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Green Committee Minutes 2009 02-23-09 Minutes APPROVED YORKV►►.L E GREEN COMMITTEE 3-a3 tjq February 23, 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 community environment and ways to equip and encourage citizens and businesses to participate in sustainable ecological practices. Call to Order: Marta Keane, chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Welcome Members and Guests: Members: Marta Keane, Mariann Manthei, Al Green, Richard Scheffrahn, and Cheryl Lee City Staff: Stephanie Boettcher and Travis Miller Guests: Susan Kritzberg, Larry Cooper, Chris Oberste, and Debra Ness Marta Keane welcomed guests that were in attendance. A quorum was established at 7:08 pm. Marta introduced Susan Kritzberg who attended to speak to the committee about the protection of the Blackberry Creek and green space along it. The commercial property housing Jimmy Johns, Legends, Pearle Vision and Amici's are requesting a variance to add additional signage to their property. Kritzberg's concern is that the Zoning Board had denied this variance twice, once last year and then last month, however the City Council might vote in favor of it to be seen as "pro-business." Kritzberg's desire is to protect the value of the environment which is a viable part of the green infrastructure of the community. This unique open space will be degraded if add signs facing this space. She asked the committee to support her cause and ask City Council not to vote in favor of the variance at their meeting on February 24. She was appreciative of the opportunity to speak to the committee. Al Green asked when one could comment at the City Council meeting. Stephanie Boettcher replied that there is a citizen comment section at the beginning of the meeting which would be the appropriate time. Keane also mentioned if members could email their alderman if they were unable to attend the meeting. Green said that it would be too late for a recommendation, so if people felt strongly about this issue they could speak as a citizen, not on the behalf of the committee. This was agreed to by Keane and the rest of the committee. Approval of Minutes A motion was made to approve the January 26, 2009 minutes by Mariann Manthei and seconded by Richard Scheffrahn. Minutes were approved—no amendments. Committee Reports 1. Education Committee: Keane provided a report from the Education Committee. They are still working on establishing a signup sheet for members to do educational articles. Keane's thought is that as opposed to having a member signup for a month, collect a number of these educational articles from the committee and submit them to Glory, who at her convince could provide them to the newspaper. Keane to email the committee this month to get this established. 2. Environmental Fair Committee: Cheryl Lee provided an update on the Environmental Fair. There are 38 exhibitors who have signed up. There was some difficulties in preparing the application for the exhibitors and given the City is requesting the exhibitors list the City as an additional insured, the number of exhibitors might decrease. A new application, one agreed upon by the Chamber of Commerce and City, has be sent to exhibitors last week. Applications are due this Friday, February 27, 2009. Lee has set up a database to chart if the exhibitors are speaking, are non-profit or for-profit, and if they are requesting electric. The fees charged to exhibitors will be collected by the Chamber of Commerce. Some of the exhibitors include Ron Westphal who will display hybrid vehicles and also have exhibit space, Sci Tech, Home Depot, and FE Wheaton. There is a potential to have a ReMax balloon launch from 4:00— 6:00 pm,but they need a large grass area to land, not a parking lot. All of the speaker spots have been filled. Lee has been contacted by a potential presenter who wants to speak to the exhibitors about "marketing green." Lee is looking into the logistics of this. The logo contest deadline is February 27"i. A meeting will be held on March 3`d at City Hall for environmental fair planning and preparation and also choose the winner of the logo contest. Lee mentioned that a science fair should be incorporated into next year's program. Manthei commented that 150 reusable bags have been donated by Aldi, Walgreens and Jewel (50 from each) and that 1 bag should be handed out per family. Food will be provided and set up in a corridor going towards the pool. Chairs will be available in this location. The Green committee will be located at the entrance. They will be directing people to the various locations (exhibit hall and presentation rooms) and handing out reusable bags. The PR effort has gone well and includes spots on WSPY, two banners to place at Town Square Park, press releases, and utilizing the marquee at the REC Center. Keane mentioned that Glory is looking for comments/quotes to use in the press releases for the event and the committee should email some to her. Set up will need to be finished at 10 am in order for the exhibitors to be complete at 11 am. Will the City be able to provide assistance on table set up? That was the understanding of the