Citizens' Environmental Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION June 7, 2018 The Citizens’ Environmental Commission held a regular business meeting on June 7, 2018, in Council Chambers at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. Vice-Chair Kron called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Citizens' Environmental Commission were present (indicated by x): Dan Kenney (Chair) X Ken Koch X Clare Kron (Vice-Chair) X Bill Oleckno X Sharon Skala X Ann Shult The following ex-officio members were present (indicated by x): X Amy Doll, DeKalb Park District X Mike Holland, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District X Melissa Burlingame, Northern Illinois University X Lacey Carlson, DeKalb County Health Department B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION - Ms. Shult moved to add Discussion of Coal Tar Asphalt under New Business and approve the revised agenda. Motion seconded by Ms. Skala. Revised Agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote. C. PUBLIC COMMENT None. D. APPROVAL of MINUTES MOTION – To approve minutes. Vice-Chair Kron moved to approve the minutes of April 5, 2018, seconded by Ms. Shult. Minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote. E. COMMISSION REPORTS 1. DeKalb County Health Department: Lacey Carlson Vice-Chair Kron introduced new ex-officio member Lacey Carlson. Commission members introduced themselves and welcomed Ms. Carlson. Ms. Carlson discussed the County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection day on May 19. 255 cars drove through the collection area and 7,200 pounds of HHW were collected. An E-Waste collection day was held June 2 and 346 cars drove through the collection area. There will be another E-Waste collection day on Sept. 22. The Shoe Share event is running from May 25 to July 20. Distribution will be August 2. West Nile traps have been set out. Citizen Environmental Commission June 7, 2018 Page 2 of 3 2. DeKalb Park District: Amy Doll Nature Trail Restoration Project – restoration to start in the fall. Prairie Park Days – volunteers removed invasive plants. Camp Out at Prairie Park – June 22 -24, the public is invited to camp and experience camping, staying overnight is not required. Sign up online, camp out includes all activities, snacks dinner and breakfast. 3. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District: Michael Holland Wildflowers are coming up along the bike path in the areas newly planted this year. Construction of the new facilities including permeable pavers is progressing well. Electric vehicle charging stations will be installed. 4. Northern Illinois University: Melissa Burlingame NIU Green Team – Sustainability: Two students are active in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability (AASHE). There will be two new interns for the fall. Environmental Management Classes: they will be developing a management plan for Watson Creek / East Lagoon. Ms. Burlingame is asking students to get involved. College of Engineering is reviewing solar-related projects. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Coal Tar Asphalt Discussion Mr. Koch explained that recent studies suggest a common sealant using coal tar contains hazardous chemicals that elevate lifetime cancer risk. Some cities, including Deerfield, Illinois, are banning its use. Mr. Oleckno inquired if ban would be on residential use, or just commercial use. Mr. Koch indicated that he thought it was just commercial use. Ms. Burlingame noted that if banned, then monitoring would be needed and monitoring may be cost prohibitive. Mr. Holland suggested employing education and awareness strategies to control use. Mr. Oleckno asked about the downside of using non-coal tar asphalt. Mr. Koch agreed to develop a draft ordinance for the Commission’s review. G. OLD BUSINESS 1. LED Streetlight Discussion ComEd provided some information but was not available in time for this meeting. Commission will discuss at next meeting. 2. Vegetation and Managed Natural Landscape Ordinance – City Attorney’s Comments and Vote Mr. Oleckno suggested a few minor edits to the Ordinance. Ms. Shult asked if there were any glaring errors in the document. Mr. Oleckno indicated that he thought the document was a workable compromise. Mr. Koch indicated that he considered the ordinance a reasonable compromise with reasonable restrictions and a great deal of freedom for residents to embrace native plantings. MOTION - Ms. Shult moved to accept the Ordinance with the Commission’s minor comments to be addressed and recommend approval by City Council. Ms. Skala seconded the motion. The Ordinance was approved unanimously by voice vote. 2 Citizen Environmental Commission June 7, 2018 Page 3 of 3 3. Chapter 50 Revisions – City Attorney’s Comments and Vote Mr. Oleckno submitted some minor edits. MOTION: Mr. Koch moved to approve the Ordinance with minor edits. Motion was seconded by Ms. Shult. The minor edits to the Ordinance was approved unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: Ms. Shult moved to add language suggested by the City Attorney as follows: "Notwithstanding any contrary City policy, code, ordinance, resolution or regulation, funds raised by the Committee pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to any language imposing a requirement for maintenance of a minimum fund balance, nor for maintaining any minimum fund balance amount in excess of anticipated/planned appropriations or expenditures." Motion seconded by Mr. Oleckno. The Ordinance was approved unanimously by voice vote. 4. Food Security Amendment Update & Discussion Vice-Chair Kron reported that she is continuing discussion regarding food security and will update the Commission in future meetings. 5. CEC logo Ms. Shult agreed to request the High School Drafting Department for assistance. Mr. Oleckno will check his files for logo documents. 6. Other Sustainability Plan Updates None. H. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Oleckno reminded the Commission there is an open position on the Commission that needs to be filled. Next Meeting: Thursday, July 5, 2018, 4:00 pm I. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Shult moved to adjourn the meeting, and Mr. Koch seconded. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Vice-Chair Kron declared the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Staff Liaison Approved by Voice Vote on August 9, 2018 3