Citizens' Environmental Commission

City of DeKalb Citizen Environmental Commission Minutes of July 9, 2015 The meeting was called to order at 4:33pm. Members present: Bill Oleckno, Linda Yates, Dan Kenney, Mark Hein and Nancy Proesel. Ken Koch arrived at 4:39pm. Staff: Jennifer Diedrich, City Liaison. Ex Officio Member: Michelle Gibson, DeKalb County Health Department. Public: Clare Kron Approval of Agenda: Dan Kenney moved to approve the agenda, and Mark Hein seconded the motion. Agenda approved by voice vote 6-0. Approval of Minutes: Mark Hein moved to approve the June 4, 2015 minutes, as amended, seconded by Nancy Proesel. Minutes were approved, as amended, by voice vote 6-0. 1. Chair Oleckno called the meeting to order and asked if there was any public comment or news. 2. Linda Yates reported that Pat Inman sent an email that we did not receive the Broadband Innovation Grant that was intended for the food hub. Dan Kenney said that the application made it to the final rounds for consideration and that we were encouraged to apply again. Linda Yates reported that Pat Inman and colleagues from the Center for Governmental Studies plan to apply for the 2015 Telligen Community Initiative grant. 3. Dan Kenney announced that he was honored to be chosen as a keynote speaker at the Illinois Renewable Energy Fair held at the Ogle County Fair grounds in Oregon, IL. The topic is “Building Resilient Communities in Turbulent Times” and the date will be August 22nd or 23rd. and time is to be determined. 4. Jennifer Diedrich reported that the budget for fiscal year 2016 passed and $2500 is allocated for the commission. Bill Oleckno asked about the status of obtaining an intern and Jennifer Diedrich said she would look into that. Bill Oleckno noted that there has not been notice of the commission’s upcoming meetings in the newspaper and Jennifer Diedrich said she would notify the newspaper. 5. Michelle Gibson reported the Shoe Share program collected 400 pairs of shoes that will be distributed at the Back to School Bash on August 6, 2015 from 9am to 7pm at the Health Department campus. She also reported that the Zero Waste Committee will have its first meeting on August 6, 2015 at 2pm at the Health Department. The Zero Waste Committee is comprised of restaurant and business owners, some individuals that were on the Zero Waste Task Force and is open to the public. The focus for the first year will be to initiate an organic food scrap recycling program and to work with Waste Management and their pilot program. The meetings will be quarterly. 6. Jennifer Diedrich reported that the city plans to hire the new public works director by November, 2015 and that this person would replace her as the city liaison for the Citizen Environmental Commission. 7. Under Commission Business, Bill Oleckno asked if anyone had any updates for the Sustainable Master Plan. Linda Yates reported for Goal 8: food security and healthy living, that Eat Local DeKalb County is assisting with this goal by connecting the community to local farmers and healthy food. Patty Ruback (founder of Eat Local) and Renee Kopulos met with Lisa Cummings, Community Health Liaison, regarding the possibility of a farmers market in the parking lot at Kishwaukee Hospital. Linda Yates reported that she met with Patty Ruback and Renee Kopulos expressing concern that some vendors at the farmers markets are not selling local produce and that some local farmers are being turned away due to these vendors taking available spaces. 8. Dan Kenney reported that there will be a Food Security Summit in October at Kishwaukee Hospital. Also, cooking classes on healthy eating are taught by Jo Cessna on the second Tuesday of each month at the new Leishman Center for Culinary Health at Kishwaukee Hospital. 9. Under other business, there was discussion on the article sent by Dan Kenney regarding recycling issues in America. Michelle Gibson reported that CRTs will no longer be accepted at the county electronics recycling program; however, Best Buy will accept CRT that are 32 inches and smaller. Michelle Gibson will share the 20 Year Solid Waste Plan update with Commission members via email. 10. Ken Koch reported on a new solar power law in Illinois which will provide rebates that reduce payback and offer tax credits and renewable energy credits. 11. Bill Oleckno asked that the information Dan Kenney sent regarding a sustainability guide from CMAP be addressed on the agenda for August. CMAP published a Sustainability Indicators Guide that provides guidelines that may help our commission to monitor and track the Sustainable Master Plan for the City of DeKalb. 12. Bill Oleckno reported about DeKalb’s 10-year strategic plan and asked members to attend the community conversations and provide input. Jennifer Diedrich reminded commission members that they are subject to OMA guidelines. To view the calendar of meeting times and to reserve your seat visit www.cityofdekalb.com/808/2015-Strategic-Plan. 13. The date for the next meeting will be August 6, 2015 at 4:30pm. 14. Ken Koch moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:25pm. Mark Hein seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted by Linda Yates Secretary, Environmental Commission Minutes approved at the September 3, 2015 regular meeting by voice vote.