ESC_2022_04_20 PACKETENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, April 20 – 5:00 PM
City Council Conference Room
City Hall, 220 E. Deerpath
AGENDA
I.CALL TO ORDER AND OLL CALL
II.INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (:05 – :15 per item)
a.REVIEW OF EARTH MONTH ACTIVITIES – Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager
b.UPDATE ON RAVINE MAINTENANCE/EDUCATION CAMPAIGN – Mike Strong, Assistant
City Manager
III.ACTION ITEMS (:10 - :15 per item)
a.APPROVAL OF JANUARY 19, 2022 MEETING MINUTES
b.DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON NEW SOLAR GENERATION FACILITIES PROJECT –
Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager
IV.DISCUSSION ITEMS (:15 - :20 per item)
a.UPDATE ON FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES – Mike Strong,
Assistant City Manager
V.PUBLIC COMMENT
VI.NEXT MEETING DATE(S) – Wednesday, May 18, 2022
VII.ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATIONAL ITEM:
RAVINE PROPERTY OUTREACH
CAMPAIGN
DRAFT LETTER/BROCHURE
April 22, 2022
Re: Important Information Regarding Ravines in Lake Forest
Dear Resident,
Did you know that Lake Forest is home to 15 ravines that provide unique habitats and natural
waterways that offer many environmental and public health benefits? Ravines aren’t just beautiful
landscape features. When they are healthy, they help preserve our property values by draining water
away from homes and basements, protect our drinking water, reduce erosion, provide recreational
opportunities, and support habitats for native plants and migratory birds. Healthy ravines work hard and
well, but when they become unhealthy, ravines can cause problems, like increasing Lake Michigan
pollution, eroding property, and increased local flooding.
The City, along with local agencies and partners, takes an active role in preserving and restoring these
important natural resources to ensure they stay healthy. However, you may not know that many of the
ravine properties in Lake Forest are privately owned. Whether your home is next to a ravine, or your
property extends all the way down into a ravine, there are important actions you can take to ensure
your property is protected and our ravines stay healthy and beautiful.
One of the best ways to protect the ravine’s natural landscape is to plant diverse native plants that can
withstand weather-related stressors. If you’re looking to add more native plants to your ravine, the City
of Lake Forest and Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA) are hosting the Go Native! Plant & Tree
Sale on Saturday, May 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. Garden kits, trees,
shrubs, and plants are available for pre-order through Friday, May 13. For details and to place a pre-
order, visit lfola.org/GoNative.
If you aren’t sure where to start with native plants, LFOLA is offering free property consultations for a
limited time during the Go Native! Plant & Tree Pre-Sale. One of LFOLA’s ecologists will meet with you at
your property to help you select the appropriate ravine plant species and discuss how to best manage
your yard for stormwater issues, increased habitat, and low-maintenance solutions. Space is limited and
appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email GoNative@lfola.org to schedule a
property consultation today.
Interested in learning more about how you can help? Please take a look at our Steep Slopes, Long
Legacy brochure that contains important information for your landscaping, stormwater runoff,
pesticides, and more.
Sincerely,
The City of Lake Forest
STEEP SLOPES, LONG LEGACY
Healthy ravines work hard and well. But damaged,
unhealthy ravines, can actually cause problems, like
increasing Lake Michigan pollution, eroding property
and increasing flooding.
Ravines drain rain
water away from
homes and basements,
reducing flooding
Ravines protect
our drinking water
source—Lake
Michigan—from
pollutants
Healthy ravines
with native trees
and plants reduce
erosion, keeping our
land where it belongs
Ravines provide
homes to migratory
songbirds,
endangered plants
and spawning fish
Lake Forest is home to 15 ancient and incredibly unique landscape features
called ravines. These tree-covered slopes are part of a dynamic landscape that
defines Lake Forest as more than just a city—it is a family-friendly community,
blessed with green lands and blue waters.
Lake Forest has grown into today’s vibrant community because generations of
residents have embraced our natural surroundings. The flow of our landscape,
the natural highs and lows of our lands, is reflected in the curve of our streets
and the architecture of our built surroundings.
Ravines aren’t just beautiful landscape features.
Ravines work. When they are healthy, ravines provide
valuable and irreplaceable services for our community:
Important Information for
Homeowners Near Ravines
RAVINES ARE OUR LEGACY
Since the time of the glaciers, rain water and snow melt have sculpted Lake
Forest’s ravines. However, as we developed Lake Forest into the community
we now know and love, our actions have inadvertently accelerated that natural
erosion process to unnatural levels.
Over the years, the volume of stormwater runoff—rain, hose water and snow
melt—has increased as homes, patios and roads replaced prairies and wooded
areas. Now, more water rushes through the ravines, speeding up the erosion
process and carrying pollutants.
In addition, invasive or non-native plants have replaced hearty native plants
in many areas. The invasive plants have flimsy root systems, which means they
don’t hold the soil as well as native plants do.
