Environmental Improvement Commission

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WHEATON CITY HALL, 303 W WESLEY STREET, WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187 Tuesday, June 25, 2024 7:30 Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Brian Malone, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, Stephen Siemer, Allison Torrence, and Bob Young. Absent were Jim Boak, David Popham, Seema Wadia, and Jim Wozniak. Approval of Minutes: Kay moved that the minutes from the May meeting be approved. Bob seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. Budget Report: Bob reported that expenditures to date equal $26,177.28, leaving a $9572.72 open to spend. Public Comment: While there were no citizens in attendance, Nancy brought up a concern. She worked concessions at the concert in the park last weekend. She observed that there was no recycling bin near the concessions, so she moved one. She saw people throwing trash in the recycling and recyclables in the trash. To make what can be recycled more obvious and to avoid trash being ”for thrown in the recycling bins, EIC members wondered if the bins with small round holes that say cans and bottles only” might work more effectively. Reports: 1. Adopt a Highway: no report 2. Electronics Recycling (June 8): Bob reported that he, Nancy Flynn, Jim Wozniak, and David Popham from EIC and six workers from E—Works manned the event. Traffic backed up quite a bit from 9- 10:30. Lots of scrap metal, considerable textiles, 80—100 bulbs, 6 gallons cooking oil, and 12 smoke alarms were collected. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (July 13): Tony, Bob, Brian, and Steve plan to be there. 2. Adopt a Highway: Nancy reported that the third clean up for EIC will be held on July 27. Unfinished Business: 1. City Hazardous Waste Video: no report 2. Library Books: Bob reported that the Wheaton Public Library received the check for $200 and will purchase environmental materials for the children's department. New Business: 1. Funding for EIC Events: Cathy moved that we approve $25 for chocolate globes for National Night Out. Nancy seconded. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. 2. National Night Out (August 6): Nancy will man a table for EIC. 3. New medical waste legislation: Kay reported that this passed, and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department will have bins for medical waste in the lobby again. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 25, 2024 4. Arbor Day Whittier School (April 25, 2025): Kay reported that it is the school’s 100th Anniversary and they have a committee working on events. . Native Plant Sale (April 26, 2025): Tony reported that meetings will begin in the fall. . Prairie Path Clean Up (April 26, 2025): Kay reported that the Great Western Trail has confirmed this date, but the Illinois Prairie Path group has not yet. . 2025 Recycling Extravaganza Planning Meeting: Tabled until February EIC meeting Lakeshore Recycling Services and Hefty: Kay reported that Hefty is working with LRS to institute a program where Hefty would produce large plastic bags that would be sold to residents, so they could put Styrofoam and plastic bags in them and put them out with their garbage. They claim the items will be recycled, but there is no clear information on how that would happen once these items are collected. . Kay reported that there was an article in the Chicago Tribune on a study showing a 15% increase in ALS cases in cooler areas where garages are attached and windows in houses remain closed for long periods of the year. They are attributing this to gasoline fumes and fumes from harmful chemicals stored in garages. Earlier studies found higher concentrations of pesticides in people with ALS. 10. Pumpkin Smash (November 9): Kay asked for help with the paperwork and project. Allison will work with Kay. 11. Kay asked for a High School Volunteer Coordinator to try to get volunteers from groups like Environmental Clubs, Key Club, and National Honor Society to assist with EIC projects. Cathy will work with Kay on this starting in August. IX. Adjournment: Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Nancy seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for August 27, 2024, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman