Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Environmental Quality Commission met Sept. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

A meeting of the Village of La Grange Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) was held on Thursday, September 8, 2022 and called to order by Chair Rose Naseef at 7:02pm

Present: Braun, Holder, Liva (7:05pm), Mahoney, Naseef, Svec, Thompson, Volkman, Zarnowiecki

Absent: Bowe, Byerly, Herndon, Simak, Walsh

9 of 14 members constitutes a quorum

Also present: Rick Colby, Public Works Director; Jim Semelka, La Grange arborist

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Holder moved to approve the July 14, 2022 meeting minutes and Commissioner Thompson seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun noted a typo to correct. The minutes as amended were unanimously approved by voice vote.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

No comments were received.

4. BUSINESS AT HAND

A. Presentation on Trees / Land Use

Arborist, Jim Semelka shared details about parkway trees in La Grange, including:

• An inventory of the trees was conducted in 2017

• There are 9,294 trees, consisting of 105 species

• Almost all of the plantable parkway spaces are filled

• Average tree diameter is 14”

• Average tree height is 31.27 ft

• Average crown spread is 21.99 ft

• Average tree condition is 2.81 (out of 4.0), which is well above average

He reported that regular pruning is responsible for the good condition of the trees and that maintaining a regular pruning cycle reduces damage from insects and storms.

He also reported the following:

• Most current tree removals are due to Dutch Elm disease

• The Village conducts tree plantings two times per year

• Species diversity is the key to a healthy urban forest

• The Village is part of a suburban tree consortium, which facilitates tree purchases

• There is a GIS that shows the locations of all parkway trees in La Grange

• The Village has a Preservation and Protection policy, which was a condition of a grant received in 2017

• The Village is considering making trees part of its infrastructure, which could allow the Village to receive compensation when there is significant tree damage

• Residents who remove a parkway tree are required to pay the Village the worth of the tree

Commissioners commented that the information presented was very interesting. Chair Naseef suggested that the EQC could share some of the information presented with residents and provide tips on how to maintain trees on their properties, such as:

• Prune trees regularly to maintain overall health

• Replace grass underneath trees with a 2” layer of mulch, evenly spread, to allow for water infiltration

• Water younger trees (up to 4 years old) during periods of drought

Commissioner Mahoney and Commissioner Braun expressed interest in a Heritage Tree Ordinance. They volunteered to research the issue and provide details in November so that the EQC can discuss whether to include this as a priority issue for 2023.

Chair Naseef gave a brief presentation about earth-friendly landscaping practices seen in local communities as well as in other parts of the country. Installations included bioswales, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, and, at one local university, the replacement of lawn with a pollinator-friendly habitat with over 20 different species of native plants.

She also provided information from the US EPA website regarding green streets, which are designed to capture rainwater at its source. Green streets incorporate vegetation, soil, and engineered systems to slow, filter, and cleanse stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces. She stated that incorporating these elements into the Village’s Comprehensive Plan seems especially timely, given recent concerns about flooding.

B. Discussion – Potential Priorities for 2023

To facilitate discussion, Chair Naseef provided a list of issues that have been raised by the EQC during the past couple of years. She invited commissioners to provide feedback and to suggest other issues that may be of value for the EQC to address in 2023. She stated that the goal of the discussion is to recommend two or three new initiatives to the Village Board, while continuing to support the Village’s current green initiatives. Discussion and further narrowing of the priorities will take place at the EQC’s November meeting.

Discussion included the following:

• Since the Village is seeking a new Village Manager, many commissioners expressed interest in hiring a candidate with environmental sustainability experience. This will help ensure that environmental impact is included in the Village’s evaluation of projects, programs, and policies throughout the planning process. Chair Naseef will contact the EQC’s liaison to the Village Board to make this request.

• Commissioner Thompson stated that hosting a household hazardous waste collection is not advisable at this time, as a recent fire at a waste processing plant has led to the suspension of one-day collections in Illinois.

• Commissioner Svec is already working to collect waste hauling data and would like to continue this work.

• Commissioner Liva would like to educate residents on proper recycling.

• Commissioner Zarnowiecki would like the EQC to consider recommending a ban on coal tar sealants. Coal tar contains high levels of polycyclic.aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are harmful to human health and aquatic life.

• Commissioner Thompson would like the EQC to continue to evaluate options that provide flood relief to residents.

• Commissioner Volkman suggested that replacement of parking spaces with vegetation near the La Grange Rd train station could reduce a heat island effect.

Chair Naseef urged commissioners to send her any additional comments and information about specific issues within the next two weeks.

C. Staff Update

Public Works Director Rick Colby provided the following information about the FY22/23 Residential Sewer Back Up Prevention Grant Program:

The inaugural year of the Village’s residential sewer back up prevention grant program has concluded. In total, 14 applicants were approved, fully utilizing the $50,000 annual budget. Eight homeowners elected to install check valves and six installed overhead sewers. Generally the program was well received. Community Development staff received some complaints: that the grant amounts were too low; that the program should cover homeowners who had their work done before the program was approved; and that three competitive quotes shouldn’t be required. One homeowner inquired about the program when only $4,000 remained in the budget and complained when they brought in their permit application two weeks later and the there were no funds remaining in the budget; he suggested that a signed contract should not be required for the permit application because he was now obligated to the contractor although no funds remained in the grant program.

Commissioners acknowledged the overall success of the program and discussed possible ways to improve the program going forward.

5. OLD BUSINESS

A. Upcoming events

Chair Naseef:

• Thanked Commissioner Braun for representing the EQC at the farmers market earlier in the day

• Reported that the Pumpkin Smash collection will take place on Saturday, November 5 from 10am-noon in La Grange Park. Commissioner Thompson volunteered to represent the EQC and help at this event.

• Stated that the EQC will be assisting with recycling at the West End Arts Festival this weekend and that volunteers are needed on both Saturday and Sunday.

6. NEW BUSINESS

None reported.

7. NEXT MEETING

November 10, 2022 at 7pm

8. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Svec moved to adjourn, seconded by commissioner Mahoney. Motion passed unanimously and meeting was adjourned at 9:24pm.

https://www.villageoflagrange.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3001