Left unchecked, ravine and bluff erosion
can cause significant damage: polluting our
drinking water and swimming beaches;
undermining buildings, roads, and bridges;
breaking sewer lines; and decreasing property
values as land literally washes away.
Without thoughtful actions, our unique
landscape features could become dangerous
and unsightly ditches that make properties
smaller, instead of adding value to our
community.
OUR ACTIONS MATTER
When restored and healthy, our ravines are beautiful assets, an integral part of
our community’s character and part of what sets Lake Forest apart.
While the City and nonprofit groups are actively restoring ravines, like Seminary
Ravine, which is adjacent to Forest Park, homeowners own most of our ravines.
Whether your home is next to a ravine or your property extends all the way down
into a ravine, there are important actions you can take to keep Lake Forest’s
ravines healthy and beautiful.
Never dump yard waste like leaves, branches, grass
clipping or mulch into ravines. This can accelerate
erosion, damage native plants and ruin beautiful
vistas. Instruct lawn care companies to keep your
yard waste out of the ravines, too.
Add a buffer of native plants along your property
adjacent to the ravine. Keep turf grass, play sets
and pools at least 10 feet from the top edge of a
ravine to prevent erosion. (For sample landscape
plans and lists of native trees, grasses, shrubs and
flowering plants, visit: www.CityofLakeForest.com
/environmental-initiatives.
Reduce stormwater running off your property
into the ravine by planting rain gardens and using
rain barrels. Minimize water use and irrigation
sprinklers, especially near the top edge of a ravine.
Limit paved areas along
ravines. Use porous
paving wherever
possible.
Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and
only when necessary. If you must fertilize,
only use fertilizers that are phosphorous-free.
Keep fences out of the ravines; they not only
ruin the beautiful vistas that ravines provide,
but also increase erosion and limit natural
animal migrations.
The Lake Forest Collaborative for Environmental Leadership (LFCEL) is a
partnership of The City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest Elementary School District #67,
Lake Forest High School District #115, Lake Forest Open Lands Association and
Lake Forest College. The Collaborative formed to bring together the community
to educate and engage in environmental action and to promote sustainable
practices within Lake Forest. LFCEL received a grant from the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources Coastal Management Program to implement an education
and engagement program to increase awareness of our ravines’ environmental
value, while engaging the community in actions to protect and restore them.
NEW BUSINESS/ACTION ITEM:
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 9, 2021 MEETING
MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 1
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 – 5:15 P.M. 2
REMOTE ACCESS MEETING 3
4
ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER 5
6
Chairman Melanie Rummel called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M. Aldermen 7
Jim Preschlack and Eileen Weber were present. 8
9
Staff in attendance included Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager; Cathy 10
Czerniak, Director of Community Development; Dan Martin, Superintendent of 11
Public Works; Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks and Forestry; and Layla 12
Werner, Management Analyst 13
14
There were approximately 2 members of the public that attended the meeting 15
remotely. 16
17
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
January 19, 2022, Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting is being held 22
remotely. 23
24
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 25
26
I.UPDATE ON GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR LAKE FRONT AT FOREST PARK BEACH27
–Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager28
29
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong, provided a brief update regarding 30
the grant opportunity at Forest Park Beach. He explained that the State 31
Department of Natural Resources contacted the City encouraging staff 32
submit an application for a lakefront trash skimmer. Mr. Strong explained 33
the benefits to having the trash skimmer including collecting plastic in the 34
water and skimming oil sheen produced by boat activity. 35
36
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional comments or 37
questions from the Committee. 38
39
The Committee thanked staff for working on this initiative. 40
41
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 42
comments from members of the public. 43
44
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 45
46
47
48
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Tuesday, January 19, 2022
II.UPDATE ON NEW SOLAR GENERATION FACILITIES PROJECT – Mike Strong,49
Assistant City Manager50
51
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong, provided a quick information update52
to the committee regarding the RFP for the installation of solar panels on53
City facilities. Mr. Strong explained the process including the site visits and54
how to move forward with the bidding process. He stated that the final55
bid will be due Wednesday, February 2nd, and that internal staff would56
review the results and present them to the Committee.57
58
The Committee asked clarifying questions regarding grant funding for the59
project and other funds to offset the cost of the project.60
61
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any comments or questions or62
comments from the Committee.63
64
Seeing none, Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or65
comments from members of the public.66
67
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item.68
69
ACTION ITEMS 70
71
I.APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 9, 2021, MEETING MINUTES72
Alderman Weber moved to approve the December 9, 2021,73
Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting minutes subject to74
changes discussed by the Committee. Alderman Preschlack seconded75
the motion. The following voted “Aye”: Chairman Rummel, Aldermen76
Preschlack and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 3-Ayes, 0 Nays,77
