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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.9.15 Minutes  Minutes   Tuesday,  June  9,  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)     Commissioners  Frazier,  Hernandez,  Jacobs,  Knoerr,  Masterson,  and  Segel  present.     C. Approval  of  previous  meeting’s  minutes   The  commission  approved  the  May  2015  minutes.     D. Communications     1. Sustainability  Honor  Roll  presentation   Mayor  Kaptain  spoke  about  Deb  Perryman  and  her  accomplishments  in  both   Elgin’s  academic  community  and  the  natural  environment.  He  then  presented   Deb  the  award  and  the  two  posed  for  a  few  pictures.  Deb  then  spoke  of  how   honored  she  was  to  receive  this  award  and  how  much  she  enjoys  working  in   Elgin.       2. Friends  of  the  Fox  presentation  by  Gary  Swick     Gary  described  how  Friends  of  the  Fox  has  been  working  on  water  quality  tests   (Water  Quality  Network  Outreach  Education,  Elgin  Report),  which  has  been   supported  by  the  commission  for  a  number  of  years.  He  recently  presented  with   Deb  Perryman  at  the  Fox  River  Summit.  They  are  planning  to  get  municipalities,   of  which  there  are  28  total  in  Fox  River  watershed,  to  help  fund  educators.   Aurora  will  be  the  next  municipality  to  try  to  get  involved.  Gary  would  like  to  talk   to  80  mayors.  While  the  goal  of  $50,000  in  funding  is  a  high  number,  he   suggested  it  is  attainable  spread  out  between  the  28  municipalities.  Cindy   Wendt,  paid  staff  member  of  Friends  of  the  Fox,  has  been  studying  water  as  long   as  Gary.  Part  of  the  money  the  commission  funds  applies  to  her  hourly  rate  of   $20/hour.  Gary  stated  they  were  definitely  under  budget  this  year.  He  suggested   Kyla  Jacobsen  from  the  city  of  Elgin  Water  Department  can  report  the  exact  cost   from  the  last  year  when  she  returns  from  vacation.  Many  volunteers  are  involved   in  this  organization.  Money  mostly  goes  to  time,  mileage,  and  equipment  (nets,   chemicals,  waders).  Gary  initially  hoped  to  get  2000  kids  in  the  stream  each  year.   Right  now  they  get  about  1000  in  the  fall,  mostly  5-­‐6th  graders  but  also  some   middle  school  from  Boys  and  Girls  Club  in  7th  &  8th  grade.  Gary  showed  the   streams  and  local  places  where  they  got  in  the  water  to  collect  data  with   schools.    Over  the  last  year  1100  students  were  involved  in  the  29  times  they   took  groups  into  the  streams.  They  are  working  to  fill  the  gap  with  McHenry   County  and  East  Dundee.  Gary  will  provide  the  commission  with  a  schedule  of   stream  trips,  so  that  commissioners  may  participate  if  desired.  Stream   monitoring  is  the  most  powerful  vehicle  Gary  has  experienced  in  his  career.  He   suggested  it’s  a  great  educator  and  way  to  engage  children.  He  appreciates   support  of  the  effort  and  hopes  we  can  pump  it  up  by  getting  other   municipalities  involved.  Liaison  will  email  Gary  for  a  schedule  to  pass  along  to   commissioners  in  the  future.   3. Mighty  Acorns  presentation  by  Maura  Neuffer   Maura  works  both  as  the  part  time  naturalist  for  the  city  of  Elgin,  and  as  an   educator  for  the  Conservation  Foundation.  Maura  gave  a  presentation  on  Mighty   Acorns,  a  program  through  the  Conservation  Foundation  that  the  commission   has  supported  for  the  past  few  years.  She  described  the  curriculum  and  seasonal   organization  of  the  program.       E. Discussion  Items     1. Partners  for  Places  &  Grand  Victoria  Foundation   i. Review  community  projects  from  the  “Idea  Bank”  related  to  composting  and   water  that  have  been  approved.  Continue  discussion  of  Elgin  project  ideas  for   proposal.   Commissioner  Segel  stated  that  the  last  round  seemed  different  on  what   projects  were  selected  for  support.  He  suggested  that  he  language  is  very   important.  Commissioners  discussed  the  need  to  find  a  project  that  would   benefit  the  entire  community.  Trying  to  help  the  tributaries  that  lead  into  the   Fox  would  help  the  health  of  the  overall  river,  which  impacts  so  many   communities  surrounding  the  watershed.  It  was  recognized  that  the  proposal   must  support  a  healthy  environment,  strong  economy  and  well  being  for  all   residents.  Commissioner  Knoerr  suggested  some  of  the  newer  developed  areas   are  maybe  what  we  need  to  focus  on.  Commissioner  Segel  suggested  we  look  for   other  grants  opportunities,  too.  Commissioner  Knoerr  inquired  if  we  could   commission  Friends  Of  The  Fox  to  conduct  a  study  to  help  find  needs.   Commissioner  Masterson  liked  the  Providence,  RI  “Lots  of  Hope”  project,  but   other  commissioners  stated  concerns  of  having  a  water  source  for  such  gardens.   Commissioner  Masterson  would  also  like  to  bring  back  the  home  retrofit   program.  Commissioner  Frazier  stated  that  the  Community  Development   department  has  a  number  of  grants  available  based  on  funding,  and  she  can  look   into  those  further.  She  also  suggested  we  could  look  at  having  those  lower   incomes  be  more  applicable  for  this  type  of  retrofit  programs.  