City of Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission met Aug. 22
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 Flynn, Brian Malone, Kay McKeen, Stephen Siemer, Allison Torrence, Seema Wadia, Jim Wozniak, and Bob Young. Absent were Tony Pope and David Popham. Also in attendance were Wheaton residents Lisa Capps and Daniel Malone, and Wheaton City Council Member Erica Bray-Parker.
II. Approval of Minutes:
Nancy moved that the minutes from the June meeting be approved. Bob seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.
III. Budget Report:
Bob reported that expenditures to date equal $25,926.35, leaving -$426.65 open to spend. Expenditures from the Native Plant Sale were higher than expected, but plants sold after the sale by SCARCE covered the shortfall and the revenue was added to the city treasury, but is not reflected in the EIC budget.
IV. Public Comment: Lisa Capps spoke of her concern about recycling and single use plastics. Kay encouraged her to contact City Council members and State Legislators with her concerns in person or by letter. Erica Bray-Parker said that the EIC agenda included items about which Wheaton residents have contacted her with concerns.
V. Reports:
1. Annual Recycling Extravaganza Final Report: Kay reported the final numbers. Paper Shredding: 23,320 pounds. SCARCE: Books: 86 Boxes; Brita Products: 3 boxes; School Supplies: 7 boxes; Vinyl Records: 12 boxes; Musical Instruments: 5; X-rays: 6 boxes; Bread Tags: 1 box; Holiday Lights: 26 boxes; Inkjets: 2 boxes; Batteries: 5- 5 gallon size buckets (420 pounds). Lions: Eyeglasses: 274; Hearing Aids: 4, Working Bikes: Bicycles: 20. Interstate Battery: SLA Batteries: 19. Amerigas: Propane tanks: 7 20lb tanks (grill size), 49lb tanks (camping size). Flat Can: Aerosol cans: 148; Latex paint: 248 gallons. Melba's Closet Medical Supplies: 3 wheelchairs, 16 walkers, 4 pr crutches, 21 canes, 2 bins of foot braces + slings. Soccer Gear for Zambia: 4 bins Soccer equipment. DuPage County Sheriff: Syringes & Epi pens 6 boxes; Medications4bins.
2. Adopt a Highway: On July 15, Nancy, her husband Brent, Bob, Susan, Nancy Allured, Allison and her kids Willow and Glenn, participated in EIC's 3rd highway cleanup this year. It wasn't too dirty, and they collected 7 bags. The 4th clean up will be held on September 30 at 8am at Chick-fil-A.
3. Electronics Recycling: The July 8th monthly recycling event was manned by Tony Pope, Steve Siemer, and Brian Malone from EIC, along with volunteers, Jim Truesdale, Dan Matone (Brian's son ), Bich-Thuy and her daughter Kalyn Gunn, plus six workers from E-Works. Traffic was steady, and the collection of electronics, textiles, clothing, shoes, and scrap metal was busy. Approximately 100 fluorescent bulbs, 5 gallons of cooking oil, and 6 smoke alarms were recycled. The August 12 monthly recycling was manned by Bob Young and Tony Pope from EIC, along with volunteers, Jim Truesdale and Anish Wadia, Wheaton North student and Seema's son, plus seven workers from E-Works. Traffic was constant most of the day, and the collection of electronics, textiles, clothing, shoes, and scrap metal was busy. Approximately 250+ fluorescent bulbs, 5 gallons of cooking oil, and 12 smoke alarms were recycled.
4. National Night Out (August l): Allison and Cathy were able to talk to a number of residents about recycling.
VI. Upcoming Projects:
1. Electronics Recycling (September 9): Bob, Steve, and Tony will man this event.
VII. Unfinished Business:
1. Leaf Blower Noise Issue: Susan has prepared an informational letter for the City Council on this issue, including what other communities have done. A number of residents have expressed concern about this issue.
2. Business Composting: Kay reported that in the current business climate, business owners cannot afford any initiatives that will increase their expenses. Jim is planning to talk to restaurant owners about how composting can save them money.
3. No Mow Mothers Day/May: Seema will draft a memo to the City Council about how we could implement this next May.
4. Sustainability Award: Cathy reported that this program will be announced at the September 5 City Council meeting and then will be blasted on City of Wheaton social media sites during the nomination period.
5. Light Pollution—Energy savings: tabled
6. Single use plastic bags: Steve will draft a memo to the City Council using the Batavia ordinance as an example that incorporates many of the necessary steps for success that his research suggested.
7. Bio-swales/Rain Gardens/Composting—Public Awareness: Kay has done two composting workshops at the Wheaton Public Library and is willing to do one at City Hall. Another suggestion was to do a tour of yards where Wheaton residents are successfully composting. Erica suggested that a bicycle tour in conjunction with The Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission might be a way to accomplish this.
8. Erosion Control Blankets: no report
9. Scented Dryer Sheets and Pollinators: Kay suggested that we draft a short blurb about the problems these cause and money-saving, safer alternatives, and ask the Communications Department to post it on social media. Since dryer sheets leave a film on lint screens and create a fire hazard, we should see if the Fire Chief would be wilting to tape a PSA on the topic for Wheaton TV and social media sites.
10. Pick Up 5 Day (October 21): Kay suggested that we write something for social media and perhaps the city newsletter encouraging people to pick up 5 pieces of litter on at least one walk in the fall. If each Wheaton resident did this once, 270,000 pieces of litter would be removed, keeping this out of our storm drains and adding to the attractiveness of our city.
11. Recycling Extravaganza (April 13, 2023): scheduled for the DuPage County Fairgrounds.
VIII. New Business:
1. Annual Report: The September meeting will be primarily devoted to completing this.
2. Funding for EIC Events: Bob moved we approve $79.90 for prizes and a banner for National Night Out. Steve seconded. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. Bob moved that we donate $200 to the Wheaton Public Library for the purchase of environmental materials. Kay seconded. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.
IX. Adjournment:
Cathy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Steve seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2023, at 7:30 P.M.
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08222023-2358
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