Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION March 2, 2017 The Citizens’ Environmental Commission held a meeting on March 2, 2017, in the Haish Conference Room at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chairman Oleckno called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Citizens' Environmental Commission were present: Bill Oleckno, Ken Koch, Clare Kron, Ann Shult, Mark Hein, Melissa Burlingame (ex-officio), Amy Doll (ex- officio) and Tim Holdeman (City Liaison). Members Absent: Dan Kenney, Michael Lundgren, Sharon Skala, Mike Holland (ex-officio), and Michelle Gibson (ex-officio). Ashrafunnesa Flora (intern candidate), Dale Osterle (resident) and Anna Marie Coveny (Director of the DeKalb Area Women's Center) were present. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION - To approve the agenda with the following changes: Move Item F. Old Business to before C. Public Participation and Announcements and remove Item E.1. Light Pollution Control Ms. Kron moved to approve the motion, seconded by Mr. Koch. Agenda with changes was approved unanimously by voice vote. F. OLD BUSINESS 1. Update on Student Interns (Volunteers) Chair Oleckno reported that 9 applications were received, 2 applicants took paid positions, and 2 were interviewed. Internship has been offered to Ashrafunnesa Flora. 2. Update on Retention Pond Issue Seven letters sent on January 17, 2017. One positive response. Chairman Oleckno will follow up. Citizen Environmental Commission March 2, 2017 Page 2 of 4 3. Update on CEC Logo and Website Chair Oleckno reported that Mr. Lundgren is preparing for an all-day Earth Day event (April 22) at the DeKalb Public Library. The Library is teaming with Waste Management and the Citizens’ Environmental Commission in preparing displays, presentations, forums, posters and handouts. Ashrafunnesa Flora volunteered to help. 4. Update on Share-A-Bag Program Ms. Kron received 25 extra bags. Currently looking for another location to put a bin. Group discussed several possible locations. Ms. Kron will continue her efforts to educate the public about why the bags are important. Mr. Hein volunteered to donate weights to place in the bins. Ms. Gibson mentioned the County Health Department does have a budget to purchase more bags. Chair Oleckno will look into if tips/donations for more bags can be accepted. 5. Update to Native Plant Presentation The group discussed how to promote native plants. It was suggested to have a workshop during the Green Living Festival. 6. Update to Sustainability Plan No update. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION/ANOUNCEMENTS Anna Marie Coveny brought before the Commission her concern regarding the City’s request to cut down the plantings in the rain garden at the DeKalb Area Women's Center. She indicated that a neighbor had complained about the height of the “weeds” and that the City asked her to have them cut down. Ms. Coveny asked the Commission to assist her in having the City look at the opportunity for ordinance allowing rain gardens. A group discussion followed. D. APPROVAL of MINUTES for January 5, 2017 MOTION Mr. Koch moved to approve, seconded by Ms. Shult. Minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote. E. NEW BUSINESS 2. Verifying Past Recipients of P.R.I.D.E. Awards Chair Oleckno asked if anyone could verify the listing that was distributed. Chair Oleckno and Mr. Holdeman will investigate past records. 2 Citizen Environmental Commission March 2, 2017 Page 3 of 4 3. DeKalb Strategic Plan and the Citizens’ Environmental Commission Mr. Holdeman presented the City of DeKalb’s Strategic Plan with specific reference to how the plan addresses environmental sustainability. The references to environmental sustainability in the plan are in Vision A: A Vision of a Sense of Place, specifically, Goal 4 - Conserve, protect and enhance DeKalb’s natural resources. The plan identifies leveraging local environmental expertise to implement the City’s Sustainability Plan and using municipal resources to encourage sustainable practices. 4. Commission Goals Chair Oleckno presented proposed changes to the Commission Goals, namely removing the sentence “To date, efforts in this regard have been somewhat thwarted in large part due to limited resources and the long turnaround time involved in making changes to existing Web content.” from Goal 4. MOTION Mr. Koch moved to approve the suggested deletion, seconded by Ms. Kron. Motion was approved unanimously by voice vote. G. COMMISSION REPORTS 1. City Staff Liaison: Tim Holdeman Mr. Holdeman reported that the old Otto’s will be demolished and a new commercial/residential building will be constructed at the corner of First and Lincoln Highway. 2. DeKalb County Health Department: Michelle Gibson No Report 3. DeKalb Park District: Amy Doll No Report 4. NIU: Melissa Burlingame No Report 5. DeKalb Sanitary District: Michael Holland No Report 6. Communications Subcommittee: Clare Kron No Report H. NEXT MEETING: April 6, 2017 at 4:00 PM 3 Citizen Environmental Commission March 2, 2017 Page 4 of 4 I. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Shult moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Koch. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Chair Oleckno declared the meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Public Works Director Minutes Approved April 6, 2017 4