Environmental Citizen's Committee Meeting

Environmental Citizen's Committee Meeting Madison Heights, Michigan July 10, 2025 A Environmental Citizen's Committee Meeting was held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM at City Hall - Madison Room, 300 W. 13 Mile Rd. Present: Chairman Salley and Members: Ms. Bartleman, Ms. Bowen, Ms. Ellison, Ms. Fox, Councilor Rohrbach (left @ 10:36 a.m.), and Ms. Studtmann Absent: Ms. Lagos Also Present: Director of Public Services Ballantine and Deputy City Clerk Boucher ECC 21-25. Minutes Motion to adopt the minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 10, 2025, with the following amendments: Motion by Ms. Bartleman, seconded by Ms. Bowen, to approve $1,000 organization ECC Mini-Grants to John Page Middle School in the Lamphere School District and Wilkinson Middle School in the Madison School District, and to approve $222 residential ECC Mini- Grants to Cameron Knight, Deborah Shepard, James Willis, Katie Urban, Kathy Bogden, Katie Smith, Kimbery Oprins, Matt Harris, and Samantha Morey. Voting Yea: Bartleman, Bowen, Salley, Studtmann, Ellison, and Rohrbach Absent: Fox and Lagos Motion Carried. Motion made by Councilor Rohrbach, Seconded by Ms. Bartleman. Voting Yea: Bartleman, Bowen, Ellison, Fox, Rohrbach, Salley, and Studtmann Absent: Lagos ECC 22-25. Meeting Open to the Public Emily Freeman, resident, thanked the committee for all their hard work. Erika Wilkins, resident, inquired about an apartment recycling program. 1 ECC 23-25. Financial Update - Escrow Account Director of Public Services Ballantine updated that there's $13,595.09 in the escrow account. The starting balance was $13,706 from flower sales and fundraising. ECC 24-25. Part 115 Materials Management Plan Director of Public Services Ballantine had no further updates, the plan is focused on solid waste reduction and food compost diversion. ECC 25-25. Seed Library Ms. Fox informed everyone that the seed library was on display at the Run for the Health of It on Saturday, April 26th, and the Plant Sale on Sunday, May 25th. Ms. Studtmann suggests participating in the Community Habitat Improvement Grant Program (CHIPs) with Oakland County. She shared about the Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission (FESC) Wildflower Seed Giveaway. ECC 26-25. Food Composting Director of Public Services Ballantine updated that the pilot program at the Department of Public Services (DPS) has three food compost carts and one at Fire Station One. He spoke about Zach Spector from “Make Food not Waste” to set up cost free curb side and start a pilot program in Madison Heights. ECC 27-25. Tree Grant Director of Public Services Ballantine talked about the federally funded Tree Planting and Inventory Program through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Recently, the City Council approved the Grant Agreement for the MDNR Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant in the amount of $119,350. They also approved the Professional Services Agreement with Davey Resource Group in an amount not to exceed $52,000. The grant will help pay for the 150 trees to be planted in the right of way for the Tree Replacement Program, the city park trees, and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) trees. Residents may sign up for the Tree Replacement Program with the following link: https://www.madison-heights.org/839/Forestry-Division Ms. Bartleman suggests a mow higher program for the city. Councilor Rohrbach suggests the Community Habitat Improvement Grant Program (CHIPs) for Civic Center Park. 2 ECC 28-25. ECC 2025 Workplan Director of Public Services Ballantine reviewed the Environmental Citizens Committee (ECC) 2025 Workplan which includes the following: 1) Sustainability and Energy Plan 2) Natural Environment and Ecosystems 3) Pollinator Protection 4) Resident and Business Education and Awareness. He asked the committee members to email him any questions or suggestions. The committee will revisit and adopt the workplan at the next regular meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Residents may email DPS @Madison- Heights.org with nominations for the City Beautification Awards. ECC 29-25. Apartment Recycling Director of Public Services Ballantine talked about the Madison Heights Trash & Recycling Cart Program. He plans to reinstate the apartment recycling drop off center with the new program. Recycling goes to Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC) in Southfield or to the Green for Life (GFL) Environmental in Pontiac. Erika Wilkins, resident, mentioned the City of Midland offers recycling collection once per month for residential customers on the same day as their refuse. They have alternate recycling resources with Midland Recyclers and Arnold Center. ECC 30-25. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Salley adjourned the meeting at 11:13 a.m. The next meeting is Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 10 a.m. Phommady A. Boucher Deputy City Clerk 3