City of DeKalb Citizens’ Environmental Commission met Sept. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
Chair Kenney called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL
The following members of the Citizens' Environmental Commission were present (indicated by x):
X Dan Kenney (Chair) X Ken Koch X Mary McGinn
X Clare Kron (Vice-Chair) X Bill Oleckno
X Sharon Skala X Ann Shult
The following ex-officio members were present (indicated by x):
X Amy Doll, DeKalb Park District
Mike Holland, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District
Melissa Burlingame, Northern Illinois University
Lacey Carlson, DeKalb County Health Department
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION -
Ms. Shult moved to approve the agenda.
Agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Dave Lehman spoke on the unintended consequences of backyard chickens. Mr. Lehman submitted a summary of his written comments, which are attached.
Ms. Bessie Chronopoulos spoke regarding solar farms. She referenced the proposed solar farm near Suburban Estates. Ms. Chronopoulos believes there a lot of possibilities with solar projects and that the Commission should look at solar.
D. APPROVAL of MINUTES
MOTION – To approve minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting held on August 9, 2018.
Ms. Ms. Kron moved to approve the minutes of August 9, 2018.
Mr. Oleckno seconded and inquired why the minutes did not recognize the person who seconded the motions in those minutes. Ms. Kron explained that she had reviewed Roberts Rules and found that minutes do not require the name of the person who seconds the motion. Mr. Oleckno requested the minutes recognize the person who seconded the motion. The Commission members agreed.
Minutes were approved by voice vote.
MOTION – To approve minutes of the Special Meeting held on August 23, 2018.
Ms. Shult moved to approve the minutes of August 23, 2018.
Mr. Oleckno seconded. Revisions to the minutes were discussed and will be made to the final version.
Minutes with changes were approved by voice vote.
E. COMMISSIONREPORTS
1. DeKalb County Health Department: Lacey Carlson No report.
2. DeKalb Park District: Amy Doll
Outdoor education events coming up include a paddling clinic next week.
Also, on September 30 there will be another Clean the Kish event. Volunteers will meet on the north side of NIU's East Lagoon along College Ave.
The Nature Trail Restoration project is continuing. ENCAP Inc. will be mowing areas of the Nature Trail on the morning of Thursday, September 20th as part of the restoration plan. No closures will be required.
The pathway along South Malta Rd will be closed Tues, 9/25 - Thurs, 9/27 for repaving.
3. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District: Michael Holland No report.
4. Northern Illinois University: Melissa Burlingame (via e-mail)
The Green Team had the first student-focused meeting of the semester yesterday and generated some interest in committees. The Green Team has three students working on finishing the AASHE STARS report and writing sustainability strategies for NIU. The Environmental Management course is creating a management plan for stream and lagoon shoreline stabilization that will be implemented in the spring 2019.
5. City of Dekalb: Tim Holdeman
The Refuse, Recycling and Yard Waste vendor, Lakeshore Recycling Systems, is performing its first collection operation this week.
Waste Management began picking up their carts after their last pick-up day last week.
The 2018 Street Maintenance Program is progressing nicely. The Elwood Neighborhood resurfacing is complete, work on Ridge and Taylor is next.
The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the new Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Multi-use Path held on Sept.4 was well attended.
New weekend transit services began this past weekend.
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. Solar Energy Report
Mr. Oleckno explained that the current City Ordinance covering solar energy does not encompass solar farms, such as the one mentioned by Ms. Chronopoulos earlier in the meeting. Rather, City approval of solar farms is considered on a case by case basis as a Special Use.
The Suburban Estates solar farm is not within the City, however because it is adjacent to the City, the County has requested the City’s input.
Mr. Oleckno recommended that the Commission request City staff to allow the Commission to review any proposals for solar farms. The Commission should consider impacts to property value, current and future use, and impacts on surrounding land use.
Chair Kenney asked Mr. Oleckno to write a policy that would outline the role of the Commission in reviewing solar farm proposals and circulate that document to the Commission for review and comment.
2. Coal Tar Sealant Discussion
Mr. Koch requested this item be deferred until next month.
G. OLD BUSINESS
1. Food Security Chicken Ordinance Update
The draft Ordinance for Backyard Chickens in the City of DeKalb (Attached), compiled by Ms. Kron was distributed and discussed.
Ms. Kron will edit the draft based on the Commission’s input and discussion.
MOTION – Ms. Kron moved to approve the draft ordinance with changes discussed and forward to City staff.
Ms. McGinn seconded.
Motion carried by voice vote with Mr. Oleckno being the only nay.
2. LED Update Press Release Draft and Public Forum Discussion.
The Draft Press Release (Attached) was introduced by Ms. Kron.
Mr. Koch expressed concern that the press release focuses on LED and not the real problem, which is blue light emissions.
A resident, Mr. Ken Nyquist, raised his concerns regarding blue light emissions from the LED streetlights that ComEd is installing.
Mr. Koch reiterated that LED lighting is not the same as blue light emissions.
Mr. Oleckno suggested changes be made to the document.
Mr. Koch asked for an emphasis on blue light, rather than LED.
Ms. Kron will modify the document and send to Mr. Holdeman for circulation and comment. MOTION – Mr. Oleckno moved to have Ms. Kron revise the document and send to Mr. Oleckno for review. The document will be considered again at the next meeting. Ms. Shult seconded. Motion was approved by voice vote.
3. Other Sustainability Plan Updates None.
H. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Kenney suggested a field trip to Whiskey Acres.
Ms. Shult checked with DeKalb High School graphics department and may have something on the logo next month.
Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, October 4, 2018, 4:00 pm
I. ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Shult moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Oleckno seconded.
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Chair Kenney declared the meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Tim Holdeman, Staff Liaison Approved by Voice Vote on October 4, 2018
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09062018-1437
Alerts Sign-up