Environmental Improvement Commission

MINUTES Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Roll Call: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Shamili Ajgaonkar, Nancy Allured, Cathy Coleman, Tony Majszak, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, Hanna Self, Allison Torrence, Joseph Wilmarth Tyna, and Bob Young, and Wheaton resident Kate Vashkevich. Nancy Flynn and Christine Richarson were absent. Minutes: Kay moved that we accept the minutes of the September meeting. Tony Pope seconded. The minutes were approved. Public Comment: none Budget Report: Bob reported that there were no expenditures this month, leaving $5253.32 open to spend. Other Reports: 1. Bike Committee Report: none 2. Electronic Recycling Report: Kay, Tony Majszak and Arlan volunteered at the October electronic collection. There were 307 cars. 4 items had been dumped. 5 participants took their televisions back, because they didn't want to pay. Many people stated Wheaton as their residence, but then didn't know we had a new garbage contract. People may state they are from Wheaton, because they may believe it is open only to Wheaton residents. People came from Wheaton 218, Glen Ellyn 44, Winfield 8, Carol Stream 6, West Chicago 5, Naperville 6, Warrenville 5, Aurora 4, Lombard 3, Downers Grove 2, Hanover Park 2, Roselle 2, Willowbrook 1, Bloomingdale 1. 119 bulbs, 4 gallons of cooking oil, some bags of holiday lights were also collected. 3. Adopt a Highway Report: Nancy Flynn can tentatively scheduled an Adopt-a-Highway for Saturday, Nov. 19 at 8:30 a.m., but if the ground is soggy or snowy, she will cancel it. Democratic Party of Milton Township did their final clean up on Oct. 22 and collected 5 bags of garbage and 5 bags of recycling. Their total for the year was 21 bags of trash and 18 bags of recycling. EIC appreciates their hard work! 4. Public Garden Plots: Nancy Flynn emailed a report on the garden plots at Atten Park. There are a total of 48 plots with a turn-over of 6-10 plots annually. Once you have a plot, you can renew it. The charge is $25 resident/$38 non-resident and the plots go quickly, with residents getting priority. Plots measure 20' x 30'. The gardener she spoke with said this was his first year with a plot, but he had no problem with theft. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronic Recycling: Tony Pope, Tony Majszak, and Joe will work the November event. Kay reported that we may have to change our Saturday, because Eworks will be doing Kane County on the second Saturday of each month. They would only commit to November and December on the second Saturday. Kay also reported that paper shredding is scheduled for April 8 from 9-1. 2. Pumpkin Composting (November 5 from 9-12): Bob moved we appropriate $50 for pies for a raffle. Kay seconded. The motion carried. Unfinished Business: 1. EIC Mission Statement: Joe and Tony Majszak each wrote draft proposals. They had similar content, and they will work on combining them into one statement. 2. Street Lamp Banners/Feather Signs Design Contest: This was tabled until the mission statement is finalized. New Business: 1. Arlan Schattke is moving out of Wheaton, so he has resigned effective Oct. 25. He was an active member, and he will be missed. 2. Bulb Eater Expenses: The main filter will soon need replacement and the bins will need to be picked up. Bob moved that we allocate up to $500 to cover these costs. Cathy seconded. The motion carried. 3. Syringe Collection: Kay will investigate the cost of holding a collection for syringes, sharps, and epi-pens for Wheaton residents. 4. The Wheaton Park District will receive their Earth Flag on November 16 at 7 in the council room. Adjournment: Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Tony Pope seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for November 22, 2016, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman