DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb Citizens' Environmental Commission met Aug. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The Citizens’ Environmental Commission (CEC) held a regular meeting on Aug. 7, 2025, in the Second Floor Training Room at the DeKalb Police Department.

Chair Julie Jesmer called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.

A. Roll Call

Roll call was recorded by City Staff Liaison Scott Zak, and the following members of the CEC were present: Chair Julie Jesmer, Commissioners Shaun Langley, Linda Srygler and Rob Srygler and Council Liaison Barb Larson. Not present were Commissioners Killian Becker and Tom Skuzinski and Ex-Officio Members Matt Emken and Nick Newman.

Mr. Zak shared that Shaina Martin, the DeKalb County Health Department’s ex-officio member, was no longer with the organization and her replacement will be contacted about joining the Commission once in place.

B. Approval of Agenda

MOTION

Ms. Srygler motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Srygler.

VOTE

The agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote.

C. Public Comments

Resident Clare Kron, who has farmed for a long time in the Dresser Road garden plots, said crops used to grow well there but are now being eaten by animals like rabbits and prairie voles because of a lack of predators. She said trapping is devastating gardens and suggested the Commission write an article letting the public know there is a price to pay for getting rid of predators. She added there is also a lack of pollinators.

Ms. Srygler noted that after planting in the plots for 19 years, Ms. Kron would recognize if there is a problem. Mr. Langley noted the predator issue is complex since coyotes cannot be released in municipal areas. He said issues impacting pollinators could be addressed through public education.

Resident Nick Dory said the Commission could reach more young people with its public education efforts through YouTube or TikTok. He addressed the recent poor air quality conditions and said education could be done on the causes.

D. Approval of Minutes

1. Meeting Minutes of June 5, 2025

MOTION

Mr. Srygler motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Langley.

VOTE

The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.

E. Commission Reports

1. DeKalb County Health Department

With no ex-officio member appointed, no report was given.

2. DeKalb Park District: Mat Emken

With Ex-Officio Member Emken absent, no report was given. Mr. Zak shared he had contacted the District asking if there was a way the Commission could help facilitate its participation in meetings.

3. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (KWRD): Nick Newman

With Mr. Newman absent, no report was given.

4. Northern Illinois University

With no ex-officio member appointed, no report was given.

5. City Staff Liaison

a. EV Readiness recognition

On Aug. 4, Mr. Zak attended the awards ceremony recognizing municipalities that completed the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ and ComEd’s EV Readiness program. Speakers at the program at the Illinois Institute of Technology included US Senator Dick Durbin, who encouraged communities to continue working to address climate change despite less federal-level support.

b. Tree planting

As the City makes progress towards reestablishing itself as a Tree City USA, Mr. Zak said a tree planting, one of the program requirements, will be held this fall and the Commission certainly will be a part of this. A revised tree ordinance to meet the requirements of Tree City USA and the Morton Arboretum grant will go before the City Council on Aug. 11.

Given the Commission’s concerns about materials collected for recycling being shipped overseas, Mr. Zak reviewed LRS’ annual sustainability report for relevant information and shared that LRS’ recycled materials are sold to factories and mills in North America to be turned into new products.

F. New Business

1. Draft of flyer on new tree care

Mr. Zak presented the draft of a one-page flyer, suggested by the Commission, to distribute to households who receive a new tree through the City’s 50/50 Parkway Tree Program. Information on the flyer on watering, mulching, fertilizer, pruning and support is from an arborist contacted by Mr. Newman and the Morton Arboretum. The Commission discussed adding information about tree infiltration of waterlines. Since the flyer is distributed after planting, the City will look at providing this information at the time of application.

G. Old Business

1. Green business recognition

Ms. Srygler shared recognition programs she found with other municipalities. She said Niles offered a simple application process, while Hoffman Estates provides a list of sustainable practices and applicants need to reach a set number of points to earn the recognition. Mr. Langley noted some cities have someone visit the business to suggest other sustainable methods, noting this work would have to be performed by Commissioners. Ms. Jesmer said the same could be done by including the list of green practices on the application, giving applicants more ideas on becoming sustainable. Ms. Srygler and Mr. Langley will collaborate on an application to bring to the Commission in October.

2. Next articles for Daily Chronicle (Sept.: Green business program or stormwater remediation, Nov. & Dec.: Benefits of volunteering)

Ms. Srygler volunteered to write the Sept. article on stormwater, while Mr. Srygler will write on volunteering.

3. Upcoming events

Mr. Zak said the Commission has an opportunity to share its monarch butterfly education materials on the Saturday of Corn Fest during the corn boil. Several commissioners were interested, and Mr. Zak said he would send the details.

4. Updates on other issues

No information was shared here.

H. Announcements

1. New announcements

No information was shared here.

2. Next regular meeting: Sept. 4, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

I. Adjournment

MOTION

Mr. Srygler motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Langley.

VOTE

A motion to adjourn the meeting was approved by unanimous voice vote. The meeting was declared adjourned at 5:44 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08072025-2729