Environmental Improvement Commission

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WHEATON CITY HALL, 303 W WESLEY STREET, WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187 Tuesday, October 22, 2024 7:30 Cali to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Jim Boak, Cathy Coleman, Brian Malone, Tony Pope, David Popham, Stephen Siemer, Allison Torrence, Seema Wadia, Jim Wozniak, and Bob Young. Absent were Nancy Flynn and Kay McKeen. Approval of Minutes: Bob moved that the minutes from the September meeting be approved. Tony seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. Budget Report: Bob reported that expenditures to date equal $26,177.28, leaving $9,572.72 open to spend. Public Comment: None Reports: 1. Adopt a Highway (October 19): Nancy sent a report that she, her husband Brent, Bob, Steve, and Nancy Allured collected five bags. Bob noted that the area was the cleanest it’s been in a long time. 2. Electronics Recycling (October 12): Bob reported that he, David Popham, and Brian Malone represented EIC. Volunteers included Jim Truesdale, Brian's son Patrick, and four more students from Key Club at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. E Works had five men. They collected lots of bulbs, six gallons of cooking oil, an average amount of metal, considerable textiles, and a couple of smoke alarms. They were busy with a steady flow of traffic all morning, so it was great that there were many volunteers. VI. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (November 9): Bob, Tony, Steve, and David will be there. Kay has spoken to the Communications Department to publicize that the Lions Club will be there to collect eyeglasses and hearing aids and the Rotary Club will collect medical equipment for Melba’s Closet. 2. Pumpkin Smash (November 2): Allison reported that the permit has been obtained and the dumpster will be dropped off by Lakeshore. Allison, Kay, and Bob will volunteer at the event. VII. Unfinished Business: 1. Recycling Extravaganza (April 12, 2025): Kay notified Ted that a scrap metal company is confirmed. Suggestions for further planning include Odate for site walk and planning Oproviding vendors with map of site once it is completed, prior to event omeeting for volunteers prior to event oproviding volunteers with site map and information about where people can take items we are not accepting, such as household batteries.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 22, 2024 2. Arbor Day (April 25, 2025): Whittier School 3. Native Plant Sale (April 26, 2025): Tony reported that they will have a planning meeting before year end and complete the permit application in January. 4. Prairie Path Cleanup (April 26, 2025): Seema reported that planning will begin in early February. 5. Parkway maintenance and tree ordinance: Allison reported that Wheaton has a public tree ordinance, which protects trees on city property such as parks and parkways. The portion of the ordinance about trees on private property concerns diseased or dead trees. The current tree ordinance is dated 2013. This meets the guidelines for Tree City USA designation. Jim will continue to gather information about tree benefits, homeowner notification for tree removal, and proper pruning and trimming. He has reached out to ComEd for information on their trimming policies. VIII. New Business: 1. Funding for EIC Events: none needed 2. Planning Session Monday, October 28, 2024, in City Council Chambers at 7pm-Annual Report and EIC Budget. IX. Adjournment: Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Bob seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for December 3, 2024, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman