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Green Committee Minutes 2008 01-28-08 APPROVED Environmental Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting Fourth Meeting—January 28, 2008 The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm. Present: Jill Fleishman, Chair Ann Engelhardt, Member Marta Keane, Secretary Mariann Manthei, Member Debbie Horaz, Member Chuck Roberts, Member Phil Stuephert, New Member Stephanie Boettcher, City of Yorkville liaison Travis Miller, Community Development Director Bill Dettmer, City of Yorkville Robyn Sutcliff, Alderman Mike Skinner, visitor Todd Milliron, visitor Jerry Dieter, visitor Richard Scheffrahn, visitor Anne Lucietto, Chair of Yorkville Planning Commission Absent: Alan Green, Ralph Pfister, Tony Graff APPROVAL OF MINUTES Correction needed- Mr. Travis to Mr. Miller(same person but used first name as last name in error). Approved as corrected. MISSION STATEMENT To advise the City Council of the United City of Yorkville, Illinois on ways to preserve and enhance the community environment and ways to equip and encourage citizens and businesses to participate in sustainable ecological practices. Ms, Fleishman asked everyone to revisit the mission statement and determine if we were comfortable, Suggestion was made by Ms. Engelhardt to remove "preserve and" so it would read: 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. The committee will consider the change and revisit it the next meeting. CFLs Ms. Horaz stated that disposal of CFLs is a problem due to the mercury content. They require double bagging and many are ending up in landfills. Ms. Engelhardt stated that Ace Hardware store in Yorkville is taking back burnt out bulbs. Ms, Horaz expressed concern that the residents are told the proper disposal method if the City gives out CFLs as part of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, In 2006 150 million bulbs were sold in the United States according to the research done by Ms. Horaz. Ms, Fleishman asked Ms. Sutcliff to research the City distribution plan for CFLs COUNTRYSIDE PLAN Mr. Miller told the Committee that the planners for the Countryside Center had not submitted a plan as yet, but the response to the Committee's request for them to pursue the Gold LEED standard was favorable. The petitioner responded to the Committee request at the meeting, pointing out several elements of the plan that would contribute to such a rating which was entered into the public record at the meeting as well. Mr. Miller Expects to see a plan by the end of February. BUILDING CODES Ms. Fleishman asked Mr. Dettmer to distribute some information on Green Building Codes. The Committee needs to determine if we want to go to specific specifications. Mr. Dettmer stated that the building codes are already"green friendly." Mr. Dettmer is meeting with a group of homebuilders that have produced a guideline on green homes. He will report back to the Committee on what he learns from this local group. Mr. Dettmer will continue to research this through other communities throughout the United States. Mr, Mike Skinner stated that Frisco, Colorado,just adopted some green building standards based on Boulder, Colorado's codes. Boulder is leading the United States on codes. An article in Summit County News, noted that it may be anywhere from cost neutral to 5% more to build but most of the homes are large and higher cost already. Ms. Keane asked that as Building Codes are e-mailed to the Committee by Mr. Dettmer, if a summary could be kept that depicted the differences in the codes. Mr. Dettmer believed this could be done. Ms. Engelhardt asked about a minimum square footage shown in the Aspen codes as it appeared they did not apply to smaller size homes. Ms. Fleishman stated that some of the requirements seemed very low. Ms. Engelhardt suggested that homes in our area tend to be smaller then the ones covered in this code and Mr. Dettmer stated that we would certainly want to adapt a code to the typical home sizes in our area. WATER CONSERVATION Ms. Fleishman began a discussion on a Water Conservation Plan from the Village of Algonquin and the City of Everett. Ms. Fleishman met with the Environmental Law & Policy Center and an employee from the City of Yorkville. The City is doing education in the schools and offers testing tablets for toilet leaks and summer watering standards. However, if we developed a written plan, it would be more consistent and make it easier to improve upon as new water conservation methods become available. Ms. Fleishman found that the City of Everett created indoor water conservation kits that saved over 34 gallons of water in a typical home, Saving water can save people money on utility bills. The issue of raising funds for distribution might be surmountable since people will save money on their water bills. Mr. Sebeffrahn suggested that the City"flag" accounts of homes that purchased the kit to see if people really begin to reduce their water usage. Ms. Fleishman stated that the Environmental Law & Policy Center offered to do a seminar for the community and it would be great if we could offer water conservation kits to those that attend. Ms. Fleishman would like to have them present information on rain barrels, rain gardens and other water conservation methods. March is when most people begin yard work while April is Earth Day but the end of April will be too late for some of the early fertilizer treatments that should be discouraged. Ms. Fleishman asked Alderman Sutcliff about when to approach the City for funding of such a program. Aldenman Sutcliff stated that finding businesses to sponsor such an event might be advantageous. Mr.. Miller