Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION September 7, 2017 The Citizens’ Environmental Commission held a regular business meeting on September 7, 2017, in Council Chambers at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Chairman Kenney called the meeting to order at 4:11 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 _ Clare Kron _ Michael Lundgren X Bill Oleckno X Sharon Skala X Ann Shult The following ex-officio members were present (indicated by x): X Melissa Burlingame, Northern Illinois University X Amy Doll, DeKalb Park District X Michelle Gibson, DeKalb County Health Department _ Mike Holland, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS MOTION - To approve the agenda. Chair Kenney moved to add Announcements to the agenda before item I. Next Meeting and to add 3. At Your Door Program under H. Old Business. Mr. Hein moved to approve the motion, seconded by Ms. Shult. Agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. C. PUBLIC COMMENT Ron Cress addressed the Commission. He lives at 3060 Wedgewood Drive in DeKalb. He has been cited for not complying with the City’s weed ordinance; Chapter 12, Section 12.01 Nuisances Declared, Paragraph 22. Weeds and Chapter 24 – Building Code, Section 302.4 Weeds. Mr. Cress expressed his concern with having a setback of 24 inches along all property lines as proposed by the Commission. He is in the process of placing a border of Carex Pennsylvanica (common name Oak Sage or Penn Sage) in this area of his property. Mr. Cress also talked about the citation he received from the City, which alleges his sump pump Citizen Environmental Commission September 7, 2017 Page 2 of 4 discharge is killing his neighbors birch tree. Mr. Cress showed a picture of the neighbor’s yard with standing water after the hard rain on July 21. Mr. Cress also mentioned there are several diseases that are attacking evergreens in our area. Mr. Cress described his court appearance on August 14. After his court appearance he met with City officials who asked him if he would agree to what he had offered a couple of months ago including a 2-foot set back. Mr. Cress said the 2-foot setback really bothers him. He asked, “Why single out native plants for special borders?” D. APPROVAL of MINUTES from August 10, 2017 and August 30, 2017 MOTION to accept minutes of the August 10, 2017 Regular Meeting Mr. Oleckno moved to approve, seconded by Ms. Skala. Minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote. MOTION to accept minutes of the August 30, 2017 Special Workshop Ms. Skala moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Hein. Minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote. E. COMMISSION REPORTS 1. DeKalb County Health Department: Michelle Gibson The collection of corn for composting during Cornfest was a success. There were challenges in that volunteers had to help people understand what they were being asked to do and how to do it. DC Trash, the new contractor, did a good job. Free Electronics Collection event is Sept 30 and October 28. See link below. http://dekalbcounty.org/health/environmental/pdf/electronics-collection.pdf 2. DeKalb Park District: Amy Doll The Nature Trail Restoration Draft Plan will be discussed by the Park District Board on September 21, 2017. Public comments are welcomed. The Park District will be reviewing their 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan and their Master Plan. The District will be evaluating how much property needs to be mowed. They will be considering pollinator meadows. 3. NIU: Melissa Burlingame Ms. Burlingame reports that the NIU Green Team is considering a bike sharing program. The Green Team is working on ideas to get the word out about their organization and their mission. The Environmental Studies office is moving to Montgomery Hall. The Green Lens Environmental Film Series at the Egyptian Theater is starting September 21. The schedule for the series can be obtained at http://egyptiantheatre.org/events-schedule-2/ The Green Team is working on a web-based environmental resource center for northern 2 Citizen Environmental Commission September 7, 2017 Page 3 of 4 4. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District: Michael Holland No report. 5. City Staff Liaison: Tim Holdeman The resurfacing of IL 23 is continuing with evening lane closures. City street maintenance projects are wrapping up. Construction on the Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Multi-Use Path is progressing nicely. It should be substantially completed by winter and ready for the public next spring. F. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Sandra Davis and Meryl Domina of Kishwaukee 350 “A Local Agenda for Climate Action” The guests were in attendance at the request of Mayor Smith to discuss the Global Covenant of Mayors. They presented information concerning climate change and the Global Mayors Compact. http://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org/ Mr. Hein asked what the Commission can do to further this cause. Discussion followed with commission members discussing topics such as zero growth, greenhouse gas reduction, smart cities, and minimizing carbon footprints. Ms. Skala agreed to gather more information concerning the program and report back to the Commission next month. G. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion of Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayor’s Challenge DeKalb has signed on to the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayor’s Challenge. We are one in 300 communities. The first round will involve submitting a proposal with a budget. The project being considered will be on the topic of Food Insecurity. H. OLD BUSINESS 1. Discussion & vote on adjustments to MC. Ch.12; 22 weeds Discussion began by Chair Kenney stating that the next step, if acceptable to Commission, will be to send the Draft changes to the Ordinance to City Staff. Mr. Oleckno pointed out that on page 3 the authoritative source had not been cited. Mr. Cress raised the question about what type of materials are allowed in the 24-inch set back areas. MOTION to approved Draft changes to the Ordinance and send to the Mayor. Mr. Koch moved to approve, seconded by Ms. Skala. Motion was approved unanimously by voice vote. 3 Citizen Environmental Commission September 7, 2017 Page 4 of 4 2. Update on Progress on the City Sustainability Plan Ms. Gibson sent updates to Chair Kenney and Mr. Holdeman. Mr. Holdeman indicated he would update the plan with Ms. Gibson information. 3. At-Your-Door Program Chair Kenney asked if there was any comments related to the presentation by Waste Management representatives concerning the At Your Door Program. Ms. Skala said she thought the program was a good one at $1.25 per month. Mr. Holdeman explained that the program would be considered as part of the City’s next refuse contract that will be awarded in August 2018. I. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Shult moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Oleckno. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Chair Kenney declared the meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: OCTOBER 5, 2017 AT 4:00 P.M. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Public Works Director Minutes Approved October 5, 2017 4