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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.12.15 minutes  Agenda   Tuesday,  May  12,  2015   6  PM,  Robert  Gilliam  Municipal  Complex,     City  Hall,  Second  Floor  South  Conference  Room,  150  Dexter  Ct.       A. Call  to  order  (chairperson)     B. Roll  Call  (staff  liaison)     Chairman  Masterson  and  Commissioners  Frazier,  Hernandez,  Knoerr  &  Segel  present.     C. Approval  of  previous  meeting’s  minutes   Minutes  were  approved  from  the  April  14,  2015  meeting.     D. Discussion  Items     1. Gail  Borden  Public  Library  recycling  event  in  June.   i. Update  from  Danielle  Henson  regarding  budget  items.   Danielle  did  not  attend  the  meeting.  Liaison  shared  the  updated  budget,  provided  via   email  from  Danielle  Henson.  Liaison  updated  commission  about  Elgin  Recycling’s   quote  to  provide  electronic  recycling  at  the  event.  The  quote  was  $2000,  which   makes  it  a  nearly  impossible  option.  Liaison  recommended  the  library  cut  this  part  of   the  event,  as  there  is  a  free  electronic  recycling  event  with  Kane  County  the  morning   of  the  library’s  event.  Liaison  also  updated  commission  that  Danielle  was  informed,   the  commission  funds  would  not  pay  for  food  or  shredding  truck,  as  discussed  at  the   April  meeting.  The  new  budget  suggested  the  commission  pay  $200  for  the  DJ  at  the   event.  It  is  assumed  she  will  have  us  pick  up  another  line  item  or  two,  and  the   commission  will  still  support  the  event  with  up  to  $1000  in  funding.   2. Partners  for  Places  &  Grand  Victoria  Foundation   i. Review  materials  related  to  the  Request  for  Proposal,  discuss  project  ideas  for   Elgin,  and  have  the  opportunity  to  ask  Rachel  Traficanti  (Program  Officer  with  the   Grand  Victoria  Foundation)  questions.   Rachel  Traficanti  introduced  herself  and  the  opportunity  with  Partners  for  Places.  The   new  round  of  funding  would  open  in  June,  and  application  would  need  to  be   submitted  by  July.  The  next  round  starts  in  the  winter,  with  the  deadline  in   December.  The  city  would  need  to  develop  a  plan  and  proposal  for  funding.  Most   projects  are  awarded  between  $50,000  and  $150,000,  and  awardee  has  two  years  to   spend  the  money  on  the  projects.  Chairman  Masterson  inquired  if  we  would  be  able   to  partner  with  a  local  company,  such  as  Wanxiang  Energy,  which  manufactures  solar   panels.  Rachel  explained  that  the  partnership  could  only  be  with  a  municipality.   Commissioner  Frazier  said  she’d  like  to  incorporate  a  project  that  could  link   sustainability  with  economic  growth  in  Elgin.  Chairman  Masterson  wants  to  reinstate   the  home  energy  audits  that  allow  for  rebates  related  to  upgrades  on  homes  like   additional  installation,  ceilings,  furnaces,  windows  and  doors.  Commissioner  Frazier   suggested  that  code  inspection  could  help  to  verify  that  installations  were  done   properly  after  permit  was  attained.  Commissioner  Frazier  suggested  sponsoring  an   entrepreneurial  “shark  tank”  event  to  encourage  small  startup  businesses.  Liaison   stated  she  will  talk  to  Kyla  Jacobsen  about  potential  water  projects  the  city  could   initiate.  Commissioners  also  mentioned  Fox  River  Country  Day  School  projects,  such   as  turning  a  building  into  a  nature  center.  Chairman  Masterson  suggested  converting   the  police  fleet  vehicles  to  using  liquid  propane.  It  was  also  mentioned  that  it  could   be  beneficial  to  purchase  electric  vehicles  for  code  enforcement.  Commissioner   Hernandez  suggested  that  a  community  composting  project  could  be  beneficial  and   Rachel  confirmed  that  several  composting  projects  have  been  supported  in  the  past.   Liaison  will  follow  up  and  send  a  list  of  approved  community  projects  related  to   composting.  Commissioner  Hernandez  suggested  each  commissioner  take  on  one   idea  to  research  and  find  prices.  Chairman  Masterson  asked  the  liaison  to  look  into   the  retrofit  program  and  see  what  has  happened,  if  its  no  longer  promoted,  or  where   it’s  funding  stands.  The  commission  agreed  that  this  opportunity  will  need  to  be  an   ongoing  conversation,  and  we  should  try  to  apply  for  the  winter  round.       E. Working  Group  Reports     F. Old  Business   1. Habitat  for  Humanity  partnership   i. Discuss  partnership  and  review  plans  from  Kathy  Haerr  &  Judi  Brownfield   Barbara  Beckman,  executive  director  for  Habitat  for  Humanity,  was  present.  Judi  and   Kathy  introduced  Barb  and  presented  plans  they  have  created  for  the  Sustainability   Resource  Development  and  Collaboration  Center.  Kathy  provided  materials  related   to  objectives  and  projects.  Habitat  has  agreed  to  allow  the  Sustainability  Commission   to  hang  a  sign,  create  a  window  display  and  install  an  informational  kiosk.  Monthly   gatherings  can  take  place  there,  in  order  to  provide  space  for  educational  workshops   and  planning  meetings.  Barb  shared  that  they  are  a  community-­‐based  organization   and  they  have  been  wanting  to  collaborate  with  our  groups.  They  felt  this  idea  ties  in   well.  Judi  said  it’s  a  “home  and  heart”  for  the  commission  to  have  a  vision.    Habitat   for  Humanity  in  Elgin  is  its  own  independent  501c3,  has  its  own  board  of  directors,   and  financing,  yet  it  is  still  a  branch  of  the  national  organization.  The  Northern  Fox   Valley  Habitat  for  Humanity  is  turning  25  on  July  31.  They  would  like  to  have  some  of   the  display  completed  by  then.  Kathy  suggested  working  groups  begin  meeting  the   following  week,  with  no  more  than  two  commissioners  present  at  a  meeting.  The   liaison  suggested  created  a  Google  document  where  commissioners  can  sign  up  for   meeting  dates.  On  Monday,  May  18,  from  6-­‐7  p.m.,  Commissioners  Hernandez  and   Segel  will  meet  with  Judi  and  Kathy  at  Sunset  Books.  On  Thursday,  June  4,  at  7  p.m.,   Commissioner  Knoerr  and  staff  liaison  will  meet  at  Sunset  Books.  Liaison  will  put   together  a  list  of  completed  and  Sustainability  Commission  projects  to  be  used  in   display  or  kiosk.     2. Gail  Borden  Public  Library  partnership   i. Potential  for  updates  on  summer  projects   There  were  no  updates  regarding  the  Gail  Borden  Public  Library  partnership.     3. Sustainability  Honor  Roll   i. Review  any  new  nominations     There  were  no  new  nominees,  however  Chairman  Masterson  plans  to  write  a   nomination  for  Sherman  Hospital.   ii. Discuss  logistics  (frequency,  recognition,  etc.)   The  commission  agreed  it  would  be  best  to  give  out  two  awards  per  year,  one  in  April   &  on  in  October,  with  voting  taking  place  in  March  &  September.  It  was  agreed  to   invite  Mayor  Kaptain  to  a  sustainability  commission  meeting  to  present  the  award   and  take  a  photo  with  the  awardee.  Liaison  will  contact  the  Mayor  and  see  if  he  can   attend  the  June  2015  meeting  to  present  Deb  Perryman’s  award.     G. Commissioner  comments/announcements   1. Update  from  Chairman  Masterson  regarding  trip  to  Freedom  Field     Chairman  Masterson  is  waiting  to  hear  back  from  Chet  from  Freedom  Field  to  set  up  a  date  or   two  for  the  commission  to  visit  the  facility.     Commissioner  Segel  announced  that  a  commission  survey  is  coming  from  Strategic  Plan   Advisory  Committee.  He  would  like  us  to  track  and  have  follow  up  with  programs  and  groups   that  the  commission  supports  financially.    Commissioners  suggested  we  try  to  find  what   sustainable  efforts  are  happening  amongst  different  city  departments  so  that  we  can  support   those  efforts  and  work  collaboratively  instead  of  duplicating  efforts.       H. Adjourn       The  City  of  Elgin  is  subject  to  the  requirements  of  the  Americans  with  Disabilities  Act  (ADA)  of  1990.  Individuals  with  disabilities  who  plan  to   attend  this  meeting  and  who  require  certain  accommodations  in  order  to  allow  them  to  observe  and/or  participate  in  this  meeting,  or  who   have  questions  regarding  the  accessibility  of  the  meeting  or  the  facilities,  are  requested  to  contact  ADA  coordinator,  at  (847)  931-­‐6076,  or   TTY/TDD  (847)  931-­‐5616  promptly  to  allow  the  City  of  Elgin  to  make  reasonable  accommodations  for  those  persons.