committee. Boettcher to check with Sue Swithin at Parks and Recreation about this. Green asked if the committee will be responsible for "dressing" the tables. Lee responded, yes, only if the exhibitor purchased a table cloth/skirt. Take down will begin at 5:00 pm. 3. Water Conservation Committee: Scheffrahn and Green reported for the Water Conservation Committee. A water conservation plan was drafted by the green committee in June, and direction was given to make the plan less vague and specifically address ordinance amendments. Green said he and Richard reviewed the current water conservation ordinance. That it was not encouraging the use of sod and that at this time nothing demands revisions. There were some potential changes they identified to the Landscape Ordinance. In Section 4—lot landscaping— there are no requirements for single family or duplex. Green said they felt this section should include single family and duplex development and require 1 shade tree per lot. Lee asked if the tree will be placed in the front. Green said they had not determined if there is a preferred location. Keane said that from an air cooling perspective, the south side of the home would be preferred. Manthei questioned if the tree dies would the homeowner need to replace it? Green responded no, unless it was in 1 year of planting in which the developer would have to replace. Manthei asked who would be responsible for the tree's maintenance. Keane responded it would be the homeowner as they are responsible for the property maintenance. Scheffrahn clarified that the landscape ordinance is applied to new or redeveloped property and the homeowners are responsible for property maintenance of the land between the sidewalk and street. Green said the other section of the landscape ordinance to amend would be section 6 —storm water storage basin landscaping. Green asked if the recommendation should require or encourage conservation landscaping as currently the language only requires shade trees. Keane asked what the difference was between a retention and a detention basin and what native plants are appropriate in these different locations. Miller stated that a storage basin is designed as either a wet basin (retention) or dry basin (detention). Native plants can be used for retention basins to develop a wetland habitat and deter geese. Keane asked what native plants are conducive to a detention basin as some of these are used as soccer fields. Scheffrahn said that each basin is different and that the use of native plants should be on a case by case basis. Scheffrahn went on to add that there is significant savings in the long run if native plants are use. Manthei asked about the maintenance of the basin. Miller mentioned that the City requires the developer to monitor the basin for 3 years. Manthei asked what happened after that time. Scheffrahn said that basins are turned over to the HOA to maintain, however if it isn't properly maintained the City usually steps in. A motion was made by Green to recommend the Section 4 of the landscape ordinance be amended to add 1 shade tree per lot and that section 6 be amended to include the language "encourage native landscaping in the buffer yard." The motion was seconded by Keane and approved by the committee. Green also mentioned that he reviewed the park development standards and that sod was encouraged in Section 5F regarding detention/retention basins in which sod is required within 100 feet of access points. Green said the language should at least say seed with blanket or sod. Green motioned to write a recommendation amending the park development standards to state seed with blanket in lieu of a mandatory sod requirement. The motion was seconded by Scheffrahn and approved by the committee. Recommendations I. Tree Survey Recommendation: tabled until April 2. Tree City Recommendation: Scheffrahn reported that the City needs to budget $2/capita in the upcoming budget to be considered. Given the population increase due to the special census the City might not be able to reach this even though they did this year. Keane asked if the City had a 3 or 5 year fiscal plan. Miller responded that the finance director had prepared an unofficial one. Keane thought that the City should utilize this to ensure they are budgeting for this program. Keane had not heard from the Mayor on the status of this recommendation. 3. Franchise Agreement: Keane had not heard from the Mayor on the status of the recommendation. Keane did send out an article to the Green Committee about the City of Naperville looking into a franchise agreement. Lee mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce is developing a green committee and this issue could be an opportunity for the Chamber to discuss and work with the City on. 4. Electronic Recycling Permanent Program: Boettcher gave an update that the City Council will be discussing and voting on a contract with Com2, an electronics recycler, at the February 24`h meeting, to provide this service at the new public works building. Keane mentioned the committee still had concerns about providing service on weekends or weeknights. Boettcher mentioned that the contract was amended in which Com2 will provide