Village of La Grange Environmental Quality Commission met Sept. 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
A meeting of the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) of the Village of La Grange was held on Thursday, September 12, 2019, at the Village Hall and was called to order by Commission Chair Rose Naseef at 7:02 p.m.
| Commissioner | Present | Absent |
| Joel Baise | X | |
| Laurie Braun | X | |
| David Bryant | X | |
| Linda Christianson | X | |
| Rebecca Davies | X | |
| David May | X | |
| Rose Naseef - Chair | X | |
| Peggy Peterson | X | |
| Bill Robison | X | |
| Tim Sheldon | X | |
| Brandon Simak | X | |
| Bruce Whiteway | X | |
| Stan Zarnowiecki | X |
ALSO PRESENT: Andrianna Peterson, Village Manager
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Braun moved to approve the minutes from the August 8, 2019 meeting and Commissioner Sheldon seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved by voice vote.
3. BUSINESS AT HAND
A. Open Meetings Act (OMA) – Village Manager Peterson presented a summary of basics regarding the Illinois OMA. She reported that new commissioners should have taken an on-line OMA training. She will send a link to all commissioners for anyone who needs or wants to take the training.
She also highlighted the following:
A quorum for a commission of 13 people is 7 and a majority of a quorum is 4.
Commissioners should not Reply All to group messages.
Agenda requests should be made to Chair Naseef directly.
Small groups should consist of no more than 3 people. The formation of a group should be noted in the minutes. The group must have specific goals, report findings at EQC meetings, and disband when the task is over.
Commissioner Braun requested that a group of three commissioners take a tour of the nearby quarry to learn about operations and environmental impacts. Village Manager Peterson stated that she would assist with arranging a tour for Commissioners Braun, May, and Whiteway.
B. West End Arts Festival–Chair Naseef reported that vendors and attendees were pleased with the convenience of the well-marked recycling bins. The combined efforts of the EQC, LGBA, and Village of La Grange resulted in recycling of three 96-gallon toters of cardboard and two 96-gallon toters of cans, bottles, and cups. One vendor suggested having all vendors purchase the same plates, cups, and cutlery to facilitate waste reduction next year. Commissioners also discussed ways to reduce waste at other Village events. EQC participation at event planning meetings is ideal, so Commissioner Christianson volunteered to contact the LGBA to find out how the EQC can be involved.
Commissioners discussed establishing environmental requirements an organization must meet in order to receive approval to host an event (i.e. vendors must use compostable items, provide recycling, etc). The EQC will work with the Village and the LGBA to determine appropriate requirements. Building on these ideas, Commissioner Zarnowiecki suggested creating a program that rewards La Grange businesses for green practices (i.e. provide a sign stores can display to show they are sustainable). Commissioners Zarnowiecki and Peterson volunteered to develop criteria to determine which businesses are “green.”
Commissioners expressed interest in designing a logo for the EQC, which can be used for flyers, banners, and signs. Commissioner Braun offered to consult a friend in graphic arts who might be able to help design a logo.
C. Greenest Region Compact (GRC)–Chair Naseef reviewed the categories of the compact and explained how to use the GRC framework to track accomplishments and organize the work of the EQC. Village Manager Andri Peterson reported that the EQC last updated the GRC framework with the Village’s progress toward the goals approximately 1.5 years ago. Commissioners decided that the EQC should update the GRC framework again in January 2020 and include the results in a report to the Village Board.
Commissioner Bryant inquired whether the Village highlights environmental initiatives in the budget with a green dot. Village Manager Peterson confirmed this but said the dots might be black due to pages being copied in black and white.
Commissioners inquired about the time frame for decisions regarding the Village’s comprehensive plan. Village Manager Andri Peterson reported that the EQC should plan to make any recommendations in the spring of 2020.
D. Environmental Movie – Commissioners discussed hosting an environmental movie, especially near Earth Day 2020, which will be the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Commissioners agreed that content of any movie should be educational rather than political. Commissioner Braun suggested partnering with the La Grange Theatre and the First Congregational Church of La Grange and she will obtain details regarding participation in the One Earth Film Festival and the cost of hosting a movie viewing.
4. OLD BUSINESS
A. Waste hauling status – Village Manager Andri Peterson reported that she is planning to send out the RFP in mid-October. She will include the EQC recommendations in the packet she prepares for the Village Board. She will also include results of a survey she plans to send to residents toward the end of September. She will furnish a copy of the survey to the EQC for the next EQC meeting in October.
B. Upcoming collections–Chair Naseef reported that the Village of La Grange Park will host a pumpkin smash (composting) this year on the Saturday following Halloween. EQC commissioners are invited to attend and assist visitors. Commissioners commented that holiday light recycling collections should start before Thanksgiving and end the second week in January. Chair Naseef will contact Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham to coordinate the schedule.
C. Native Planttour–Commissioner Braun reported that the tour is this Sunday, September 15 between noon and 2pm.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Climate Strike – Chair Naseef reported that there will be a climate strike on Friday, September 20th from 8:30-10:00am at Waiola Park. Due to the political nature of the event, the EQC is not endorsing or sending representatives to speak at the event.
B. Bike Path–Commissioner Baise reported that the Village has presented alternatives regarding the Edgewood Avenue Reconstruction Project and he would like to discuss the options in more detail at the next EQC meeting. Chair Naseef stated that she will add it to next month’s agenda.
C. Permeable parking lot–The Village and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 10 at 9am at the Village Hall parking lot to announce the completion of two permeable paver lots.
D. Solar tour and presentation – Commissioner Sheldon announced there will be a solar tour on Saturday, September 28, from 10am-3pm and two homes in La Grange are featured. Also, Commissioner Sheldon is giving a solar presentation on Monday, September 16, at 7pm at the Compassion Factory in Brookfield.
E. Action on solar – Commissioner Sheldon requested that the EQC follow up with the Village Board regarding the EQC’s request for increasing access to and adoption of solar energy in the Village of La Grange. Chair Naseef stated that she will add this topic to next month’s agenda.
6. NEXT MEETING
Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 7:00pm
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Peterson moved for adjournment, seconded by Commissioner Sheldon. Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
https://www.villageoflagrange.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2352
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