Environmental Improvement Commission

MINUTES Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission Tuesday, March 24, 2015 Roll Call: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Nancy Allured, Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Kay McKeen, Sterling Price, Hanna Self, Tracy Vought, and Bob Young. Absent were Phil Landrum, Tony Pope, Piya Salgia, and Joseph Wilmarth Tyna. Minutes: Nancy Allured pointed out that the event dates were from last year, so the minutes were amended. Bob moved that we accept the amended minutes of the February meeting. Ted seconded. The minutes were approved. Public Comment: none Budget Report: Bob reported that the donation to the library and a bill for the Bulb Eater were paid, so expenditures to date total $1885.39. Open to spend is $2614.65. Other Reports: 1. Bike Committee Report: Nancy Allured reported that the Bike Committee met last Wednesday and will be meeting monthly now. ●Paula Barrington from the Downtown Wheaton Association attended, and responsibilities for the Bike Festival on August 8 were divided up.●The bike safety video has been completed and can be found on the City of Wheaton website under Government, Boards and Commissions, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Related Links (on right side), "Think. Ride. Survive!" ●Bike Valet at Taste of Wheaton will be on Saturday from 6:30 am to 8pm. 2. Cooking Oil/Fluorescent Bulb Collection: Kay reported that the blurb on the water bill was very successful, and a lot of cooking oil and 900 fluorescent bulbs were collected on March 14. 3. Adopt a Highway: Sterling reported that he is working on obtaining an updated contract and will have each group participating sign a new agreement. Nancy Flynn reported that the Stonehenge neighborhood is very interested in helping. Near Earth Day they plan to have two groups working. They will have Brownies and Cub Scouts clean in the neighborhood and adults clean on Butterfield Road. Sterling moved that we allocate up to $100 to purchase five more grabbers. Kay seconded. The motion carried. Upcoming Projects: 1. Earth Day Proclamation: Nancy Flynn will attend the city council meeting on April 6 to receive this for EIC. 2. Recycling Extravaganza (April 11, 2015): Kay reported that ReStore will again participate, but they did not confirm in time to be included on the flyer. Cathy moved that we spend up to $250 for tables and water. Bob seconded. The motion carried. 3. Arbor Day (April 24, 2015): This will be held at Longfellow School. Cathy moved that we spend up to $250 on the tree. Kay seconded. The motion carried. 4. Prairie Path Clean Up (April 25, 2015): Tracy reported that 125 volunteers have already signed up, including many returning groups and individuals. 5. Native Plant Sale (April 25, 2015): Kay reported that there have been no pre-orders for the food- amended compost, so they will order two yards. 6. Adopt a Highway: EIC is scheduled to clean May 2nd and will meet at ChickFilA. 7. Monthly Electronic Recycling (May 9): Bob and Sterling will be crew chiefs. Unfinished Business: 1. Helen Bartlett Memorial: Bob reported that Kevin Maloney suggested a crabapple tree for the triangle park at the bottom of the Manchester bridge. The Wheaton Newcomers Club would like to be involved. 2. Electric Car Charging Station: Nancy Flynn and Nancy Allured were able to answer all the questions which were presented, but this was not discussed at the budget planning session and EIC is still trying to get this in the budget. 3. Street Banners: Nancy Allured has been investigating these for Bike Wheaton. They will cost approximately $60-$70 each, so Nancy moved that we spend up to $350 for banners. Kay seconded. The motion carried.  4. Medicine Disposal: This program is not currently available at the Wheaton Police Department because all three bins are at capacity. Residents need to remove their meds from the bottles and place in provided ziplock bags. This protects patient information and saves space. 5. Spring Brook Watershed: Kay reported that three homes on Williston were approved to be purchased by FEMA and torn down due to repeated flooding. 6. Waste Contract Sub-committee: Kay volunteered to serve on this committee. New Business: 1. Library Books: Hanna reported that she worked with reference librarian Nancy Castellanos to finalize the list of environmental materials and they have been ordered. 2. River Sweep (May 16, 2015): This is the nationwide river sweep date. There is a big push this year due to flooding and water quality concerns. Kay will work on PR to hopefully get businesses to help with this. Adjournment: Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Kay seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled forApril 28, 2015, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman