ESC_2023_02_15 MINUTES1
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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 3
Wednesday, February 15 – 5:30 PM 4
Lake Forest City Hall, 220 E Deerpath. 5
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AGENDA 7
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I.CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL10
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Chairman Melanie Rummel called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. Aldermen Jim
Preschlack and Eileen Weber were present.
Staff in attendance included George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager and Reagan Walsh,
Management Analyst. Two members of the public were present. 16
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II.INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (:30 for Presentation)19
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a.LEAF BLOWER WORKER GROUP UPDATE – George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager21
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and summarized the “Regional Leaf 23
Blower Working Group Final Report” attached in the meeting packet. The “Working 24
Group” 25
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“understand the problem” before “looking for a solution” was stated and agreed upon 41
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into the topic or if the City should provide more education on our current policies. It was 55
determined that staff would collect high level complaints and noise data to bring back 56
to the Committee to then determine what appropriate action is needed on the topic. 57
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or comments from 59
members of the public. 60
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Several comments were made by members of the public that gave insight into what 62
their experience was regarding noise and disturbances involving landscaping 63
companies, which varied widely. A possible educational opportunity to “leave the 64
leaves” was presented by a member of the public that could help limit the use 65
landscaping equipment and benefit the environment. Another theme of pedestrian 66
and vehicle safety was discussed as landscaping vehicles often park on the side of the 67
road, including on two lane streets posing safety hazards. 68
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b. POWERING SAFE COMMUNITIES GRANT OPPORTUNITY – Reagan Walsh, Management 71
Analyst 72
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Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst, provided a brief update on a potential grant 74
opportunity the Committee could consider pursuing. The 2023 Powering Safe 75
Communities Grants Program, offered through Commonwealth Edison Company 76
(ComEd) to municipalities in Northern Illinois, aims to support projects designed to 77
increase public safety, reduce carbon emissions and improve community 78
resiliency. Lake Forest applied and won the grant in the 2022 cycle, using the money 79
towards construction of electric vehicle station. 80
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The Committee discussed possible opportunities that the grant could be used for in the 82
FY24 year, recognizing that new charging stations could be installed in areas on the 83
West side of town and in places that residents frequent for “long periods of time.” The 84
Committee made a consensus that more research was needed on the potential 85
opportunities the City could use the grant for and if the current charging stations in 86
town were being utilized to their fullest extent. 87
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or comments from 89
members of the public. 90
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 92
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III. DISCUSSION ITEMS (:15 - :20 per item) 95
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a. UPDATE ON LAKE FOREST COMMUNITY GARDEN – Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst 97
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Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst presented an update and review of the Lake 99
Forest Community Garden, in particular reviewing site location analysis that staff have 100
undertaken. After surveying the public, assessing potential sites through the Public 101
Works, Parks and Recreation, and Community Development departments, and 102
discussing viable sites through the Committee, staff recommended Townline Park as an 103
optimal site for the Community Garden. Factors including the current built infrastructure, 104
accessibility, sunshine, asset utilization, connection to trails/other amenities, protection 105
for noise and pollution, and open acreage were considered in the location selection. 106
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After a lengthy discussion from the Committee regarding other sites considered, 108
flooding, program activity, and neighbor concerns, the Committee made a consensus 109
that Townline Park is the recommended location for the community garden and that 110
further design and site efforts could be started. 111
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IV. ACTION ITEMS (:15 - :20 per item) 114
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a. APPROVAL OF THE DECECMBER 8, 2022 MEETING MINUTES 116
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Chairman Rummel moved to approve the December 8, 2022, Environmental 118
Sustainability Committee meeting minutes. Alderman Weber seconded the motion. The 119
motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 120
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or comments from 122
members of the public. 123
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 125
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b. RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE LAKE FOREST AS AN IDLE FREE COMMUNITY – Reagan 128
Walsh, Management Analyst 129
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To finalize the vehicle idling initiative undertaken by the Committee, show commitment 131
from the City to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and bring educational 132
awareness about vehicle idling in Lake Forest, the Committee voted to adopt a formal 133
resolution to be recommended to City Council to make Lake Forest and idle free 134
community. Chairman Rummel moved to approve “AN RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING 135
ALL WHO LIVE IN AND VISIT THE CITY LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN 136
IDLE-FREE COMMINUTY.” Alderman Weber seconded the motion. The motion carried 137
unanimously by voice vote. 138
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After approval the Committee briefly discussed the impact of the resolution and the 140
next steps in terms of education and promotion regarding the campaign. Reagan 141
Walsh, Management Analyst, updated the Committee on the concurrent No Vehicle 142
Idling Sign Art Contest that local schools were undertaking to help produce new “No 143
Vehicle Idling” signs around town. The Committee agreed that announcing winners of 144
the art contest via social media would be an opportunity to pair with the Idle Free 145
Community resolution, as well as on other City communication platforms. City staff 146
noted that winners would be brought to the Committee next meeting and sign 147
locations could be discussed. 148
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or comments from 150
members of the public. 151
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One member of public spoke to the “Idle Free Community” resolution and asked 153
clarifying questions on how this resolution would impact City staff, including those who 154
drive service trucks around town. George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager explained 155
that City staff are required by City policy to not idle their vehicles, but education 156
around the topic could be improved. The new resolution was explained to be an 157
excellent educational tool for not only residents, but staff to remind them of our policies 158
and the impact on idling. 159
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Seeing no more comments thereafter, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda 162
item. 163
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V. ADDITIONAL ITEMS (Packet Material Only) 166
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a. STATUS REPORT ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES 168
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Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst, provided an update on the 2023-2024 Work Plan 170
attached in the meeting packet. Included in the Work Plan are initiatives currently 171
being undertaken by the Committee and upcoming projects slated for the next 172
quarters. 173
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Discussion thereafter occurred on the current timelines and upcoming tasks for each 175
initiative in relation to the overall workplan attached in the meeting packet. Chairman 176
Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or comments from members of 177
the public. 178
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 180
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VI. PUBLIC COMMENT 183
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any public comments on any non-agenda items. 185
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Seeing none, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda item. 187
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VII. NEXT MEETING DATE(S) – MARCH 12, 2023 190
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The Committee confirmed the next meeting date for April 19, 2023, at 5:30PM located at 192
Lake Forest City Hall. 193
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT 196
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Chairman Rummel moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental Sustainability 198
Committee at 7:05 P.M. seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The motion carried 199
unanimously by voice vote. 200
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Respectfully Submitted, 203
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Reagan Walsh 205
Management Analyst 206