Green Committee Minutes 2009 08-24-09
APPROVED 9/28/09
Minutes
YORKVILLE GREEN COMMITTEE
August 24, 2009
7:00 P.M.
Yorkville Public Library
First Floor Meeting Room
Call to order: Marta Keane called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
Welcome Members and Guests:
Members present: Marta Keane, chairperson, Anne Engelhardt, secretary, Mariann Manthei, Cheryl Lee,
Chuck Roberts, Al Green, Richard Scheffrahn; Travis Miller, City of Yorkville Community
Development Director; Jackie Dearborn, City Staff
Guests: Becky Reichenbach
Approval of minutes: Lee motioned to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2009, meeting, with the
corrections as printed, and to approve the notes from the meetings of May 18, June 15, and July 27 as
printed. Green seconded the motion. Approved.
New Business:
1. Presentation on Proposed GE Ecomagination Housing Development. The speaker requested that this
presentation be postponed until the September meeting. Miller answered some questions regarding the
housing development.
Committee Reports:
1.Share & Care Recycling Event Committee
Engelhardt summarized the progress toward the up-coming Recycling Day, Saturday, October 24, 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kendall county Fairgrounds. Kendall County is partnering with Kendall County
Health Department, which covered the rental fee for the Smith Building on the Fair Grounds and the
tables. Green Committee members asked questions and added comments.
Following a suggestion, Engelhardt stated that she will request Glory Spies to to include
information about a door prize, such as a LED light bulb, in the press releases.
It was suggested to hand out the remaining CFLs to the people who bring recyclable items.
It was suggested that Com 2 take the TVs and monitors without a fee. Dearborn will check on
this.
Marta stated that Veolia will be asked to supply a container for scrap metal and a dumpster for
recycling.
The recycling event will not accept large appliances, which are large, bulky, and may have
hazardous materials. Veolia has a White Goods pickup built into the regular refuse program.
Also, Com Ed has a take-back program for appliances.
Latex paints and spent CFL bulbs can be handled by Ace Hardware.
Manthei suggested that there be no limit on the number of “free” books.
Scheffrahn suggested that a sign with a box be put out to accept donations for the free items.
Engelhardt volunteered to make name tags for all volunteer workers.
Engelhardt will also work with Spies on a handout for participants. The handout will include (1)
information on hazardous waste items, such as paints, motor oil, CFLs, tires- where and how to
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dispose of these properly, (2) save the date – for the 2 Annual Environmental Fair, if a firm
date is established soon, and (3) information about the Yorkville Green Committee and how to
become a member at different levels.
Miller will contact the Mayor and Sue Swithin to confirm the date for the Environmental Fair.
Right now the target date is March 6; and, the second choice is February 27, 2010.
Next month, Engelhardt will have a signup sheet for all to indicate what times they are willing to
work at the recycling day.
2. Education Committee
a.Cutting CO2 Article series. Engelhardt and Lee have submitted several articles to be used
for this series. Keane will see that these get to Spies.
3.Water Conservation Committee – Update
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Green gave an update of the Water Conservation Committee. The July 23 landscape ordinance will be
on the agenda for City. Green cannot attend and asked if someone from the committee could be there.
The next Public Works Committee meeting will be Tuesday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. Keane and
Green will try to attend. This item may be on the agenda of City Council in September.
Green volunteered to consolidate and update all the Water Conservation Committee reports.
4.Plastic Bag Reduction
Green asked about the letters to recognize businesses that support the reduction of use of plastic bags.
Keane will send the letter to the newspaper in September in conjunction with the opening of Aldi’s. The
stores’ letters were sent. Keane will re-write the letter and will send to the paper.
5.Environmental Fair Committee – Update
No additional discussion.
Engelhardt motioned to accept committee reports as presented and amended in discussion. Lee
seconded. Motion passed.
Additional business about Reports:
Lee requested that a regular report from the Chamber of Commerce’s Green Committee be included on
the agenda of the Yorkville Green Committee. Lee will serve as the Green Committee‘s liaison to the
Chamber of Commerce‘s Green committee for communication and cohesiveness.
Lee reported that the Chamber of Committee will have two people to volunteer at Care & Share
Recycling Day Oct 24 and at the Waubonsee renewable Energy Fair on Oct. 17.
Recommendation Progress Reports:
1. Tree Survey Recommendation
No discussion.
2. Water Conservation Recommendation
Green stated that the landscape ordinance will go to City Council tomorrow and recommended that each
member Email or phone call the aldermen to express the Green Committee’s position on this ordinance
if you cannot attend. If able to attend, he encouraged all to speak to an item during the public comments
portion preceding the meeting.
Green asked about the reaction to the landscape ordinance proposed by the Green Committee. Keane
and Engelhardt reported that the public works committee had asked a few questions and then verbally
supported moving forward with the recommendation.
3. Franchise Agreement Recommendation
Answering a question from a guest at meeting, Keane summarized the advantages of this type of
agreement. It has been shown that the majority of businesses in a commercial contracting situation save
money, are able to receive lower cost garbage and recycling services, often get better responses if
complaints arise, the City may earn a franchise fee, there will be reduced traffic on city streets and less
collection wear and tear on the streets. Smaller businesses may find this method more cost effective.
The city has to create bid specifications and notify all the businesses of their intention to pursue an all-
inclusive contract. The waste-hauling industry was able to get the state of Illinois to pass legislation,
and as a result it will take 18 months to get a franchise approved.
