Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission

Memorandum TO: Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commissioners FROM: ____________________________________________________________________________ Andrew D. DeCanniere, Commissioner, Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission DATE: December 3, 2024 SUBJECT: October 22, 2024 Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission (SEAC) Meeting Minutes Meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM in Conference Room D/E at Skokie Village Hall Present: Chairperson Jennifer Grossman, Vice Chair Jim McNelis, Commissioners Andrew DeCanniere, Michael Gershbein, Lisa Gotkin, Olivia Mahoney, Emily Okallau, Robert Render, Charles Saxe, Trustee Liaison Khem Khoeun, Staff Liaison Elizabeth Zimmerman Absent: Commissioners Christopher Buccola, Alma Likic, Rick Moskovitz I. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Okallau to approve the minutes from the September 24, 2024 meeting, seconded by Vice Chair McNelis. The minutes were unanimously approved as presented. II. New Business i. Local Food & Agriculture Update — Commissioner Lisa Gotkin Commissioner Gotkin began her presentation with discussion of Action Item LF 1-1 (Conduct a study to identify vacant properties or underutilized plots / land area which could be transformed into urban farms or community gardens and establish an implementation plan accordingly). The potential for a community garden was assessed. There were three properties within the community that had been under consideration but, unfortunately, none were found to meet all of the necessary criteria. However, other options are being explored, including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Leasing Program. Commissioner Gotkin then moved on to discussion of Action Item LF 1-2 (Collaborate with schools and park district to establish a “Grow Skokie” program increasing community garden plots and establishing a “market garden” concept supporting garden and urban agriculture training and internship opportunities for youth. Program to work with local restaurants, food shelves, or others working directly with food-insecure individuals in the community for distribution of food grown in the “market garden.” Explore potential of partnering with Oakton Community College). Skokie has been relying on The Talking Farm, which says that they have reached out to all of the school districts within Skokie, but that they are working with Districts 219, 73 1/2, and 69. Commissioner Gotkin also spoke about Careit, which is an app that restaurants and grocery stores can use to help eliminate food waste. The app connects non-profits with those who have leftovers. It is free for both parties. It has been used by both Will’s Place & Village Inn Pizzeria, though it was noted that it hasn’t been used all that much, as neither establishment tends to have significant amounts of food waste. Page 1 of 4 Discussion ensued as to additional opportunities for businesses to use Careit and/or donate food. The presentation then moved on to Action Item LF 1-4 (Revise zoning ordinances to remove barriers to urban agriculture: yard and rooftop food production, beekeeping, front-yard gardens, edible landscaping, and foraging. Examine and pursue other policy levers to increase food production within the community. Utilize available and appropriate parks and recreation lands for urban farming and food production). Commissioner Gotkin said that, when it comes to the beekeeping ordinance in Skokie, despite calls in the Sustainability Plan to revise the ordinance, there seems to be no plan to do so on the part of the Village. There currently is an apiary at Oakton Community College, and Skokie has one residential beekeeper. When it comes to front yard gardens, there seem to be no barriers. Staff explained, however, that edible landscaping can attract rats. So, they’d rather encourage Farmers’ Market participation. Commissioner Gotkin then noted that the matter of backyard chickens was discussed by the Board of Health, and that the SEAC’s opinions were considered. However, they voted 9-3 to keep the current prohibition on backyard chickens in place. They cited risks such as the potential for rats and the spread of disease, and noted that the chickens could attract predators. It was also noted that droppings can contaminate the water supply, and that there have been cases of abandoned chickens. Odors, noise and the potential to destroy properties were also among the concerns expressed. Additionally, there were concerns that having to regulate backyard chickens could potentially divert resources. Vice Chair McNelis inquired whether backyard chickens are a part of the Sustainability Plan. Commissioner Gotkin stated that removing barriers to urban agriculture is part of the plan. Commissioner Saxe inquired as to the desired outcome. What is the Commission and community trying to achieve? We should think about what we are trying to do, rather than trying to check off of a checklist. Commissioner Okallau reiterated that removing barriers to agriculture is a big part of what we are trying to do. Commissioner Saxe stated that creating a healthy, robust ecosystem is a major part of both environmental sustainability, in general, as well as the Environmental Sustainability Plan. Discussion then progressed to Action Item LF 1-5 (Encourage school districts and park district to expand community gardens and opportunities for community growing spaces — including indoor — with a focus on youth, immigrant, and low-income residents. Explore grant opportunities such as the United States Conference of Mayors environmental sustainability award). Commissioner Gotkin then discussed Action Item LF 3-3 (Investigate feasibility of a Food Access Fund to support decreasing food waste and increasing food recovery via the Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Hierarchy through existing and new initiatives as well as private, innovative competitions. Explore partnerships between local food pantries, Skokie schools, and restaurants for ways to distribute unused food to vulnerable or food insecure individuals), and how Careit fits in with this Action Item. Page 2 of 4  ii. Buildings & Energy Update — Vice Chair Jim McNelis Vice Chair McNelis provided an update on Buildings & Energy and stated that there are 33 Action Items in the sector in total. Everything that is part of Phase 1 has been started. Staff Liaison Zimmerman said that some Action Items cannot be completed, as they will always be ongoing. Compost education is one example. Vice Chair McNelis said he wanted to highlight Action Item BE 1-1 (Community Development shall review for adoption of the most recent International Energy Conservation code as well as the International Green Building Code). There has been a lot of discussion regarding what is going on with the Stretch Code. Municipalities can soon begin to adopt the Stretch Code, as of January 1, 2025. The Stretch Code will have a major impact on the ability to mandate stricter energy efficiency for buildings. It was noted that, if adopted, the Stretch Code “will have satisfactory requirements for the following additional Action Items: BE 1-4, BE 1-5, BE 1-8, BE 2-1, BE 2-2, BE 2-3 (via the work of the Advanced Building Energy Efficiency Policies Task Force), BE 3-2, and BE 7-2.” iii. Pumpkin Composting Staff Liaison Zimmerman stated that Collective Resource will be at the upcoming Pumpkin Smash. She is looking for volunteers to help out with the event, which will be held on November 3rd, from 7:30 AM until 12:30 PM, and which will take place on the northwest corner of Oakton Street and Floral Avenue, across from the Farmers’ Market. iv. USDA / IRA Tree Grant Planting Event Staff Liaison Zimmerman noted that there will be a USDA / US Forest Service / Green Latinos kick-off tree planting event on Monday, November 18, 2024, at a mosque in the community. III. Other Business a. Oakton Street Public Meeting Commissioner Saxe discussed the upcoming Oakton Street redesign, including how they will be narrowing traffic lanes as a part of the project. There are to be pedestrian signals and bump outs for pedestrian crosswalk activity. The project website has detailed information regarding the redesign. Almost everyone agreed Oakton Street is bad as-is. There were a mix of concerns regarding the plan. At this time, it is unknown what modifications may occur. They are taking feedback on the project until November 7th. Additional discussion ensued. IV. Public Comment No public comments were received. Page 3 of 4 V. Next Meeting i. Discussion on holiday scheduling Commissioners discussed the scheduling of the next meeting, with a tentative meeting date of December 17, 2024 proposed. Staff Liaison Zimmerman said she will send an email poll to Commissioners, who will then be able to vote on the date for meeting. She also noted that there will not be a meeting in November. Update: On November 11, 2024, following a poll of the Commissioners, it was determined that the next meeting of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission will take place on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. VI. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM with a motion from Commissioner Saxe, seconded by Vice Chair McNelis. Page 4 of 4