Environmental Improvement Commission

MINUTES Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission Tuesday, April 28, 2015 Roll Call: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Phil Landrum, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, Sterling Price, Piya Salgia, Tracy Vought, and Bob Young. Absent were Nancy Allured, Hanna Self, and Joseph Wilmarth Tyna. Minutes: Bob moved that we accept the minutes of the March meeting. Kay seconded. The minutes were approved. Public Comment: none Budget Report: Bob reported that our expenditures total $3354.50, leaving $1145.50 open to spend. Bills for tables and paper shredding at the Extravaganza have not yet arrived. Other Reports: 1. Earth Week Proclamation: Nancy Flynn attended the city council meeting to accept this. 2. Recycling Extravaganza: The police department estimated 1600-1800 cars. This does not include the many people who walked in. There was great participation and residents were appreciative of the event, in spite of the long lines and waiting time. As part of the report, we discussed ways to improve next year's event: a. electronics only and shredding only lines, with one shredding truck in area north of entry for those with only shredding b. volunteers with wagons moving up and down Liberty to collect from participants with small quantities c. metal recycling near electronics, if possible d. miscellaneous items collected at one stop and sorted behind tables e. better volunteer training: what items are and are not accepted, what is done with the collected items. Add note to water bill insert that no receipts can be given at this event. f. have volunteers dropped off on Childs Street, so they don't get stuck in the event traffic. g. new signs needed 3. Arbor Day: Kay reported that Longfellow students and Kevin Maloney from the Wheaton Forestry Department presented a terrific program. 4. Native Plant Sale: Kay reported that the event went very well. This year was the largest crowd ever before they opened. 5. Prairie Path Clean Up: Tracy reported that in spite of the worst weather she can remember for the event, 96 volunteers covered our entire portion of the path. Tracy suggested purchasing one or two pop-up signs like the ones purchased for the bike committee. One suggestion is that we develop a logo to use and have the signs say City of Wheaton Environmental Event, so they can be used wherever needed. 6. Bike Committee: Nancy Allured emailed that ●Bike Wheaton banners have been delivered to the City of Wheaton for display during May Bike Month●Bike to School has at least eight District 200 schools participating this year including 2 from Warrenville.●We need two volunteers for the Bike Valet at the Taste of Wheaton on June 6 from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm or split the time. 7. Adopt a Highway: Sterling reported that Nancy Flynn and volunteers from the Stonehenge neighborhood collected 4 large bags of trash and some car parts. Upcoming Projects: 1. Adopt a Highway: EIC will clean up 5/2/15 and meet at Chick-fil-A at 7am. 2. Electronic Recycling 5/9/15: Bob, Tony, and Sterling will be crew chiefs. 3. River Sweep 5/16/15: This was mentioned in the city newsletter. Unfinished Business: 1. Helen Bartlett Memorial: Bob reported that in the fall a flowering crabapple tree will be planted in Helen's memory at the foot of the Manchester Bridge where Wesley and Front form a triangle.  2. Electric Car Charging Station: Nancy Flynn, Tony, and Ted attended the city council planning session to request the funds for this. In an informal vote, the city council voted not to spend the money for this at this time. 3. Street Lamp Banners: The bike banners have come in and will be hung for bike month. EIC is considering purchasing new ones, after we decide on a logo. 4. Medicine Disposal: The Wheaton Police Department discontinued this program, because people were disposing of uncapped needles in the medicine bin. 5. Spring Brook Watershed: no report 6. Bike Festival/Bike Events: included under bike committee report. 7. Waste Contract Sub-committee: Kay and Nancy Flynn would like to participate in this. New Business: 1. No Idling Signs: Kay reported that she obtained a grant to purchase these. DuPage County Transportation made them for her, and the Wheaton Public Library received three, and the Wheaton Park District received some for needed areas. 2. EIC Annual Report: Ted noted that this is due at the end of May. Adjournment: Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Kay seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2015, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman