Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission

Village of Winnetka Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission Meeting September 10, 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. August 13, 2025 Meeting Minutes 4. Old Business Updates 5. New Business a. Public Works update on winter road salt b. Certasun guest speaker on residential solar 6. Communications a. Winnetka Report Sustainability issue 7. Committee/Staff Reports a. Rob Bahan's retirement party Sept 30 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 3  WINNETKA ENVIRONMENTAL, FORESTRY, AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 13, 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, August 13, 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, Liz Kunkle, King Poor, Dave Varca. Voting members absent: Brendan Andrew, Tim Ring. Village Council Representative present: Kim Handler. Student Representative present: Louisa Hernandez. Student Representative absent: Scarlett Harper. Staff Liaison present: Elyse Steiner, Sustainability Coordinator. 1) Introduction & Chair’s Remarks: New student representative Louisa Hernandez was introduced and welcomed to the Commission. 2) Public Comment: NONE 3) Review and Approval of Minutes a) Approval of the June Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Poor, seconded by Commissioner Kunkle to approve the minutes. AYES: FREZADOS, KUNKLE, VARCA, POOR, ECK NAYS: NONE ABSENT: ANDREW, RING 4) Old Business: a) Climate Action Plan Elyse provided an update on data collection and overall timing of the plan. The analysts will be sure to test the reasonableness of the data. b) Farmers’ Market EFSC will staff the September 6 market, and the “theme” will be tree health. September 6 is also the Go Green Winnetka Native Plant Sale. c) Friends of Green Bay Trail Day and sign Page 2 of 3  Peter Eck and Greg Frezados represented the Village. They promoted the Hefty Renew program and solicited feedback on environmental issues from residents. Feedback was positive and we will plan to participate again next year. Trail sign for Ash St. still in production. Likely installation in September. d) Green event guidelines Dave Varca continues to develop. e) Public Works discussion tentatively scheduled for September f) Residential solar sub-group report Winnetka should be a model of ease and efficiency for residential solar. Sub-group is looking at other suburban zoning ordinances to compare and make recommendations. Can we get data from Switch Together on mailings and participation? g) Municipal solar RFP for The Yards now open. Moving quickly to qualify for investment tax credit. 5) New Business a) Leaf-blower ban. Winnetka participated in a regional meeting to discuss the gas-powered leaf blower ban. Mike Braiman from Wilmette received a proposal from The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) to conduct a study to assess the feasibility of expanding the ban to spring and fall clean-up months. 6) Communications: Work continues updating the 2019 Communications calendar. Also tracking community contacts such as Friends of the Chicago River, Friends or the Green Bay Trail, Go Green, etc. There is an opportunity to work with Village Communications on a special Sustainability issue of the Winnetka Report. Need to identify when and what the contentment would be. 7) Commission/Staff Reports: Student representatives are involved with sustainability at New Trier. Potential opportunities for information-sharing. 8) Open Forum: None. 9) Adjournment: There being no further business, Chair Eck asked for a motion to adjourn which was moved by Commissioner Kunkle and seconded by Commissioner Frezados. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote; the meeting adjourned at 8:20p.m. Page 3 of 3