McHenry Times

City of Crystal Lake Sustainability Committee met Aug. 21

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Crystal Lake City Hall by Carol Elkins.

2. Roll Call/Attendance

Present were the following Committee members: Amy Olson, Lisa McLaughlin, Stephen Platt, Carol Elkins, and Emilie Hoffman. Members of the public in attendance: Vignesh Tiruvannamalai by phone, Dean Farr, and Assistant to City Manager Ryan Oates.

3. Public Comment

Vignesh Tiruvannamalai spoke about an August post that he created for social media. The post entails lawn watering habits. The Committee asked Vignesh Tiruvannamalai to make some changes to the post which Vignesh Tiruvannamalai stated he would make edits to the post and resend it.

4. Approval of Minutes from the May 15, 2024 Meeting

Amy Olson made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2024 Sustainability Committee meeting. Carol Elkins seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, motion passed.

5. Litter Clean Up Initiatives

A. Trash Can Locations

Ryan Oates reviewed the new trash can locations and stated that LRS has been notified of these locations to pick them up. Carol Elkins suggested highlighting the Committee’s efforts when it comes to trash cans so the public is aware of the locations. There was discussion about the sign and what is placed on the sign. Emile Hoffman suggested that the City should place the Sustainability Committee’s logo on the sign to show the efforts.

Dean Farr recommended working with the waste hauling company to provide metrics for each trash can that the City has put out through this program to determine which ones are being used more.

Lisa McLaughlin added that it would be good to see which cans get picked up more.

Emilie Hoffman shared that she is working with Immanuel Lutheran School to do a trash pickup day that will take place on September 29, 2024. There will be a group of volunteers that will be

going throughout the City to clean up litter. She asked the Committee if they know of any locations that can be picked up and Amy Olson shared that she will help identify which parks in the Park District can be picked up. Ryan Oates shared that he will help to identify locations in the City. 

6. Strategic Plan Discussion

A. Mission Statement

The Committee tabled the Strategic Plan discussion to a future meeting.

7. Mayors Monarch Pledge

The Committee discussed the Mayors Monarch Pledge Action Items. They went through the list and discussed items that have been achieved already and ones that will be achieved before the end of the year. The first item that was talked about was giving away plants at the Johnny Appleseed Festival which would satisfy one of the action items. There was also discussion regarding gardens and communication. Due to working with other garden groups and posting on social media, that satisfies those action items. Carol Elkins checked in on the Homeowners Association research and Ryan Oates stated he is working on doing the research and asked the committee to share any ideas they have to put in the letter when he reaches out to them. The Committee discussed a few other items that have been satisfied or need to be satisfied.

8. Johnny Appleseed Festival September 28, 2024

Ryan Oates shared that the Sustainability Committee is signed up for a table for the Johnny Appleseed Festival that will take place in Downtown Crystal Lake on Saturday, September 28 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Emilie Hoffman recommended that the committee have a butterfly cloth such as a tapestry to hang for people to take pictures in front of. Lisa McLaughlin stated that the kids liked the coloring things and that it should be brought back. Amy Olson recommended that the committee give out tattoos or stickers that fit with the Sustainability Committee. Carol Elkins stated that the Committee will have plants to give away and asked if we can post something on social media. The Committee asked Ryan Oates to reach out to Scott from McHenry County to show up to the booth again and Ryan Oates said he would. Ryan Oates stated that he will send out a signup sheet to sign up for a time slot to work at the table.

9. Open Discussion

Dean Farr shared that he has a water video from the IDNR that talks about water sustainability. He stated he will share it with Ryan Oates and asked him to share it with the group. There was also discussion of a few meetings that will be taking place in McHenry County on the topic of water and other sustainability programs.

Stephen Platt asked about the water consumption with all the developments that are coming in. Ryan Oates stated that he does not have that information readily available but that he would check with the Engineering and Community Development Departments and get back to the Committee.

10. Next Meeting: September 18, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

11. Adjourn

There being no further business, Carol Elkins moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Amy Olson seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, all voted aye. Meeting adjourned.

https://www.crystallake.org/home/showpublisheddocument/23599/638617502988370000