City of Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission met May 23
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 Susan Bachraty, Cathy Coleman, Nancy Ftynn, Brian Malone, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, Allison Torrence, Seema Wadia, Jim Wozniak, and Bob Young. Also in attendance was Daniel Matone Absent were David Popham and Stephen Siemer.
II. Approval of Minutes:
Bob moved that the minutes from the April meeting be approved. Tony seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.
III. Budget Report:
Bob reported that expenditures to date equal 25,926.35, leaving a $426.35 deficit. Invoices for the Native Plant Sale totaled $23,795, and proceeds from the sale, which totaled at least that amount, will be added back, and our budget will again have a positive balance.
IV. Public Comment:
Daniel Malone, Wheaton resident and Illinois Wesleyan student who just completed his freshman year as an Environmental Science major, said he came to see what EIC does and where he could help.
V. Reports:
1. Annual Recycling Extravaganza: Kay reported that almost all the weights and amounts are in, and the complete report should be available next month. Kay is working on scheduling three shredding trucks and the DuPage County Fairgrounds location for April 13, 2024.
2. Adopt a Highway: Nancy reported that on May 6 she, her husband Brent, Bob, Brian, and Susan did the second clean up of the year, collected 5 bags, and were able to cover the whole area. The next clean up will be July 15,8-9 am, meet at Chick«fil* A.
3. Native Plant Sale: Tony reported that •Total Customers 270-Returning 153, New 117 •Wheaton Customers 146-Returning 88, New 58 •44 Communities- Furthest Away East Moline, IL •Credit Card Sales $22,926.00-Checks $l,457.00-Cash $26.00" Total Sales $24,409.00 •Total Cost of Plants $23,795.37. Prairie brome and gooseberry were two plants that did not sell well, and less or none should be ordered next year.
4. Illinois Prairie Path Clean Up: Seema reported that over 100 people cleaned up this year. Response was great and all areas were covered. We would like to do a fall clean up of the Prairie Path on October 21, and next spring do a city-wide clean up working with the Wheaton Park District to add parks, and possibly school playgrounds and waterways.
5. Arbor Day: Kay reported that the students at Edison did a terrific job, supplying coffee and cookies for the Forestry Department and putting on a great program. The principal wore socks that said "May the Forest Be With You." The white oak that was planted is beautiful.
6. Electronics Recycling (May 13): Bob reported that he, Jim Truesdale, Thuy Le, a high school volunteer, and 7 workers from EWorks manned the event. It was a good day with a surge around 10 am. Lots of scrap metal and cooking oil were collected.
VI. Upcoming Projects:
1. Electronics Recycling (June 10): Bob will be crew chief.
VII. Unfinished Business:
1. Leaf Blower Noise Issue: Susan did extensive research on communities that have tackled this issue. The keys are resident concerns, education, enforcement, and funding. Communities that are limiting this successfully have been working at it for at least several years, and they work with residents and landscapers. EIC will include this in next year's annual report with a summary of next steps to work toward limiting use for worker safety, air quality, and noise abatement.
2. Business Composting: Kay has been talking with DuPage County about a transfer station at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.
3. No Mow Mothers Day/May: EIC would like to see a moratorium on enforcement of lawn ordinance for those who sign up, an information packet that could be given to residents who lodge a complaint, and encouragement for residents to set up a native area that does not get mowed.
4. Sustainability Award: Cathy will send a letter, the document explaining criteria and nomination process, and a sample award to Andrea Rosedale to be included in the city council packets.
5. Light Pollution—Energy savings: no report
6. Single use plastic bags—Factfinding: Kay reported that she saw advertisements about a TV news story that Target and Walmart were landfilling or incinerating plastic bags they collected for recycling. On a positive note, the State of Illinois passed a law that state agencies will no longer use Styrofoam products. DuPage County has already adopted a policy that all county facilities are Styrofoam-free.
7. Bio-swales/Rain Gardens/Composting—Public Awareness: no report
8. Erosion Control Blankets: Allison reported that contractors for the Wheaton Sanitary District used plastic erosion control blankets in her neighborhood over very large areas and never came back to remove them. They were very difficult to get out, pulled out a lot of the grass, and created a lot of waste. EIC would like to see any project in Wheaton required to use biodegradable erosion control blankets.
9. Ballasted Plastic Bag Advertising: no report
10. Scented Dryer Sheets and Pollinators: no report
11. Drug Take Back Day: Kay is trying to obtain info on amounts collected for this one day event. She reminded members that the DuPage Count y Sheriff's Office has two bins available at all times. Problems with the syringe collection caused this program to be discontinued at the office, but it is available at special events. June 3 in West Chicago and October 21 in Darien residents can safely dispose of syringes, sharps, epi-pens, and lancets.
VIII. New Business:
1. Funding for EIC Events: none needed
IX. Adjournment:
Nancy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Kay seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05.
The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2023, at 7:30 P.M.
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05232023-2297
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