Sustainability Commission

Regular Meeting

Deerfield, IL · January 19, 2017

Minutes

MEETING MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION January 19, 2017 A meeting of the Sustainability Commission was held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 7:00 pm at Deerfield Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, at 7:00 PM in the Community Conference Room 206. Chairman Don Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. In attendance were: Present: Don Anderson, Chairman Laurie Leibowitz Brian Wolkenberg Richard Heller Gloria Threats Absent was: Daniel Dorfman Michael Shalen Chenlin Zhao Also present: Andrew Lichterman, Assistant Village Manager Approval of Minutes Commissioner Heller made of motion, seconded by Commissioner Leibowtiz to approve minutes of the December 1, 2016 Sustainability Commission meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously. Public Comment There was no public comment. Water Conservation Chairman Anderson requested the Water Subcommittee review the draft program timeline and areas of concentration document. Mr. Lichterman reported that this document is in draft form and the Subcommittee will meet in the coming weeks to refine the document. However, he noted that conceptually the document reflects the three areas of concentration that the Subcommittee and Commission agreed to pursue including: (1) water consumption/usage, (2) storm water management, and (3) toxins, chemicals and obstructions. Chairman Anderson recommended that the Household Chemical Waste collection events also be included under item #3. The Water Subcommittee will review the document in detail and report back to the Commission at the next meeting. Mr. Lichterman reported that he recently met with DHS Assistant Principal, Joe Taylor, regarding the school’s water harvesting project. At that meeting, Mr. Taylor noted that installation of the water harvesting system is estimated to cost $15,000 and inquired about possible fundraising efforts. Mr. Lichterman noted that the Sustainability Commission has a budget of $2,000 and could consider making a cash contribution, if it was the pleasure of the Commission. The Commission deliberated on the merits of a cash contribution and decided not to make a cash contribution at this time. The Commission would like to see greater momentum around this project from DHS prior to making a cash contribution. The Sustainability Commission January 19 2017 Page 2 of 3 Commission did agree however to allow DHS to sell the reusable “Green Up Deerfield” water bottles on campus and use funds raised from the sales of the water bottles to help fund the water harvesting project. Mr. Lichterman noted that during their meeting, Mr. Taylor indicated that he expects a DHS student to attend future Sustainability Commission meetings but he was unable to attend today due to his finals schedule. Commissioner Heller encouraged the group to think of ways to ensure the meetings are interesting and productive for the student. He offered to meet with the student to discuss his interests in advance of the next meeting. Commissioner Heller reported that the Water Subcommittee confirmed plans to host the Water Taste Test Challenge in the lobby of the Library on Earth Day, April 22 from 10 AM – 1PM. Energy Conservation District 109 Activities Commissioner Wolkenberg reported that the Energy Conservation Subcommittee met on 2 occasions. They held a conference call with several principles, teacher and parents to align and finalize programs across the different schools. He noted it was very positive, especially since the stakeholders at the different schools were able to share past successes and experiences. Also, Commissioner Wolkenberg and Mr. Lichterman met with District 109 Communications Coordinator, Cathy Kedjidjian, which resulted in three important outcomes: (1) Ms. Kedjidjian offered to help us identify a faculty contact at Wilmot that could help initiate energy conservation activities at the school, (2) District 109 agreed to participate in communication efforts around earth week; and, (3) District 109 would include the program topic on their upcoming administrative meeting agenda that includes the Superintendent and principals from all the schools. Commissioner Wolkenberg noted that he and Commissioner Dorfman are in discussions with the schools to refine and clarify the activities each school will undertake during earth week. He also noted that Principal McConnell at Shepard Middle School spoke very highly of last year’s presentation regarding Walgreens’ net zero store since it aligns with their curriculum very well. Commissioner Threats reported that Walgreens is interested in continuing the presentation and will work to finalize a date that works for the school. Mr. Lichterman noted that there are several activities taking place at several of the schools and offered to create a matrix to illustrate the activities for everyone’s reference. Chairman Anderson encouraged the commission to market and promote the activities effectively and then to celebrate the successes. He requested that Mr. Lichterman help create a communications plan that can outline the Village’s and school’s communication efforts. The Commission was in favor of promotional events including bringing students to a Board meeting, writing thank you notes, and presenting trophies to winners of the various classroom competitions. Comed Aggregate Data Mr. Lichterman presented 12 months of ComEd aggregate energy usage data for residents and large and small commercial customers. Commissioner Leibowitz suggesting placing the information on the website along with energy reduction tips. Commissioner Wolkenberg suggested including the information on the landing page used by the schools. Chairman Anderson observed that business use a lot more energy than residents, particularly when large and small businesses are combined. Commissioner Threats advised that Walgreens monitors energy usage at stores very closely and provides reports to the stores to encourage behavior changes that conserve energy. Sustainability Commission January 19 2017 Page 3 of 3 Walgreens Movie Night Commissioner Threats noted that Walgreens would like to plan a movie night with the Village where residents can ride electric bikes that generate electricity to power the movie as people peddle the bikes. The Commission was in favor of supporting the event and noted they would work with the Park District to find a suitable date and location. Other Items for Discussion Mr. Lichterman noted that SWALCO has secured the electronics collection program in Lake County for 2017. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for February 16. Respectfully submitted, Andrew Lichterman Assistant Village Manager

