Green Committee Packet 2009 06-15-09 "'O'D Cl,-
o United City of Yorkville
EST. j ,gas 800 Game Farm Road
Yorkville, Illinois 60560
o Telephone: 630-553-4350
Fax: 630-553-7575
AGENDA
YORKVILLE GREEN COMMITTEE
June 15, 2009
7:00 P.M.
Yorkville City Hall Council Chambers
Mission Statement: To advise the City Council of the United City of Yorkville, Illinois on ways to enhance the cwnmaenity
environment and ivays to equip and encourage citizens and businesses to participate in sustainable ecological practices.
Call to Order:
Welcome Members and Guests:
Approval of Minutes: April 27, 2009 and May 18, 2009
New Business:
1. Wind Energy—presentation by Torn Kowolski
2. Report from Glory Spies, City of Yorkville Community Relations
3. Clean Air Counts
4. Create a business, community organization and non-profit environmental recognition program
Committee Reports:
1. Share & Care Recycling Event Committee—proposed for Oct 24, 2009
2. Education Committee—volunteers for articles?
a. Cutting CO2 series of articles progress report
3. Water Conservation Committee— Recommendations progress report
4. Plastic Bag Reduction
5. Environmental Fair Committee — any additional update
Recommendation Progress Reports:
1. Tree Survey Recommendation
2. Tree City Recommendation
3. Franchise Agreement Recommendation
4. Electronic Recycling Perm Program progress
5. Recycling in Parks, Athletic Fields, etc
Old Business:
1. Third Annual Renewable Energy Fair on October 17, 2009, at Waubonsee Community College
2. Zoning Ordinance Committee Update
3. Kendall County Solid Waste Committee
4. Wind Turbine Ordinance Progress
Additional Business:
1. Report from Stephanie Boettcher, Green Committee Staff Liaison
Adjournment:
2009 Meeting Schedule
July 27 September 28 November 23
August 24 October 26
MINUTES D
YORKVILLE GREEN COMMITTEE
April 27, 2009
Yorkville Public Library
First Floor Meeting Room
Mission Statentent. To advise the City Council of the United City of Yorkville, Illinois on ways to enhance the
comnaunity environment and ways to equip and encourage citizens and businesses to participate in sustainable
ecological practices.
Call to Order: Keane called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Welcome Members and Guests: Members: Al Green, Anne Engelhardt, Marta Keane, Cheryl Lee,
Mariann Manthei, Richard Scheffrahn; City: Stephanie Boettcher, Guests: Alderman Bob Allen,
Kathy Reeder, Susan Carlson, Bobby Carlson, Larry Cooper.
Approval of Minutes: Boettcher stated that the minutes should have the following corrections. Under
the section "Recommendation Progress Reports." #1. Add "Interns will be hired subject to receiving a
Full Circle grant from Illinois. #2. Delete the period between "the" and "Mayor". Under the section
"New Business"#3 delete the first six words.
Engelhardt motioned to approve the minutes for meeting of March 23, 2009, with the corrections as
stated by Boettcher. Scheffrahn seconded. Vote: all "yes".
New Business:
1. Downtown Yorkville Merchants Association (DYMA) seeking volunteers for a River Clean up
on May 2.
Engelhardt will contact Jeanne Morell, of the DYMA and suggest the availability of bug spray
for the volunteers, and request a follow-up report from them regarding the cleanup.
2. Recycling in Parks, Athletic Fields, etc.
Boettcher asked Bart Olson about this agenda item; No recycling containers or service has been
done to staff knowledge. Engelhardt motioned to recommend the City of Yorkville pursue
recycling containers at the City's parks and athletic fields along with the proper disposal of
the recycling items. The recommendation will include a suggestion that the City review the
contract with Veolia, and ask if Veolia can place dumpsters at high volume parks.
Scheffrahn seconded. All yes. Engelhardt and Keane will write the recommendation.
3. Third Annual Renewal Energy Fair on October 17, 2009, at Waubonsee Community College
requesting the Green Committee's participation/exhibit with offer to waive $25 fee. Scheffrahn
motioned to table this agenda item. The commitment of the Green Committee is partially related
to when the fall Care and Share day will be held. Lee seconded. Vote: All "yes."
Committee Reports (written reports sent out by Sunday):
1. Education Committee--volunteers for articles? (Marta &Anne)
a. Cutting CO2 series of articles progress report
2. Water Conservation Committee—Recommendations progress report (Al & Phil)
Comment added to the written report: Scheffrahn stated that the Building Dept is currently
reviewing the 2009 building code.
3. Plastic Bag Reduction (Mariann)
Comments added to the written report: Ace gave out 100 re-usable bags last Sunday. Manthei
has a DVD recording of Oprah's Earth Day show. The DVD is available to be loaned to anyone
on the Green Committee interested. Keane added that the Recycling Bank will soon be coming
to Illinois. Manthei motioned to recommend the City to pursue a hot link to Oprah's Earth
Day show on the City's web site. Lee amended the motion to include adding a hot link to
www.freeevele.com. Lee seconded. Engelhardt and Keane will write the recommendation
to go to the Mayor.
4. Environmental Fair Committee —any additional update (Cheryl & Phil).
5. Share & Care Recycling Event Committee—update for 2009 (Anne & Marta) Engelhardt asked
the Green Committee members for input regarding the possible sites. Lee stated that we can and
should partner with other organizations; Scheffrahn will ask Marlin Hartman if the county will
be hosting any this year.
Engelhardt commented that no City-owned building will accommodate the size and scope of this
event. Boettcher stated the Public Works Director said that tarps or tents will be the way to go at
the new public works building. Suggestions for possible sites include visitation of all possible
City locations and large parking lots, Kendall County Department of Solid Waste, and checking
with Oswego's ECO group, Goodwill parking lot, and the Kendall County Fair Grounds. It
might be possible if the City partnered with the County to get a discount on the Fair Grounds.
Engelhardt will also check the City's event calendar and School Dist 115 calendar. The
committee will keep Mayor Burd informed of any progress in the investigation.
Keane talked about changing the mindset of society to change environmental behavior to become
more conservative and Iess wasteful. Jewel in Downers Grove had a reminder prompt at their
front door to remind people to bring in re-usable bags. Keane motioned to recommend that
the Green Committee request a letter making several different suggestions as to how to
increase the use of re-usable shopping bags; the letter will be sent to retailers. Manthei
seconded. Vote: All "yes." Keane will write the recommendation.
Scheffrahn recommended that Green Committee write a letter to the editor from the Green
Committee congratulating Aldi's on their aggressive approach to encouraging the use of
re-usable shopping bags and recognizing Target and Ace for handing out re-usable bags.
Mayor needs to approve the letter, and Glory Spies will review it. Engelhardt seconded.
Vote: All "yes." Keane will write the letter.
Recommendation Progress Reports (written reports sent out by Sunday):
Scheffrahn made motion to accept reports 1 and 3. Keane seconded.
Vote: All "yes"
1. Tree Survey Recommendation— (Mayor Burd & Cheryl)
2. Tree City Recommendation (Richard) Boettcher reported that a grant from CMAP was
received and work will begin on the project this summer. All the work will be done by City staff
with GPS systems and with the help of interns (college students).
The standard for the tree city designation is $2.00 per person. Based on the recent census, the
population of Yorkville is 16,813, which weans the city will be required to spend $33,626. The
City met the funding requirement last year; it is necessary to see if the city will meet the
requirement for 2009. The recommendation to apply for the Tree City designation needs to go to
a City committee.
3. Franchise Agreement Recommendation
4. Electronic Recycling Perm Program progress (Stephanie) --
Manthei requested that the Green Committee have a progress report in May.
5. Budget Line Item for Environmental Education that allows Fundraising (Richard)
Boettcher explained that the procedure will involve approval from Mayor and approval by City
Council for all fundraising for all fundraising efforts and for all expenditures of the money raised.
Boettcher requested that the Green Committee at the May meeting have a discussion with the
Mayor as to handle fundraising efforts. Lee asked for a list of guidelines for raising funds and
for spending the funds raised before discussion with the mayor. Boettcher suggested waiting
until after talking with the Mayor before drafting a list of guidelines.
Old Business:
1. Zoning Ordinance Committee Update (Al)
2. Kendall County Solid Waste Committee (Marta)
3. Wind Turbine Ordinance Progress
Scheffrahn summarized the discussion at the Public Works Committee. A small system
produces .4 kilowatts at its maximum. The roof top systems are available for purchase at
Menards. The ordinance, which is highly restrictive for roof top systems, is being handled
similarly to the regulations for satellite dishes. One roof-top will be allowed by the ordinance
with a regular permit. Additional rooftop turbines will be required with a special pen-nit.
Large systems are intended to be used for generating power to be sold back to the electric utility
grid.
All the ordinances will be reviewed in more depth; developing the codes for the purpose of
control .
Lee motioned that the Green Committee write a letter to the City council stating that the
Green Committee supports the concept of an ordinance for wind turbines to generate
alternative energy. Keane seconded. Vote: All "yes." Keane will write the letter.
Additional Business:
May 4 I is the next Economic Development committee.
Lee requested Green Committee add "events" to the Yorkville Green Events Calendar. These
should be sent to Glory Spies.
Next meeting of the Yorkville Green Committee is Monday, May 18.
Public input meeting will be on May 14, 4- 7 p.m.; presentation at 5:30, at Parks and Recreation
Administration building (Old post office), 201 W. Hydraulic Street. The purpose of the
infonnational meeting is to address to a comprehensive plan for bike paths and for a downtown
streetscape plan.
Adjournment: Keane adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m.
2009 Meeting Schedule
June 22 September 28
April 27 July 27 October 26
May 18 (Monday) August 24 November 23
MINUTES/RECORD OF MEETING
YORKVILLE GREEN COMMITTEE
May 18, 2009
Mission Stateinent: 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.
Call to Order: Marta Keane called the meeting to order
Welcome Members and Guests: Members: Marta Keane, Anne Engelhardt, Al Green, Richard
Scheffrahn; City Staff. Stephanie Boettcher.
There was not a quorum. Those present conducted a discussion meeting, but did not take any action.
Discussing of April Minutes:
Corrections:
1. Remove the email addresses from guests' names.
2. New business 92. Delete: "Boettcher will forward this agenda item to Bart Olson." Add:
"Boettcher asked Bart Olson about this agenda item."
3. Committee Reports #5. On the statement by Boettcher (fourth sentence), add to end of
sentence "at the new public works building."
4. Recommendation Progress Reports #2. Correct spelling to "CMAP."
5. Recommendation Progress Reports #2. In the second sentence, delete "grant" and replace
with "tree city designation."
6. Move last sentence to after first sentence.
New Business:
1. Create a business, community organization and non-profit environmental recognition program
This idea came from Glory Spies.
Green Committee will create a list of criteria for the recognition, which Green Committee can
use for recognitions and can be handed out at City events. Engelhardt liked this idea and
suggested that the Green Committee vote to give it support and to create a cub-committee to
draft criteria for the different categories to receive recognition.
Keane read a report from Cheryl Lee that summarized the Yorkville Chamber of Commerce's
Green Committee's goals for recognition for Green Businesses and an award for Best Green
Business each year. Keane suggested that the sub-committee read the criteria developed by the
Chamber's committee and use this as a starting point in developing the criteria for the Green
Committee.
Keane suggested that the awards from the Green Committee be given out twice a year-- Earth
Day in April and America Recycles Day in November. She said that nominations may be
submitted from any group or individual to recognize the best of each of the categories.
2. Brief discussion on short and long-term goals
Short Term Goals
1. Scheffrahn: More people—more hands and heads to share responsibilities.
2. Engelhardt: Expand the voting membership to ten, using the list of guests at recent meetings
and the list of people who signed up at the Environmental Fair.
3. Boettcher: Green Committee should talk to the people on the list to find out what
environmental topics they are interested and to what extent they are willing to become involved.
This task will be another level of communication.
4. Keane: Definitely contact these people by email or phone; Keane volunteered to start the
process this month with a questionnaire to be emailed to that group.
Long Term Goals
1. Scheffrahn: Green Committee should follow up on some things that have been started. Thin
out the agenda as things get completed.
2. Scheffrahn: Continue to support the larger events, such as the Care & Share Day and the
Environmental Fair.
3. Keane: Preference to leave all the "old business items" on the agenda as a way to remind the
Green Committee that these are still in progress. Green stated that this is a good idea, and that
these will not always require a lot of discussion, but will need to have follow-up until completed.
4. Keane: Wants to have the reports, as well as any new business, by 6 p.m. on the Thursday
before the regular monthly meetings. These reports may be in draft form if necessary in order to
meet the earlier deadline.
5. Boettcher: Green Committee could have an exhibit at Home Town Days in the fall; members
could staff the booth for part of one day. Collect certain items, such as eye glasses, batteries, cell
phones, etc. Engelhardt added that this will be an opportunity to advertise the Care and Share
Event.
In a communique to Keane, Lee reported that the Chamber of Commerce Green Committee has
volunteered to help staff the booth at the Waubonsee College Environmental Fair in the fall.
6. Keane: Address the Cool City Challenge, especially with the City and City Council. Give
them a list of suggestions, based on the book. Boettcher suggested that the/Green Committee go
to the City Council's Committee meetings; get on their agenda to have a forum for discussion to
follow up on the recommendations. The City should set the example by starting the process for
the community. Engelhardt volunteered to address this goal by drafting an action plan to be
included in the agenda for the next meeting.
Committee Reports (written reports sent out by Sunday):
I. Education Committee—volunteers for articles? (Marta & Anne)
a. Cutting CO2 series of articles progress report
2. Water Conservation Committee— Recommendations progress report (Al & Phil)
3. Plastic Bag Reduction (Marianne)
4. Environmental Fair Committee —any additional update (Cheryl & Phil)
5. Share & Care Recycling Event Committee—proposed for Oct 24, 2009 (Anne &Marta)
Engelhardt said that the action plan is outlined, but a meeting with the Mayor is needed before
proceeding. Keane and Engelhardt will try to set up a meeting with Mayor Burd. Keane will
make the contact.
Recommendation Progress Reports (written reports sent out by Sunday):
1. Tree Survey Recommendation—(Mayor Burd & Cheryl)
2. Tree City Recommendation (Richard)
3. Franchise Agreement Recommendation (Marta)
4. Electronic Recycling Penn Program progress (Stephanie)
Keane recommended that the one Saturday per month the E-waste drop-off site be opened to the
public for a couple of hours. She also suggested that various community volunteer groups, such
as Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and school environmental groups, should be asked to help
one time per year.
Engelhardt supported this idea and asked that this be written as a recommendation to be voted on
next meeting. Keane will write the recommendation to be ready for next month.
5. Budget Line Item for Environmental Education that allows Fundraising (Richard)
6. Recycling in Parks, Athletic Fields, etc (Marta)
Old Business:
1. Third Annual Renewal Energy Fair on October 17, 2009, at Waubonsee Community College
requesting the Green Committee's participation/Exhibit with offer to waive $25 fee.
2. Zoning Ordinance Committee Update (Al)
3. Kendall County Solid Waste Committee (Stephanie via Travis)
4. Wind Turbine Ordinance Progress (Al & Stephanie)
5. Downtown Yorkville Merchants Association River Clean up on May 2 - report (Cheryl)
Additional Business:
Adjournment: Keane adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m
2009 Meeting Schedule
March 23 May Changed June 22 September 28
April 27 May 18 (due to holiday) July 27 October 26
April 27 August 24 November 23
REPORT SUMMARY
YORKVILLE GREEN COMN,111'TEE
,Tune 15, 2009 Meeting
Mission Statement: To advise the City Council of the United City of Yorkville, Illinois on ivays to enhance the
community environment and rays to equip and encourage citizens and businesses to participate in sustainable
ecological practices.
