Environmental Improvement Commission

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 7:30 I. Call to Order: Kay McKeen called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Shamili Ajgaonkar, Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, Christine Richardson, Allison Torrence, and Bob Young. Absent were Tony Majszak, David Popham, Carlo Treviso, and Ted Witte. Also in attendance were Darren Miller, Jeff Gahris, Bonnie Gahris, Jamie Smith, Dan Bailey, and John Dagger from Clean Wheaton. II. Approval of Minutes: Bob moved that the minutes from the March meeting be approved. Kay seconded. The minutes were approved. III. Budget Report: Bob reported that we have spent $309.71, leaving $5190.29 open to spend. IV. Public Comment: Jeff Gahris spoke for Clean Wheaton. They are a new group representing Wheaton as part of the DuPage Clean Energy Coalition. They are reaching out to groups to see how community members want to move forward, especially in the areas of renewable energy and transportation. V. Reports: 1. Electronic Recycling: Bob reported April 13 was a busy day, and five from e-Works, 3 students from WWS (Sara Michalowski, Jillian Horvatin, and Grace Peterman), Samantha Choi (Benet), and Jim Truesdale manned the event. The students were good workers. 15 gallons of cooking oil and 300 bulbs were collected. Bob changed the circular hard plastic filter and started a new barrel in the bulb eater. 2. Adopt a Highway: ●Nancy reported that on March 29, Tony Majszak, Allison, Bob, Dave and his son Zach, and Nancy’s husband Brent joined her to clean EIC’s area. They collected 7 bags of trash, a license plate, drywall, and various car parts.●On April 21, ten members of the Democratic Party of Milton Township picked up 9 bags of trash and 7 bags of recycling. 3. Recycling and Paper Shredding (April 6): Kay reported that more than 1,000 cars came through this event and dropped off: ●31,040 pounds (15.2 tons) of paper●9,900 pounds of paint for recycling (1,106 gallons of latex paint, 251 gallons of oil & stains) ●428 pounds of syringes & Epi Pens (11.5 bins)●15 mercury thermometers, thermostats & barometers VI. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (May 11): Tony Pope will be crew chief. 2. Arbor Day (April 26): Lowell School, 10 am, a dogwood will be planted to celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary. 3. Native Plant Sale (April 27): Tony reported set up Friday begins at 9, Saturday at 7:30-7:45. 4. Prairie Path Clean Up (April 27): Christine reported that EIC members should arrive at 7:45. 5. Adopt a Highway: Nancy set the next EIC clean up for May 18 at 8 am at ChickFilA.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 4/23/2019 VII. Unfinished Business: 1. Nurses’ Closet: still no location 2. Honorary Trees (Myrt, Phil, Howard): tabled till August 3. Social Media Channels for EIC: no report 4. Medicine Collection: police stations nationwide are collecting unwanted drugs this weekend. DuPage County Sheriff now has a bin for sharps as well as one for drugs. 5. We Are Still In resolution: tabled till May VIII. New Business: 1. Event Supply Funding: Bob moved that we contact Wheaton Public Library to donate $200 for environmental materials. Cathy seconded. The motion carried. Kay suggested preschool books by Jane Goodall. 2. Wheaton Event Application: Tony contacted the Police Chief’s secretary to fill out the event application for the Native Plant Sale. He asked about our events, and an application will also be needed for paper shredding and pumpkin composting. 3. COD Sustainable Film and Discussion Series: Shamili reported that this year’s films were Super Food Chain, Plastic China, and Racing Extinction. The films were well-received. Bob will ask about sponsoring films, maybe one in the spring and one in the fall, at the Wheaton Public Library, when he goes to talk about environmental materials. IX. Adjournment Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Allison seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2019, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman 2