Environmental Citizen's Committee Meeting

Environmental Citizen's Committee Meeting Madison Heights, Michigan January 08, 2026 An Environmental Citizen's Committee Meeting was held on Thursday, January 08, 2026 at 10:00 AM at City Hall - Madison Room, 300 W. 13 Mile Rd. Present: Chairman Salley and Members: Ms. Bartleman, Ms. Ellison, Ms. Fox, Councilor Geralds (left @ 10:49 a.m.), Mr. Olson, and Ms. Studtmann Absent: Ms. Bowen, Councilor Rohrbach, and Ms. Wilkins Also Present: Director of Public Services Ballantine and Deputy City Clerk Boucher ECC 01-26. Excuse member(s) Motion made by Ms. Fox, Seconded by Councilor Geralds, to excuse Ms. Bowen, Councilor Rohrbach, and Ms. Wilkins from today’s meeting. Voting Yea: Bartleman, Ellison, Fox, Salley, Studtmann, Olson, Councilor Geralds Absent: Bowen, Councilor Rohrbach, Wilkins Motion carried. ECC 02-26. Minutes Motion made by Mr. Olson, Seconded by Ms. Studtmann, to adopt the minutes from the Regular Meeting of October 9, 2025, as presented. Voting Yea: Bartleman, Ellison, Fox, Salley, Studtmann, Olson, Councilor Geralds Absent: Bowen, Councilor Rohrbach, Wilkins Motion carried. ECC 03-26. Meeting Open to the Public Ms. Cathy Ellison suggested forming a citizen or youth group for periodic litter pickup, specifically noting accumulation behind Home Depot and Lowe's. Mr. Matthew Olson suggested creating an event around Earth Day. ECC 04-26. City Clean Up Subcommittee Motion by Mr. Olson, Seconded by Ms. Ellison, to approve a City Clean Up subcommittee consisting of Mr. Olson and Ms. Ellison with an event date of Saturday, April 18, 2026. Voting Yea: Bartleman, Ellison, Fox, Salley, Studtmann, Olson, Councilor Geralds 1  Absent: Bowen, Councilor Rohrbach, Wilkins Motion carried. ECC 05-26. Financial Update - Escrow Account Director of Public Services Ballantine updated that the current balance in the escrow account is $11,645.59 following the payment for native plant seed packets. ECC 06-26. Part 115 Materials Management Plan Director of Public Services Ballantine reported that Oakland County is beginning to reach out to local communities regarding the solid waste law updates. A Zoom meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss high-level management goals focused on diverting waste from landfills and supporting a circular economy. ECC 07-26. Seed Library Ms. Studtmann updated that a shipment of 1,000 "Madison Mix" custom native plant seed packets from Stantec Native Plant Nursery is expected to arrive shortly. Motion made by Ms. Fox, Seconded by Mr. Olson, to approve the Spring Plant Sale date of Sunday, May 24, 2026. Voting Yea: Bartleman, Ellison, Fox, Salley, Studtmann, Olson, Councilor Geralds Absent: Bowen, Councilor Rohrbach, Wilkins Motion carried. Motion made by Mr. Olson, Seconded by Ms. Ellison, to approve a $500 budget for an Earth Day speaker on native plants. Voting Yea: Bartleman, Ellison, Fox, Salley, Studtmann, Olson, Councilor Geralds Absent: Bowen, Councilor Rohrbach, Wilkins Motion carried. ECC 08-26. Food Composting Director of Public Services Ballantine reported the pilot program continues to perform well, with approximately 3.5 tons of food waste diverted from landfills during the 2025 calendar year. The committee discussed potential expansion to fire stations or city parks, though current budget limitations remain a factor. ECC 09-26. Solid Waste – Cart Rollout 2 Director of Public Services Ballantine reported the cart-only collection program is running smoothly with minimal damage reported (24 broken carts out of approximately 9,600 in use). Most initial resident concerns have subsided as the community adjusts to the new system. ECC 10-26. 2026 ECC Mini Grant Program Motion by Ms. Bartleman, Seconded by Mr. Olson, to approve $5,000 towards the 2026 Environmental Citizen's Committee (ECC) Mini-Grant Program with applications due by April 1, 2026, awardees to be selected at the April 9, 2026, meeting, and announce winners at the “Run for the Health of It” 5K on May 25, 2026. Voting Yea: Bartleman, Ellison, Fox, Salley, Studtmann, Olson, Councilor Geralds Absent: Bowen, Councilor Rohrbach, Wilkins Motion carried. ECC 11-26. 2026 Board Elections Director of Public Services Ballantine stated that the election of the Chair and Vice Chair will be postponed until the April 9, 2026, meeting. ECC 12-26. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Salley adjourned the meeting at 11:24 a.m. The next meeting is Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. 3