motion carried.78
79
DISCUSSION ITEMS 80
81
I.DISCUSSION ON FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES –82
Alderman Rummel, Chairman83
84
Alderman Rummel provided background regarding the process to85
identify the various sustainable initiatives and priorities. She further86
explained the specific way the items were categorized.87
88
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong, provided further detail including the89
summary survey data conducted last spring, the reorganization of the90
priorities and initiatives, and the use of incentives and engagement versus91
utilizing bans. Mr. Strong further explained various initiatives that have92
been endorsed by the full City Council that are in process, and the strong93
alignment between the City Council and staff on the initiatives presented.94
95
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Tuesday, January 19, 2022
The Committee had lengthy discussion, focusing on the initiatives 96
recommended to be brought forward by City staff. Items discussed 97
included the Greenhouse Gas Emissions project and composting. 98
Each Committee member provided their thoughts on the initiatives 99
presented. Additionally, the Committee had discussion regarding top 100
initiatives identified to move forward with discussion. 101
102
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong provided additional background 103
regarding projects and initiatives and the reasoning behind how they 104
were ranked. He provided further clarification to the Committee stating 105
that items could be moved around on the list if the Committee felt it was 106
necessary. 107
108
The Committee had lengthy discussion, prioritizing the various staff 109
recommendations in each sustainability category, and the tiered structure 110
from the survey. 111
112
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or commens from 113
the Committee. 114
115
Seeing none, Chairman Rummel asked if there were any questions or 116
comments from members of the public. 117
118
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 119
120
PUBLIC COMMENT 121
122
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any public comments on any non-123
agenda items. 124
125
Seeing none, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda item. 126
127
NEXT MEETING DATE(S) 128
129
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong stated that the next meeting would be 130
scheduled for February 2022. 131
132
ADJOURNMENT 133
134
Alderman Preschlack moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental 135
Sustainability Committee at 6:32 P.M. seconded by Weber. The motion carried 136
unanimously by voice vote. 137
138
Respectfully Submitted, 139
140
Layla Werner 141
Management Analyst 142
143
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Tuesday, January 19, 2022
Reviewed by, 144
145
Mike Strong 146
Assistant City Manager 147
DISCUSSION ITEM:
UPDATE ON FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY
INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES
Environmental Sustainability Committee
Current/Future Sustainability initiatives & Priorities
Updated April 2022
Solar Facilities on City Facilities
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Composting Services
“Green Infrastructure” Incentives
Single-Use Plastics Discussion
Vehicle Idling Options LFCEL? LFCEL?
Other???
Planning/Research
Presentation/Recommendation
Current Projects/Status:
1.Investigation of Solar Facilities on City Facilities
o Status: Solicitation/Vendor Selection Phase
o On Deck: Prepare Vendor recommendation to ESC, and City Council
Discussion on building priorities/phases
Determination of what to do with City ComEd/Constellation Accounts
o Target ESC Meeting for Recommendation and Direction: 4/20/2022
o City Council Meeting: TBD: 5/2/2022 or 5/16/2022
2.Greenhouse Gas Inventory
o Status: Collecting inventory data from various sources (CMAP, Waste haulers,
utilities)
o On Deck: Prepare initial report with ICLEI (Target is June 2022)
Target ESC Meeting in June to review report and discuss emission
reduction targets (Based on ICLEI recommendations)
Develop list of recommendations/actions for ESC (July-Aug 2022)
o Target June/July ESC and/or City Council meeting for presentation (No formal
action needed – report will inform future priorities/opportunities)
Future Projects/Initiatives (As supported by City Council in February)
3.Provide greater access to composting programs or services for residents and
businesses
o Proposed Scope: Explore partnership opportunities with third-party vendors to
provide subscription services to residents (RFQ/RFP process)
o Marketing/promotion of Earth Machines, including educational workshops or
programs
o Target Timeline: Research services/options in May-June 2022, with
recommendation to ESC in Summer
o Solicitation to follow in fall for winter launch (composting offerings in winter)
4.Promote the use of permeable pavers, rain gardens or other “green infrastructure”
implements throughout the community
o Proposed Scope: Marketing/communications on City projects utilizing
infrastructure
o Develop “green infrastructure” permit or reduced permit fees
o Explore cost-share opportunities or grant program for residents to offset
infrastructure investment through (e.g. Overhead sewer cost-share program)
o Target Timeline: Research opportunities between July-September
o Potential recommendations to ESC in October; followed by Finance Committee
(Capital workshop) in November
5.Develop strategies to further reduce the City’s use and collection of single-use plastics
o Proposed Scope: Explore opportunities to reduce the City’s use of single-use
plastics (e.g. City facilities, meetings/events, etc.)
Can we eliminate use of single-use plastics at our community events?
Can we promote/incentivize special event permit holds to not sell bottled
water? What alternatives might exist?
May need to discuss with the City Council further – how far do they want
to go with banning/incentivizing these products
o Target Timeline: First quarter of 2023 for research/further policy decisions
Additional initiatives that were discussed at the last meeting:
•Discouraging vehicle idling on City Properties
•Coal tar sealants
•Community Gardening Initiative
•Conversion of Mowed Areas to Natural Areas
•Landscape Equipment recommendations (Leaf Blowers)