HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.10.17 Minutes Minutes Tuesday, October 10, 2017 6:15 p.m.
Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex, City Hall
Second Floor South Conference Room
150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120
A. Call to order (chairperson)
B. Roll Call (staff liaison)
Commissioners Anderson, Hajek, Keare, Miko and Segel present. Commissioner Hajek assumed
role of chair.
C. Approval of previous meeting’s minutes
September 2017 meeting minutes were approved.
D. Communications
1. Sustainability Honor Roll
Councilwoman Rauschenberger presents award to Maura Neuffer
E. Other persons present
F. Discussion Items
1. Community Survey Results
Review community survey responses to sustainability questions. Full survey results are
available on the city’s website.
The commissioners questioned where the satisfaction level came from in the sustainability
results since there was no question specific to satisfaction. The group thought it may be
worthwhile to conduct an online sustainability survey and/or hold focus groups, especially
with key stakeholders in the area. Community asset mapping (for profit, non-profit,
governmental, other commissions, etc) may prove beneficial in such outreach. The Fox
Valley Sustainability Network helps us look at regional opportunities, but we also need to
look at smaller groups, like Elgin Green Groups 350, Boys and Girls Club, Shared Harvest,
etc. Connecting groups and institutions encourages others and provides support to
initiatives.
2. Partnership with Elgin Green Groups 350 to offer educational opportunities at the library
and Hawthorne Hill Nature Center
Discuss educational objectives and explore opportunities to partner with EGG350 or
sponsor events like speakers on topics of sustainability, like community solar.
Pending review and approval of community solar presentation sent to the liaison from
Sandy Kaptain, the group is willing to sponsor the community solar presentation at the
library in January. The group is also interested in finding other ways to partner with and
work with the group.
G. Old Business
1. Sustainability Action Plan Update
Review commissioner research findings and discuss next steps to achieving objectives
Between now and when the comprehensive plan and strategic plan are finalized, the
group is interested in achieving some initiatives, or “low hanging fruit.” Liaison will look
into how long the commission’s commitment is to pay Friends of the Fox. She will also add
a commission budget discussion to the January 2018 agenda.
H. Commissioner comments/announcements
Pumpkin Composting Event on Saturday, November 4, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Commissioner volunteers are needed to assist with entire event or just a portion of the event if
available. Liaison, along with Commissioners Hajek, Keare, Miko and Segel can volunteer.
Liaison updated the commission on meeting with The Conservation Foundation and hopes to
partner with them on native plant initiatives.
Liaison also updated commission on plans to apply for and emergency efficiency reimbursement
grant that could cover 75% of LED light fixture replacement project in The Highlands of Elgin golf
course parking lot.
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.