a truck and laborer for mobile collection days at least twice per year, and this could potentially address this concern. Boettcher suggested that the committee attend the City Council meeting tomorrow in support of the contract and raise any concerns in regards to dates and times of collection. Budget for 2009/2010 Fiscal Year Boettcher handed out a memo from Glory Spies which tabulated the committee's expenses, which thus far have been coming out of her departmental budget. Scheffrahn asked if the City would have a line item in the upcoming budget for the Green Committee. Boettcher said that the expense list was prepared for the committee to aid in their discussion on if they are going to recommend a line item be created. Green questioned why the Chamber was collecting the money for the Environmental Fair. Keane explained that since the committee does not have a line item in the City budget they do not have the ability to collect funds. The chamber volunteered to collect the money and co-sponsor the event, in order for the committee to collect fees from those exhibiting. The fees are used for promotional and marketing items. Keane mentioned that the committee hasn't had funding to do all of the items associated with the events the committee puts on. The committee is an unfunded group. Keane suggested that opposed to having Green Committee events that the annual events like the recycling day or the environmental fair could be city events, which the green committee would support and volunteer at. Boettcher suggested that the committee ask for a line item for environmental education, which the green committee could utilize for their events and other educational outreach. Keane mentioned that the committee should also be forward thinking on what events they want to host, allowing ample time for discussion by the City Council on the event and time for planning. Lee raised a concern that the City would not have funding available for a line item and that the committee should utilize fundraising efforts in order to have a budget. That a line item would still be necessary, but it could be an amount of zero. Scheffrahn said that the committee should ask for a $3000 line item and to offset this with any monies the committee brings in. Lee mentioned that the committee should also ask for the authority to fundraise in addition to the line item. Scheffrahn said that the slate is wiped clean at the end of the year, so the committee couldn't use it as a bank account which the balance would carry over each year. Keane suggested creating a revenue line item for the committee's fundraising efforts. Scheffrahn noted that the budgeted money for environmental education could also assist in the tree city application. A motion was made by Scheffrahn and seconded by Lee to recommend that the City include a $3000 line item for Environmental Education, it was approved by the committee. Scheffrahn will write up the recommendation. A motion was made by Scheffrahn and seconded by Keane to recommend that the City establish a $3000 revenue received line item. The motion was approved and the recommendation will be written by Scheffrahn. ASHRAE to include LEED Standards Green provided a report to the committee which he summarized for the committee. The following is the text of this report. 1) Recap— Standard 189.1 for High Performance Green Buildings is being developed by USGBC, ASHRAE &others as a complement to the USGBC LEED Green Building rating system. The LEED rating system by itself is not a building standard, so you can't inspect to it and it's hard to enforce. Std 189.1 will be an ANSI-accredited standard that can be incorporated into building code. 2) History—Join work on the draft standard started in 2006 and it was issued in Fall 2007 for initial public review. 900 comments were received, reviewed and incorporated into a second draft, which was issued for a second public review in Spring 2008. New comments raised concerns that the Std 189 committee was not broad based enough. Work on the 3`d draft was put on hold in Fall of 2008. The Std 189 committee was extended from 21 members to 34 with representatives from additional organizations (AISC, BOMA, etc.). The reorganized committee held their initial meeting Jan 27, 2009 as the ASHRAE conference in Chicago. 3) What's next—The third draft is scheduled to be issued for public review in April 2009. The Standard could be approved at the Jan 2010 conference and published thereafter. It could then be incorporated into local building codes. Inclusion in the next IBC is possible. Lee asked if this is for residential or non residential. Standard 189.1 is for commercial and non residential buildings. Lee mentioned that the City currently uses the 2000 building code. Miller commented that Bill Dettmer, director of the building safety department, informed him that a review is being done of the 2009 International Building Code. Lee said it will be a drastic change to go from the 2000 IBC to the 2009 IBC, but it might be a good time as there is not a lot of construction. Lee mentioned there is a potential hardship with providing low income housing as the construction cost increased due to the regulations of the