City of Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission met Jan. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30.
Present were Tony Pope, Stephen Siemer, Bob Young, Nancy Flynn, Susan Bachraty, and Jim Wozniak. Absent were Cathy Coleman, Brian McKee, Kay McKeen, Seema Wadia, David Popham, and Allison Torrence.
II. Approval of Minutes:
Bob moved that the minutes from the November meeting be approved. Tony seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.
III. Public Comment:
Brian Malone and David Barcus were present as observers.
IV. Budget Report:
Bob reported that the total expenditures for 2022 were $20,692.01 with $1307.99 left over. The budget for 2023 is $25,500.
V. Other Reports:
A. The EIC annual report was adopted by the City Council.
B. Adopt-a-Highway: No report
C. Electronic Recycling (December 10, 2022) Traffic was light compared to previous months. Bob Young and Tony Pope represented EIC, along with volunteers Jim Truesdale and Keith Kolar, Boy Scout Leader, Wheaton Troop 303, Boy Scout Shane Dillon, plus six employees from E-Works. The collection of electronics was busy as well as a significant amount of textiles and clothing collected and scrap metal. Approximately 100 fluorescent bulbs were recycled, over 25 gallons of cooking oil, plus a significant amount of Christmas lights.
(January 14, 2023) Traffic was steady and much heavier than in December. Bob Young, Dave Popham, Susan Bachraty, and Tony Pope represented the EIC, along with volunteers Jim Truesdale, Thuy Le, Billy Fries and Luke Boskevic (students from York Community High School) plus six employees from E-Works. The collection of electronics was busy as well as a significant amount of textiles and clothing and scrap metal. Approximately 200 fluorescent bulbs were recycled, 25 gallons of cooking oil, plus a significant amount of Christmas lights.
VI. Upcoming Projects:
Monthly Electronic Recycling Crew Chief (2/11/23) Tony, Bob, and Steve will work this event.
VII. Unfinished Business
A. Annual Recycling Extravaganza (April 1, 2023) Event will be held at the county fairgrounds this year and the county will reimburse $500 towards the cost of paper shredding.
B. Native Plant Sale (April 29, 2023) The plants have all been ordered, and Tony has the permit.
C. Illinois Prairie Path Cleanup (April 29, 2023) no report
D. Arbor Day (April 28, 2023) Edison Middle School no report
E. Bio-swale public awareness no report
F. Business composting no report
G. Erosion Control Blankets no report
H. Review Landscape ordinance re: No Mow May no report
I. Noise ordinance (leaf blowers etc.) Susan will check the ordinance
J. Green Citizen Award no report
VIII. New Business
A. Light pollution/Energy Savings Steve would like to work with the city on installing dimmers and motion detectors on city streets. This has been shown to be a safer strategy than lights on brightly all night. He would like Wheaton to become a "dark sky town" by replacing street lights as needed, a 3-year payback. The Chicago area is on a bird migratory path.
B. EIC will investigate Monthly email blast on Environmental Topics, pending city approval.
C. Funding for EIC events none requested
D. Elections Ted Witte was elected as chairman, Bob Young was elected as treasurer, and Cathy Coleman was elected as secretary by unanimous voice vote.
IX. Adjournment
Bob moved that the meeting be adjourned, Steve seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25.
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01242023-2209
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