City of Urbana Sustainability Advisory Commission met March 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Commissioners Present: Stacy Gloss, Jessica Lehmkuhl, Andrew Stumpf, Morgan White, Grace Wilken
Commissioners Absent: Tomas Delgado
Staff Present: Scott Tess
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Declaration of Quorum
Chair Gloss called the meeting to order, a roll was called and a quorum was present.
Approval of Minutes
Commission Member White motioned to approve the minutes from the February 2021 meeting. Commission Member Wilken seconded the motion. Roll call vote to approve motion, Commission unanimously approved.
Additions to Agenda
Chair Gloss passed the chair to Commission Member Stumpf to propose and addition to the agenda. Chair Gloss proposed to add a discussion Illinois American Water’s proposed rate hikes as a way to introduce the issue to the Commission. Commission Member White motioned to approve the addition. Commission Member Wilken seconded the motion. Roll call vote to approve motion, Commission unanimously approved.
Commission Member White moved to add a discussion on Youth Member to the Commission. Commission Member Wilken seconded the motion. Roll call vote to approve motion, Commission unanimously approved.
Public Input
Representatives from the Environmental Leadership Program with the Institute of Sustainability, Energy and Environment at the University of Illinois, shared their program goal of the members of the program to prevent resource-intensive valuable food from entering the landfill, reduce landfill tipping fees for local suppliers, and provide assistance to food-insecure citizens in the area.
Commission Member Wilken and Chair Gloss encouraged the representatives to prepare discussion materials for a presentation on a future meeting.
Staff Report
Geothermal Urbana-Champaign
The group geothermal purchase program has begun Geothermal Power Hours. They are posted at http://geothermaluc.org and https://www.facebook.com/GeothermalUC.
Landscape Recycling Center
The City has accepted a grant and will amend the budget February 28 to receive funds to build a concrete bin for a food scrap composting pilot program. A vendor has been selected to build the concrete bin and will begin construction when weather permits.
Public Engagement
Staff spoke to the undergraduate Environmental Leadership Program at the University of Illinois about their projects on food waste and sustainability funding.
U-Cycle
The U-Cycle invitation to bid for curbside leaf collection services received no bids. Staff will discuss in-sourcing this service again with Public Works staff.
Next Sustainability Advisory Commission Meeting
April 5 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building or by zoom depending on conditions.
Unfinished Business
Urbana City Council and Mayor Strategic Goals
Commission Member Wilken gave an update on the Strategic Goals from the latest Study Session. Discussion ensued.
Discussion about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Chair Gloss opened up the discussion on the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals to finalize planning and approaches.
New Business
Discussion on Illinois American Water’s proposed rate hike.
Chair Gloss opened the discussion on this topic by sharing the Rate Review Process Fact Sheet from Illinois American Water. Discussion ensued.
Discussion on Open Youth Position
Chair Gloss opened the discussion about the vacancy for the Youth Representative on the Sustainability Advisory Commission, vacated by Maddy Garbazs, who has aged out. The Commission members publicly thanked Ms. Garbazs for her contributions during her 4 year tenure. Discussion ensued on finding a replacement. Additionally, Chair Gloss reminded the Commission about the additional vacancy for a Commission seat.
Announcements
No announcements at this time.
Adjournment
With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. This meeting was recorded.
https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/SAC_Minutes_Jun2022.pdf
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