Sustainability Commission

MEETING MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION October 15, 2015 The Sustainability Commission met in Community Conference Room of the Village at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2015. In attendance were: Present: Don Anderson, Chairman Daniel Dorfman Richard Heller Laurie Leibowitz Michael Shalen Absent: Gloria Threats Jerry Witkovsky Brian Wolkenberg Also Present: Andrew Lichterman, Assistant to the Village Manager Approval of Minutes Commissioner Leibowitz motioned and Commissioner Shalen seconded to approve the minutes from the September 17, 2015. The minutes were unanimously approved. Public Comment None Energy Assessment Program Chairman Anderson reported that the Kipling PTO continues to support the direction of the Commission. A meeting is being scheduled with all the principles. More information will be provided next month. Water Assessment Update Chairman Anderson requested Commissioner Leibowitz to share her findings regarding the public’s perception about bottled water. Commissioner Leibowitz noted she was able to find research articles on both sides of the issue. She noted the proponents of bottled water note there are few cases of illness associated with bottled water consumption and lot more cases of illness from public water systems. They note the public water distribution system is susceptible to environmental intrusions and is vulnerable to contamination. The opponents of bottled water cite the lack of transparency and compliance with federal and state regulations as a cause for concern in addition to the environmental impacts. Additionally, it is almost impossible to get a water quality report from bottled water manufacturers, which are regulated by the FDA, compared to the annual water quality report provided by public water systems, which are regulated by the EPA. A second research paper focused on consumer perceptions of water quality was discussed and offered the following findings:  Perceptions of poor groundwater and surface water quality represent a higher risk in drinking water and therefore are associated with a higher likelihood of purchasing bottled water  Residents of larger communities were found to be more likely to be primary bottled water users.  Younger people and females are more likely to purchase bottled water  The relationship between environmental attitudes and bottled water use was not significant. Consumers with strong overall concern about the environment do not seem to transfer this concern to pollution and waste problems associated with purchasing bottled drinking water.   Residents of Midwest and west mountain regions were far less likely to use bottled water for primary drinking purposes. The research paper offered two key implications: 1) Public health officials and community leaders need to work to assure that public municipal drinking water supplies are safe; in addition, they should find effective ways to communicate to local residents the safety of their water supply; and 2) Environmental leaders and activists need to campaign about the long lasting impacts of plastic water bottles. Commission Heller noted plasticides in the bottle are potentially leachable into the water particularly if stored at high temperature for an extended period of time. Commissioner Heller inquired how much water is consumed in the Village of Deerfield. Commissioner Dorfman suggested including information in the next water quality report asking residents about their bottled water consumption. Commissioner Leibowitz noted she has experience working with Northern Illinois University to help conduct citizen surveys. Mr. Lichterman suggested the Commission use this information to decide is a plastic water bottle educational campaign is a worthwhile endeavor for the Commission to pursue relative to their goals related to water consumption. Mr. Lichterman noted the reports also suggested filtering the municipal water prior to consumption. Commissioner Dorfman suggested partnering with plumbers around a water filtration system program. Commissioner Leibowitz suggested pursuing an “even handed” approach that discusses the pros and cons of municipal and bottled water, rather than a recommendation. Commissioner Heller noted that he believes the Village Board looks to us to be the experts on the topic and for that reason he would prefer to make a recommendation. Chairman Anderson concurred as long as the recommendation is credible and based on facts. The group discussed finding data relative the bottled water consumption and researching if any other communities have been successful with a similar campaign. Chairman Anderson also requested that Commissioner Leibowitz reach out to the sociologist that authored the paper regarding consumer perceptions for additional information. Mr. Lichterman noted that Sports Authority was agreeable to partnering around a re-useable water bottle campaign, if the Commission wanted to pursue that around Earth Day. The Commission expressed interest in touring the Highland Park Water Plant. Mr. Lichterman noted he would try to arrange a tour, potentially in lieu of a November meeting. Other Items AMLI Mr. Lichterman noted the Commission has been invited to attend the AMLI open house on Oct. 29 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Energy Efficiency RFIQ Mr. Lichterman noted that proposals have been submitted and a subcommittee is meeting tomorrow to begin reviewing the documents. Adjournment Commissioner Heller motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Dorfman seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Andrew Lichterman, Assistant to the Village Manager