Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission

Memorandum TO: Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commissioners FROM: _______________________________________________________________________ Andrew D. DeCanniere, Commissioner, Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission DATE: July 16, 2025 SUBJECT: July 15, 2025 Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission (SEAC) Meeting Minutes Meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM in Conference Room D/E at Skokie Village Hall Present: Chairperson Jennifer Grossman, Vice Chair Jim McNelis, Commissioners Christopher Buccola, Andrew DeCanniere, Lisa Gotkin, Olivia Mahoney, Emily Okallau, Robert Render, Charles Saxe, Sustainability Coordinator Lisa Sanzenbacher, Assistant to the Public Works Director / Staff Liaison Elizabeth Zimmerman Also Present: Lauren Grodnicki, Skokie resident Amanda Stromback, Marketing Manager, Joule Assets (via Zoom) Glenn Weinberg, VP of Sales and Market Development, Joule Assets (via Zoom) Absent: Commissioners Michael Gershbein, Alma Likic, Rick Moskovitz I. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Okallau to approve the minutes from the June 24, 2025 meeting of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission, seconded by Vice Chair McNelis. The minutes were approved as presented. II. Old Business No items. III. New Business a. Community Solar Program Amanda Stromback and Glenn Weinberg of Joule Assets presented information regarding the Community Solar Program. There will be a strategic campaign to increase sign-ups for the Community Solar Program. Page 1 of 3 By signing up for the Community Solar Program, customers can save on their electric bill and support clean energy. The discount that customers receive if they sign up for the program can help offset the recent ComEd rate increase. It is easy for customers to enroll in the program and there is no installation required. Commission can help by spreading awareness of the program, building trust and encouraging participation. Outreach includes print materials and signage, digital / social media content. Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher stated that the program will be promoted via the Village’s electronic newsletter (The Scoop) and on social media. It was noted that if residents have rooftop solar panels, then they cannot participate in this particular program. It is intended to be an alternative for those who cannot install solar panels. There are additional discounts that are available for low income individuals. They would have to be income verified. Additional discussion ensued. b. Sustainability Plan Q2 Updates Prior to the meeting, Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher provided Commissioners with materials outlining Sustainability Plan Q2 updates. She noted that these updates are also available on the Village website. Discussion ensued. c. Repair Café Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher spoke to Commissioners about a Repair Café that is located in Evanston, which aims to keep items out of landfills. Discussion ensued. d. Water Service Lines Residential Letters Commissioners were informed that letters were sent out to owners of properties that have lead service lines, which is one part of a larger campaign to make property owners aware of the issue. The Village will replace the public side, while residents are responsible for replacing the private side. Staff Liaison Zimmerman noted that partial replacements are no longer allowed. The private side of the service line must also be replaced. Discussion ensued. Page 2 of 3 IV. Other Business No items. V. Public Comment No public comments were received. VI. Next Meeting Based upon the expected availability of Commissioners, the next meeting of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission will take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. VII. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM with a motion from Vice Chair McNelis, seconded by Commissioner Mahoney. Page 3 of 3