ESC_2021_10_20 MINUTESENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 1
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 – 5:00 P.M. 2
REMOTE ACCESS MEETING 3
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ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER 5
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Chairman Melanie Rummel called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. Aldermen 7
Jim Preschlack and Eileen Weber were present. 8
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Staff in attendance included Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager; Cathy 10
Czerniak, Director of Community Development; Michael Thomas, Director of 11
Public Works; Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks and Forestry; Jim Lockefeer, 12
Assistant to the Director of Public Works; and Layla Werner, Management Analyst 13
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There were approximately 6 members of the public that attended the meeting 15
remotely. 16
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Chairman Rummel made the following statement as required by the Open 18
Meetings Act. In accordance with state statute, Chairman Rummel has made a 19
determination that it was not practical or prudent to schedule an in-person 20
Committee meeting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why this 21
October 20, 2021, Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting is being held 22
remotely. 23
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INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 25
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I. UPDATE ON LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE BUCKTHORN CAMPAIGN – 27
Brandon Hayes, Bold Bison Communications & Consulting 28
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong introduced Brandon Hayes, Bold Bison 30
Communications & Consulting to provide an overview of the Lake County 31
Forest Preserve buckthorn campaign currently in process. Mr. Hayes 32
presented background including details of the campaign, specifically 33
targeting the Middlefork area. Additionally, he provided information 34
regarding the County’s work with home and landowners, outside of the 35
focus of the campaign, however, Mr. Hayes emphasized what they are 36
currently working to accomplish with the campaign. 37
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional comments from the 39
Committee. 40
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The Committee asked clarifying questions regarding the timeline of the 42
campaign, and the target areas. 43
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 45
comments from the Committee or members of the public. 46
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 48
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
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II. RECAP OF SUMMER CURBSIDE RECYCLING AUDITS – Dan Martin, 50
Superintendent of Public Works 51
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Superintendent of Public Works, Dan Martin provided an update to the 53
Committee regarding the summer recycling audit that was conducted by 54
two interns. Mr. Martin provided further details regarding the platforms 55
used to notify residents of the ongoing audit, and the educational tools 56
used in various pop-up locations and summer camps. Additionally, he 57
displayed data stating 1,300 audits were completed with an 18% 58
contamination rate. Although initial goals were not met, Mr. Martin 59
explained the increase of single use items during COVID-19 and how that 60
has impacted the audits. 61
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional comments from the 63
Committee. 64
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The Committee thanked Mr. Martin for his detailed presentation and 66
tactics to encourage residents to change recycling habits. 67
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 69
comments from the Committee or members of the public. 70
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Judy Kernahan provided comments to the Committee regarding the 72
previous agenda item. 73
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 75
comments from the Committee or members of the public. 76
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 78
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ACTION ITEMS 80
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I. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 18, 2021 MEETING MINUTES 82
Alderman Weber moved to approve the August 18, 2021, Environmental 83
Sustainability Committee meeting minutes. Alderman Preschlack 84
seconded the motion. The following voted “Aye”: Chairman Rummel, 85
Aldermen Preschlack and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 3-86
Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried. 87
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II. REVIEW AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO CITY COUNCIL 89
SUSTAINABILITY ENHANCEMENTS TO CIP PROJECTS FOR FY2023 – 90
Introduced by Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager 91
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong, provided a brief background 93
regarding the City’s capital project funding process, noting the similarities 94
from previous City Council capital budget workshops. He further 95
explained the process staff conducted to identify projects that could 96
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
include sustainable elements, and the change in cost that would be 97
impacted. 98
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The projects that were discussed included the purchase of a hybrid 100
vehicle for the Fire Department and Ravine design updates. 101
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The Committee asked clarifying questions regarding the enhancements in 103
the Seminary Ravine design project. 104
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Additional projects that were discussed were parking lot improvements, 106
including water quality structures being placed in new or updated 107
parking lots, and the addition of a new electric vehicle charging station. 108
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The Committee asked for further information and data regarding the 110
usage of electric vehicle charging stations. 111
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There were further presentations regarding projects including, Forest Park 113
bluff stabilization, native planting at Forest Park beach and Waveland 114
Park resurfacing. 115
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Following further discussion, Mr. Strong provided potential next steps for 117
the Committee to move forward with a recommendation to City Council 118
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or comments from 120
the public. 121
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Yuh Schabacker-Koppel offered comments to the Committee 123
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Chairman Rummel asked the Committee if there were any addition 125
questions 126
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Seeing none, she asked for a motion. 128
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Alderman Preschlack made a motion to recommend sustainability 130
enhancements to CIP projects for FY2023, Alderman Weber seconded the 131
motion. The following voted “Aye”: Chairman Rummel, Aldermen 132
Preschlack and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 3-Ayes, 0 Nays, 133
motion carried. 134
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DISCUSSION ITEMS 136
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I. UPDATES ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES – Mike Strong, 138
Assistant City Manager 139
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong updated the Committee regarding 141
reestablishing the communications and marketing plan. He provided a 142
potential outline for a schedule the last quarter of 2021. In addition to the 143
social media communications campaign, Mr. Strong discussed new 144
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
signage that would be designed to place near sustainable projects, 145
explaining the background and benefits, and the investigation of solar 146
panels to supply electricity to City accounts. 147
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 149
comments from the Committee. 150
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Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 152
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PUBLIC COMMENT 154
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any public comments on any non-156
agenda items. 157
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Wiebke Droege provided comments to the Committee regarding the proposed 159
athletic field improvements at Deerpath Community Park. 160
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Yuh Schabacker-Koppel provided comments to the Committee regarding the 162
proposed athletic field improvements at Deerpath Community Park. 163
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Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional public comments. Seeing 165
none, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda item. 166
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NEXT MEETING DATE(S) 168
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Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong stated that the next meeting would be held 170
on November 17, 2021, if that meeting date worked for the Committee. They 171
discussed potentially shifting the date if necessary. 172
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ADJOURNMENT 174
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Alderman Weber moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental 176
Sustainability Committee at 6:46 P.M. seconded by Preschlack. The motion 177
carried unanimously by voice vote. 178
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Respectfully Submitted, 180
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Layla Werner 182
Management Analyst 183
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Reviewed by, 185
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Mike Strong 187
Assistant City Manager 188