Village of Lake Bluff Sustainability and Community Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee met March 29.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
1. Call to Order
The Village of Lake Bluff Sustainability and Community Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee (SEC) met on March 29, 2017 in the Village Hall Board Room (40 E. Center Avenue) at 7:00 p.m. and the following members were present:
2. Roll Call
Present: Marina Carney Puryear, Co-Chair
Brian Rener, Co-Chair
Emmet Brady
Jill Danly
Liz Leutwiler
Nan Patterson
Anne Sorensen
Absent: None
Also Present: Franco Bottalico, Administrative Intern
Larry McCotter, LBOLA President
Al Trefts, LBOLA Treasurer
Bill Nordeen, LBOLA Member
3. Approval of the February 22, 2017 Meeting Minutes
Member Leutwiler moved to approve the February 22, 2017 SEC Meeting Minutes. Member Danly seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
4. Non-Agenda Items and Visitors
The SEC allocates 15 minutes for those individuals who would like the opportunity to address the SEC on any matter not listed on the agenda.
There were no requests to address the SEC.
5. Order of the Meeting
There were no requests to change the order of business.
6. General Business
A. A Discussion with members of LBOLA regarding their efforts of 176 Corridor Buckthorn Eradication
Co-Chair Rener introduced Lake Bluff Open Lands Association (LBOLA) and invited LBOLA President McCotter to speak to the SEC members.
President McCotter gave a background on LBOLA’s geographic area in which they manage. He stated removing woody invasive species is the first stage of eradication and planting native seeds is the second stage. He stated they have 68 native species growing in the area from their efforts.
He stated in 2010 LBOLA worked with the Village to get IDNR to receive state recognition for the Skokie reserve area and working toward a nature preserve status.
President McCotter described how high school volunteers come out to assist in their efforts in over 1200 volunteer hours. He estimates that since 2010 LBOLA is responsible for director over 7000 volunteer hours in their jurisdiction.
President McCotter discussed the efforts to the Northwest corner of Rockland and Green Bay Rd. He described how they would like to make it a visible model as one of LBOLA’s efforts. He proposed the Village of Lake Bluff join in a partnership with LBOLA and the Lake Bluff Park District in spearheading the woody invasive species area between Eva Terrance and the Skokie River. This would consist of removing buckthorn, honeysuckle and majority of dogwood. Aspen and cottonwood would remain. President McCotter advised this would be closer to a self-sustaining eco system due to the native species. He asked for a commitment in utilizing resources toward this effort and future maintenance.
A discussion ensued regarding ongoing efforts.
Co-Chair Rener asked if there were specific items needed from the Village. President McCotter stated that certain seed mixes and future stewardship would be asked of.
Member Danly asked how this will affect butterflies in that area, and making sustainable decisions in plantings. President McCotter stated that native plants that will be planted and will foster a healthy environment for native insects. A discussion ensued regarding the monarch butterfly and its food source.
Member Sorensen inquired on the current and future vision of the Rockland wetlands. President McCotter stated that that there is a certain amount of turf grass there today, and will most likely remain. A discussion ensued.
Co-Chair Rener suggested the SEC make a motion to enter in a partnership with LBOLA and to assist in the recruitment of volunteers. Co-Chair Puryear moved to make a motion. Member Leutwiler seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
B. A Discussion with Margaret Fox-Hawthorne Regarding Backyard Chicken Keeping
AI Bottalico provided the SEC members with Ms. Fox-Hawthorne’s background. The SEC held a brief discussion regarding regulations prior to contact Ms. Fox-Hawthorne.
AI Bottalico contacted Ms. Fox-Hawthorne via telephone for the SEC members.
Ms. Fox-Hawthorne introduced herself and gave the SEC members a brief description of her background.
Co-Chair Puryear asked if one can use the egg-laying chicken as a meat chicken (for consuming). Ms. Fox-Hawthorne advised that the older a chicken is, the tougher it is for consumption, and that the egg-layers may be smaller in size.
Co-Chair Rener asked if she can recommend any chicken breeds to use. Ms. Fox- Hawthorne advised to look into heavier breeds that are quieter such as a Buff Orpington. She also suggested to make sure neighbors are ok with a household keeping chickens because of the common misconceptions. She suggested that the pilot program volunteers enroll in some type of educational class in chicken keeping to understand what it involves.
Co-Chair Puryear suggested possibly holding an educational opportunity within the Village for interested candidates.
Co-Chair Puryear asked if predators would be a problem. Ms. Fox-Hawthorne advised that safety of the chickens from predators is a valid concern, and to consider requiring a secured/fenced coop.
Co-Chair Rener asked how many eggs would a Buff Orpington produce. Ms. Fox- Hawthorne advised that a one year old Buff Orpington could produce 4-5 eggs per week, but not as much during the winter.
AI Bottalico inquired on a minimum or maximum number of chickens in a backyard. Ms. Fox-Hawthorne advised anywhere from 2-6 chickens. A maximum of 6 is common practice for municipalities.
Ms. Fox-Hawthorne advised to require a minimum of 4 sq. ft. of area per chicken in a coop. She advised to have a good coop design with good ventilation and possibly a run from the grass to coop. She advised that hardware cloth as protection is the best defense material from predators.
Co-Chair Rener asked what is the preferred method to deal with chicken waste. Ms. Fox-Hawthorne advised to compost it. He also inquired if chickens shed. Ms. Fox- Hawthorne advised that about a year and half, and every year thereafter in the late summer to fall, they shed feathers and grow new ones. This is a six week period. You can compost the feathers with the waste.
Co-Chair Rener asked what to do with chickens once they have exhausted their egg- laying qualities. Ms. Fox-Hawthorne advised they essentially become pets, or you can donate them to a shelter or elsewhere.
A discussion ensued regarding discarding or keeping of chickens after their useful life.
The SEC members thanked Ms. Fox-Hawthorne for her time.
A discussion ensued among the SEC members.
Co-Chair Rener expressed his interest in requiring a pilot pogrom volunteer to attend a chicken keeping course prior to allowing residents to participate
Member Danly inquired on how the SEC can accommodate any neighbor’s concerns. Co-Chair Rener advised that since this is a pilot program the SEC can include public input into the process.
A discussion ensued regarding the possibility of requiring a closed enclosure.
Co-Chair Rener advised that at least a 30-day notice of a public hearing regarding the two pilot programs would be beneficial. The SEC members agreed that in addition to advertising with the media and the Farmers’ Market would be sufficient.
The SEC members discussed possibly holding the public meeting during mid- to late- June, and possibly back to the Village Board toward the end of summer.
A discussion ensued on when the SEC would want to implement the pilot programs.
Member Patterson inquired on addressing the age of chickens, or purchasing chicks.
7. Village Staff Report
The SEC discussed the outcome of the past Committee-of-the-Whole meeting and the desire of the Village Board.
The SEC discussed different public educations avenues to explore and when to hold a public hearing, possibly on a weekend in the summer.
8. Member’s Report
The Members commented on recent SEC goal-related activities that they have participated in.
9. Co-Chair’s Report
The Co-Chairs were absent.
10. Adjournment
As no further business came before the SEC, Member Sorensen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m. Co-Chair Puryear seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
http://www.lakebluff.org/government/agendas-and-minutes?format=raw&task=download&fid=1363
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