Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission

Village of Winnetka Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission Meeting August 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM Winnetka Village Hall Council Chambers - 510 Green Bay Road AGENDA 1. Introduction & Chair's Remarks 2. Public Comments 3. Review and Approval of Minutes a. July 9, 2025 Meeting Minutes 4. Old Business Updates a. Climate Action Plan update Farmers' Market Tree wellness Recycle Coach Green Bay Trail event, sign Public Works update in Sept. b. Residential solar expansion Switch Together participation Incentives for going solar Commercial solar RFP 5. New Business a. Leaf-blower enforcement 6. Communications a. Updated list of events, services, reminders b. Special edition of Winnetka Report 7. Committee/Staff Reports 8. Open Forum 9. Adjournment NOTICE All agenda materials are available at villageofwinnetka.org (Government > Council Information > Agenda Packets & Minutes); the Reference Desk at the Winnetka Library; or in the Manager’s Office at Village Hall (2nd floor). The Village of Winnetka, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that all persons with disabilities who require certain accommodations to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting or have questions about the accessibility of the meeting or facilities, contact the Village ADA Coordinator, at 510 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, Illinois 60093, 847-716-3543; T.D.D. 847-501-6041. Page 1 of 4  WINNETKA ENVIRONMENTAL, FORESTRY, AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JULY 9, 2025 A record of a legally convened meeting of the Environmental, Forestry and Sustainability Commission of the Village of Winnetka, which was held in the Council Chambers at Village Hall, 510 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, Illinois, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Call to Order: Chair Eck called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Voting Members present: Chair Peter Eck and Commissioners. A quorum of presently appointed members was present Gregory Frezados, Brendan Andrew, Dave Varca. Voting members absent: Liz Kunkle, King Poor, Tim Ring. Village Council Representative present: Kim Handler. Student Representative absent: Scarlett Harper. Staff Liaison present: Elyse Steiner, Sustainability Coordinator. 1) Introduction & Chair’s Remarks: NONE 2) Public Comment: NONE 3) Review and Approval of Minutes a) Approval of the June Regular Meeting Minutes There was a misspelling noted in the draft minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Andrew, seconded by Commissioner Varca to approve the minutes with the correction. AYES: FREZADOS, ANDREW, VARCA, ECK NAYS: NONE ABSENT: KUNKLE , RING, POOR 4) Old Business: a) Climate Action Plan Elyse provided an update on the kick-off meeting and next steps to identify data collection needs. b) Friends of Green Bay Trail Day and sign GBT volunteer Elisha Gray was present to discuss plans for the event. Peter Eck will represent the Village. EFSC would like to advertise Green Awards and hand out Hefty Renew starter packs. Public Works should be able to provide a tent for shade. c) Green event guidelines Page 2 of 4  Dave Varca will research and make progress on how to host green events d) Dark skies engagement/ordinances e) Tree wellness checks Commissioners discussed incentivizing residents to remove invasive buckthorn from their properties. f) Road salt usage Erik Jensen invited to attend September meeting to share information on salting practices, blacktop sealant, stormwater project, other public works topics g) Recycle Coach h) Shared file folder for EFSC work products 5) New Business a) Residential solar Commissioners discussed the slow pace of solar adoption in the Village and ideas to encourage homeowners to install rooftop solar panels. Opportunities to lower barriers, lower fees, provide incentives? Switch Together organizes groups of residents who are interested in going solar, together. By organizing a group purchase for solar panels, Switch Together can get a better deal for everyone in the group. Next enrollment period is coming up in August. Also want to look at net metering in the Village and EV charging permits and fees. b) Categorizing EFSC priorities, projects Peter working on a framework to define “buckets” of impact sources such as buildings, transportation, waste, water, and land use. 6) Communications: Work continues on updating the 2019 Communications calendar. Interest in producing a Sustainability issue of the Winnetka Report (similar to Wilmette mailing). Would need a budget to produce. 7) Commission/Staff Reports: NONE. 8) Open Forum: None. 9) Adjournment: Page 3 of 4 There being no further business, Chair Eck asked for a motion to adjourn which was moved by Commissioner Andrew and seconded by Commissioner Frezados. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote; the meeting adjourned at 8:24p.m. Page 4 of 4