McHenry Times

City of Woodstock Environmental Commission met March 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Laurie Kacmar, J. Krandel, and Co-Chair Steve Wenzel,

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Ed Ellinghausen and Chair Erica Poremba.

STAFF PRESENT: Director of Public Works Jeff Van Landuyt and Executive Assistant/Chief Deputy City Clerk Jane Howie.

OTHERS PRESENT: Scott Kuykendall.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: correction, from Regular Meeting to Special Meeting on January 10, 2019.

Motion by J. Krandel, second by L. Kacmar , to accept the Minutes from the January 10, 2019 meeting. Ayes: L. Kacmar, J. Krandel, and Co-Chair S. Wenzel, Nays: none. Absentees: E. Ellinghausen and Chair E. Poremba. Abstentions: none. Motion carried; Minutes accepted with above correction.

FLOOR DISCUSSION: Anyone wishing to address the Commission on an item not already on the agenda may do so at this time.

1. Public Comments:

Mr. Scott Kuykendall, Water Resources Specialist, shared information about the updated WRAP, Water Resources Action Project, to assist in raising awareness and stressing the importance of water resources in McHenry County. He continued on to mention the diverse group of stakeholders that form a WRAP Taskforce. The Taskforce holds one meeting per month for the first year and will work closely with municipalities. Mr. Kuykendall shared flyers which J. Van Landuyt will email to all Commissioners. The Commissioners were informed that both Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Will Smith and Councilman Jim Prindiville will be attending WRAP meetings; which are held on the second Wednesday of each month. The Commission thanked Mr. Kuykendall for the information.

2. Commission Comments: none.

TRANSMITTALS: No discussion or action requested.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Grant Updates:

J. Van Landuyt informed the Commission that they received the grant from the Community Foundation for McHenry County in the amount of !4,500, which will be presented at the March 19th City Council meeting. Mr. Van Landuyt reminder Commissioners that the group also earned $1,190 from last fall’s on line crowd funding campaign through the SeedMoney organization.

2. Development of Specific Information for Community Gardens

S. Wenzel stated the Commission needs to set dates for approximately ten tasks. J. Van Landuyt said Public Works will take care of getting information into calendars and into newspapers. S. Wenzel suggested the information is posted two weeks prior to the ground-breaking event in April. Co-Chair Wenzel said he has some commitments from volunteers who will assist in building garden beds. J. Van Landuyt said the Boy Scouts may help, too.

J. Van Landuyt said the water connection will occur at the end of the season; early in October. The hydrant will have a spigot for providing water during the growing season. Commissioners are interested in getting fencing installed in June, if possible. Mr. Van Landuyt mentioned that Public Works plans to remove some of the trees before April 30. J. Van Landuyt suggested having someone periodically review the website to be certain updates are posted on a timely basis. S. Wenzel said he’ll review the website every two weeks, as its event driven. Mr. Kuykendall suggested having information on the website that includes how many garden sites are still available, along with information detailing specific events.

J. Krandel informed the Commission that she brought flyers to the Farmers Market; she’ll make sure they are replenished. It was also mentioned that one garden plot was donated to District 200 for their recent event, another plot was donated to Family Health Partnership Clinic for their Gala event in April. Six out of thirty-six plots have been sold so far; one plot will be reserved for the Master Gardeners.

S. Wenzel said he will share information at various events that he attends. Director Van Landuyt stated that Public Works’ staff will pick up the donated garden beds prior to April 6, from Brenda Dahlfors at the Extension Office. J. Krandel will ask Alexander Lumber for donations, and/or discounts, on lumber and materials. J. Van Landuyt said the materials can be stored at Public Works and the beds can be built at Public Works. He added that he’ll share the dates with Director Anderson to include the Boy Scouts.

The Commission selected March 30th as the garden box building event at Public Works beginning at 9:00 AM. There was also discussion on the installation of temporary and permanent sign on site, which Public Works will handle. Mr. Kuykendall mentioned that the county can make metal signs for a very nominal fee. The Commission and City is very interested in working with the county for signage.

With regard to soils, L. Kacmar said she believes the organamix company could get the product in a timely manner and that they may also be able to deliver. She’ll work with E. Ellinghausen to gather information and move forward. J. Van Landuyt said the organa-mix should be delivered to the site on Saturday, April 6th; then Public Works’ bobcat can be used to fill the beds. He reminded Commissioners that they’ll need cardboard for each garden bed by April 6, as well. Public Works will order portable toilets for the site.

There was a brief discussion regarding ‘Thank you’ notes; S. Wenzel will prepare a list and handle this task.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion about Commissioner Ellinghausen’s Brine Study

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Community Gardens Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting, Saturday, May 4th, 9:00 – 10:00 AM, Meet & Greet Orientation, 10:00 AM.

2. Plan to begin planting mid-May.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by J. Krandel, second by L. Kacmar, to adjourn this Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission. Ayes: L. Kacmar, J. Krandel, and Co-Chair S. Wenzel. Nays: none. Absentees: E. Ellinghausen and Chair E. Poremba. Abstentions: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:22 PM. Next Regular Meeting is on April 4, 2019 at 5:30 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/environmental_commission/meeting/26731/f_-_environmental_3-7-19_-_part_1_of_1_-_minutes.pdf