New Business:
Clean Air Counts—submitted by Stephanie Boecher and Marta Keane
Recently the Beacon News featured an article on the City of Batavia's "green" efforts in relation to the Clean Air
Counts program. Clean Air Counts is a northeastern Illinois regional initiative to reduce ozone-causing emissions,
thereby improving air quality and enabling economic development. It is a collaborative effort between the
Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, City of Chicago, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5, and Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency. This multi-year initiative seeks to achieve specific and significant reductions in
targeted smog-forming pollutants and major reductions in energy consumption.
A community can become Clean Air Counts Certified at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Batavia is listed
as at the Gold level, Aurora is listed at Platinum while the Village of Oswego and City of Naperville are at the
Bronze level. There are specific community related strategies from energy efficient lighting, to lawnmower buy
back, to low VOC, to natural landscaping. Full information is available at www.cleanaircounts.or
Committee Reports:
Share& Care Recycling Event—submitted by Matta Keane&Anne Englehart
The decision to approach other groups to jointly host this event was approved by the Mayor, as was the location at
the Kendall County Fairgrounds on October 24, 2009. Anne and I are seeking a third co-chair for this event. We
intend to collect many of the same items as we collected last year, but we also hope to allow participants to take
items for part of the day, before giving remaining items to the various collection firms that assist with this event.
We need assistance gathering volunteers and covering costs. The Mayor did approve the solicitation of funding and
a form is being created for partnering organizations and sponsors that will direct funds to the budget line items
created for such Green Committee costs.
Water Conservation Committee—Recommendations progress report-,submitted by Stephanie Boecher
Several recommendations were forwarded onto Mayor Burd.
1.The revisions to the Water Conservation Ordinance were to clean up references as the section numbers are in
correct. The references are up to date in the City Code Book on the Sterling Codifiers Website
(httt)_://sterlin4,,.webiness.comlcodebook/index.ulit)?book id=415), so no revisions will be made to this ordinance.
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 powerwash 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.
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, have been prepared by staff and can be brought to City
Council Committee. Staff will not bring these recommendations to committee unless the Green Committee can
ensure their attendance at the Public Works Committee meeting on July 21" at 6:30 pm. While staff prepared
the revisions it will be the Green Committee's responsibility to speak about them at committee and city council.
In regards to the revisions to Section 2.6, Storm Water Storage Basin Landscaping, the native landscape
bufferyards are already required to be naturalized according to the park development standards which are part of
the Subdivision Control Ordinance. Staff does not recommend the addition of the text because it will contradict
the park development standards. The bufferyard is for additional trees and shrubs only in addition to the
naturalized basin.
Plastic Bag Reduction—submitted by Stepharie Boettcher and Marta Keane
The committee received the "OK" from Mayor Burd to prepare letters to the editor in regards to plastic bag
reduction. Mayor Burd requested that Community Relations Staff be notified prior to the Green Committee
sending these letters in order to couple a press release about what the Green Committee is doing. The letter is
prepared and will be distributed to members for signature at the meeting, then submitted to the papers and sent to
the businesses.
Recommendation Progress Reports:
Tree Survey Recommendation--submitted by Stephanie Boettcher
No Report.
Tree City Recommendation—submitted by Stephanie Boettcher
City staff has reviewed the application and is looking into the designation. Applications are due at the end of the
calendar year, December 31. Staff is working on developing a tree preservation ordinance, which is one of the four
standards of the program.
Franchise Agreement Recommendation—submitted by Stephanie Boettcher
This recommendation will be forwarded on to Public Works Committee for discussion. Staff will not bring these
recommendations to committee unless the Green Committee can ensure their attendance at the Public Works
Committee meeting on July 21" at 6:30 pm. While staff will prepare a report outlining the recommendations it
will be the Green Committee's responsibility to speak about them at committee and city council.
Electronic Recycling Perm Program progress--submitted by Marta Keane
No report from City staff on usage was available. A discussion at last month's meeting showed an interest in the
site being open at least one Saturday a month for a couple of hours. To keep costs to the City low, volunteers
should be sought from various community volunteer groups, such as Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and school
environmental groups. Each group could volunteer three months a year to spread the workload. It might be
possible for the City. If the Committee approves, this recommendation will be made to the Mayor.
