Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.10.17 Minutes  Minutes    Tuesday,  January  10,  2017    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)   Chairperson  Knoerr  and  Commissioners  Aagesen,  Alvarez,  Fitton,  Hajek,  Keare,  Masterson  and   Segel  present.       C. Approval  of  previous  meeting’s  minutes   December  2016  minutes  were  approved.     D. Discussion  Items     E. Old  Business   1. Partners  for  Places  grant  proposal  &  Community  Gardens   Continued  discussion  on  community  gardens  projects  in  Elgin  &  meeting  grant   requirements.     Commissioner  Fitton  suggested  that  ECC  could  be  a  good  fit  to  run  the  operation  and  it   would  be  worth  asking  them.  It  could  provide  additional  job  training  and  enhance  their   culinary  program.  Commissioner  Aagesen  suggested  that  the  Food  Market  Institute  (FMI)   could  provide  some  industry  trends.  Aldi  is  actually  looking  at  MetroFarms  as  a  national   supplier.  Liaison  will  work  on  tours.     Gotham  Greens  could  be  another  option  to  tour.  Growing  Home  in  Chicago  has  a  strong   educational  component.    Perhaps  City  Planner  Dave  Waden  could  offer  insight  to  planning   on  land.  We  need  to  inquire  first  if  it  is  legal  to  do  such  this  type  of  food  production  or  if   this  scale  would  fall  into  agricultural  zoning.  It  would  be  indoor,  but  still  food  production.   Liaison  will  gather  information  on  this  project  for  Commissioner  Alvarez  and  he  can  speak   with  Dave  Waden.     2. Elgin  Green  Groups  350  letter  of  support   Discuss  any  additional  information  found  in  commission  research  in  letter  of  support  for   a  carbon  fee  to  address  climate  change  and  whether  or  not  to  move  forward  with  letter   Commissioner  Aagesen  said  Washington  had  tried  to  pass  a  carbon  fee  legislation  through   their  green  groups  and  it  did  not  pass,  but  there  is  good  information  on  their  progress.     Elgin  Green  Groups  350  is  helping  make  people  aware  of  the  amount  of  carbon  going  into   the  atmosphere.  Corporations  should  have  to  think  about  the  amount  of  pollution  they  are   putting  into  the  air.  China  is  already  working  to  introduce  renewable  energy.  The   commission  agreed  that  the  letter  is  a  good  cause,  but  the  logistics  behind  the  operation   of  such  a  fee  and  dividend  aren’t  clear  and  the  general  public  may  not  be  ready.  Education   may  need  to  reach  more  people  first.  Commissioner  Hajek  suggested  tabling  the  letter  for   carbon  fee  indefinitely  and  keep  an  open  mind.  Liaison  will  reach  out  to  Sandy  Kaptain  to   send  any  updates  the  Elgin  Green  Groups  350  receives  on  the  efforts.     3. Sustainability  Action  Plan  Update   Discuss  5-­‐year  update  on  plan  progress  and  current  initiatives,  make  any  adjustments   and  plan  focus  for  2017   Chairperson  Knoerr  suggested  garden  ordinances  do  not  exist  and  its  important  we  get   that  worked  into  our  municipal  code  this  year.  People  should  be  able  to  plant  a  garden  in   their  front  yard.  Commissioner  Alvarez  said  the  zoning  ordinance  has  a  permitted  use.  An   amendment  would  be  needed  to  allow  for  such.     Commissioner  Aagesen  suggested  opening  up  the  question  on  Facebook  asking  for  public   recommendations  on  what  needs  to  be  adjusted  in  our  code  to  allow  for  more  sustainable   practices  at  the  home  and  community  level.  “For  example,  there’s  been  several  issues   discussed  by  the  commission  over  the  past  few  years…bees,  gardens,  plastic  bag   ordinances.  What  would  you  like  to  see  happen?”  The  commission  will  continue  to  review   progress  report  and  make  recommendations.     F. Commissioner  comments/announcements   1. “Bikes  vs.  Cars”  film  showing  reminder   2. Sustainability  Honor  Roll  votes  in  February     G. 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.