ESC_2022_10_19 PACKET
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, October 19 – 5:00 PM
Lake Forest City Hall, 220 E Deerpath.
AGENDA
Agenda items I and II to take place at the History Center of Lake Forest / Lake Bluff at 509 E Deerpath Rd, Lake Forest, IL.
All remaining agenda items to be reviewed at City Hall (220 E Deerpath).
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
II. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (:30 for Presentation)
a. HISTORY CENTER OF LAKE FOREST / LAKE BLUFF GARDEN TOUR – Lisa Frey, Director
of Development
III. ACTION ITEMS (:10 - :15 per item)
a. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 MEETING MINUTES
b. REVIEW AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO CITY COUNCIL NET CIVIC GRANT
CONTRIBUTION, NORTH SHORE ELECTIRCY AGGREGATION CONSORTIUM (NSEAC) –
Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst
c. FOODCYCLER PILOT-COST SHARE PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION – Reagan Walsh,
Management Analyst
d. CAPTIAL PROJECTS REVIEW – Jim Lockefeer, Assistant to the Director of Public Works
IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS (:15 - :20 per item)
V. ADDITIONAL ITEMS (Packet Material Only)
a. STATUS REPORT ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
VII. NEXT MEETING DATE(S) – TBD
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Garden Tour
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 1
Monday, September 19, 2022 – 5:15 P.M. 2
IN-PERSON MEETING 3
4
5
I. ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER 6
7
Chairman Melanie Rummel called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M. Aldermen 8
Eileen Weber and Jim Preschlack were present. 9
10
Staff in attendance included Jim Lockefeer, Assistant to the Director of Public 11
Works and Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst. 12
13
II. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (:05 – :15 per item) 14
15
a. FOOD CYCLER AT-HOME COMPOSTING UNIT PRESENTATION – Alex 16
Hayman, VP Business Development 17
18
Alex Hayman, Vice President of Business Development at FoodCycler 19
Municipal Solutions attended the meeting virtually to present preliminary 20
information on the FoodCycler product and their pilot municipal program. 21
Based on FoodCycler’s current partnerships with municipalities, Lake 22
Forest demographics, and general counsel, the presentation described in 23
detail how both the product and pilot program would work and operate 24
in Lake Forest. Included in this information was accompanying financial, 25
social, and environmental impacts for the City of Lake Forest. The 26
presentation concluded with an estimated ROI (return on investment) 27
analysis. 28
29
After a lengthy discussion, the Committee had several questions for the 30
consultant, including what specific communities have implemented a 31
pilot project as presented, credibility of both the product and company, 32
functionality of the return-on-investment model, environmental impact 33
returns, and other financial cost that the city could potentially incur. 34
35
The Committee thanked Alex for attending and requested internal staff 36
review the return-on-investment model for accuracy and potential project 37
outcomes to be presented at the next Committee meeting. The 38
Committee ended the discussion with positive notes about the product 39
but emphasized the financial and environmental impacts must align to 40
consider moving forward with the project. 41
42
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 43
comments from members of the public. 44
45
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 46
47
48
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Monday, September 19, 2022
III. ACTION ITEMS (:10 - :15 per item) 49
50
a. APPROVAL OF JULY 12, 2022 MEETING MINUTES 51
52
Chairman Rummel moved to approve the July 12, 2022, Environmental 53
Sustainability Committee meeting minutes. Alderman Weber seconded 54
the motion. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 55
56
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 57
comments from members of the public. 58
59
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 60
61
62
IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS (:15 - :20 per item) 63
64
a. UPDATE ON COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT – Reagan Walsh, 65
Management Analyst 66
67
A Community Garden Program Update was presented to the Committee 68
by both staff members present. The update gave insight into what work 69
has been conducted in preparation for a potential community garden, in 70
addition to outlining the strong alignment with the city’s strategic and 71
sustainability plan. Preliminary garden details were also presented, 72
including location, acreage, financial structure, garden design, and 73
funding opportunities. The presentation concluded with a timeline of the 74
entire project, emphasizing that community feedback and 75
design/engineering work would be coming in the pending months to 76
decipher the project’s overall viability. 77
78
The Committee shared a collective interest for the project, with emphasis 79
on collaborating with the many potential community partners that could 80
assist in the preparation, operation, and promotion of the project. 81
Additional insight was given on possible funding avenues and the 82
importance of community feedback throughout the process. The 83
discussion ended with the Committee thanking the presenters, with the 84
notion that more project updates would be given at the next Committee 85
meeting. 86
87
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 88
comments from members of the public. 89
90
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 91
92
93
V. ADDITIONAL ITEMS (Packet Material Only) 94
95
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Monday, September 19, 2022
a. STATUS REPORT ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES - Jim 96
Lockefeer, Assistant to the Director of Public Works 97
98
Jim Lockefeer, Assistant to the Director of Public Works, provided an 99
update on the 2022-2023 Work Plan attached in the meeting packet. 100
Included in the Work Plan are initiatives currently being undertaken by the 101
Committee and upcoming projects slated for the next quarters. 102
103
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any additional questions or 104
comments from members of the public. 105
106
Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 107
108
109
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT 110
111
Chairman Rummel asked if there were any public comments on any non-112
agenda items. 113
114
Seeing none, Chairman Rummel moved to the next agenda item. 115
116
117
VII. ADJOURNMENT 118
119
The Committee confirmed the next meeting date for October 19, 2022, at 120
5:30PM located at Lake Forest City Hall. 121
122
Chairman Rummel moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental 123
Sustainability Committee at 7:03 P.M. seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The 124
motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 125
126
127
Respectfully Submitted, 128
129
Reagan Walsh 130
Management Analyst 131
MEMORANDUM
THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Page 1
TO: Members of the Environmental Sustainability Committee
FROM: Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst
DATE: October 19, 2022
SUBJECT: Allocation of the Annual (2022) Net Civic Grant Contribution
Purpose and Action Requested
The purpose of this memorandum is to request action on the allocation for the $90,000 Annual
Net Civic Grant Contribution the City of Lake Forest received in 2022 resulting from its Power
Supply Agreement presented at the June 21, 2021, City Council meeting.
Per the Agreement, the contributions received can be used as revenue for the City that may be
used to purchase renewable energy credits (“RECs”) and or to fund other environmentally
sensitive or sustainability-related purposes. A combination of both purchasing RECs and using
the leftover funds for sustainability-related purposes is also permitted. The City has within ninety
(90) calendar days after the conclusion of each annualized period of the Agreement term to
decide how to receive the contributions.
Recommendation
Based on conversations with North Shore Electricity Aggregation Consortium (“NSEAC”)
communities, the City’s credit rating agency, and internal City staff, it is recommended that the
City receive the $90,000 Civic Contribution in full, with the assumption as mandatory to fund
environmentally sensitive or sustainability-related projects. With several sustainability initiatives
and programs that are in progress and being developed, the funding dedicated to these projects
would have a noticeable, and direct benefit to the community.
Background
In 2011, the Cities of Highland Park, Lake Forest and Park Ridge, and the Villages of Deerfield,
Glencoe, Lake Bluff, Northbrook and Skokie formed the NSEAC through an intergovernmental
agreement. The NSEAC was established to act as a collective body of municipalities to create
and manage municipal electric aggregation services on behalf of their residents and eligible
businesses.
Since this time, the NSEAC members have formed into a new aggregation model, coined
“Aggregation 2.0”, that allows municipalities to generate new revenue that can be used to fund
municipal operations, sustainability initiatives and/or purchase RECs without risking rates that
exceed ComEd’s default rate. Under this new model, a select portion of the community’s
residential and small commercial customers, based on their average consumption, are enrolled
in an alternative supplier offering that would be equal to the ComEd default supply rate, for the
duration of the contract. Unlike the original aggregation program, this new model allows for the
savings in providing electricity to these consumers to be made available to the municipality in the
form of grant funding.
Page 2
Per the Power Supply Agreement the contributions can be used as revenue for the City that
may be used to purchase renewable energy credits (“RECs”) or to fund other environmentally
sensitive or sustainability-related purposes. The City, and all accompanying NSEAC members,
have received its first Net Civic Grant Contribution to date. All members of the NSEAC recently
met to discuss how each municipality plans to spend their funds, with all but one municipality
using the funds towards sustainability projects.
Financial Impact
The City is receiving $90,000 for the year 2022 in Net Civic Grant Contributions. Revenue is not
projected to stay at this amount in the coming years. The revenue that is earned may be used
by the City for any purpose or the funds may be applied to the purchase of RECs to reduce the
City’s carbon footprint as previously described.
Annual Net Civic Grant Contribution
•North Shore Electricity Aggregation Consortium (NSEAC) Electricity Aggregation
(2.0) Program
•2022 Annual Net Civic Grant Contribution: $90,000
•Contributions can be used as revenue for the City that may be used to purchase
renewable energy credits (“RECs”) and or to fund other environmentally
sensitive or sustainability-related purposes
•All members of the NSEAC recently met to discuss how each municipality plans
to spend their funds, with all but one municipality using the funds towards
sustainability projects
•Action Requested: ESC Committee Recommends the City receive the $90,000
Civic Contribution in full, with the assumption to fund environmentally
sensitive or sustainability-related projects.
Food Cycler
Update
10/19/22
Survey Results
•194 Responses
•Of responses, 43% currently compost, 57% do not
o Earth Machine and Backyard/Outdoor Bins are the most common ways
people currently compost
o Top reason people do not currently compost is they do not know how,
and the equipment is expensive
•56% would be interested in the product, 37% would like more
information before buying, and 7% would not be interested
o Main points of concern are size, cost, efficiency, and use of electricity
•Majority of people would like to spend under $150
•Over 150 people put contact information down
Maestro “Residential” ROI
Maestro “Municipal” ROI
Recommendations /
Thoughts
•Pilot Program not financially feasible for Lake Forest
Promotion Option
Funding opportunities
•Large interest to compost in the community
Education and convenience top components
•Continued Research!
Questions/Comments
REVIEW OF SUSTAINABILITY
ENHANCEMENTS TO CIP PROJECTS
FOR FY2024
Environmental Sustainability Committee
Wednesday, October 29, 2022
Base Budget -$750,000 (priority 1nf)
Sustainability Component Incremental Cost Increase -$50,000
•Base design will address failing City storm sewer outfalls that convey
roadway stormwater to ravines
•Projects have been combined due to their close proximity and
similar repair work
•Ravine project designs feature sustainability components
•Native plant material for project construction / slope stabilization &
stormwater flow dissipation
•Funding requested to add additional stone in the ravine beds of all
three areas
•Stone placement (based on design) in the ravine beds can help to control
fast moving stormwater and help to reduce erosion.
ROCKEFELLER / MCCORMICK / LOCH STORM SEWER RAVINE
2. McCormick1. Rockefeller
3. Loch
#1 #2
#3
Base Budget -$375,000 (priority 1nf)
Sustainability Component Incremental Cost Increase -$25,000
•The base budget to resurface the existing deteriorating Elawa parking lot as well as potential expansion to the
north in order to increase capacity
•Funding requested to install a bioswale located adjacent/downstream of the parking lot to improve stormwater
runoff quality prior to entering the Middlefork Watershed
ELAWA PARKING LOT
Base Budget -$75,000 (priority 5)
Sustainability Component Incremental Cost Increase -$50,000
•The base budget to design improvements for splash pad, ballfields, shelter/restroom, pitching mound, regional trail
connection (McClory Bike Path), fitness station, and completion of ADA trail loop and a woodland trail loop
•Project design and construction funding has been proposed through an OSLAD Grant Program
•Funding requested to complete ecological restoration of the wood before the path is installed
•Includes invasive brush removal and planting the wetland and woods with native plant species
SOUTH PARK IMPROVEMENTS DESIGN
Base Budget -$150,000 (priority 1nf)
•Entire project is sustainable
•Expansion of healthy food access highlighted in the City's long-range Strategic and Sustainability Plan
COMMUNITY GARDEN
•Motion to recommend approval to City Council the incorporation of the identified
Project sustainability components into the Capital Improvement Program
ACTION REQUESTED
Environmental Sustainability Committee
Current/Future Sustainability Initiatives & Priorities
Updated October 2022
Project/Initiative
2022 2023
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Solar Facilities on City Facilities
Community Gardening Program
Composting Program
Vehicle Idling Campaign
“Green Infrastructure” Incentives
Single-Use Plastics Discussion
Planning/Research
Presentation/Recommendation
Follow Up Actions
Current Projects/Status:
1.Greenhouse Gas Inventory
o Status: ESC Meeting in June reviewed Initial GHG report and discussed emission
reduction targets (Based on ICLEI recommendations)
o On Deck:
Develop finalized list of future actions for ESC based on ICLEI
recommendations (Oct-Dec 2022)
o Target Timeline:
Target November/December ESC meeting for follow up actions; with
follow-up to City Council in early winter (No formal action needed –
report will inform future priorities/opportunities)
2.Investigation of Solar Facilities on City Facilities
o Status: Motioned in July ESC Meeting to NOT move forward with solar facility
projects presented
o On Deck:
Investigate new opportunities for solar generation and work with the
qualified consultants to find potentially new viable options outside of the
options presented
•In particular exploring rooftop and ground mount solar options
for facilities that are not under a rider-FCA arrangement.
o Target Timeline:
Follow back with consultants, review past information, and come forward
with new plan and timeline for solar facilities in first quarter of 2023.
3.Develop Community Gardening Program
o Status: Finalize internal work committee, meet with design consultants, and
present preliminary information to ESC & necessary Department heads
o On Deck:
Send out citizen survey to gauge interest
Receive design and estimates, discuss plans in greater detail with Elawa,
work on partnerships/presentations (Civic Beauty Committee)
Capital Requests
o Target Timeline:
Initial meeting and discussion in early September, with recommendation
to ESC in late fall
4.Provide greater access to composting programs or services for residents and
businesses
o Status: Presented program to ESC, met with Food Cycler Representatives to
determine financing and program structure
o On Deck:
Present ROI Analysis to ESC
o Target Timeline:
Provide recommendations to ESC in late fall on if program is
sustainable/financially feasible
Future Projects/Initiatives (As directed by Committee in April 2022)
5.Develop plan to discourage vehicle idling on City Properties
o Proposed Scope: Explore opportunities to reduce car idling on city properties
Soft approach, signage in key areas
Collaboration with community partners
o Target Timeline: Discussions have commenced with schools and Lake Forest
Open Lands; campaign planning underway. Anticipated for discussion late
summer
6.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 September-December
o Potential recommendations to ESC in Jan-Feb
7.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 have been discussed:
•Coal tar sealants – Awaiting monitoring report from NBWW; anticipated in late fall
2022
•Conversion of Mowed Areas to Natural Areas – No update/report
•Landscape Equipment recommendations (Leaf Blowers) – No update/report