Environmental Improvement Commission

MINUTES Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission Tuesday, May 23, 2017 Roll Call: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Hanna Self, Allison Torrence, Joseph Wilmarth Tyna, and Bob Young. Absent were Shamili Ajgaonkar, Brittany Drummond, Tony Majszak, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, and Christine Richardson. Also in attendance was Dan Dlhy, chairman of the bicycle sub-committee. Minutes: Bob moved that we accept the minutes of the April meeting. Nancy Allured seconded. The minutes were approved. Public Comment: none Budget Report: Bob reported that we finished the year with expenditures totaling $15,729.73 of our $21,500 budget. This year one of the nursery bills from the native plant sale came in after the fiscal year closed, so that will come out of this year's budget. Bob has usually kept the amount allotted for the plant sale separate from the rest of the budget, since it all usually comes in at the end. This year he will be using the entire amount. Year to date expenditures total $1440, leaving $20,060.00 open to spend. Other Reports: 1. Bike Committee Report: Dan reported that ●the history ride was cancelled on May 20th, because of weather. The Bike Committee is looking at making the information on the sites available for a self- guided tour and a possible fall date where the bike committee would lead the tour. ●June 3 will be the committee's 5th bike valet at Taste of Wheaton. ●June 10 the Illinois Prairie Path will sponsor rides, and they will join them. ●Bike to School had 10 schools participating this year. ●The committee has a Facebook page Facebook.com/BikeWheaton and a Twitter account. 2. Electronic Recycling Report: On May 13 Bob Young, Nancy Flynn, Tony Pope, and Ted Witte worked with several volunteers from Wheaton Warrenville South, and employees from EWorks. 320 vehicles, including 235 from Wheaton, came through. 45 gallons of cooking oil and 125 fluorescent bulbs were collected too. 3. Adopt a Highway Report: Nancy Flynn reported that the Democratic Party of Milton Township picked up 4 bags of trash and 5 bags of recycle on May 6th. The next EIC clean up is scheduled for June 17. 4. Arbor Day: Bob reported that the forestry department planted an Ironwood tree at Whittier School. The 5th grade students provided a great program with poems they wrote and a song. 5. Illinois Prairie Path Clean Up: Christine sent a report that 88 volunteers collected 25 bags of trash and 21 bags of recycling. 6. Native Plant Sale: Hanna reported that 244 customers, 63% returning customers, 50% from Wheaton, purchased most of the plants in about a half hour. This year there were no plugs, due to the difficulty separating them for sale. The perennials available this year were more expensive, and the committee was not sure how well they would be received. Now that they know people will purchase them, they can plan to order more next year. There were some trees left, so they will order a little less of those. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronic Recycling(June 10): Crew Chiefs are Bob, Joe, Tony Pope, and Nancy Allured. 2. Adopt a Highway (June 17) 3. Bike Fest (August 12) Unfinished Business: 1. Street Lamp Banners/Feather Signs --Design Contest: nothing new 2. Library Books: Hanna reported that these are ordered New Business: 1. EIC Event Funding: none needed 2. TV funding: Bob moved that we set up a fund of $250 to cover the cost of recycling TVs that are dumped in the recycling area. Cathy seconded. The motion carried. 3. Environmental Film Sponsorship: under consideration  4. Year End Report: completed and turned in 5. Election of EIC Officiers: Nancy Allured moved that we reelect our current officers. Nancy Flynn seconded. Ted Witte, Chairman, Bob Young, Treasurer, and Cathy Coleman, Secretary, were reelected. 6. Kay requested that we mention that milkweed remains on the city list of noxious weeds, in spite of the fact that the monarch is our Illinois state insect and way stations of milkweed have been established. The city council will discuss this at the June 6 meeting. Adjournment: Bob moved that the meeting be adjourned. Allison seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2017, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman