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Green Committee Packet 2009 11-23-09 Ilk C1"' o, United City of Yorkville fall� 800 Game Farm Road EST. .1 _ 1836 Yorkville, Illinois 60560 o� L Fi- �' Telephone: 630-553-4350 � - Fax: 630-553-7575 <CE AGENDA YORKVILLE GREEN COMMITTEE November 23, 2009 7:00 P.M. Yorkville Public Library First Floor Meeting Room 902 Game Farm Road Mission Statement: To advise the City Council of the United City of'Yarkville, Illinois on ways to enhance the community environment and ways to equip and encourage citizens and businesses to participate in.sustainable ecological practices. Call to Order: Welcome Members and Guests: Approval of Minutes: September 28, 2009 and October 26, 2009 New Business: 1. Presentation on Electronics Recycling by Com2 Committee Reports: 1. Share & Care Recycling Event Committee— Summary of Oct 24, 2009 Event 2. Environmental Fair Committee -- Status Report 3, Water Conservation Committee—Recommendations Progress Report 4. Plastic Bag Reduction 5. Chamber Green Committee Recommendation Progress Reports: 1. Tree Survey Recommendation 2. Tree City Recommendation 3. Electronic Recycling Perm Program progress 4. Franchise Agreement Recommendation 5. Recycling in Parks, Athletic Fields, etc 6. Budget Line Item for Environmental Education that allows Fundraising Old Business: 1. Clean Air Counts 2. Report on Third Annual Renewal Energy Fair on October 17, 2009, at Waubonsee Community College 3. Zoning Ordinance Committee Update 4. Kendall County Solid Waste Committee 5. Wind Turbine Ordinance Progress 6. Cool City Challenge Action Plan 7. Rain Garden—Second City Rain Garden Progress Additional Business: 1. Report from Jackie Dearborn, Green Committee Staff Liaison Adjournment: 2010 Tentative Meeting Schedule Jan 25 March 22 May 24 July 26 Sept 27 Nov 22 Feb 22 April 26 June 28 Aug 23 Oct 25 No Dec Meeting DRAFT Minutes YORKVILLE GREEN COMMITTEE September 28, 2009 7:00 P.M. Yorkville Public Library First Floor Meeting Room Call to order: Marta Keane called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Welcome Members and Guests: Members present: Marta Keane, chairperson, Anne Engelhardt, secretary, Mariann Manthei, Cheryl Lee, Al Green, Richard Scheffrahn; Jackie Dearborn, City Staff. Guests: Becky Reichenbach, resident, Miya Russsel, USG, Tim Green, Renewable Resource, Tom Goollecoski, E.J. Plumbing Inc, Pete Huinker, SEL Group, John Philipchuck, DBC &WLtd, Jason Humm, Kendall Land Development, Jacek Zaworski, PROCOM, Dave Ponsco, GG Security/Resident, Todd Wysocki, GE Security, Jessica Pierson, Kendall County Forest Preserve District. New Business: 1. Presentation on Proposed GE Ecomagination Housing Development. 1. Presentation on Proposed GE Ecomagination Housing Development [Secretary Engelhardt's note: The presenters did not have handouts regarding this proposed development. Except for the sign-in sheet, there is nothing in writing for names and areas of expertise). The members of the development group presented some of the features of the proposed housing development: • Use products to minimize carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and generally a green home development • Storm water run off -no additional storm sewer pipes or roadways • Preserve more trees and open space • Provide rain garden, 240 sq ft, 8" depth, connected to downspouts; two different locations of rain gardens • Two-car garages with asphalt driveways; permeable paver option (1 % times the cost of the asphalt) • Development will have 47 detached units and 38 duplexes (76 attached in pairs) • Homeowners' association to enforce the rules of the subdivision. • Guarantee 20% savings on water and energy bills. • Interior gypsum and interior finishing products to have 99%recycled content, 100% formaldehyde-free, meet and exceed the VOC requirements. • Apply stringent sustainable practices • Provide solar heaters or tankless water heaters; the homeowner will get$1500 tax credit on their return • Options for geothermal and solar panels to generate some energy and savings • Each home will not be set up for geothermal; estimate to be 7— 10 years to realize the monetary return on the investment • Option for tankless water heater • Standard model will have semblance of things, including CFL light bulbs and Energy Star appliances • Wiring will integrate the subsystems • GE security will teach customers how to save energy by management of water and power usage • Options for automatic turn-on exhaust fans, as in bathrooms, etc. • GE is the manufacturer of the products The representatives from the group explained and demonstrated the GE Smart Command Environment Monitor. The City of Yorkville Council meeting will have a public hearing on October 13 regarding this development proposal. The Group has already been to Plan Commission and Economic Development Counsel prior to the up-corning city council meeting. Many questions were raised and addressed. Question from Keane: What all will be standard Green things? Also options for buyers? Are you exceeding the density? Comprehensive plan calls for 2.25 units per acres. Answer: 2.35 density units per acres. Under the zoning requirements, the density is at the maximum. The development group will ask for a variance to the comprehensive plan and compared their request for variance to PUD, which is a variance. Question from Keane: What are the obstacles that you need to overcome with the plan commission? At this point you are offering a base green style with options. Question from Lee: Will any buildings be LEED certified for homes? Or certified by NAHB? Answer: They will follow guidelines for NAHB and LEED. Question from Lee: Will you recycle the construction materials? Answer: They will consider this procedure. They expect to have three different dumpsters for different items to separate the recyclables and will train the workers on site. Question from Lee: What will you do that will promote a green lifestyle? Answer: They will be required to follow current ordinances, including requirements for city parks, gardens and vegetable gardens. The current proposal does not allow clotheslines; current proposal has connection to Com Ed bike trail. Question: What about the existing covenants? Answer: They will have to look at the covenants. Also they plan to "Green up" the CCNR's. Question: Are you wired for wind turbines? Answer: Not on houses, but may, in the future, have wind turbines on street lights. Challenge is the battery power. Question: How many Ecomagination developments are there in Illinois? Answer: None. But have one in Myrtle Beach and in North Carolina. Question: How are sales? Answer: Better than here. Question: What is the demographic that is buying? Answer: Cannot tell you. GE has invested a lot of money in this company. Shell of building is stock,but the internals will be customized. Question: Will the homes be handicapped accessible? Answer: No, the terrain is very hilly and homes will be two stories. Question: What about the park? Answer: The land slopes much and is not very usable. Wetland and fen will be protected. The area will have sidewalks throughout and connecting to the Com Ed trail. (Attached document lists the proposed standards) At 8:23 pm. Keane moved on to the regular meeting. Approval of Minutes: August 24, 2009-10-22 Keane asked that the minutes be corrected by adding the name of guest Becky Reichenbach. Green noted three additional corrections, including (I) page one, under Committee Reports, third bullet point, delete "Veolia" and add "Com 2", (2)page two, under Recommendation Progress Reports, #2, the title line, Delete "Tree City" and add "Water Conservation", and (3) under Recommendation Progress Reports, 2. third sentence, delete "tree" and add"landscape". Al Green motioned to accept minutes with the four noted changes. Lee seconded. Vote: All "yes" to approve minutes as corrected. Motion passed. Thank you note Keane staffed that she received a thank you note from Kendall County Outdoor Education Center for Keane's participation, representing the Green Committee, at the Family Adventure Day in August. The Green Committee is invited back next year. Recycling natural Christmas trees Jessica Pierson is Assistant Naturalist at Kendall County Forest Preserve. She presented information about an up-coming event that she is developing. On January 9, 2010, there will be an opportunity for recycling natural trees with the use of a chipping machine. The event will be held in the parking lot at the Historic Courthouse and at the Kendall County administrative building. She would like to include a collection of recyclable items. Scheffrahn asked Pierson to explain the final destination of the wood chips. Lee suggested to her to find out if the city could take the chipped wood for use in parks, etc., Dearborn offered to check on this possibility. Lee also suggested to Pierson to check with the highway department. Pierson stated she will check on this. Pierson thought that chipped wood cannot be brought into the Kendall County Forest Preserve. She will investigate this point. Keane asked if the trees could be chipped on a City site, where it could be left and used at a later time. Manthei asked if she thought that people will people take their trees,bulky, large, dried out, to get them chipped. She also offered a green suggestion that the natural tree be used for bird feeders outdoors in the winter months. Engelhardt commented that Veolia does have a pick up for natural trees that get taken for landfills. Schef-rahn offered another possibility of using the fairgrounds or Hoover as a dumping ground for the trees and then mulch it all at a later date. Pierson will check with the fairgrounds. Green stated he liked the idea that the trees be dropped off on a city site and then chipped at a later date. Additional discussion centered around what other items Pierson had in mind to collect for recycling, such as small electronics, books,batteries, scrap metal, etc. Engelhardt suggested to Pierson that she attend the Care& Share Day on October 24 to see the method of operation and handling of the recyclable items. Pierson stated that she will continue to research to develop a plan for this event. Keane stated that the Green Committee is willing to work to help out if needed. Committee Reports: 1 Share & Care Recycling Event Committee—October 24, 2009 2. Environmental Fair Committee—Recommendations Progress Report 3. Water Conservation Committee—Recommendations