new building code. Scheffrahn said that in the long run the increased standards will decrease the cost to the consumer, in terms of energy savings. Green projected that it would be as earlier as 2010 for the City to impose this standard, if it is passed, and by 2012 it could be included in the International Building Code. Zoning Ordinance Committee Miller said that the City has abolished the Zoning Committee and established a Zoning Commission. A commission requires appointments by the City Council, which will be done at the February 24`h City Council. A member of a commission must be a city resident. Al Green volunteered to serve on the commission on behalf of the Green Committee. A recommendation was made to nominate Al Green for the commission by Keane and seconded by Scheffrahn. This was approved by the committee. Kendall County Solid Waste Committee— Combustion for Energy Recovery Keane informed the committee about the State's hierarchy for solid waste. Stating that it is first reduce, then reuse, recycle, combust for energy recovery, combust for reduction, then landfill. So from the State of Illinois perspective it is preferred to combust for energy recovery over developing another landfill. Keane spoke about the City of Robbins who developed an incinerator using gasification. The facility had an EPA monitoring device which had issues as the facility did not have enough waste flow. Also, the State reversed legislation which allowed incinerators to sell the energy at the retail rate (allowing them to make money and stay in business), so they could no longer do this. The facility at Robbins closed as a result of this. The byproducts from an incinerator are typically safe enough to place into a municipal landfill, however if not, then the byproducts must go to a hazardous waste landfill. Scheffrahn said the cost structure of an incinerator is much more expensive than a landfill. That they will not be viable options until the can become competitive with landfills. Keane said that positives of energy recovery sites are they have a smaller footprint and last longer than a landfill; however there are still trucks going through the City. A motion was made by Keane that the Green Committee recommends the Kendall County solid waste plan recognize the state hierarchy and pursue waste reduction via energy recovery as opposed to a landfill. The motion was seconded by Green. Keane is to write up this recommendation. Plastic Bag Use Reduction Update Keane shared that her idea was to set up a committee to look into legislation and share information about reusable bags. The committee will be handing out reusable bags at the Environmental Fair; however no education has been done. Manthei said that education should start at the children's level and move up from this. Lee agreed with this. Keane motioned that the committee establish a Plastic Bag Information Committee and Manthei will begin the efforts of this committee. This was seconded by Lee and approved by the committee. Cutting CO2 Keane asked the committee to share their experiences. Keane has had some difficulty as her mother has moved in with her family. However she has been changing the light bulbs to CFLs. Lee said that she has participated in carpooling as part of her children's activities and this has been an aggressive effort. She also mentioned that her family now turns off all appliances such as computers if they aren't in use. Manthei recently purchased a front load washer, has tried to keep the temperature of her home set at 68, and has used power strips. Green said that opposed to commuting to a conference in Chicago, he stayed downtown. He also mentioned that he used to carpool more when the gas prices were higher. Keane asked the committee to share these personal experiences which could be provided to Glory for a news article or website post. May 2009 Meeting Date The meeting has been changed to Monday May 18°i at 7:00 pm at the Yorkville Public Library. Report Concept Keane asked that committee give information in advance of the meeting and if any action is requested in the form of a report. This report could be provided to the committee members to review before the meeting and provide everyone with background on the topic. The hope is that this will speed meetings along. Reports will be due to Marta I week before the meeting and be sent out with the agenda. This will be instituted at the March meeting. Keane will email everyone about this as a reminder. Share and Care Recycling 2009 Keane asked committee support a fall recycling event. Lee asked if this will be at the new public works building, which is the intention. However, Green noted the fairgrounds worked well. Keane also would like to implement more sharing into the event, where you could come and take something that was donated (except for electronics/personal items), such as books or bikes. Green mentioned the sharing event could be more chaotic. Public works building could work well, would have to see. Potential to be a two day event, donate one day and take the second day. Will be discussed more at length at next month's meeting. The meeting was adjoined at 9:50 pm. *Minutes submitted by Stephanie Boettcher