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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 13 17 Minutes Minutes Ÿ Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Ÿ 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 Masterson and Segel present. C. Approval of previous meeting’s minutes Approval was not voted on due to lack of quorum. D. Discussion Items 1. Beekeeping Presentation Elgin residents to provide an informational presentation on beekeeping and commission can discuss city ordinances and provide any recommendations Elgin resident Rizwan Arastu is a current backyard chicken keeper through the city’s program. He discussed the benefits of beekeeping. For example bees pollinate a large amount of common crops. He discussed common concerns and addressed common misconceptions of bees and beekeeping. There may be many people that don’t want to keep bees, but can appreciate the need to. Beekeepers are often eager to teach others and it’s likely there are some in the area who would present at public meetings for people interested or those opposing to learn more about it. Liaison will share the presentation with the rest of the commission and follow up with Mr. Arastu. 2. The Conservation Foundation’s Fox River Initiative Presentation TCF staff will present on program and municipal partnerships Trish Beckjord gave an overview of the Conservation Foundation, what they do and programs they offer. She introduced the Fox River Initiative, including both technical education and homeowner education. She discussed a new “conservation in our community” program where the organization can assist with special projects, better inform leadership and staff, and support MS4 permit requirements, educate and engage citizens, and more. They can provide recommendations on opportunities for green infrastructure and conservation design components. They can host HOA education programs, establish long-term management financing for conservation and green infrastructure components to both new and existing developments. She provided brochures on different programs that liaison will distribute to the entire commission at the next meeting. 3. Metro Farms field trip recap Attendees to provide recap of the trip to Metro Farm and what next steps are recommended regarding Partners for Places grant opportunity The commission tabled this item until the next meeting as most of those in attendance were on the tour. E. Old Business 1. Sustainability Action Plan Update Review commissioner research findings and plan next steps to achieving objectives Chairperson Knoerr briefly discussed a program she found called Edible Evanston. She thinks we need to think of an overall approach to an ordinance, not prohibiting things, but just establishing guidelines of what can’t be there. Commissioners Aageson and Masterson are looking for ways to get middle schools and high schools access to places like Freedom Field or universities where there is scientific development of renewable energy. They would like to help them find programs that fund science projects in such areas area, especially as they relates to sustainability. Commissioner Segel has focused on the statute that was passed in the last session of 2016 dealing with the solar and wind industry. 2. Backyard Chickens Discuss program expansion Liaison has looked up complaint cases, and found none that were related to license holders in the backyard chickens program. There were currently 20 applicants on the waitlist to get licenses. Further discussion will continue at the next meeting to find recommendations on expansion of the program. 3. Trip to Freedom Field Discuss organizing summer trip to Freedom Field open to the public The commission will discuss a potential fall date when more commissioners are present. F. Commissioner comments/announcements 1. Liaison to update outgoing/incoming commissioners Commissioner announced the resignation of Commissioner Hernandez and non-renewals of Commissioners Alvarez and Fitton. One staff and one community-at-large member would be appointed prior to July meeting. 2. Liaison to provide Climate Mayors update Liaison briefly described Mayor Kaptain’s involvement in Climate Mayors and his sign-on to a letter to President Trump supporting cities doing their part to honor Paris Agreement. 3. Announcements from Attendees Resident Todd Martin wished to discuss the Mayor’s signature on the Climate Mayor’s letter regarding the Paris Agreement. He suggested liaison find a baseline assessment of the emissions that was done during the working group of the sustainability formation in the 2000’s. He suggested the front-end cost has already been paid for. He suggested the commission take action in writing a Climate Action Plan to address greenhouse gas emissions and goals to achieve reductions, and offered his assistance in such a project. 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.