Recycling in Parks, Athletic Fields, etc—submitted by Stephanie Boettcher
Some recycling efforts have been tried with mixed success. There is currently recycling in the Town Square Park.
Each trash can is paired with a recycling can (5 cans total). Total cost to place just the recycling cans into the park
was approximately S2,500. The cost of cans is one of biggest difficulties to overcome. Given that there are 31
existing parks, plus numerous future parks this would be large undertaking. In addition to cost, park and recreation
staff has had difficulties with residents mixing garbage in with the recyclable materials. The recycling cans at
Town Square Park are designed for just bottles and cans, and there is still trash mixed in. Riverfront Park also used
to have recycling cans and those were designed so residents could sort their trash and recycling depending on the
material. Staff ran into the issue that there was too much trash mixed into the recycling and removed these cans.
Trash pickup occurs (by staff) once a week at mini or neighborhood parks, twice a week at community or regional
parks, and almost daily at parks with ball fields (during baseball season). Park and Recreation staff said they would
be open to suggestions on how recycling could be included in the parks given the constraints listed above.
Old Business Reports:
Third Annual Renewable Energy Fair--submitted by Marta Keane
On October 17, 2009, Waubonsee Community College shall host its third annual Renewable Energy Fair at its main
campus in Sugar Grove. The college is requesting that the Yorkville Green Committee participate with an
Exhibit/Booth. They have generously offered to waive their $25 fee. We need at least two volunteers to staff the
booth at this event and promote the Share & Care Recycling Event scheduled for the following weekend. One
volunteer for the first half the day and one volunteer the second half the day. This is a great opportunity for us to
support our local college's environmental efforts and increase awareness of our community's efforts.
Zoning Ordinance Commission Update—submitted by Stephanie Boettcher
The Commission met on May 27 to discuss new zoning districts. One of these included a conservation design
district in which houses are clustered together to allow for more open space. This idea will be flushed out in further
meetings.
Kendall County Solid Waste Committee—submitted by Stephanie Boettcher
No Report,
Wind Turbine Ordinance Progress—submitted by Stephanie Boettcher
The Wind Turbine Ordinance for Rooftop systems was at the June 9 City Council Meeting for First Reading. This
same ordinance was brought back to the EDC after its second reading at the May 26 City Council meeting.
Revisions were made at the June 2"d EDC meeting and brought to City Council on June 9"'. There will be a second
reading of this ordinance on Tuesday June 23"' City Council meeting. The City Council can vote on the
ordinance at this meeting, can table the vote to another meeting, or send back to committee.
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.
Staff Liaison Report—submitted by Stephanie Boettcher
There are a couple of exciting, environmentally related projects taking place in the City which Mayor
Burd wanted the Green Committee to be aware about.
1. Kendallwood Estates is a residential development between Van Emmon and Route 126. The
developer and builder are looking to provide energy efficient options to the homeowner. This
would include geothermal heating and cooling, soy based insulation, and energy efficient
windows. The development is also looking to be a GE Ecomagination community which would
mean that each house would have energy efficient appliances and "dashboard" in each home to
track the home greenhouse emissions and have options to include roof mounted solar panels.
They are requesting a rezoning to allow for duplex homes in their development. There will be a
public hearing for this rezoning at the July 8 Plan Commission Meeting — 7.00 pm at the
Library. The Green Committee should consider attending the meeting to hear more about
the project and speak about the benefits of green home construction.
2. The City is working to acquire a 7.4 acre piece of property with 250 ft of Fox River frontage. It is
located at the north side of the river, east of Bruell Street. This specific property includes an
earth house" built into a hill. City staff is preparing a grant application in which a land match
will be used. So no cash is required to acquire the property if the City receives the grant. The
grant application will be discussed at the June 23rd City Council Meeting — 7:00 pm at City
Hall. The Green Committee should consider attending the meeting to hear more about the
project and to speak about open space preservation and streambank enhancement as a
benefit to the environment.