Progress Report 4. Plastic Bag Reduction' 5. Chamber Green Committee Engelhardt motioned to accept the reports as written. Scheffrahn seconded. Vote: all "yes". Motion passed. Recommendation Progress Reports: 1. Tree Survey Recommendation 2. Tree City Recommendation 3. Electronic Recycling Permanent Program 4. Franchise Agreement Recommendation 5. Recycling in Parks, Athletic Fields, etc. 6. Budget Line Item for Environmental Education that allows Fundraising Marta stated that she will add page numbers on reports in the future. City Admin is going to contact the listed communities that have already taken on the franchise agreements to acquire some comparative information. Green motioned to accept the recommendation progress reports Scheffrahn seconded. Vote: All "yes." Motion passed. Old Business: 1. Clean Air Counts 2. Third Annual Renewal Energy Fair on October 17, 2009. at Waubonsee Community College 3. Zoning Ordinance Committee Update 4. Kendall County Solid Waste Committee 5. Wind Turbine Ordinance Progress 6. Cool City Challenge Action Plan 7. Rain Garden—Second City Rain Garden Progress Keane asked Green Committee to sign up for Oct .17 (YHS homecoming weekend), Third Annual Renewable Energy Fair 9—5 pm at Waubonsee College. Chamber of Commerce will set up and work 9:00— 11:00 a.m. Time slot 11:00 a.m. —3:00 p.m. is open. Engelhardt will work 3:00—5:00. Keane will work 3:00—5:00. Both will help close. Dearborn will check with Travis to see if someone from the city might be able to work the booth or check in. Engelhardt handed out a sheet to sign up to work at the Care & Share Recycling Day on Saturday, October 24h. Volunteers will do two hour shifts. Five members of the Green Committee signed up to help. Lee reported that there will some volunteers from t he Yorkville Junior Women's club. Engelhardt reported that there will be 8 or more from the Yorkville Congregational Church Green Group. Lee will contact the ACE group (Athletes Committed to Excellence) at YHS and the St. Pat's CCD class. Lee suggested that Harry Wolf, sponsor of the YHS SAFE club (Students Acting For the Earth),be contacted to see if there will be high school students who can help. Engelhardt will follow-up on this. Manthei volunteered to pick up pizzas for the volunteers. Scheffrahn motioned to accept old business reports. Green seconded. Vote: All "yes." Motion passed. Keane asked the Green Committee to discuss and form a recommendation about the proposed GE Ecomagination Housing Development. The following recommendation will be presented to the City Council. The Green Committee heard a presentation from Kendall Land Development Corp., on their updated proposal to build Kendallwood as a GE Ecomagination development. They offered a list of items that they proposed as standards that will save homeowners 20%of utility costs annually. They also proposed an additional list of optional items that buyers may choose that would further improve the energy efficiency of the homes. The Green Committee endorses the concept of GE Ecomagination. We recommend that the PUD agreement require specific minimum development standards (such as Energy Star Requirements or LEED far Homes standards) and that the covenants be reviewed and revised to reflect green goals (such as allowing clothes lines, minimal use ofsod, rain gardens, native plantings, etc). Additional Business: 1. Report from Jackie Dearborn, Green Committee and Staff Liaison Keane adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Next meeting: Monday, November 23, 2009 REPORT SUMMARY YORKVILLE GREEN COMMITTEE November 23, 2009 Meeting Mission Statement. To advise the City Council of the United City of Yorkville, Illinois on ways to enhance the community environment and ways to equip and encourage citizens and businesses to participate in sustainable ecological practices. New Business: School News—submitted by Mrs. Kristi Kunkel, Fifth Grade Teacher, Yorkville Intermediate School YIS Fifth Grade Green Team Report: September—November 2009 September/October • Each of the nine fifth grade teachers asked who would be interested in joining the Fifth Grade Green Team after explaining what it was all about. They then, drew four names randomly out of those interested, for a total of about 36 members. • We had our first meeting. Students signed a contract stating they will be committed to "going green," learned some shocking facts about the damage we cause to our earth and some tips about how to prevent it, and then had a lesson about how to collect recycling bins in the classrooms. Four student representatives from each class are in charge of collecting recycling bins for a week, once every nine weeks. (We just rotate classrooms.) November • We met on Wed., Nov. 4 to discuss planning our first school-wide"Go Green Day'for Wed.,Nov. 18. We discussed that students should be bringing reusable water bottles and lunchboxes all the time. Also, on that day everyone should attempt to go paperless, as well as turn the lights out for the last hour of the school day. Of course we planned to wear green as a reminder too. Students made advertisements for our"Go Green Day." • On Wed.,November 18, "Go Green Day"took place! December • Our next meeting is scheduled for Wed., Dec. 