Agenda

AGENDA SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION January 19, 2017 7:00 P.M. COMMUNITY CONFERENCE ROOM 206 1. Consideration of Minutes of December 1, 2016 2. Public Comment 3. Water Conservation Program a. Review of Possible Water Programs and Timeline 4. Energy Conservation Program a. Review current status of District 109 activities b. ComEd Aggregate Data 5. Other Items for Discussion 6. Next Meeting Date and Time – February 16 MEETING MINUTES SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION December 1, 2016 A meeting of the Sustainability Commission was held on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm at Deerfield Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, at 7:00 PM in the Community Conference Room 206. Chairman Don Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. In attendance were: Present: Don Anderson, Chairman Laurie Leibowitz Brian Wolkenberg Michael Shalen Richard Heller Absent was: Daniel Dorfman Chenlin Zhao Gloria Threats Also present: Andrew Lichterman, Assistant Village Manager Joe Taylor, DHS Assistant Principal Rob Rubin, Water Conservationist Approval of Minutes Commissioner Heller made of motion, seconded by Commissioner Shalen to approve minutes of the October 27, 2016 Sustainability Commission meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously. Public Comment There was no public comment. Water Conservation Chairman Anderson welcomed Deerfield High School Assistant Principal Joe Taylor, along with Rob Rubin, a water conservationist assisting DHS. Mr. Taylor noted this year’s interdisciplinary topic will be water. Specifically, the topic of water conservation will be incorporated into all the classrooms. Mr. Rubin reported that he spent a lot of time in Israel successfully bringing the topic of water conservation into the schools. It is a salient issue in Israel as the country is a leader in water conservation. He noted water conservation programs are in place in 150 schools in Israel and they use water harvesting as a means of teaching water education. It is a very hands on activity and has successfully been adapted to work for all age levels. He described the process of water harvesting whereby the schools collect water in settlement tanks, the water then gets filtered and flows into collection tanks for repurposing. Mr. Rubin’s partner on these activities is an Israeli microbiologist that developed the water harvesting system. He has installations in Kenya, Israel, and most recently San Diego. Mr. Taylor noted DHS has committed to pilot testing the water harvesting system this year and estimates start-up costs to be approximately $15,000. He noted there is a lot of support a district level and sees a great benefit to partnering with the Village. He noted the instillation will occur in the atrium near X Hall, which is adjacent to the school’s garden. Long term they would like to create a greenhouse at the school that can utilize the water. This project will occur Sustainability Commission December 1, 2016 Page 2 of 2 over several years. The hope is that the Village can also find ways to repurpose the water that is harvested through the school’s collection system. Chairman Anderson thanked Mr. Taylor and Mr. Rubin for their report and assured them of the Village’s interest in partnering around this endeavor. Mr. Lichterman noted that students are welcome to tour the Village’s Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) as well. Mr. Taylor stated he would schedule a time for the classes to tour the WRF. Commissioner Leibowitz shared a variety of sustainability practices she found by searching various municipal websites including Oak Park and Evanston. Mr. Lichterman noted that he is preparing a draft timeline of activities centered around water conservation for the Commission’s review. Commissioner Leibowitz noted that the timing of the activities will largely be driven by the seasons. Commissioner Heller noted that he began discussions with the Library regarding hosting a Water Taste Test Challenge in their lobby on Earth Day. The Commission supported the initiative and requested Mr. Lichterman prepare a draft press release for use in the Library’s newsletter promoting the event. Energy Conservation Commissioner Wolkenberg reported the subcommittee met with