Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission

Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission March 24, 2026 Meeting Minutes Meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM in Conference Room D/E at Skokie Village Hall Present: Vice Chair Jim McNelis; Commissioners Christopher Buccola, Michael Gershbein, Lisa Gotkin, Lauren Grodnicki, liaison to Go Green Skokie, Emily Okallau, Robert Render, Charles Saxe, Trudy Turner; Staff Liaisons Lisa Sanzenbacher, Sustainability Coordinator, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Assistant to the Director of Public Works, Patrick Hastings, Public Works Director; Trustee Liasion Lissa Levy Absent (Excused): Chairperson Jennifer Grossman, Commissioners Andrew DeCanniere, Olivia Mahoney, and Ryan Tappel I. Approval of Minutes There was a motion to approve the SEAC meeting minutes from 02/24/2026 from Commissioner Gotkin and seconded by C. Okallau. Motion passed. II. Old Business Discussed upcoming events including Spring Greening and the Energy resource fairs in April, as well as a table at the Skokie Farmers’ Market in June. New request from the mayor to have representation from all commissions for the Fourth of July Parade. Commissioners are to register by April 20. Staff Liaison Sanzenbacher passed out flyers for the upcoming Energy and Home Repair Resource fair and requested Commissioners distribute amongst the community. Discussed edible and native gardens. SEAC to review landscaping ordinance and other best practices for proper garden maintenance. Commissioners Gotkin and Okallau to get information. Reviewed commission rules and membership information. Commissioner Turner to act as sector liaison to the Health and Safety Sector. Reviewed the Residential Sustainability Awards. Updated the form with additional categories to focus on. Discussed communication plans for the awards. III. New Business  New Commissioner Trudy Turner was welcomed and introduced herself and why she decided to join SEAC. New staff liaison Patrick Hastings introduced himself as the Director of Public Works and resident of Skokie. Clarification was given as how commissions are to interact with each other. SEAC members are welcome to join other Boards and Commission meetings as members of the public. Community Development Director to advise SEAC at a later meeting. Discussions regarding appropriate green building certification options for developments and will have more information about the various certification bodies at subsequent meeting. IV. Other business Commissioners discussed upcoming events and anti-idling policies. V. Public Comment There were no public comments VI. Next meeting: May 19, 2026. Motion to adjourn by C. Okallau, and seconded by C. Gershbein at 8:237pm. Motion passes.