Sustainability Commission

MEETING MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION May 23, 2013 The Sustainability Commission met in Community Conference Room of the Village at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2013. In attendance were: Present: Don Anderson, Chairman Laurie Leibowitz Jerry Witkovsky Absent: Brian Wolkenberg Glen Schwartz Amy Parker Michael Shalen Also Present: Gloria Threats, Sustainability Coordinator, Walgreens 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. Appointments/Introductions Chairman Anderson reported that Michael Shalen was appointed to the Sustainability Commission by the Village Board at the May 20 meeting. Report of Earthworks Assistant Lichterman reported that the Earthworks Club assisted Village staff with the planting of a Swamp White Oak tree at the south entrance to Deerfield High School in celebration of Arbor Day. 12 high school students joined Principal Griffith and Mayor Rosenthal for the planting. Goal Setting Chairman Anderson reviewed the goals the group chose to focus their efforts on during that last meeting. Those goals were to (1) increase energy conservation and (2) to increase water conservation. Chairman Anderson requested that the group try to establish specific objectives/tasks to utilize in order to reach their two goals. Commissioner Leibowitz reported that she did some research and found that the National Research Defense Council and the EPA have resources that can help the Commission meet their goals. She noted they have resources for securing safe water, and cities can achieve specific certifications and receive recognition. Commissioner Witkovsky reported that he reached out to Home Depot to inquire about energy efficiency programs. He noted that Mr. Lichterman has had follow-up contact with Home Depot and there is a possibility for a partnership to be created to share sustainable information that would benefit the community. Chairman Anderson asked Ms. Threats to report on some of the sustainable initiatives Walgreens is pursuing. Ms. Threats reported that Walgreens recently held a Household Electronics Collection in their parking lot. They teamed up with the Village and SWALCO and the event was a great success. She noted they now have recycling throughout their campus as well as two electric vehicle charging stations. She noted the charging stations are used regularly and the campus security uses an electric vehicle. She reported Walgreens is building their first “net-zero waste” store in Evanston and it is expected to open this fall. She highlighted irrigation pilot program that is starting in Florida. She noted Walgreens is retrofitting their irrigation systems so that they turn on automatically and water on-demand, only when the atmospheric conditions are appropriate for watering. Chairman Anderson was interested in the irrigation pilot program and would like to see how something like this can be studied by the Village. Chairman Anderson requested Mr. Lichterman to gather water usage information for the Commission to review. Chairman Anderson would like to review trends in water usage and compare residential water consumption to commercial water consumption. Commissioner Witkovsky reported that he would like to see the Commission get the schools, park district and chamber involved in the Commission’s initiatives. Commissioner Leibowitz added that the homeowners associations should be included as well. Chairman Anderson recapped by noting that the Commission will further review irrigation systems and potential savings, while also reviewing residential/commercial water usage trends. He noted this will allow the Commission to define the significance and opportunity for water conservation for all types of water users. Ms. Threats reported she will provide the Commission with more information on the Walgreens irrigation pilot program at an upcoming meeting. Commissioner Witkovsky reported that he would provide the group with the checklist/report that is used by Coromandel for their water leakage inspections. Chairman Anderson noted that at the next meeting he would like the Commission to discussion potential objectives/tasks to evaluate the second goal, which is energy conservation. Commercial Franchising Update Mr. Lichterman reported the Public Hearing is being held on June 17 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the regular Board meeting. He noted that if the Board authorizes issuance of the RFP, staff will have up to 120 days to issue the RFP. Chairman Anderson reported that he would be present at the meeting to make a comment in favor of commercial franchising on behalf of the Sustainability Commission. Mr. Lichterman reported that the DBR Chamber of Commerce and SWALCO will also be present at the meeting to make comments in favor of the initiative. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Mr. Lichterman reported that a mandatory site visits with potential bidders was held on May 13 at the Rosemary Parking lot. 7 bidders were present to review the site. Bids are due on June 14, 2013. Other Items for Discussion Mr. Lichterman reported that a Household Chemical Waste Collection is scheduled for July 6 at Deerfield High School. Don Anderson reported that Deerfield has improved their 40% recycling rate from the #10 community last year to the #5 community this year. Next Meeting Date and Time The next meeting date will be June 19th at 7PM in the Community Conference Room. Adjournment Commissioner Leibowitz made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Commissioner Witkovsky. The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Andrew Lichterman Assistant to the Village Manager