Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission

Memorandum TO: Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commissioners FROM: _______________________________________________________________________ Andrew D. DeCanniere, Commissioner, Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission DATE: September 30, 2025 SUBJECT: September 29, 2025 Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission (SEAC) Meeting Minutes Meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM in Conference Room A at Skokie Village Hall Present: Chairperson Jennifer Grossman, Vice Chair Jim McNelis, Commissioners Christopher Buccola, Andrew DeCanniere, Michael Gershbein, Lisa Gotkin, Olivia Mahoney, Emily Okallau, Robert Render, Charles Saxe, Trustee Liaison Lissa Levy, Sustainability Coordinator Lisa Sanzenbacher, Assistant Public Works Director / Staff Liaison Elizabeth Zimmerman Absent: Commissioners Alma Likic and Rick Moskovitz Also Present: Glenn Weinberg, VP of Sales and Market Development, Joule Assets (via Zoom) Lauren Grodnicki, Skokie Resident I. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Vice Chair McNelis to approve the minutes from the August 26, 2025 meeting of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission, seconded by Commissioner Gotkin. The minutes were approved as amended. II. Old Business a. Illinois Solar for All Advisory Committee Opening Commissioner Gershbein attended a webinar regarding the Illinois Solar for All Advisory Committee, and his notes were shared with the Commission. He proceeded to talk about the Committee and how they were looking for people to join them. b. The League of American Bicyclists’ 2025 Bicycle Friendly Community Survey Chairperson Grossman reminded Commissioners that the Bicycle Friendly Community Survey is still open. However, it will be closing on October 5th. Page 1 of 3  c. Compost Updates Staff Liaison Zimmerman noted that another record has been achieved for this month. Per the Village website, “27.4 tons were composted in August, beating the previous monthly record by 1.1 tons. Thus far, a total of 188 tons have been composted for 2025, and 849 tons since the start of the program in 2020.” There has not been an increase in the number of complaints of contamination as composting rates have risen. III. New Business a. Strategic Plan Community Visioning Session Chairperson Grossman reminded Commissioners that a Strategic Plan Community Visioning Session will be taking place on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Niles West High School (5701 Oakton Street). Additionally, an online survey is available through October 11th. b. Food Recovery Infrastructure Assessment (FRIA) and Pilot Project Planning Commissioners were informed of the upcoming Local Food Recovery & Solutions Forum, which will be hosted by the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. This event will be held on October 6th in Wheeling. A virtual option is also available. c. Community Solar Public Information Sessions Glenn Weinberg, VP of Sales and Market Development at Joule Assets, provided an update regarding where things stand with the Community Solar program, what’s next, how SEAC can support the program, etc. He said that they have already seen great engagement. Over 100 people began to sign up, and there are two public information sessions scheduled at the Skokie Public Library (Monday, October 13 at 1:00 PM and Wednesday, October 29 at 5:30 PM). He also stated that he met with Go Green Skokie, and it sounds like there is an opportunity to work with them to expand some of their upcoming events to promote Community Solar as well. Additionally, there will be more events and promotion of the program to come. Trustee Liaison Levy inquired as to how companies support the communities in which these solar farms are located. Discussion ensued. Page 2 of 3  Chairperson Grossman suggested that the Community Solar program could potentially be promoted during the upcoming pumpkin composting event. Vice Chair McNelis inquired as to how many people they’d like to see sign up for the Community Solar program. Mr. Weinberg replied that the initial goal is approximately 750 accounts. d. Skokie Green Business Recognition Event Chairperson Grossman stated that a Skokie Green Business Recognition Event will be held on November 3rd. Sustainability Coordinator Sanzenbacher discussed the event, noting that there will be a reception and networking event held before the Board Meeting that night. e. Village Boards and Commission Recognition Event — Save the Date Chairperson Grossman mentioned that the next reception will take place on June 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (9501 Skokie Boulevard). IV. Other Business Commissioner Gershbein inquired about e-bike and scooter regulations. Discussion ensued. V. Public Comment Skokie resident Lauren Grodnicki spoke about the design of biking infrastructure in parts of Europe, as an example of how such infrastructure can be better designed. She also spoke about individuals who have spoken out against bikes and bike infrastructure at Village Board meetings, saying that addressing traffic violations and enforcing traffic laws can help minimize this sort of negative feedback. VI. Next Meeting Based upon the expected availability of Commissioners, the next meeting of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The meeting is to be held in Conference Room D/E at Skokie Village Hall. VII. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM with a motion from Commissioner Saxe, seconded by Commissioner Okallau. Page 3 of 3