Sustainability Committee Meeting

MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE September 25, 2024, City Hall, 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, IL 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:39 p.m. Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at Crystal Lake City Hall by Ryan Oates. 2. Roll Call/Attendance Present were the following Committee members: Amy Olson, Jen Oliver, Stephen Platt, Terry Dieckhoff, and Emilie Hoffman. Members of the public in attendance: Assistant to City Manager Ryan Oates. 3. Public Comment There was no public comment. 4. Approval of Minutes from the August 21, 2024 Meeting Amy Olson made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2024 Sustainability Committee meeting. Jen Oliver seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, motion passed. 5. Litter Clean Up Initiatives A. Trash Can Locations Ryan Oates shared that LRS has all of the trash cans that the City has placed on their list to pick up. He stated that there are currently four locations that are a part of this initiative. Amy Olson recommended that the Sustainability Committee puts a design on the trash can or sign to make it more fun to throw away the garbage. The Committee discussed different designs to put on there. Ryan Oates asked if there are other locations that should have a trash can. Amy Olson stated that on Walkup near downtown coming from Crystal Lake Central, there is a lot of trash that accumulates. Stephen Platt asked if there was a way to track the amount of trash that is being picked up. Ryan Oates stated not to his knowledge but he can check with LRS to track how much is being picked up at individual trash cans. Emilie Hoffman inquired if we can put recycling bins near the trash cans for litter collection. Ryan Oates stated we can look into it, but it might be hard since if trash goes into the recycling, then everything in that can is considered trash. Emilie Hoffman shared that there are a lot of people who have signed up for the Community Clean up with Immanuel Lutheran School. She shared that there will be a few groups at Park District parks and a few throughout the City. Amy Olson asked if she can share the list of areas that they are picking up at and Emilie confirmed that she would. 6. Strategic Plan Discussion A. Mission Statement Stephen Platt discussed his thoughts on what should be included in the strategic plan. His first thought was that the Committee should work on getting students involved to work on sustainability projects. He shared that the City should look into measuring energy efficiency, canopy projects and water projects in the community. He further stated that the City should work with ComEd or McHenry County to help out with the energy audit. Jen Oliver asked if there was a club or a class at the high schools that would be interested in helping with sustainability projects. She stated that there could be a scholarship or money budgeted for the projects. Emilie Hoffman stated that the commission can maybe reach out to the Eagle Scouts with different projects. Amy Olson shared that another thing that students can help out with is determining the cost of putting solar panels on roofs. 7. Mayors Monarch Pledge The Committee discussed the Mayors Monarch Pledge Action Items. They went through the list and discussed items that have been achieved already and ones that will be achieved before the end of the year. The first item that was talked about was giving away plants at the Johnny Appleseed Festival which would satisfy one of the action items. There was also discussion regarding gardens and communication. Due to working with other garden groups and posting on social media, that satisfies those action items. Carol Elkins checked in on the Homeowners Association research and Ryan Oates stated he is working on doing the research and asked the committee to share any ideas they have to put in the letter when he reaches out to them. The Committee discussed a few other items that have been satisfied or need to be satisfied. Amy Olson brought up the idea of creating a handout for when contractors or residents are applying for permits to talk about sustainability practices. Jen Oliver asked if there was something that was already created that we can use instead of having to recreate it. Amy Olson also recommended that the handout has links to resources that contractors or residents can use. Jen Oliver also suggested that these links and resources should get connected to the Clearly Crystal Lake website. 8. Johnny Appleseed Festival September 28, 2024 Ryan Oates stated that the Johnny Appleseed Festival is coming up on September 28, 2024. He shared that he will be bringing a table, chairs, tent, and giveaways. Jen Oliver asked if there will be a compost bin that can be set out by the sustainability committee table. Ryan Oates stated he was unsure if LRS is providing compost bins, but he stated he will look into it. Ryan Oates shared that the plants for the giveaway are not individually packaged so it will be difficult to give them away. Emilie Hoffman and Jen Oliver recommended purchasing small eco-friendly bags to give them away in. The Committee further discussed the times, giveaways and who will be running the table. 9. Open Discussion There was no open discussion. 10. Next Meeting: October 16, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. 11. Adjourn There being no further business, Amy Olson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Terry Dieckhoff seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, all voted aye. Meeting adjourned.