Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Special Workshop Session Wednesday, August 30, 2017, 4:00 p.m. Municipal Building, City Council Chamber The Citizens’ Environmental Commission special workshop session on August 30, 2017, in Council Chambers at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chairman Kenney called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Citizens' Environmental Commission were present (indicated by x): X Mark Hein X Dan Kenney (Chair) X Ken Koch X Clare Kron X Michael Lundgren X Bill Oleckno X Sharon Skala _ Ann Shult The following ex-officio members were present (indicated by x): X Melissa Burlingame, Northern Illinois University X Amy Doll, DeKalb Park District _ Michelle Gibson, DeKalb County Health Department X Mike Holland, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION - To approve the agenda. Mr. Koch moved to approve the motion, seconded by Ms. Kron. Agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. C. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments. D. DISCUSS AND DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGEES TO THE CITY OF DEKALB MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 12:22 “WEEDS” Chair Kenney announced that Mr. Cress’ issue with the City had been resolved, so there is no urgency in submitting the draft ordinance to the City. Mr. Oleckno introduced his draft ordinance. Citizen Environmental Commission – Special Workshop August 30, 2017 Page 2 of 3 The group discussed several aspects of the draft ordinance, making changes along the way. The final draft ordinance follows. DRAFT Proposed Revisions to Chapter 12, "Nuisances," Paragraph 22 August 30, 2017 ##. Overgrown Vegetation. To permit any grass or plants, other than trees, bushes, flowers, or other ornamental plants, including native plantings, to grow to a height exceeding eight (8) inches anywhere in the City, or to permit any premises to become overgrown with vegetation such that the same become a potential health or safety hazard to the community. 22. Noxious Weeds. To permit the growth upon any premises in the City of any noxious weeds as defined by the State of Illinois Noxious Weed Law; to permit the growth of additional noxious plantings such as buckthorn, bull nettle, burdock, Canada thistle, cocklebur, curled dock, dodders, field bindweed, giant foxtail, hoary cress, jimson weed, johnson grass, leafy spurge, ox-eye daisy, perennial sow thistle, quack grass, ragweed, Russian knapweed, sweet clover, wild carrot, wild garlic, wild mustard or other invasive species; ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Municipal Code - City of DeKalb Chapter 24, “Building Code” 302.4 Noxious Weeds and Overgrown Vegetation. Amended as follows: All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth, except for native plantings, in excess of eight (8) inches. All noxious weeds and overgrown vegetation shall be prohibited in accordance with Chapter 12 paragraphs 22 and ##. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property. If the owner or agent fails to pay the costs of such removal, said costs shall be a lien on the property. 302.4.1 Native Plantings. Native plantings are encouraged in accordance with the City of DeKalb Sustainability Plan approved on ##/##/####. Native plantings are classified as native to the region in accordance with [need an authoritative citation here]; Setbacks of at least 24 inches are maintained along the outside perimeters of all property lines, except when adjacent to permanent natural areas, such as retention pond fringes, parks, and forest preserves; borders, consisting of low-growing plantings, mulch, or structurally-sound materials, are provided around the outer edges of all native plantings in the front and side yards of a premise. I. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Oleckno moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Hein. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Chair Kenney declared the meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m. 2 Citizen Environmental Commission– Special Workshop August 30, 2017 Page 3 of 3 NEXT REGULAR MEETING: SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 AT 4:00 P.M. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Public Works Director Minutes Approved September 7, 2017 3