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Green Committee Minutes 2009 07-27-09 APPROVED 8/24/09 Minutes YORKVILLE GREEN COMMITTEE July 27, 2009 7:00 P.M. - Yorkville City Hall 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 called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Valerie Burd, Mayor; Marta Keane, Al Green, Mariann Manthei, Cheryl Lee Committee members; Ed Bell, Belfry Bees & Honey- Beekeeper and Educator for several area environmental organizations; Stephanie Boettcher and Jackie Dearborn, Staff from City of Yorkville; Christopher Sharp, Yorkville Resident. There was not a quorum of members. The meeting became a discussion format; no formal action was taken. Discussed ideas to encourage more resident involvement in committee, more attendance by voting and non- voting members and more attendance or e-mail to City Council on issues of importance to the Committee. The day of the meeting may not be the issue. One idea - to devote the first 30mins of each meeting to a short presentation featuring different speakers addressing specific topics. A brief Q&A to follow, then continue with the meeting, allowing people to stay if they want or leave. A press release about the speaker and topic in the newspapers and on the City website; as well as e-mail to all that provide e-mail addresses. Sources of speakers: Hoover Education Center, Illinois Renewable Energy Association, Illinois Solar Energy Association, Organic Farming, Soil & Water, Forest Preserve, Conservation Foundation, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Veolia, Electronics Recycling, Illinois Recycling Association, Chamber Green Committee, Yorkville Congregation Church Green Group, Cardinal Recycling, USGBC. Someone would be needed to contact and set up 10-11 presentations each year. The Mayor also suggested creating a Commission to review plans to meet City criteria for sustainable development which could be similar to the LEED standards. The current Plan Commission doesn’t do this type of review. Such a Commission would have more impact when plans are up for approval than the current Green Committee structure. Discussion centered on the fact that the Green Committee has struggled in its role as a lobbying force for policies it favors as well as projects already in front of the City Council. There has been an increase in people coming to meetings in opposition to environmentally conscious items and a decrease in people attending or contacting Aldermen in support of these items. This has been happening in neighboring towns and seems to be connected to the current economic situation. Although 90% of people voiced support of bike trails, the only voices at the City Council are those in opposition and they are calling on the City not to apply for or accept grant money! A concerted effort needs to be made to show support for all environmental projects the Committee supports or at least contact everyone that has indicated an interest in the Committee to get them to attend Council meetings or contact the Mayor and Council members. The Clean Air Counts program does require some effort from the Committee to get the City to join it, but the good news is that this program could be done by members of the Committee with minor staff support time and at low cost to the City. Stephanie identified several items from the list of activities that the City already does and therefore Marta Keane will pull together a memo to present to the Committee to create a recommendation to the Mayor to get the City into this program. The Green Committee doesn’t need to create a business, community organization and non-profit environmental recognition program as this could be redundant as the Chamber develops their program. The Chamber requires one of their Chamber Green Committee members to be a member of the Yorkville Green Committee to keep information flowing and make working together easier. A question arose as if the Forest Preserve or Education Center could be eligible for awards. This has not yet been determined. th Kendall Education Center doing family days. August 29 and we may want to have a table. Do we have a few volunteers for this event? Who do we need to contact? A contract to perform the public area Tree Survey was awarded. The school cannot do the actual survey due to the proficiency level of the students. Its going to take 3-4 individuals to do the survey. It may be too much for a student to shadow these workers, but in the future, the school students may be able to confirm and/or update data. Laura Haake has been working on a Tree Preservation Ordinance, which is intended to also create the Tree Committee, which in turn would fulfill the requirements of the Tree City designation. The Tree City Application is due by Dec 31, 2009. Stephanie announced that she is leaving for a position with a non-profit housing authority in the Indianapolis area. Her last day is July 30 and the new liaison, from the Engineering Dept is Jackie Dearborn. Marta Keane and Cheryl Lee both expressed gratitude for Stephanie’s hard work both with the Green Committee, especially as it began, and with Green Committee events, especially the Spring Environmental Fair. Stephanie told the Committee that she was contacted and asked to speak about the United City of Yorkville Green efforts at the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers state conference. She and Travis Miller were members of a panel discussion and called attention to a number of accomplishments that were achieved because of the efforts of the Green Committee; such as public education efforts Marianne suggested that this information be made easily accessible at the City Council meeting. The Mayor suggested that Travis present some of this information to the City Council to increase awareness of the City’s green success and the role of the Green Committee. Marta Keane suggested that the presentation, if in power point, be placed on the City Website for prospective members and volunteers to see. Christopher Sharp suggested that Committee members and local residents consider attending the 8th annual Aug 8th & 9th Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainable Lifestyle Fair at the Ogle County Fairgrounds in Oregon. A full weekend of renewable energy and sustainable living ideas. Featured speakers, workshops, booths, displays, tours, children's activities, food and entertainment. There is a small admission fee. http://www.illinoisrenew.org On the topic of wind turbines, Ed Bell spoke of a city in Massachusetts that utilizes wind turbines successfully. The Mendota Wind Farm was also mentioned. It appears that the residential wind turbine ordinance will make it through the City Council this month but the commercial and wind farm turbine ordinances still need to make it through committee and council process. It seems that a few dedicated opponents keep attending meetings and there needs to be some proponents of this program that voice their support. It was suggested that Green Committee consider setting up a meeting for representatives of all the area environmental groups to gather and brainstorm ways to work together and support one another. This might be another way to encourage attendance or contact with Council members on issues of mutual agreement. th August 18 Public Works Commission – need to have several people at this meeting supporting water conservation amendment. Update on Share & Care Event – Need to find local business partners to take Motor Oil, Tires, CFLs. Discussed issues the sharing portion of event raised with Goodwill and ways to minimize through design of educational materials, flyers, posters, etc. Latex paint recycling may be available for a fee. No word on if the City’s Electronic Recycler will be at the Event or if they will waive television recycling fees. The Electronic Recycling Perm contractor has not provided a report to the City. A request has been made. Could we ask the HS Environmental Club to take on some Saturdays at the Drop-Off, they could also be asked to work at the Share and Care Recycling Event The Park Board meeting went too late and members left without learning the fate of the Park Development Standards revision in regards to the water conservation recommendation made by the committee. Mayor spoke of problems with ponds, storm water retention, City staff design, they take 5 yrs to become self sustaining then residents mow to water or plant inappropriate items, such as vegetable gardens. Working on Agreements with the Homeowners Association for infringements. The Green Committee needs to show support for naturalized detention basins Adjournment: Since there wasn’t a quorum, no adjournment was required. The meeting ended at 8:45 pm. 2009 Remaining Meetings August 24 September 28 October 26 November 23