Village of La Grange Environmental Quality Commission met Dec. 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, December 12, 2019, at the Village Hall and was called to order by Commission Chair Rose Naseef at 7:07 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; Kevin Noreikis, Village of La Grange Administrative Intern; Ryan Gillingham, Director of Public Works; Jen Enriquez, La Grange resident
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioners Whiteway and Braun requested the addition of language to clarify issues related to leaf pickups and the logo design. Commissioner Bryant moved to approve the November 14, 2019 minutes as amended and Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved by voice vote.
3. BUSINESS AT HAND
A. Presentation Regarding Urban Forest – Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham gave a presentation on the management of the urban forest, highlighting issues specific to La Grange. He provided information about the following:
Data on La Grange trees (i.e. number of trees, number of species, average tree diameter)
Goals and tasks of the Forestry Division
Analysis of the diversity of trees in La Grange
Technology used to manage tree maintenance and inventory of trees
Tree preservation and protection policy
Tree removal policy
Following the presentation, Director Gillingham answered questions about flower planting, leaf and brush pickup, and mulching. Commissioners explored possible collaboration with the Park District of La Grange. Commissioners also discussed ways to encourage tree preservation on private property, including education about the benefits of trees in the community.
B. EarthDayEvents–CommissionerBraunreportedthatagroupofnonprofit organizations and municipalities are currently working together with the La Grange Theatre to show an environmental movie in the morning on Saturday, April 18th. Commissioners agreed that partnering with the organizations will help reach more residents and will provide funding that might be needed to show a documentary.
C. Edgewood Avenue Reconstruction – The EQC has not made any formal recommendations at this time. Chair Naseef will work with Commissioner Baise to draft a letter for the next EQC meeting.
D. EV Charging stations – Village Manager Peterson reported on research the Village has conducted regarding the installation of an EV charging station in La Grange. There are several issues yet to be resolved, including who is the target audience, where would it go, and how would it be funded. Commissioner Braun volunteered to research the issue to determine how other communities pay for the installation and the maintenance of EV charging stations.
E. Quarry blasting – Commissioner Whiteway shared information and pictures from his tour of the quarry earlier in the morning. He reported that there was blasting above ground until approximately one year ago and he stated that the quarry is allowed to blast for 70 more years.
Village Manager Peterson provided a history of the quarry blasting, including the two large tremors that occurred several years ago. She also stated there have been more complaints about the vibrations since the blasting moved underground. She reported that the quarry has been receptive to working with the Village to minimize its impacts but that changing state law is the only way to regulate quarries located near homes.
4. OLD BUSINESS
A. Waste hauling RFP status – Village Manager Peterson stated that the Village is completing legal language for the RFP and that it will be completed early next year.
B. Holidaywalk/Holidaylightrecycling–ChairNaseefstatedthatshemetwithafew residents during the holiday walk but that the location near Santa was challenging. She reported that holiday lights will be collected through January 12, 2020.
C. MWRDAnnualReport–ChairNaseefurgedcommissionerstoreviewthethreepage report from the MWRD, as it highlights local water treatment issues.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Salt usage – Commissioner Zarnowiecki stated that an excess of salt remained near the post office following a recent snowfall. He suggested the Village / EQC conduct outreach and training to ensure that organizations and businesses are not using too much salt, as it harms local waterways.
6. NEXT MEETING
Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 7:00pm
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Christianson moved for adjournment, seconded by Commissioner Bryant. Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15p.m.
https://www.villageoflagrange.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2429
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