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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 12 16 Minutes  Minutes    Tuesday,  April  12,  2016    6:15  PM   Robert  Gilliam  Municipal  Complex,  City  Hall   Second  Floor  South  Conference  Room   150  Dexter  Ct.,  Elgin,  IL  60120     A. Call  to  order  (chairperson)     B. Roll  Call  (staff  liaison)     C. Approval  of  previous  meeting’s  minutes   Chairperson  Knoerr,  Commissioners  Aagesen,  Hajek,  Hernandez,  Jacobs,  Keare,  Masterson,  and   Segel  present.       D. Communications   1. Sustainability  Honor  Roll   Mayor  Kaptain  presents  award  to  Multifilm  Packaging  Corporation   Mayor  Kaptain  explained  the  achievements  of  Multifilm  and  the  honor  it  is  to  have  an  Elgin   business  make  so  many  efforts  in  sustainability.  Mayor  Kaptain  then  presented  Dave   Rohrschneider,  plant  manager  and  one  of  the  owners,  with  the  award.    Mr.  Rohrschneider   explain  the  company’s  involvement  in  sustainability  and  the  return  on  investment  it  has   provided  the  business.       E. Discussion  Items   1. Fox  Valley  Sustainability  Network   Liaison  &  commissioners  Hajek  and  Segel  to  report  on  launch  meeting  and  discuss  option   to  sponsor  network   Commissioner  Hajek  and  the  liaison  briefed  the  commission  on  the  Fox  Valley   Sustainability  Network  launch  meeting,  as  well  as  the  opportunity  for  sponsorship  and   commission  involvement.  The  group  plans  to  host  meetings  every  other  month.   Commissioners  showed  interest  and  asked  to  be  included  in  invites  via  email.  Each   commissioner  hopes  to  attend  one  meeting  in  the  next  year,  and  continue  conversations   related  to  collaboration  and  support.     2. Enviroscapes   Discuss  opportunity  to  contribute  to  purchase  of  an  enviroscape  model  to  be  used  at  city   and  city-­‐sponsored  events   The  liaison  informed  the  commission  that  the  city’s  contracted  stormwater  management   company,  Baxter  &  Woodman,  is  willing  to  put  $500  of  their  contract  fee  towards  the   purchase  of  an  enviroscape  model.  The  commission  discussed  the  different  model  options   available.  Commissioner  Keare  motioned  to  purchase  the  Watershed/Nonpoint  source   model,  with  the  commission  paying  the  balance,  less  the  $500  allocated  from  Baxter  &   Woodman.  The  motion  was  passed.             3.  Recycling  Magnets   Discuss  opportunity  to  purchase  or  contribute  to  purchase  of  recycling  magnets  to  be   mailed  to  residents   The  commission  requested  the  liaison  find  out  the  percentage  of  customers/residents  that   receive  their  water  bill  online  in  comparison  to  by  mail.  The  commission  wishes  to  find  out   more  details  on  glass  recycling.  The  commission  would  like  to  partner  with  Waste   Management  a  magnet  &  hand  out  to  be  given  to  residents  that  continue  to  receive  with   cart  hangers  for  contaminated  recycling.  The  commission  passed  a  motion  to  table  the   discussion  until  the  May  meeting,  when  the  discussion  can  happen  with  Waste   Management.  The  liaison  will  look  into  cost  breakdown.       F. Old  Business   1. Solar  ordinance   Continued  discussion  on  suggested  amendments  to  the  City  of  Elgin’s  current  solar   ordinance.       The  commission  reviewed  content  of  flyers  created  by  Commissioner  Jacobs  for  solar   promotion.  Commissioner  Hajek  suggested  having  realtors  hand  out  flyers  to  older  homes,   but  a  different  version  of  the  flyer.  Liaison  will  follow  up  with  staff  regarding  suggested   ordinance  modifications.  Liaison  will  also  touch  base  with  resident  Paige  Fitton  to  see  how   the  Solar  Social  went.     2. Partners  for  Places  grant  proposal   Continued  discussion  on  project  idea,  requirements,  and  timeline.     The  previous  idea  to  install  solar  panels  on  the  Centre  has  been  dissolved  due  to  gathered   information.  The  Centre  would  need  a  new  roof  in  order  to  install  solar.  In  addition,  flat   roofs  are  not  ideal  due  to  pull  of  wind  on  panels.  Other  ideas  were  suggested.  A  small   geothermal  system  would  be  a  feasible  option  for  Hawthorne  Hill  Nature  Center.     Commissioner  Hernandez  suggested  the  commission  pursue  a  pilot  program  where   households  donate  organic  waste  to  a  group,  for  example  Elgin  Community  Garden   Network,  for  use  in  gardens.  It  was  suggested  that  Kane  County  in  partnership  with  the   University  of  Illinois  connection,  sells  compost  bins,  and  it  might  be  worth  looking  into.  The   commission  will  continue  to  explore  ideas.       G. Commissioner  comments/announcements   Sustainability  Expo-­‐  April  20  Commissioners  agreed  to  attend  the  event  and  volunteer  at  the   commission’s  table  at  various  times  throughout  the  day   Earth  Day  Celebration-­‐  April  22     Friends  of  the  Fox  River  Cleanup  Day-­‐  April  23     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.