ESC_2024_04_08 PACKET
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
April 8, 2024 – 5:15 P.M.
Lake Forest City Hall, 220 E. Deerpath
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
II. ACTION ITEMS
a. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 22, 2024 MEETING MINUTES
III. INFORMATION ITEMS
a. UPDATE ON EARTH MONTH ACTIVITIES
IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. MOBILE WATER STATION
b. SUBSIDIZED RAIN BARRELS SALE
c. SINGLE USE PLASTICS
d. SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
VI. NEXT MEETING DATE(S)
VII. ADJOURNMENT
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, January 22, 2024 – 5:15 P.M.
Lake Forest Municipal Services, 800 N Field Drive
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chairman Eileen Weber called the meeting to order at 5:22 P.M. Aldermen
John Powers and Nancy Novit were present.
Staff in attendance included George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager and
Melissa Laird, Management Analyst. Two members of the public were
present.
II. ACTION ITEMS
a. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 10, 2023, MEETING MINUTES
Alderman Novit moved to approve the October 10, 2023, meeting minutes.
Alderman Powers seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously
by voice vote.
III. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
a. CURBSIDE COMPOSTING INITIATIVE – Tommy Vaughan, Business Operations
Advisor, WasteNot Compost
Mr. Vaughan provided a program update; highlights included:
o 169 total participating households, 96 on bi-weekly service and 69
on weekly service. The average participating household has
composted 109 pounds of waste.
o 18,456 total pounds have been composted from Lake Forest homes
as of 1/19/24, which is equivalent to 830 gallons of gas saved and
18,028 miles of driving offset.
Mr. Vaughan noted there was a large uptick of signups after the mailer was
sent out in September. Discussion ensued on a Lake Forest Love blog story
in April highlighting the program and diversion metrics for Earth month. Staff
will also include a feature in the upcoming E-news.
Discussion ensued on an iPad-based kiosk with mobile signups, which could
be used at Elawa Farms, City Hall, or other community spaces to help get
the word out. Mr. Vaughan noted a planned event with the Library
scheduled for April 20, and also suggested showcasing the WasteNot
electric van at Fleet Day in June.
Discussion ensued regarding increased participation with local businesses
and growing commercial services, especially at restaurants that have
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Monday, January 22, 2024
Page 2 of 4
special events with “family style” meals. There is significant potential with
Lake Forest College and Elawa Farm, both of whom have expressed
interest.
Mr. Vaughan will continue to meet with interested stakeholders, including
the garden clubs, local schools, and businesses, with a big push during Earth
Month. Will report back to the Committee in the fall with a program update.
b. LAKE FOREST COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE
Assistant City Manager Issakoo provided background and a brief overview
of the timeline and next steps for the Community Garden located in the
southwest corner of Townline Park at 1555 Kennedy Road.
Staff determined the total area initially selected was too large, and
modifications were made to the overall scope. A conceptual preliminary
design was then completed by Chalet Nursery, with construction costs
ranging from $150,000 to $180,000. The current plans encompass 30,000
square feet and include (26) 4x12 raised beds and (16) 10x12 in-ground
beds. Trenched fencing is a significant portion of the proposed cost, along
with the stainless steel raised beds and necessary earthwork.
An in-depth discussion ensued, and the Committee expressed several
concerns including: ongoing maintenance responsibilities, configuration
and added costs of raised beds vs. in-ground beds, manpower to oversee
and implement lease agreements with tenants, operating rules, not
enough demand from the overall public, and the suitability of a
“destination park” like Townline. Furthermore, the initial working capital
required for the current design would absorb most of the sustainability fund
when there are many worthy projects for the Committee to consider.
The Committee agreed that additional public input is required and
directed staff to offer an online “pulse survey” followed by a formal
community presentation in early-Summer. Topics to address and better
understand include rental fees and operating rules, the ideal number of in-
ground beds vs. raised beds, a preferred location, and the overall priorities
and philosophy of interested participants. Further discussion with Elawa
Farm to better understand their goals and vision for a partnership is also
needed.
The Committee emphasized fiscal stewardship and taking a calculated
approach. Next steps for the Garden will be determined after the
community presentation in early-Summer, with a tentative goal of Spring
2025 for ground-breaking.
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Monday, January 22, 2024
Page 3 of 4
IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. SUSTAINABLILTY SURVEY RESULTS
Assistant City Manager Issakoo discussed the results, explaining how the
survey has historically been used as a tool to help the Committee gain a
better understanding of both the City Council’s current knowledge of
environmental issues and assess the Council’s level of interest in potential
policies and initiatives. The top strategic focus areas identified are Energy
Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Stormwater Management, and Water
Usage, with the following priorities outlined:
Enhance communication and education campaigns regarding best
practices in water conservation, outdoor irrigation, and water reuse.
Seek ways to further educate riparian (ravine) owners regarding
ravine and bluff maintenance.
Develop strategies to further reduce the City’s use and collection of
single-use plastics.
Continue to educate Lake Forest residents on recycling practices to
reduce the City’s recycling contamination rate.
Offer rebates or incentives for residential and business solar
opportunities.
Increase access to open spaces through safe and expanded
walking/bike trail connections throughout the City.
Create a Climate & Resilience plan to quantify associated risks and
opportunities.
The Committee will continue to utilize the survey results to prioritize future
projects utilizing available sustainability funds.
V. ADDITIONAL ITEMS
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairman Weber asked if there were any public comments on any non-
agenda items.
One comment was made by a member of the public regarding the City’s
No-Idling Initiative, with a suggestion to revisit this topic. The Committee
agreed and requested that staff place a temporary sandwich board sign
at Starbucks (Western Ave) in anticipation of their “grand reopening” on
February 1.
Seeing no further comments, Chairman Weber moved to the next agenda
item.
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Monday, January 22, 2024
Page 4 of 4
VII. NEXT MEETING DATE(S) – APRIL 8, 2024
The Committee confirmed the next meeting date for April 8, 2024, at 5:15
P.M. located at Lake Forest City Hall.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Weber moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental
Sustainability Committee at 6:44 P.M. seconded by Alderman Powers. The
motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Laird
Management Analyst