We  should   continue  to  look  for  grants  that  will  help  support  the  efforts  of  the  Sustainability   Commission,  while  deferring  this  particular  Partners  for  Places  until  we  can  talk   to  Kyla  Jacobsen  from  the  water  department  and  find  out  what  is  needed  from   the  water  conservation  side,  and  avoid  being  “water  stupid.”   2. New  chairperson  appointment  recommendation  for  City  Council   i. Chairman  Masterson  is  renewing  his  term,  but  as  a  commissioner  this  time,   and  would  like  give  another  commissioner  the  opportunity  to  be  chairperson.   Commissioner  Jacobs  nominated  Commission  Knoerr.  Masterson  nominated   Fraizer  as  well.  Commissioner  Frazier  stated  she  is  unable  to  do  so  with  current   time  restraints.  The  commission  unanimously  supported  the  appointment  of   Commissioner  Knoerr  as  new  chairperson.     F. Working  Group  Reports     G. Old  Business     1. Habitat  for  Humanity  partnership   i. Continued  discussion  on  plans  &  commission  involvement/sponsorship   Commissioner  Knoerr  and  the  liaison  updated  the  commission  on  their  meeting   with  Kathy  Haerr  and  Judi  Brownfield  the  Thrusday  prior.  They  explained   questions  they  asked  regarding  the  resource  center  idea  and  what  their  roles   would  be.  The  commission  stated  concerns  of  the  project  not  following  typical   protocol  of  proposal  with  a  budget,  approval/denial,  and  support/sponsorship.   The  commissioners  also  stated  concerns  of  personal  time  that  would  be   required.  Commissioner  Masterson  suggested  the  project  would  be  a  startup   and  in  an  area  of  town  with  little  foot  traffic.  He  inquired  why  we  would  not  use   the  library  for  such  a  project,  which  is  already  a  center  for  information  that  has   the  traffic.  Commissioner  Knoerr  said  it’d  be  nice  to  partner  with  Habitat  for   Humanity  on  a  project,  but  that  the  organization  does  not  need  us  by  any  means.   Commissioner  Masterson  suggested  asking  Wanxiang  New  Energy  to  donate  a   couple  solar  panels  for  a  south-­‐facing  roof  on  a  home  they  build,  and  we  could   help  finance  the  project  and  look  into  providing  insulation  for  electrical  power.   Commissioners  discussed  that  we  have  no  problem  getting  marketing  materials   and  providing  a  website  and  social  media  presence  for  the  commission  as  of   now.  As  a  city  commission,  if  there  are  efforts  we  can  support  financially,  and   each  project  is  brought  forth,  we  can  consider  such  projects.  Those  concerned   about  sustainable  efforts  can  know  that  our  meetings  are  a  place  to  come.  It’s   not  our  place  to  provide  an  education  center  and  hire  community  coordinators,   we  are  here  as  a  vehicle  to  provide  funds.  Commissioner  Jacobs  questioned  the   added  value  of  having  such  coordinators  in  the  system.  The  commission  agreed   they  are  not  seeking  to  hire  anyone  for  marketing  at  this  time,  but  are  willing  to   consider  proposals  for  future  projects  in  which  Kathy  Haerr  and  Judi  Brownfield   are  seeking  financial  support  for.       2. Gail  Borden  Public  Library  “Swap  This”  event   i. Update  on  budget  items  to  be  covered  by  sponsorship   Liaison  provided  an  update  as  to  which  budget  items  would  be  covered  by   commission  sponsorship  of  the  library  event  including  record  DJ,  live  art  demo,   and  A  to  Z  rental,  totaling  under  the  agreed  $1000.     3. Sustainability  Honor  Roll   i. Review  any  new  nominations     1. Commissioner  Masterson  wants  to  nominate  Sherman  Hospital  for  their   geothermal  heating/cooling  system,  but  was  concerned  about  who  would   receive  the  award  in  comparison  to  nominating  an  individual.     2. The  liaison  suggested  nominating  Carl  Missele  for  this  extensive   volunteer  restoration  work  at  Hawthorne  Hill  Nature  Center,  and  she  will   write  up  the  nomination  for  the  July  meeting.     H. Commissioner  comments/announcements   1. Update  from  Chairman  Masterson  regarding  trip  to  Freedom  Field     Commissioner  Masterson  reported  that  Chet  from  Freedom  Field  recently  blew  out  his   knee  and  had  surgery.  He  is  waiting  for  his  full  recovery  before  we  can  set  a  date.   2. Riverside  Manor  entryway  project  updates  from  liaison   Liaison  updated  the  commission  that  things  were  moving  forward  with  this   neighborhood  improvement  grant.  It  will  likely  end  up  costing  less  than  initially   estimated  as  the  neighborhood  decided  they  only  want  a  garden  bed  on  the  north   corner  of  the  entryway  instead  of  both  north  and  south  corners.   3. Commission  surveys  handed  out  by  liaison   Surveys  were  not  yet  available.  Liaison  anticipated  she  would  receive  a  link  to  send  out   to  commissioners  over  the  next  week  so  surveys  could  be  completed  online.   4. The  July  2015  meeting  will  be  rescheduled  for  one  week  earlier  than  usual,  on  Tuesday,   July  7,  due  to  scheduling  conflicts.  Liaison  will  look  into  room  availability  and  post  notice   to  website  and  social  media.     I. 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.