Environmental Improvement Commission

Tuesday, January 25, 2022 7:30 I. Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Kay McKeen, Mike Nicolosi, Tony Pope, David Popham, Allison Torrence, Seema Wadia, and Bob Young. Absent were Shamili Ajgaonkar and Brian McKee. Also in attendance was Katy Mangen from the District 200 Transitional Program. II. Approval of Minutes: Bob moved that the minutes from the October meeting be approved. David seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. III. Budget Report: Bob reported that in 2021 we spent $20,226.54, leaving $1273.46 unspent. No expenses have been paid in 2022, leaving the entire budget of $22,000 open to spend. IV. Public Comment: Katie Mangen, coordinator of the District 200 Transition Program for students age 18-22 came to discuss ways to increase community involvement for the students. She is also trying to develop a micro-business for the students to run. Kay will contact her to discuss ideas. V. Reports: 1. Electronic Recycling: Bob reported that November, December, and January events had manageable attendance with light, constant traffic and good helpers. Two barrels of processed fluorescent bulbs are ready for pick up. 25 smoke alarms have been collected. Each month 3-4 gaylords of textiles are collected for Rewearables. The DuPage County recycling report showed that in 2021 Wheaton collected 211,752 pounds of electronics and 27,117 pounds of textiles. 2. Pumpkin Smash: Kay reported that Wheaton collected over 5 tons of pumpkins for composting. VI. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (Feb 12): Bob, David, and Tony will work this event. 2. Recycling Extravaganza (April 2): Kay reported that 3 shredding trucks, latex paint collection, and working bikes are all signed on, and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department will collect medicines and syringes. 3. Native Plant Sale (April 23): Tony reported that volunteers are signing up, the permit has been filed, set up will be on April 22 from noon to 3, and the sale will run from 8:30-11:30. Possibility Place Nursery is requiring a deposit for the first time. 4. Prairie Path Clean Up (April 23): Seema volunteered to head up this event. VII. Unfinished Business: 1. Battery Recycling: Kay reported that she is hoping we can do a one-time battery collection for a fee at the Recycling Extravaganza. This would require a credit card reader and a scale to weigh batteries.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 25, 2022 2. Nurses’ Closet: tabled 3. Review of new Sustainability Awards: tabled VIII. New Business: 1. Business Composting: Kay reported that businesses are still very interested in this, but a location has been difficult to find. 2. EIC Mission Statement Review: We will coordinate this with the new Boards and Commissions documents 3. Native Plant Sale Deposit: Bob moved that we pay a deposit of $2241 to Possibility Place Nursery for the plants for the Native Plant Sale. David seconded. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. 4. Funding for EIC events: plant sale deposit above 5. Boards and Commissions Draft: members discussed the proposed changes. Ted will begin drafting a response to City Manager Mike Dzugan, which we will review at the next meeting. IX. Adjournment: Bob moved that the meeting be adjourned. Allison seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for February 22, 2022, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman 2