staff would like to combine efforts to encourage composting and reduce
reliance on single-use plastics both within City facilities and also businesses
within the City. Staff will continue to pursue opportunities to partner with
the Chamber of Commerce to increase education and participation.
c. SWALCO UPDATE
Assistant to the City Manager Kaup provided an update on initiatives the
City is participating in with SWALCO to include clothing and textile recycling
and shoe recycling. According to SWALCO, in 2023, Lake Forest was the
seventh highest collection site for textiles and clothing, and the twelfth
highest collection site for shoes. Representatives from SWALCO inquired
about whether the City would be interested in adding collection bins to
additional locations within the City to increase 24/7 drop off points. The
Committee was in favor of locating additional appropriate drop off points.
Staff will research optimal locations to add collection bins.
The Committee discussed opportunities to host events in partnership with
SWALCO. Assistant to the City Manager Kaup reviewed the types of events
available through SWALCO, such as shred events, hazardous waste
collection, and compost events. The Committee asked for staff to
reconnect with SWALCO to provide a list of all possible events and for a
representative from SWALCO to present to the Committee at the next
meeting to discuss what events would make the most sense for the City.
d. SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES PRIORITIZATION
Assistant City Manager Issakoo reminded the Committee of the results of
the sustainability survey the Council participated in last year and noted that
this was an opportunity to reset priorities. Assistant to the City Manager
Kaup provided the Committee with a spreadsheet identifying the
sustainability focus areas and the potential projects that could be explored
within each of those focus areas.
Alderman LeVert stated she would like to focus on a partnership with
SWALCO as they provide a large variety of sustainability opportunities.
Chairman Novit stated she would like to focus on partnering with the
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Page 3 of 3
Chamber of Commerce and WasteNot to make the reduction of single-use
plastics a priority. Alderman LeVert said she would like to see a focus on
educational campaigns with young children at schools.
Alderman Clemens stated he would like to have more information about
the gas-powered leaf blower regulations. The Committee agreed they
would like staff to do additional research into what other communities are
doing as far as regulations or ordinances and bring the information to the
next meeting for a discussion item.
V. NEXT MEETING DATE(S)
The Committee confirmed the next meeting will occur during February 2025
at Lake Forest City Hall. Assistant to the City Manager Kaup will send out
potential meeting dates.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Alderman LeVert moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental
Sustainability Committee at 4:34 P.M. seconded by Alderman Clemens. The
motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Keri Kaup
Assistant to the City Manager