Environmental Improvement Commission

MINUTES Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Roll Call: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Kay McKeen, Christine Richarson, Arlan Schattke, Hanna Self, Allison Torrence, Joseph Wilmarth Tyna, and Bob Young. Absent were Nancy Allured, Tony Majszak, and Tony Pope. Also in attendance were Tracy Vought, coordinator for the Wheaton Illinois Prairie Path Clean Up, and Wheaton North Advanced Government students Hannah Dorf, Hannah Shelan, Brooke Syswerda, and Victoria Roman. Minutes: Bob moved that we accept the minutes of the February meeting. Kay seconded. The minutes were approved. Public Comment: none Budget Report: Bob reported that the check to the library for environmental materials has been sent. Our expenditures to date total $846.83, leaving $4653.17 open to spend. Other Reports: 1. Bike Committee Report: Nancy Allured sent a report that they will again celebrate National Bike Month, and the City will provide a proclamation. Events will include National Bike to School Day, a display at the Library, and Bike Safety Classes in partnership with the Wheaton Park District. 2. Recycling: Bob reported that he, Tony Majszak, Nancy Allured, and Arlan worked with students from Wheaton Warrenville South, Wheaton North, and Illinois Benedictine. People continue to bring old TVs which are no longer accepted. Wheaton residents are able to place them at the curb on their garbage pick up day with one or two stickers, but they must call Advanced Disposal for a special pick up. AVA on Bloomingdale Road in Glendale Heights accepts old TVs for a fee of $20-60 depending on the size. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronic Recycling(April 9): In April Bob, Tony Pope, Joe, Arlan, and Christine will work. 2. Paper Shredding(April 9): Kay reported that this will be from 9-1 in the commuter lot. No rubber bands or plastic tabs or folders can be in with the paper. 3. Adopt a Highway: Nancy Flynn reported that EIC will hold a clean up this Saturday, March 26, at 8:30. We will meet at Chick.fil.A. 4. Arbor Day (April 29, 2016): Kay reported that this event will be held at Washington School at 10 o'clock, and the tree will probably be a white oak. 5. Native Plant Sale (April 30, 2016): Hanna reported that they will meet next Tuesday and everything is under control. Kay will check the Wheaton Park District website to make sure it says to preorder compost and rain barrels. Help is needed Friday at noon for set up and Saturday from 7:30 to noon. 6. Illinois Prairie Path Clean Up (April 30, 2016): Tracy reported that scout packs, service groups, and families have signed up, and most of the path is covered. No new groups have signed up. Committee members will meet at 8:15 at Stevens Park. Tracy is investigating the cost of a standing sign for EIC events. 7. Bike Fest (August 13, 2016): Kay reported that Working Bikes has been contacted about this event. 8. Earth Day Proclamation: Hanna will attend the April 4 City Council Meeting to accept the proclamation. Unfinished Business: 1. Street Lamp Banner Design Contest: tabled 2. IPP-Letters to Carlton Street Businesses: work in progress 3. Waste Hauling Contract Review: Bob would like to see yard waste pick up begin earlier. Kay reported that Glen Ellyn has begun food scrap composting. Food waste is a major cause of methane in landfills, and that is a large contributor to global warming. 4. Bulb Eater Relocation: Bob has contacted a contractor to prepare the shed with a ramp and a lip. The door is wide enough and the machine will fit in the shed. Bob moved that we allocate up to $300 for the work. Cathy seconded. The motion carried. Kay reported that the safety equipment needs to be replenished. Kay moved that we allocate up to $100. Bob seconded. The motion carried. Joe will order goggles and face shields. 5. Library Environmental Resources: Hanna reported that the materials have been ordered. The list is at the end of the minutes. 6. Rain Barrels: Kay ordered one from Home Depot. New Business: 1. Mission Statement: tabled  2. River Sweep: DuPage County will hold this event on May 21. Some ideas for how EIC can promote this were to do something individually, ask for volunteers, ask neighborhoods to clean their retention ponds, reinstate "Pick up 5" to cut down on litter, pictures of litter or pond debris--"Is this what you want your town to look like?" Members will see if they can come up with more ideas for next month. Adjournment: Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Bob seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for April 26, 2016, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman Environmental Commission Donation the Wheaton Public Library 2016 GREAT TIDE RISING: Toward Clarity and Moral Courage in a Time of Climate Change by Kathleen Dean Moore HALF-EARTH: Our Planet's Fight for Life by Edward O. Wilson ATMOSPHERE OF HOPE (hardcover) by Tim Flannery ATMOSPHERE OF HOPE (audio) by Tim Flannery UNSTOPPABLE: Harnessing Science to Change the World (audiobook CD) by Bill Nye DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT (audiobook) by George Marshall WATER, PEACE, AND WAR: Confronting the Global Water Crisis by Brahma Chellaney RUNNING DRY: The Global Water Crisis by Stuart Kallen EMPTYING THE SKIES (2013 DVD) AMERICAN SERENGETI: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains by Dan Flores RENEWABLE ENERGY: Discover the Fuel of the Future with 20 Projects (Children's Book) by Joshua Schneideman POWERING FORWARD: What Everyone Should Know About America's Energy Revolution by Bill Ritter