ESC_2023_07_17 MINUTES 1
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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 3
Monday, July 17 – 5:00 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 CALL 10
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Chairman Eileen Weber called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. Aldermen John Powers and 12
Nancy Novit were present. 13
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Staff in attendance included George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager and Reagan Walsh, 15
Management Analyst. Several members of the public were present. 16
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II. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 19
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III. DISCUSSION ITEMS 22
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a. LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL SUSTAINABILITY SURVEY 24
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Chairman Weber introduced the Lake Forest City Council Sustainability Survey to the 26
Committee, explaining how the survey has historically been used as a tool to help the 27
Committee gain a better understanding on both the City Council’s current knowledge 28
of environmental issues and assess the Council’s level of interest in potential policies 29
and initiatives. She further explained how the Committee will assess future sustainability 30
initiatives through a weighted prioritization scale formed from the collected survey 31
responses that will be shared in a future Committee meeting. 32
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Before approving for the survey to be sent out, Chairman Weber asked Committee 34
members for any edits, enhancements, or questions regarding the survey process and 35
draft. Seeing none, she moved to the next agenda item. 36
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IV. ACTION ITEMS 39
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a. APPROVAL OF APRIL 17, 2023, MEETING MINUTES 41
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Alderman Novit moved to approve the April 17, 2023, Environmental Sustainability 43
Committee meeting minutes. Alderman Powers seconded the motion. The motion 44
carried unanimously by voice vote. 45
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b. RECOMMENDATION TO REQUEST REALLOCATION OF UP TO $20,000 OF GRCORPS 48
BUDGETARY FUNDS FOR CURBSIDE COMPOSTING INCENTIVE 49
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Reagan Walsh, Management Analyst, provided an update on the Curbside 51
Composting Initiative. Before discussing the incentive program, Mr. Walsh gave an 52
update on the current progress of the program including a tentative program rollout 53
start date for the first week of September and the planned WasteNot and City 54
marketing and promotion efforts to encourage program participation. 55
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The Committee provided numerous suggestions regarding program rollout and 57
promotion including recommending delaying the start date of the program until 58
September to avoid holiday, school, and vacation conflicts with residents. 59
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Regarding the incentive program, Mr. Walsh explained that offering a sign-up 61
promotion for residents, businesses, and schools in other communities had seen previous 62
success with other WasteNot clients. Mr. Walsh suggested that up to $20,000 of 63
allocated GRCorps Program funding could be considered for an incentive program 64
given the money could no longer be used due to the program being discontinued. 65
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After an in-depth discussion on the size, scope, and timeline for the possible incentive 67
program, the Committee recommended approving reallocation of the full $20,000 of 68
GRCORPS funds towards the Composting Program. That said, the Committee requested 69
staff gather data on the interest of the program from local businesses and schools 70
before determining what, if any, dollar incentives may be awarded from the 71
reallocation. The Committee further recommended staff calculate an estimated cost of 72
the curbside program service at possible City facilities, with anticipation that part of the 73
newly dedicated funding could go towards these costs if deemed appropriate. The 74
Committee further clarified that by recommending reallocation, it does not guarantee 75
funds will be used towards the incentive program unless found appropriate. Alderman 76
Novit moved to approve the recommendation with the caveats mentioned, Alderman 77
Powers seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 78
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Chairman Weber asked if there were any public comments. One member of the public 80
commented that involving the schools in the service program would be highly 81
beneficial for both marketing, education, and sustainability reasons. Another member 82
of the public asked for more detail regarding the school composting program, staff was 83
requested to follow up with further details and share back. 84
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Seeing no further comments, Chairman Weber moved to the next agenda item. 86
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V. ADDITIONAL ITEMS 89
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VI. PUBLIC COMMENT 92
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Chairman Weber asked if there were any public comments on any non-agenda items. 94
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Several comments were made by one of the members of the public present. Included in 96
the comments were the need for expansion of recycling opportunities and availability at 97
City events and spaces, with the possibility for the City to provide recycling containers and 98
signage that provide greater instruction on proper recycling. 99
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The Committee agreed that recycling opportunities and availability should be expanded 101
at City events and spaces, and requested City staff look into the issue further. 102
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Seeing no further comments, Chairman Weber moved to the next agenda item. 104
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VII. NEXT MEETING DATE(S) – OCTOBER 2, 2023 107
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The Committee confirmed the next meeting date for October 2, 2023, at 5:00PM located 109
at Lake Forest City Hall before the City Council Meeting that night. 110
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Weber moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental Sustainability 115
Committee at 5:59 P.M. seconded by Alderman Novit. The motion carried unanimously by 116
voice vote. 117
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Respectfully Submitted, 120
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Reagan Walsh 122
Management Analyst 123