Chambana Sun

City of Woodstock Environmental Commission met May 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

I. Call to Order & Roll Call

A roll call was taken.

Commission Members Present: Laurie Kacmar, Ed Ellinghausen, Jaci Krandel, and Vice-Chair Steve Wenzel.

Commission Members Absent: Chair Erica Poremba.

Staff Present: Assistant Public Works Director Tom Migatz and Chief Deputy City Clerk Jane Howie

Others Present: none.

II. Acceptance of Minutes:

Motion by L. Kacmar, second by E. Ellinghausen, to approve Minutes from the April 6, 2017 Meeting: Ayes: L. Kacmar, E. Ellinghausen, J. Krandel, and Vice-Chair S. Wenzel. Nays: none. Absentees: Chair E. Poremba. Abstentions: none. Minutes were accepted.

III. Public Comment: none.

IV. Discussion Items

A. Staff Liaison Updates:

T. Migatz is gathering information regarding lighting retrofit, the meter change-out program, and e-payroll.

S. Wenzel suggested the City pick up branches after The Land Conservancy’s work days. He’ll be attending their meeting on Monday, May 8th, so he’ll get additional information and share with the Commission. The group discussed an appropriate location where branches could be stored until the Department of Public Works can pick them up and chip them.

T. Migatz said he believes the Climate Control Lobby Group will be attending this Commission’s next meeting. The City’s Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson will attend one of the next meetings to discuss environmental issues in the downtown.

B. Discussion of Environmental Plan priorities: this will be on next month’s Agenda.

J. Krandel said she dropped off several pieces of equipment to Elgin Recycling, with a slight charge for monitors and TVs. E. Ellinghausen said the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County hold similar recycling events, as well. Behr Iron and Metal in Rockford also accepts items for recycling.

E. Ellinghausen said he was pleasantly surprised that the Community Garden on Barlina Road in Crystal Lake is doing so well and has many of their garden plots, 20’ x 40’ and 20’ x 30’, in use. Collected funds cover staff time for routine maintenance; it’s a break-even project. Water and carts are available on site. Some discussion ensued. E. Ellinghausen figured out that forty-two 42 plots would fit on a 1-acre site. Next step for community gardens, select a spot with southern exposure and an area for parking. The Commission discussed several possible locations. E. Ellinghausen said the Defenders have a site that he’ll check in to. T. Migatz suggested that the Commissioners look into possible sites and comprise a list of questions for Donovan Day.

J. Krandel asked about the different type of cigarette receptacles on the Square. She’d like to know if G. Anderson has received any feedback from business owners. T. Migatz said the Rotary donated two additional recycling cans which will be installed. J. Krandel said people need to be made aware of that these receptacles are available.

S. Wenzel will research tree programs. L. Kacmar said tree information is in Chapter 8 of the Unified Development Ordinance. L. Kacmar gathered information on wood chips for the informational kiosk and newsletter. T. Migatz said the intent was to provide bullet points and direction to more information as opposed to a long write-up.

E. Ellinghausen said in a dry year the City probably uses more salt to regenerate water than they do for ice / snow protection. He briefly discussed the findings from his research. He said if the City could begin a pilot project and use effluent from one tank, it would enable us to establish the effectiveness on a smaller scale. Woodstock’s quantity and concentration is so great, it could be a great situation that could pay for itself. T. Migatz said currently the City doesn’t have the necessary equipment and storage space to get this sort of project implemented. J. Krandel thinks now is a great time to get this project started. T. Migatz said the information on brine / Supermix creation, not the effluent capture, will be considered as decisions are made to expand and reorganize the Public Works facility.

V. Adjournment:

Motion by J. Krandel, second by L. Kacmar, to adjourn this Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission. Ayes: L. Kacmar, E. Ellinghausen, J. Krandel, and Vice-Chair S. Wenzel. Nays: none. Absentees: Chair E. Poremba. Abstentions: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm until the Special Meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 5:30 pm.

http://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/environmental_commission/meeting/8331/env_minutes_5-4-17.pdf