Sustainability Commission

MEETING MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION April 16, 2015 The Sustainability Commission met in Community Conference Room of the Village at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2015. In attendance were: Present: Don Anderson, Chairman Daniel Dorfman Laurie Leibowitz Michael Shalen Gloria Threats Jerry Witkovsky Brian Wolkenberg Absent: Richard Heller Also Present: Andrew Lichterman, Assistant to the Village Manager Approval of Minutes Commissioner Shalen motioned and Commissioner Leibowitz seconded to approve the minutes from the March 19, 2015 meeting. The minutes were unanimously approved. Public Comment There was no public comment Energy Assessment Program Chairman Anderson thanked the Energy Subcommittee for their good work on this project. Commissioner Wolkenberg presented a draft version of the website to the Committee and requested feedback. Commission members offered input and suggested ways to reformat the website so that it draws more attention. Commissioner Wolkenberg reviewed the Earth Day activity sheet that Kipling students will be completing. He noted that the Kipling PTO and Principal have reviewed the worksheet and confirmed they will be using this in the classrooms. Kipling will send an email to Kipling families tomorrow and additional materials will be made available to the students on Monday for the week of Earth Day. Commissioner Wolkenberg noted that his experience working with Kipling has been very positive. He noted the Principal is responsive and interested in promoting sustainability. Commissioner Witkovsky inquired if we could add water conservation information to the kid’s activities. Commissioner Leibowitz noted water conservation could be the next partnership with the school and if students visit the website they will get the water information as well. Commissioner Wolkenberg noted that the current activity sheet has already been approved by Kipling and he is hesitant to change it at the last minute. Commissioner Dorfman noted that being able to measure the success of the energy program is critical. He suggested receiving feedback from teachers, staff and the PTO. Commissioner Dorfman volunteered to draft a document requesting feedback. Commissioner Threats noted that a survey would be a good tool to use for feedback. Commissioner Leibowitz inquired if the website analytics can be shared. Mr. Lichterman noted that the student activity sheet contains a unique link so the Village will be able to tell exactly how many people are visiting the website from Kipling. Chairman Andreson noted that is it wonderful to have support from the school. Commissioner Leibowitz recommended adding the website Earth911.com as a resource on the recycling page. Water Assessment Update Mr. Lichterman reported that staff identified a vendor to provide the water data requested by the Commission. The data would compare a household’s water usage to other similarly sized homes. This program would be similar to the energy comparison program provided by ComEd. Mr. Lichterman noted the company that offers this program is called WaterSmart and he shared sample reports with the Commission. Staff still needs to assess the feasibility (logistics), compatibility and cost of this type of program. He noted that if this program is feasible he will arrange a demonstration and invite members of the water subcommittee to participate. He noted WaterSmart has a number of municipal clients in California. He noted the installation of Orion water meters (smart meters) will help provide accurate data. Commissioner Leibowitz noted Panera, Upper Crust and Zenglers are also good locations to post water conservation flyers. Earth Day Chairman Anderson noted that Holly Cross will be hosting activities from 1-2PM on Earth Day and has invited a member of our Commission to speak if there is interest and availability. He noted that Earth Day Proclamation will be presented to the Commission at Monday’s Village Board meeting. Commissioner Threats noted that Walgreens is hosting a spring clean-up week at the campus starting Monday. Walgreens will also be hosting an electronics collection event for employees on Monday in partnership with E- Works. Arbor Day Mr. Lichterman confirmed that he has been in touch with DHS about continuing the tree planting partnership with the Earthworks Club in celebration of Arbor Day. The event will be held at 3:15PM on Friday, April 24. Other Items Mr. Lichterman noted that a Household Chemical Waste Collection event is scheduled for July. More details will be provided closer to the event. Mr. Lichterman reported that at the April 20 meeting, the Village Board approved a 5 year extension for residential solid waste services with Waste Management. The terms include a 2 year rate freeze on refuse and recycling rate, a 1 year rate freeze on yardwaste stickers, and CPI limitations of 2.25%-3.5%. This contract extension is for 2016- 2021. Adjournment Commissioner Shalen motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Wolkenberg seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 PM. The next meeting will be held on June 4 at 7PM. Respectfully submitted, Andrew Lichterman Assistant to the Village Manager