Sustainability Committee

MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE February 18, 2026 City Hall, 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, IL 1. Call to Order Amy Olson called the meeting to order on 6:12 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Crystal Lake City Hall. 2. Roll Call/Attendance Present were the following Committee members: Amy Olson, Dean Farr, Terry Dieckhoff, Emilie Hoffman, and Jennifer Oliver. Members of the public in attendance: Community Development Analyst Victoria Wojcik and Youth Empowerment Alliance (YEA) Founder, Alex Campbell. 3. Public Comment There was no public comment during this meeting. 4. Approval of Minutes from the January 21, 2026 Meeting Terry Dieckhoff made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2026 Sustainability Committee meeting. Emilie Hoffman seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, motion passed. 5. In Progress Events 2026 Victoria Wojcik provided the Committee members a working list of events for 2026 that the Committee has discussed about participating in. She explained that the dates provided in the calendar are not all finalized, and that the events are subject to change based on the Committee member’s availability and other opportunities that may arise. Jennifer Oliver suggested the next Adopt-A-Highway cleanup event for the Committee should be May 20. The Committee members agreed. 6. Litter Clean Up Initiatives A. Youth Empower Alliance Victoria Wojcik introduced Youth Empowerment Alliance Founder Alex Campbell, who presented the topic for the 2026 Youth Empowerment Alliance conference, which is focused on litter cleanup throughout the community. The YEA has partnered with the BREAK teen center in Crystal Lake alongside other organizations within McHenry County to help develop an issue the youth in the area are passionate about and create solutions to these issues. Alex and the Committee members discussed how youth participants can collaborate with the Committee’s efforts by helping locate new spaces for City-owned trash cans or to help provide ideas to attract youth through social media and community events. The Committee also stated that the YEA participants are welcome to participate in litter cleanup events hosted by the Sustainability Committee.  B. Independent Litter Program Victoria Wojcik shared that the documents covering the Terms and Conditions and Hold Harmless Agreements for the Independent Litter Cleanup are progressing. Emilie Hoffman provided a Strategy document outlining ideas for the independent litter program, including supplies, inventory checking procedure, branding, and engagement. Jennifer Oliver expressed ideas to create a “litter bug” mascot that could potentially be the branding of the program. This mascot can be advertised through social media posts, newsletter articles, and at community events the Committee attends. Dean Farr also stated that promoting the program as doing something for the community is a powerful message to the public, which can inspire them to make a difference by participating in the program. Emilie Hoffman stated that the instruction and tracking sheets on the litter supply kits should be vibrant and engaging for people of all ages. Victoria Wojcik said that she will work on getting the supplies. Once the supplies, instruction sheets, and branding are finalized, the new program can open to the public. The Committee decided on assigning these tasks to members so that the program would be ready by March. C. Chamber of Commerce Earth Day Cleanup Event The Committee members discussed their availability to attend the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Earth Day Cleanup Event on April 18, 2026. The Committee members also further discussed the engagement element of their table that will be at the event. Amy Olson said that she would reach out to various businesses in town to request donations of coupons to hand out at the table. Emilie Hoffman also stated that having an independent litter cleanup program supply bucket on display at the table would also be a great advertisement for the program. Jennifer Oliver also proposed the idea of creating stickers with the program’s mascot or logo at the event to entice youth. 7. Mayor’s Monarch Pledge A. Action Item Progress Victoria Wojcik presented a list of the 2026 Mayor’s Monarch Pledge action items. No updates have been made so far. Emilie Hoffman discussed how a few action items would benefit from staff feedback, such as learning about the City’s park master plan, sustainability plan, or other similar plans to see how monarch conservation can be included. Dean Farr also suggested that the Committee must reach out to City staff to hear about mowing regulations for City owned vacant lots. 8. Yearly Report Review Finalization Victoria Wojcik presented the final version of the yearly report that showed what the Sustainability Committee accomplished in 2025. 9. Next Meeting: March 18, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. 10. Adjourn There being no further business, Terry Dieckhoff moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Jennifer Oliver seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, all voted aye. Meeting adjourned.