many of the district 109 schools. He confirmed that a variety of activities have been created for the various grade levels. Activities include an essay contest, lighting technology demonstrations, and a presentation by Walgreens on their net zero store. Wilmot School is the only one that has yet to confirm their participation. Commissioner Wolkenberg will work to identify an appropriate contact at Wilmot to garner interest. Commissioner Wolkenberg will convene a meeting with the various stakeholders from the schools and try to finalize everyone’s participation level by the end of January. Chairman Anderson thanked the subcommittee for their good work and asked that they let the Commission know how they can help. Commissioner Wolkenberg noted they can use assistance defining the marketing and awareness plan. He suggested utilizing the various Village platforms as well as the schools’ social media presence. He noted that the Commission could also brainstorm ways to celebrate the success in the classroom. Commissioner Wolkenberg noted that the subcommittee is trying to setup a meeting with District 109 staff to review the programs. Mr. Lichterman noted that he would reach out the District and organize a meeting. Mr. Lichterman reminded the Commission to take pictures of any events they participate in as this will help with future promotions. As a follow-up to an inquiry at the last meeting, Mr. Lichterman confirmed that he will be able to obtain the Village’s aggregate electricity data from ComEd. He will plan to share the data at the next meeting. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for January 19. Respectfully submitted, Andrew Lichterman Assistant Village Manager TOPIC WATER CONSERVATION GROUP SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AUDIENCE RESIDENTS 1. WATER USAGE 2. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT 3. TOXINS/CHEMICALS/OBSTRUCTIONS Encourage water conserva on Educate about impacts of storm water Raise awareness re: impacts of toxins and obstruc ons 1A. IRRIGATION SYSTEM 2A. ILLEGAL CROSS‐CONNECTIONS 3A. DON’T BE A SWIFFER FLUSHER Smart irriga on sensors Iden fy storm vs. sanitary water; unnecessary Remind residents TP only in the toilet and associated costs treatment $ to ou it facili es with chopper pumps 2A. FAUCETS/FIXTURES 2B. RAIN GARDENS/ NATIVE PLANTS 3B. PESTICIDES/HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS & PROD. Low ﬂow faucets, watersense labels, toilet leak How to DIY and associated beneﬁts of rain gardens Natural gardening solu ons vs. fer lizers/pes cides and DRAFT detec on tablets. Keyword: Reduce alterna ves to harsh household cleaning chemicals 3A. WATERFOOTPRINT 2C. RAINBARRELS 3C. ELECTRONICS RECYCLING Do you know how much water you use in a year? Available retailers/sales. Keywords: Storage, reuse, Keep material out of landﬁll and thus out of waterways recycle TIMELINE January – D‐Tales Ar cle: (1) “Don’t be a Swiﬀer ﬂusher” (2) alterna ves to harsh household chemical cleaning supplies February ‐ March – D‐Tales Ar cle: World Water Day (March 22). Focus a en on on the importance of freshwater and advoca ng for sustainable management of freshwater resources. April – Hands On Ac vi es: (1) Water Taste Test Challenge @ Library ‐ Earth Day Saturday, April 22. (2) Tree Plan ng ‐ Arbor Day April 28. May – D‐Tales Ar cle: (1) SWALCO Rain Barrel Sale. (2) Illegal Cross Connec on June – D‐Tales Ar cle: Na ve plants to promote storm water management, monarch bu erﬂies and migratory birds. July ‐ August – Hands on Ac vity: (1) Water Taste Test Challenge @ Farmers Market September – October – D‐Tales Ar cle or Hands On Ac vity: Water Footprint Calculator (personal, business, product) November ‐ D‐Tales Ar cle: Water and Food. h p://www.unwater.org/topics/water‐and‐food/en/ December ‐ Hands on Ac vity: The Earth As an Apple – Use the apple as a model of the earth, cut the apple into slices to represent the diﬀerent parts that make up Earth Resources: h p://www.onewater.org/uploads/site_assets/knowater_V10.pdf h p://waterfootprint.org/en/ ComEd Aggregate Data 14,000,000 12,000,000 10,000,000 KwH Usage 8,000,000 RESIDENTIAL LARGE COMM INDUST 6,000,000 SMALL COMM INDUST 4,000,000 2,000,000 0 September '14 October November December January February March April May June July August September '15