2 and the plan is to create ornaments out of recycled materials. O Committee Reports: Share& Care Recycling Event--submitted by Marta Keane The metal from the scrap metal recycling resulted in revenue of $44.20 per Jim Alderman, General Manager of Veolia ES Solid Waste Midwest. This is a substantial increase over the $6 that was reported as the revenue from last year. Jim is making arrangements through Jackie Dearborn to deposit this into City account line item. Environmental Fair—submitted by Cheryl Lee &Jackie Dearborn Sue Swithin and Cheryl Lee are moving forward with plans for the Environmental Fair, which has been scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Rec Center. Cheryl has prepared the letter to issue to last year's exhibitors. I need to understand what, if any restrictions we will have in terms of time and space for this event before I go forward and solicit sponsors and exhibitors. Water Conservation Committee—Recommendations progress report-submitted by Al Green Several recommendations were forwarded onto Mayor Burd. 1. Update Yorkville Building Code to 2009 IBC—EDC had presentation ore Nov 3, 2009. 2. The revisions to the Park Development Standards were in regards to why 100 ft. or less of sod is mandatory for park access points. According to staff, this requirement is because of the high traffic at access points by bike and foot. The use of seed with the high foot traffic results in mud being tracked all over the concrete resulting in the need to power-wash the concrete which could cause the use of more water. Also, sometimes seed cannot be used because of the time of year and it cannot establish, resulting in erosion from rain events. Sod is put down to help prevent erosion. Staff would be willing to narrow the standard from 100 ft to 50 ft, but would not support the elimination of this requirement. This was discussed and approved by the Park Board on July 23 and by the Public Works Committee on Sept 15. It was on the agenda for the Sept 22 City Council meeting and approved. 3. Revisions to the Landscape Ordinance Section 2.4, Lot Landscaping, which add new construction single family and duplex development to have 1 shade tree per lot, were prepared by staff and brought to City Council Committee. This was discussed at the August 18th Public Works Committee meeting and approved to move forward to City Council for consideration on August 25, where it was approved. 4. In regards to the revisions to Section 2.6, Storm Water Storage Basin Landscaping, the native landscape buffer yards are already required to be naturalized according to the park development standards, which are part of the Subdivision Control Ordinance. Staff did not recommend the addition of the text because it will contradict the park development standards. The buffer yard is for additional trees and shrubs only in addition to the naturalized basin. 5. The City Council will consider a resolution on Nov 24 to support the Joint COGS Water Supply Planning Group. Plastic Bag Reduction—submitted by Mariann Manthei&Marta Keane No Report this month Chamber Green Committee—submitted by Cheryl Lee TheYACC Green Committee is in the process of creating its web page that will reside on the new chamber website. This webpage will offer the application and the training modules for the Green Business Designation. Rather than actually conducting a training course, the chamber has decided to make these modules available for download and accessible as individual steps as needed. In addition, we plan to have resources available as links for member information as well as a list of local and global events.We expect to begin the award criteria in December/January. Recommendation Progress Reports: Tree Survey Recommendation—submitted by Jackie Dearborn Travis Miller attended a meeting with the CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) staff who are impressed with our tree survey and the uniqueness of the project. They want to use this in their Full Circle project and as a model throughout Chicago. They will be presenting this project to CMAP probably in January, 2010. Tree City Recommendation—submitted by Jackie Dearborn The Mayor would like us to work on putting together a tree board. Both a professional forester or arborist and an advisory board are recommended. The City does not have a professional staff member to serve but one would be required to determine if a tree is eligible for a heritage designation. I will need to discuss further with the Mayor the idea of hiring a consultant. To pay for the consultant, the ordinance would require a permit or application fee from anyone seeking to have their tree designated as a heritage tree. Electronic Recycling Perm Program progress—submitted by Marta Keane&Jackie Dearborn Currently the City of Yorkville is registering as a collector per the [EPA Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act. Earlier this year Com2 submitted this information to the City: 1,033 lbs dp#2842 -April 9, 2009 1,026 lbs dp#2884 -April 29,2009 865 lbs dp#2918 -May 19, 2009 1,308 lbs dp# 3002 -June 19, 2009 1,359 lbs dp# 3115 -August 8, 2009 Grand Total as of August 8,2009= 5,591 lbs. 13,325 lbs were collected on Oct. 24,2009 at the Share& Care Event Additional