ESC_2024_11_07 PACKET
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
November 7, 2024 – 3:00 P.M.
Lake Forest City Hall, 220 E Deerpath
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
II. ACTION ITEMS
a. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 13, 2024 MEETING MINUTES
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. SUSTAINABILITY FUNDING FOR CIP
b. COMPOST PROGRAM UPDATE
c. SWALCO UPDATE
d. SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES PRIORITIZATION
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
V. NEXT MEETING DATE(S)
VI. ADJOURNMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 – 7:30 A.M.
Municipal Services Building, MS Training Room – 800 N. Field Drive
DRAFT
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Alderman LeVert made a motion for Alderman Clemens to serve as
temporary Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC).
Alderman Clemens seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously
by voice vote.
Chairman Clemens called the meeting to order at 7:30 A.M. Alderman
Alice LeVert was present. (Alderman Nancy Novit later arrived at 7:57 A.M.)
Staff in attendance included George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager.
II. ACTION ITEMS
a. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 8, 2024, MEETING MINUTES
Alderman LeVert moved to approve the April 8, 2024, meeting minutes.
Alderman Novit seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously by
voice vote.
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. ORANGE BAG RECYCLING
Dan Martin, Superintendent of Public Works, provided a summation of the
upcoming September rollout of the Orange Bag Program for hard to
recycle plastics in partnership with SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake
County). The program will be voluntary to residents and no cost to the City.
Orange bags will be available for residents to purchase at Jewel and used
to accumulate plastics such as Ziploc bags, plastic wrapping, Styrofoam,
etc. Residents can then drop off filled, orange bags at the Compost and
Recycling Center. The filled containers will then be driven to Northbrook LRS
for the Hefty ReNew program to recycle into usable resin. Emphasis on
community communication and program education was noted.
b. ELECTRIC AGGREGATION 2.0 POTENTIAL EXTENSION
Assistant City Manager Issakoo provided an overview of the electric
aggregation program which began nearly three years ago and is set to
expire October 2024. The City maintains two relationships: one with the
Consortium and another with MC2, the provider. Proposed one year
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Page 2 of 3
extension until October 2025, giving time to assess program viability and
other potential options.
c. RECYCLING IN THE PARKS/PUBLIC AREAS
Dan Martin recapped the recycling success rates and various can types
placed at the parks, beach, Market Square, and train depot locations. The
recycling at these public areas has been mostly halted due to high
contamination rates - greater than 50%. When a high contamination rate
occurs, recyclers reject the recycling loads, and the trash is ultimately
thrown away. High contamination rates lead to higher costs and when
coupled with lower recycling material markets, the return on investment is
poor. Ultimately, contamination rates need to lower to less than 20% to
reinstate these recycling cans.
Special bottle- and can-only recycling containers were placed at Townline
Community Park and at Deerpath Community Park beginning in March
2024. These new containers have experienced high contamination as well.
Discussion regarding capital investment for additional containers ($600-
$1,600/can) versus focusing on further education of the public. Various
educational opportunities were mentioned including handouts, stickers,
leveraging interns, SWALCO, and relaunching the Bart the Cart campaign.
Alderman LeVert raised concerns that further recycling education might
not help – the City may be able to influence resident’s recycling practices
at home, but trying to educate park visitors could prove futile. Time and
energy would be better spent by shifting focus to other environmental
sustainability projects that might have a higher success rate.
d. BOTTLE FILL STATION PROJECT UPDATE
Assistant City Manager Issakoo prefaced the discussion with a brief review
of City staff initial research results. Notable roadblocks to the installation of
bottle fill stations throughout the City park system include: high retrofit
associated costs (masonry, electric, plumbing) and, in some cases,
potential detrimental impact to installation areas.
Erik Huston, Supervisor of Building Maintenance, led further discussion of
options with an eye to installing stations that are ADA compliant. Other
factors under consideration include the amount masonry and plumbing
work required, non-electric stations, and winterization needs. Huston
proposed installation at the East and West train stations utilizing in-house
personnel.
Further Committee discussion focused on three main points for
consideration:
Environmental Sustainability Committee Minutes
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Page 3 of 3
1. New parks and builds should incorporate bottle filling stations in
City planning and project budgeting.
2. Viability of specialized water-filling trailers at large City events.
3. Prioritizing installation sites by seeking guidance from the City
Parks and Recreation Department based on site usage and
popularity.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public were present.
V. NEXT MEETING DATE(S)
The Committee confirmed the next meeting will occur during October 2024
at Lake Forest City Hall. Assistant City Manager Issakoo will send out
potential meeting dates.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Novit moved to adjourn the meeting of the Environmental
Sustainability Committee at 8:29 A.M. seconded by Alderman LeVert. The
motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah Hunter
Administrative Assistant