McHenry Times

City of Woodstock Environmental Commission met Sept. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. CALL TO ORDER 

2. ROLL CALL 

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

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: none.

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

OTHERS PRESENT: none.

3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: 

Motion by L. Kacmar, second by S. Wenzel, to accept the minutes from the July 6, 2023 meeting. Ayes: E. Ellinghausen, L. Kacmar, M. Schneemann, S. Wenzel and Chair Poremba. Nays: none. Absentees: none. 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: none.

5. TRANSMITTALS (no discussion or action requested)

6. ITEMS OF BUSINESS 

a. Tree Ordinance

S. Wenzel said he looked at tree programs in four communities; Seattle, Boulder, Sacramento and Austin. He will be further investigating the programs in Seattle and Austin who partner with both utilities and environmental groups. He added that all communities had a large partnership that was helping to finance the trees. For example, ComEd has a grant that they partner with Open Lands. The next grant cycle is in the spring. There was a suggestion to meet with the City’s Grant Writer, Barb Szul. Sometimes, a utility company will assist with the purchase of trees from a specific nursery. He suggested perhaps contacting the Environmental Defenders, or The Land Conservancy, depending on the type of tree. Chair Poremba suggested looking at the native species list and then find partners who are willing to assist along with contacting local nurseries.

Chair Poremba opined that residents who want to plant trees should be educated on how to plant and how to care for their trees. She suggested connecting with a local landscaper for assistance in educating residents; a “tree tender.” L. Kacmar shared that the City of Evanston’s Arborist reviews all their trees and educates their community on tree maintenance and shares information about diseased trees. Commissioners discussed sections of Evanston’s 2023 Tree Ordinance.

M. Schneemann suggested avoiding tree planting in the public right of way. Chair Poremba suggested that when trees are taken down in the right of way, request that the homeowner plant a tree in their yard. B. Aymond said currently residents can get permission from Public Works to plant a tree in the right of way.

Chair Poremba asked B. Aymond to review Tree Ordinances and share those preferred with the Commission. She asked Commissioners to review ordinances, as well, so that they can provide feedback at next month’s meeting.

E. Ellinghausen said some communities have started planting trees that don’t get tall enough to interfere with overhead power lines. M. Schneemann suggested having a diverse selection of trees to assure a healthy mix of trees. Chair Poremba would like copies of tree ordinances to review by September 20th.

b. Community Garden Discussion

B. Aymond stated that two gardeners aren’t taking care of their garden beds, and five to six beds are overgrown. After speaking with his staff, there was a suggestion to incur a deposit of $50, which they’d get back after the season ends, depending on the condition of their garden bed. Chair Poremba suggested raising the cost per bed instead of having a deposit, as many people may not be able to afford the deposit. B. Aymond said Public Works is considering notifying the gardeners by letter to request that they clean up and maintain their garden bed. Those gardeners with unmaintained beds will not be allowed to rent a bed in the future. S. Wenzel suggested that if the gardener immediately comes out to clean up their bed, allow them to rent in the future.

B. Aymond advised that the City’s Parks & Streets Superintendent, Chris Lynk, has resigned; his last day is tomorrow, September 8th. In addition, the City’s Arborist recently retired; however, a current Public Works employee has applied and is completing his schooling to become a Licensed Arborist this fall.

S. Wenzel shared that he recently read an article about paper straws, that stated that some paper straws are worse than plastic straws. This was a bit of discussion about “Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. They were first used in the 1940s and are now in hundreds of products including stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paint, and fire-fighting foams.” B. Aymond shared that the City is doing some research and information will be provided once known.

7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - UPDATED 

a. Paper Straws / Eliminating Plastic Straws

b. Kacmar’s Public Outreach Event Idea

8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – MISCELLANEOUS 

a. Environmental Master Plan

b. Food Forest Concept

c. Food Composting Program (Fall 2023)

d. Rain Gardens

e. Stormwater Runoff & Retention Management

f. E. Ellinghausen’s Brine Study

g. Class 3 Groundwater recharge area

9. ADJOURN: Adjourn to a regular meeting on Thursday, October 5, 2023. 

Motion by E. Ellinghausen, seconded by K. Kacmar, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Environmental Commission. Ayes: E. Ellinghausen, L. Kacmar, M. Schneemann, S. Wenzel and Chair E. Poremba. Nays: none. Absentees: none. Abstentions: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/environmental_commission/meeting/46504/environmental_commission_minutes_9-7-23.pdf