Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission

Regular Meeting

Winnetka, IL · December 10, 2025

Minutes

WINNETKA ENVIRONMENTAL, FORESTRY, AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES December 10, 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 Police Station Classroom, 410 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, Illinois, Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Call to Order: Chair Eck called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Voting Members present: Chair Peter Eck and Commissioners Liz Kunkle, King Poor, Gregory Frezados, Brendan Andrew, and Tim Ring. A quorum of presently appointed members was present. Voting members absent: Dave Varca. Village Council Representative absent: Kim Handler. Student Representative present: Louisa Hernandez. Scarlett Harper. Student Representative absent: None. Staff Liaison present: Elyse Steiner, Sustainability Manager. 1) Introduction & Chair’s Remarks: Chair Eck recapped the November Climate Action Plan discussion as an introduction for the Community Open House. 2) Public Comment: Bryan Lammers and Steve Huels spoke on the importance of preserving the Village’s population of native trees and ongoing restoration work on the Green Bay Trail. 3) Review and Approval of Minutes a) Approval of the September Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Ring, seconded by Commissioner Kunkle to approve the minutes. AYES: KUNKLE, FREZADOS, ANDREW, RING, POOR, ECK NAYS: NONE ABSENT: VARCA 4) Old Business: NONE 5) New Business c) Climate Action Plan Emilee O’Neill from Keramida led the CAP Community Open House session with the EFSC members and residents starting with some background and results of the greenhouse gas inventory. The meeting moved into an interactive portion with attendees writing their ideas on posters. 5) Communications: 6) Commission/Staff Reports: 7) Open Forum: None. 8) Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Agenda

Packet

Village of Winnetka Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission Meeting December 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM Police Department 410 Green Bay Road AGENDA 1. Introduction & Chair's Remarks 2. Public Comments 3. Review and Approval of Minutes a. November 12 Meeting Minutes 4. Old Business Updates 5. New Business a. Climate Action Plan Open House 6. Communications 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 3 WINNETKA ENVIRONMENTAL, FORESTRY, AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES November 12, 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 Police Station classroom, 410 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, Illinois, Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Call to Order: Chair Eck called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Voting Members present: Chair Peter Eck and Commissioners. A quorum of presently appointed members was present, Liz Kunkle, King Poor, Dave Varca. Voting members absent: Gregory Frezados Brendan Andrew, Tim Ring. Village Council Representative absent: Kim Handler. Student Representative present: Louisa Hernandez. Student Representative absent: Scarlett Harper. Staff Liaison present: Elyse Steiner, Sustainability Coordinator. 1) Introduction & Chair’s Remarks: Chair Eck recognized the work and achievements of the EFSC in 2025. 2) Public Comment: NONE 3) Review and Approval of Minutes a) Approval of the September Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Varca, seconded by Commissioner Kunkle to approve the minutes. AYES: KUNKLE, VARCA, POOR, ECK, NAYS: NONE ABSENT: FREZADOS, ANDREW, RING 4) Old Business: a) Climate Action Plan Emilee O’Neill from Keramida led the CAP engagement session with the EFSC members starting with some background and results of the greenhouse gas inventory. The conversation covered the scope, timing, and expectations of the final deliverable. The plan will set a long- term target and identify the actions, policies, and technologies that will contribute to emission reductions. b) Sustainability special issue of Winnetka Report Page 2 of 3 List of potential topics/ stories in shared folder for review and volunteers to take responsibility for drafting. Suggestion to add education on “leave the leaves” campaign and organize a Clean Up the Park Day. Proposal to finalize by May. c) Green Events Reflects research and reviews of other community practices to educate and motivate waste- reduction at large events. Wilmette provides some examples, guidelines. Next step to engage Council members on feasibility and acceptability. 5) New Business 5) Communications: 6) Commission/Staff Reports: 7) Open Forum: None. 8) Adjournment: There being no further business, Chair Eck asked for a motion to adjourn which was moved by Commissioner Kunkle and seconded by Commissioner Poor. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote; the meeting adjourned at 8:18p.m. Page 3 of 3