Sustainability Advisory Commission Meeting

CITY OF URBANA, ILLINOIS SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMISSION Executive Conference Room, Urbana City Building Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Commissioners Present: Chairperson Marya Ryan, Stacy Gloss, Morgan Johnston, Beth Meschewski, Todd Rusk (via telephone), Andrew Stumpf Commissioners Absent: Vice Chair Stephen Wald Staff Present: Scott Tess, Kathryn Levy Call to Order, Roll Call, and Declaration of Quorum The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Marya Ryan. Kathryn Levy called the roll and a quorum was present. Changes to the Agenda The Agenda item under New Business, Capital Projects Discussion, was postponed until the May meeting. Approval of Minutes Motion was made by Ms. Johnston, second by Ms. Meschewski, to approve the minutes from the February 7, 2017 and March 7, 2017 meetings. Motion carried. Public Input There was no public input. Communications iMatter Youth Climate Report Card Presentation Rebecca Laurent, University of Illinois student, and Aidan Rivera-Rogers, Urbana High School student, jointly presented information regarding iMatter and the Youth Climate Report Card prepared for the City of Urbana. iMatter is an organization that calls upon youth activists to secure commitments from local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The presenters noted several youth-lead efforts that are under way at the high school and on the university campus and agreed to provide a copy of the report card and its analyses for the SAC to review. Commission members and the presenters discussed ways to involve youth in the City’s sustainability efforts. Boneyard Creek Presentation Dennis Roberts, Urbana City Council Member Ward 5, gave a presentation on a proposed Boneyard Creek Multi-Use Path and greenway expansion westward to connect downtown Urbana with the University of Illinois. The Commission invited him to bring forward action items (such as a letter or resolution of support) at a future date. Staff Report Scott Tess gave the monthly Staff Report which included progress on the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Phase 2, highlighting the restart of the Urbana Home Energy Performance Program, a Request for Proposals for a Guaranteed Energy Savings Project, and Solar Power Hours. Staff is also working with the Urbana High School Sustainability Club and a University of Illinois Extension Service Master naturalist to plan and install a butterfly garden. Related to Public Engagement, Tess reported that U-Cycle staff had shared recycling program information at the University of Illinois Spring Housing Fair. Associated with the Sustainable Water Management Plan, Tess discussed the upcoming rain barrel and compost bin sale, a joint intergovernmental advisory committee working towards establishing a permanent household hazardous waste collection facility, and a new City partnership with the Midwest Pesticide Action Center of natural lawn care programs. Additionally, the upcoming U-Cycle program sponsored electronics recycling event was noted. The Report stated May 2, 2017 as the next meeting date. Continuing Business Comments Received on Parliamentary Procedures Chairperson Ryan relayed messages received from staff and citizens regarding parliamentary procedures; specifically in regard to fostering an environment for increased public participation. Commission members supported implementing the suggestions in future meetings, New Business There was no new business addressed. Announcements Morgan Johnston made the following announcements: • Illinois Earth Week is April 17-22. Campus and community events can be found at www.sustainability.illinois.edu/outreach/earth-week-schedule/; • National Arbor Day is April 29; and • The Boneyard Creek Community Day event is April 29. Information can be found at www.boneyardcreek.org. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m. This meeting was recorded.