suggested approaching the Public Works Department to learn if there is any funding or kit information at their fingertips. Mr. Miller and Stephanie will coordinate with Eric. Alderman Sutcliff reminded the Committee that setting a meeting time and place takes time and publicity needs to be done. Ms. Fleishman would like to coordinate the distribution of CFLs, water conservation kits and rain barrels at the same time. Ms. Keane suggested distribution of compost bins at the same event, Mr. Skinner reminded everyone that the rain barrel has to have a direct overflow away from the house to meet City ordinances.. Ms. Manthei reported that her research on rain barrels revealed that these are expensive. A typical barrel can run $100, If you order in large quantity, you can purchase them at a lower cost but shipping costs may bring the cost back to $100. Rain barrels also require some handyman skills and some additional seasonal care. Residents should also be encouraged to plant perennials rather than annuals because annuals require more water. Ms. Fleishman suggested at the least, we could invite the Conservation Foundation to present information and a provide sample rain barrel for people to see. Mr. Roberts suggested finding a scout troop or other organization to make these items available rather than the City. Ms. Fleishman and Mr. Roberts agreed that City has the ability to educate and inform residents. Ms, Horaz also stated that the last City newsletter really had many environmental tips, which was a great improvement. The Environmental Law & Policy Center will coordinate the event, but they need the Committee to set-up the date and location. Gloria at the City will work with Ms. Fleishman to promote the event, Weekday evenings verses Saturday or Sundays were discussed. A limit on the number of hours for the presentation was suggested so it wouldn't take the entire day. The Committee agreed that Sunday afternoon from 2pm- 5pm maximum as best. Mr. Roberts suggested that the Farmer's Market have an environmental theme at least one time each year. Ms. Horaz suggested that we hold a recycling event in conjunction with the presentation. Ms. Engelhardt suggested that holding a collection event can be cumbersome but both agreed that giving out educational material on recycling, such as the Kendall County Green Pages, at the seminar might be best. Marta Keane motioned that the Committee make a presentation to the City requesting the City offer a seminar on water conservation. Chuck Roberts seconded UPCOMING EVENT Ms Engelhardt presented information on the Yorkville Congregational Church's Green Group latest undertaking. They are hosting a Geothermal Heating and Cooling program on Monday February 11"' at 7:00 pm. This is being done for the public at no charge. Ms. Sutcliff e-mailed a list of items of interest to Anne Engelhardt. UPDATE ON E-SCRAP Ms. Engelhardt reported that she contacted the City of Oswego's planner about the Oswego E-Scrap Collection program, open two Saturdays a month. They received a $5,000 grant from DCEO to pay for a storage shed, pallets, Gaylord boxes and heater. Mr. Milliron suggested that Vintage Tech has an agreement with Kendall County to take all electronic items at no charge anytime and that Yorkville should be able to piggyback on this agreement to establish a permanent drop-off. Ms. Engelhardt and Ms. Keane expressed concern that Vintage Tech of Plainfield is no longer accepting computer monitors and televisions without charge and any agreement with Kendall may be verbal rather than contractual, making it difficult to piggyback.. Mr. Roberts stated that a company called e-scrap currently takes school electronic waste at no charge.. Ms. Engelhardt and Ms. Keane will put together cost information and Ms. Keane will write the grant for the City should it be agreed to be pursued. RECYCLING DAY Ms. Engelhardt suggested hosting a Yorkville Recycling Extravaganza. The last Recycling Extravaganza event held by Oswego had over 1,000 vehicles come through dropping off dozens of different items from Tyvek envelopes to tires, gym shoes, motor oil, eyeglasses, flags, Styrofoam, etc. Ms. Engelhardt asked the Committee put this on a future agenda to decide if we could pursue such an event. TREE CANOPY Mr. Roberts asked what information the City needed. Mr. Miller stated that there is a list of preferred trees, replacement trees required when trees are removed. However this only addresses properties of over 5 acres. He is interested on the Committee's input on a Tree Canopy ordinance. Such a change will require a full tree inventory to be done, which requires staff time. At the least, the current ordinance could be altered to address smaller lots, Ms, Fleishman asked about existing properties with parkway trees in poor condition. Mr. Miller stated that there is a warranty of 3-5 yrs on developer's trees, but once the tree survives the warranty period, the tree replacement is done at the home owner's or homeowner association's cost. Ms. Fleishman suggested a shared cost situation. Mr. Milliron suggested purchasing trees from Soil & Water. Ms Horaz recommended purchase of smaller trees to allow establishment of the tree. Alderman Sutcliff suggested checking the ordinances in Lake Forest where they have some of the strongest tree preservation ordinances. Mr. Miller suggested contacting Laura Hakee of the City's Planning Department, NEW MEMBER Phil Stuephert, a local professional landscape planner, agreed to.join the committee and lend his expertise. Motion to adjourn made by Ms. Horaz seconded by Ms. Engelhardt, approved unanimously at 9:04pm NEXT MEETING Monday, February 25, 2008 at 7pm at the Yorkville Library