Sustainability Commission

MEETING MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION April 11, 2013 The Sustainability Commission met in Community Conference Room of the Village at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013. In attendance were: Present: Don Anderson, Chairman Laurie Leibowitz Brian Wolkenberg Jerry Witkovsky Absent: Mike Loeffl Glen Schwartz Amy Parker Also Present: Alex Behn, Earthworks Representative Alexis Lavalliere, Earthworks Representative Andrew Lichterman, Assistant to the Village Manager Approval of Minutes The minutes were not approved due to a lack of quorum. Public Comment There was no Public Comment. Goal Setting Chairman Anderson presented a revised document outlining the Commission’s approach/mission, potential goals, and objectives/tasks to reach those goals, based on the discussions at the last meeting. He noted the Commission should focus on practical goals that will move the mission and vision of the Commission forward and lead the group through a goal setting exercise in order to evaluate which goals the Commission should work towards achieving. During the exercise, the group evaluated four goals: 1. Increase Recycling 2. Increase Energy Conservation 3. Improve “Green” Deerfield 4. Increase Water Conservation The group evaluated the goals based on four criteria to determine which ones would be most practical and beneficial to the Village. The four criteria were: 1. Importance to the Board of Trustees 2. Feasibility (12 & 24 month) 3. Benefits to Stakeholders 4. Value to Deerfield The Commission concluded that based on their goal setting exercise (1) increasing recycling and (2) increasing water conservation were the two highest priority goals and that the Commission members would vote on adopting these goals at the next meeting. Commissioner Leibowitz volunteered to research “best practices” related to energy efficiency. Commissioner Witkovsky volunteered to contact Home Depot to inquire about programs or services they offer to residents or if there is an opportunity for them to partner with the Village. Earth Day/Arbor Day Chairman Anderson reported that Earth Day is April 22 and Arbor Day is April 26. Chairman Anderson will be attending the April 15 Board meeting to receive a Proclamation from the Village Board. Assistant Lichterman noted that a Swamp White Oak Tree is being planted in the parkway of Deerfield High School on Arbor Day and the Earthworks Club is invited to participate. Alex and Alexis of the Earthworks Club stated they are excited to participate in the tree planting on Arbor Day and reported on other Earthworks’ initiatives they have participated in. They noted the Earthworks Club hosts a beach cleanup day in Glencoe and conducts water tests and collects trash. This event is put on twice a year. Commercial Franchising Update Chairman Anderson requested an update on the commercial franchising initiative. Mr. Lichterman reported the second business subcommittee meeting was on April 3. He noted the businesses’ input has been beneficial and helped strengthen the language of the contract. The contract is now being amended and will be sent to the Village Attorney for review. Mr. Lichterman reported the Public Hearing is being held on June 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Chairman Anderson is invited to attend and make a comment on behalf of the Sustainability Commission. The Village is considering issuing the RFP jointly with Bannockburn if it works out logistically and is in the best interest of the Village. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Chairman Anderson requested an update on the electric vehicle charging station project. Mr. Lichterman reported a consortium of communities are working together to issue a RFP, which will be posted later this month. The participating communities include Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Skokie. The Village is contemplating installation of charging station and the Rosemary Parking Lot at the northwest corner of Deerfield Road and Rosemary Terrace. Commission Comments Commissioner Wolkenberg reported the Electric Vehicle Car Forum has been cancelled. He noted the interest was there but due to the short time frame the Committee has a difficult time securing commitments. Commissioner Witkovsky inquired about the wholesale water rate increase the Village is receiving from the Village of Highland Park. Mr. Lichterman confirmed Highland Park is expected to issue wholesale water rate increases to Deerfield and other communities for the next few years, as they begin to pay down the debt from the construction of a new water plant. He noted that Deerfield residents are proposed to receive a 2.5% increase as part of the upcoming budget. Commissioner Witkovsky distributed information from the Coromandel Condo Association that included information about water conservation and leak detection. He suggested posting information similar to this on our website. Chairman Anderson reported the Manpower Commission will be conducting candidate interviews on April 24 and the Sustainability Commission should be able to fill some of its vacancies shortly thereafter. Next Meeting Date and Time The next meeting date will be May 23rd at 7PM in the Community Conference Room. Adjournment Commissioner Leibowitz made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Commissioner Wolkenberg. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Andrew Lichterman Assistant to the Village Manager