Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission

Village of Winnetka Environmental, Forestry, & Sustainability Commission Meeting May 13, 2026 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. April 8 EFSC Meeting Minutes 4. Old Business Updates 5. New Business a. Bryan Lammers (FOGBT) Presentation b. Andrew Lueck (Village Forester) Presentation c. Solar Day/ Open House d. Climate Action Plan Update 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 April 8, 2026 A record of a legally convened meeting of the Environmental and Forestry Commission of the Village of Winnetka, which was held in the Council Chambers at Village Hall, 510 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, Illinois, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 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 Tim Ring, Dave Varca King Poor, Ben Dietz, and Liz Kunkle. Members absent:. Gregory Frezados. A quorum of presently appointed members was present. Village Council Representative present: Kim Handler. Student Representative Present: Scarlett Harper. Student Representative Absent: Louisa Hernandez. Staff Liaison present: Elyse Steiner. 1) Introduction & Chair’s Remarks: 2) Public Comment: Louis Zaransky, Winnetka resident/ student, spoke about concerns that high global warming potential (GWP) and ozone-depleting refrigerants are not being properly handled and disposed of in the Village. When air conditioning units and other appliances that use refrigerants are decommissioned, contractors are required by federal law to safely and responsibly collect the harmful chemicals to keep them out of the atmosphere. There is concern about noncompliance with the law. Commenter suggested more rigorous inspections or proof of compliance in the permitting process. 3) Review and Approval of Minutes a) Approval of the March Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Poor, seconded by Commissioner Kunkle to approve the minutes as presented. AYES: ECK, VARCA, RING, KUNKLE, POOR. NAYS: NONE ABSENT: FREZADOS 4) New Business Updates: a) Preparation for Village Council Agenda Items: Green Awards and Monarch Proclamation Page 2 of 3  Commissioners discussed the plans to present the Green Awards. Elyse will introduce the awards and present to the Park District. King Poor will present to Stacy Lucier, and Peter Eck or Scarlett Harper will present North Shore Country Day School’s award. Elyse is on the agenda to read the Monarch Butterfly Proclamation. It was suggested that she prepare an introduction to explain why residents should care about Monarch butterflies and how they can help protect them by planting beneficial natives in their yards. b) Solar educational event Tim Ring is taking the lead on formulating the event. Will include several installers, homeowners, and Village permitting or utility staff to meet interested residents and answer questions. Tentatively planning for Fall/ September timeframe. Need to identify a space and supplies. Question of budget to pay for any expenses. Tim will develop an outline/ general plan for the event. c) Climate Action Plan Schedule has been changed/ delayed. Need more time to make revisions. Trustee Handler thinks actions are not appropriately tailored for Winnetka. Winnetkans might not be interested in some of the actions. Other commissioners thought the actions could work in Winnetka and that the plan can promote actions that reduce emissions. 5) Communications: 6) Commission/Staff Reports: Upcoming events: Waste and Recycling Tools panel at the Library, Switch Together solar event at Sketchbook, Chicago River Day at Skokie Lagoons 7) Open Forum: 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 Varca. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote; the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Page 3 of 3