information was requested from Com2 when they gave a presentation at the October meeting but this has not yet been received. We are awaiting: •complete up-dated list of items being accepted •list of where the various components go after they leave Com 2 Signage paid for by Com2 at the entrance to the street where the Drop-Off is located Franchise Agreement Recommendation—submitted by Jackie Dearborn This recommendation was put on the Public Works Committee agenda for discussion at the December 15th meeting at 6:30pm. Recycling in Parks, Athletic Fields, etc—submitted by Jackie Dearborn The DCEO grant application was sent in prior to the deadline on November 13'h, 2009. Jackie Dearborn will be presenting this application at the upcoming Park Board Meeting on December 3`d and at the City Council Meeting on December 8a'. Budget Line Item - No Report, but interested in learning if any contributions have been made to this Iine item for the upcoming Share and Care Recycling Event or for any other expenses. Old Business Reports: Clean Air Counts—submitted by Travis Miller&Jackie Dearborn The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact, which the City signed, cites the Clean Air Counts campaign only as an example of what some communities are doing and doesn't specifically list it as a strategy for communities to do in order to adhere to the Compact. It is suggested that the Green Committee make a recommendation to the Mayor that the City Council be requested to endorse the Clean Air Counts Campaign and whatever specific actions that the Green Committee recommends (link on the City webpage, email blast with alerts to subscribers, etc.) It would also be a good way to remind everyone of the Compact and demonstrate that the City is still following the recommendations of the Compact. Zoning Ordinance Commission Update—submitted by Al Green The Commission met on Oct 28 to review and discuss a partial draft of the revised Ordinance. The next meeting is Jan 28, 2010, at which time a complete draft will be reviewed. The next step will be a public hearing to solicit additional input. Kendall County Solid Waste Committee—submitted by Richard Scheffrahn On August 25 the Kendall County Solid Waste Committee met to provide recommendations for Landfill and Transfer Station goals. The committee recommended that no new or expanded landfills should be allowed within Kendall County. The committee discussed additional limitation on Transfer Stations to require a recycling center component. Wind Turbine Ordinance Progress—submitted by AI Green The Wind Turbine Ordinance for Rooftop systems was approved at the August 11 City Council Meeting. The Economic Development Committee considered a draft: of the revision to include Small systems (up to 100Kw) on Sept 1. It had it's first City Council reading on Sept 8, and it's second reading on Sept 22. It was redrafted as a separate Ordinance, and re presented on Oct 13. Cool City Challenge Action Plan—submitted by Anne Englehardt As a follow-up to the presentation to the Committee last year on the Cool City Challenge, and the United City of Yorkville's commitment to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus on Climate Change, the Green Committee should move forward with a plan to engage the residents and businesses of Yorkville in methods to reduce their carbon pollution. The proposed Action Plan requires at least two volunteers to co-chair a subcommittee on this subject. The co-chairs will draft a list of specific things that can be done to reduce one's carbon footprint(CO2 waste); then ask the Green Committee to approve this list. The list will then be forwarded to the Mayor in the form of a Recommendation through the Chairman of the Committee and a request will be made to have an item placed on the City Council Agenda. A member of the Committee will explain the Cool City Challenge; Bring two books to loan to Council members; Bring a Green Committee handout (booklet) that was developed and approved; and then request for follow-up 6— 8 weeks later at the City Council's Committee meetings. Of course the Green Committee members involved would attend subsequent City Council meetings on the subject and create subsequent action recommendations for the City if necessary. Additionally,the Committee would work with the City to publicize and promote the program. A step-by-step handout is available. Rain Garden—submitted by Marta Keane There are two Rain Gardens, one at the City Hall and another at the Rec Center. Efforts should be made to highlight this great method of slowing stormwater in residential and commercial areas. Staff Liaison Report—submitted by Jackie Dearborn The Mayor added a Green/Environmental Update to the Mayor's Report to keep City Council informed. Any updates will be presented at the City Council Meeting on the 2'd Tuesday of the month. I received a call and emails from UpCycle Products in Minooka who are selling rain barrels and tumbling composters. They have fundraising opportunities available. They attended 13 Farmers Markets in Yorkville, where they handed out 155 brochures and sold 29 rain barrels and talked with even more people that were excited about the rain barrels, and are sure a municipal campaign would do even better.