Keane stated that on the residential side of recycling, apartment buildings should be included in a
recycling agreement.
Recommendation Progress Reports:
Keane stated that there will be no motions for reports. These can be discussed now and will be updated
for voting on at Sept meeting.
1.Tree Survey Recommendation.
CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Area for Planning) awarded a $21,000 grant (funded in part by a grant
from the US Department of commerce) to cover the cost of two interms who will conduct a survey of all
the trees in parkways along city streets. The positions were advertised; the city received 10 applicants.
First interviews will begin tomorrow. . Qualifications included the ability to identify trees and ability to
provide own transportation. Wages are $10.00 per hour. It is hoped that the tree identification will begin
now and until the leaves fall and will be continued in spring if needed to finish the project. They will
begin with parkway trees and go to parks and all other municipal properties. Using a hand-held GPS
devise, they will set the location. The will also answer 8 questions about each tree.
2. Tree City Recommendation.
Miller reported that the city will be unable to meet the deadline for this year, but intends to do it for next
year. Miller will ask Laura Haake in the Parks Department to follow through with the application which
is not due until December.
3. Franchise Agreement Recommendation – Sept Public Works Committee.
Keane and Engelhardt will attend this meeting.
4. Electronic Recycling Permanent Program Progress.
Dearborn handed out a printed report from Com 2, showing that over a 5 month period, from April 9 –
Aug 8, 2009, 5591 pounds were collected in Yorkville.
Engelhardt made a comparison of pounds collected at the Com2 drop off site and the two free
electronics’ drive pounds in November 2006 and October 2007 handled by a different company. The
two E-drives, five hours each on Saturdays, sponsored by the Yorkville Congregational Church Green
Group, collected 55,226 pounds -- nearly 10 times the amount collected over a 5 month period of time
with the Yorkville facility open on a daily basis. Engelhardt expressed, again, the need to better
advertise the E-waste collection site and times, including signage, and to offer it one Saturday morning
per month. She suggested that an employee of the City use three hours of “flex time” to staff the site
without increased cost to the City.
Dearborn will ask Com 2 to speak to the Green Committee in October. She will ask them to address the
downstream of the components of the recycled electronics.
5. Budget Line Item for Environmental Education that allows Fundraising.
No report.
6. Recycling in Parks, Athletic Fields, etc.
Keane asked Dearborn to follow up on possible grants for recycling containers from either the Public
Works or Parks Department. Dearborn agreed to check on this.
No motion to accept reports. The report revisions will be included in next month’s agenda.
Old Business Reports:
1. Clean air Counts.
Keane explained that there are different levels of certification in the Clean Air Counts program. There is
no fee, but there is a pledge by the city to follow the recommendations and also some simple action
items, some that can be done in the city buildings. One example is to add an Ozone Alert on the City’s
web site.
Miller and Dearborn will research this item and bring back information to Green Committee next month,
so that the Green Committee can make a recommendation to send to the Mayor.
2. Third Annual Renewable Energy Fair on October 17, 2009, at Waubonsee Community College.
Volunteers from the Green Committee will be needed to staff the booth.
Family Days at Hoover. Volunteers are being sought for the Kendall Education Center “Family Days”,
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Saturday, Aug 29. Keane volunteered to attend and will bring the banner, handouts, and CFL bulbs.
Hometown days – City of Yorkville booth. Engelhardt will ask Glory Spies to make up a simple
handout about the date, time, and place of the recycling day and (if the date is set) the next
Environmental Fair – as a handout at the City’s booth at hometown days September 4- 6.
3. Zoning Ordinance Committee Update
Green will do a report on this for September under old business.
4. Kendall Co Solid Waste Committee
Miller reported that the next topic is to review landfill goals and transfer stations. The last meeting was
in April. The next meeting, tomorrow, August 25, will be to review and to modify any of the goals. At
the September and October meetings, they will have recommendations for County Board., and a public
hearing will be held in November.
5. Wind Turbine Ordinance Progress.
Miller reported and gave overview on small and large turbines, including small systems, which most
people are interested in. A small system can generate enough power for a home. The first draft of this
ordinance is a year old. Permits for special use in residential or estate would need a public hearing
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process. Economic Development Committee will meet on September 1, will discuss this ordinance,
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and will send a revised draft to City Council. On October 6, there will be a draft ready for the
Economic Development Committee. Green Committee members are encouraged to attend.
There was also some discussion on the economics of the systems.
Additional business:
1. Report from Jackie Dearborn, Green Committee Staff Liaison.
She commented she will, at future meetings, notify this Green Committee things happening in the city.
Dearborn gave a report on the second rain garden to be planted on September 24 at the Yorkville Rec
Center. She gave handouts to distribute at up-coming meetings, including the Yorkville Garden Club.
Keane asked Dearborn to find the names of the liaisons to each of the Yorkville schools.
Keane reported that articles from Manthei, Lee, and Engelhardt were previously sent to Spies. Keane
will follow-up with Spies on these.
Lee suggested that the Keane approach Kathy Farren, editor of the Kendall County Record, about a
regular column featuring green ideas and recommendations. Keane will talk to Spies to follow up on
this suggestion.
Roberts reported that the Friends of the Fox will be doing a Fox River Cleanup in September or October.
He will give more details at the September meeting.
Keane explained that Mayor Burd wants to create a Green Commission to review development plans, to
work with City’s Building Department, and to look at the broader development picture for the Yorkville
area. Keane asked Dearborn to find out the rules that will go with the responsibilities for the
commission.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.