McHenry Times

City of Woodstock Environmental Commission met Jan. 5 

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The Regular Meeting of the City of Woodstock Environmental Commission was called to order by Chairperson Erica Poremba at 5:34 PM on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

1. CALL TO ORDER 

2. ROLL CALL 

COMMISSION MEMBERS ATTENDING: Laura Kacmar, Margaret Schneemann, Steve Wenzel and Chairperson Erica Poremba.

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Ed Ellinghausen.

STAFF ATTENDING:, Deputy Public Works Director Brent Aymond, Chief Deputy City Clerk Jane Howie and Deputy Clerk Bernie Walker.

OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Zimmerman, Baxter & Woodman.

3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: 

Motion by S. Wenzel, second by L. Kacmar, to accept the minutes from the November 3, 2022 meeting. Ayes: L. Kacmar, M. Schneemann, S. Wenzel and Chair Poremba. Nays: none. Absentees: E. Ellinghausen. Abstentions: none. Motion carried.

4. FLOOR DISCUSSION 

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

a. Public Comments: None.

b. Commission Comments: 

S. Wenzel shared that some restaurants have made the decision not to include plastic silverware for all to-go food orders, but instead, customers must request silverware, if needed. This helps with the restaurant’s costs, but also cuts down on waste. It was noted that some restaurants are charging customers less if they bring their own to-go containers (when dining in-house).

5. TRANSMITTALS (no discussion or action requested)

6. ITEMS OF BUSINESS 

a. Community Garden Update:

B. Aymond said someone had already called Public Works asking to rent a garden bed. He continued on to say that City staff added fresh mulch (free of disease) and two layers of contractor fabric to the community garden beds. The City is proposing to change some language in the contracts which would require gardeners to maintain one foot of space around their bed, including the actual garden bed, then Parks staff will maintain everything else. This will cut down on the time that commissioners need to volunteer to maintain the gardens themselves. The City will monitor how this change works. B. Aymond added that The Land Conservancy will also be assisting; he’ll share specifics at next month’s meeting. Commissioners briefly discussed adding a second community garden in Merryman Fields Park at some time in the future.

b. New Practices – Pesticide/Herbicide:

B. Aymond shared a list of City parks and fields. He reminded commissioners that the City pays for one pesticide/herbicide application in the spring (down from two per year). He reviewed some of the costs for application at Emricson, Bates, and Merryman Field. He added that on occasion special applications are called in for events and such. There was a brief review of the ingredients used in the slow-release fertilizer. The commission would like the City to “go more natural;” however, there’s a large cost increase (double) for many of the natural products. B. Aymond will look into how the natural product is applied.

She asked if the City can eliminate the chemicals and move toward a more natural process. She said weeds are a sign that the soil is unhealthy so the process should begin with building up soil health to reduce weeds. She asked if the City could use their fertilizer budget on aeration and natural treatments.

B. Aymond opined the City can certainly look into these suggestions. He welcomed someone to come to Public Works to speak to the Parks Division staff about these processes. S. Wenzel added that some of the areas the City treats are very small. Further discussion ensued. B. Aymond shared a bit of information of staffing needs vs. responsibilities. He added that both granular and liquid foams are both spray applied, per the Parks Superintendent. M. Schneemann suggested using a small area as a testing ground. She also suggested starting with an educational piece to share with the community. E. Poremba added that it would be a great idea to share more natural/organic products with the community so that residents know what to purchase for their own yards. There was a brief discussion about SARA maps.

E. Poremba talked about getting in front of PTO groups and, perhaps, the school’s grounds keepers to share information about natural lawn treatments. There was a suggestion to plan a rain garden in Raintree Park. A bit of discussion ensued about the area being a retention basin vs. the pros and cons of having a rain garden situated there.

7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – UPDATED 

a. Paper Straws/Eliminating Plastic Straws

b. Tree Ordinance

8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – MISCELLANEOUS 

a. Kacmar’s Public Outreach Event Idea

b. Environmental Master Plan

c. Food Forest Concept

d. Food Composting Program (Fall 2023)

e. Rain Gardens

f. Stormwater Runoff & Retention Management

g. E. Ellinghausen’s Brine Study

There was a suggestion to add an update on herbicide/pesticide to next month’s meeting agenda. The commission would also like to discuss L. Kacmar’s Public Outreach Event Idea and paper straws. E. Poremba thanked B. Aymond for his work on the community gardens. She suggested they discuss the Tree Ordinance in the March meeting. E. Poremba asked commissioners to search for ordinances from communities that have banned plastic straws.

Mr. Zimmerman mentioned that Oak trees are dying from Oak Decline Syndrome. He said this is partly due to the rainy spring weather over the last four years. The rain has caused root rot, which could also be from herbicides and compacted soil from mowers going over tree roots. He said in many areas Swamp White Oak are being planted in place as they are hardier and less inclined to get Oak Decline Syndrome. E. Poremba would like the Tree Ordinance to include that if a tree dies, a new one must be planted. B. Aymond said the City does try to plant a tree when a tree must be cut down. However, in Emricson Park trees have not yet been replaced. Mr. Zimmerman offered some suggestions and added that he’d be happy to share information and help the commission in the writing of the Tree Ordinance. Mr. Zimmerman said in Riverwoods, they do not allow the planting of new trees, but instead, they require the maintenance and improvement of the current trees vs. planting a tree whenever a tree is removed.

9. ADJOURN: Adjourn to a regular meeting on Thursday, February 2, 2023 Motion by S. Wenzel, seconded by M. Schneemann, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Environmental Commission. Ayes: L. Kacmar, M. Schneemann, S. Wenzel and Chair E. Poremba. Nays: none. Absentees: E. Ellinghausen. Abstentions: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:47 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/environmental_commission/meeting/46496/environmental_comm_minutes_1-5-23.pdf