Village of Lake Bluff Sustainability and Community Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee met October 5.
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 October 5, 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: Brian Rener, Co-Chair
Marina Carney Puryear, Co-Chair
Jill Danly
Anne Sorensen
Emmet Brady
Nan Patterson
Absent: Liz Leutwiler
Also Present: Glen Cole, Assistant to the Village Administrator (AVA)
John Scopelliti, Administrative Intern (AI)
3. Approval of the August 30, 2017 Meeting Minutes
Co-Chair Puryear moved to approve the August 30, 2017 SEC Meeting Minutes. Member Sorensen seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
4. Non-Agenda Items and Visitors
Co-Chair Rener stated that 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. Public Forum Regarding Backyard Chicken Keeping and Beekeeping Pilot Programs
AVA Cole introduced the item and provided a summary of recent and upcoming action regarding the item. AVA Cole explained that there was an informational table at the Farmer’s Market that received a positive response. The table at the Farmers’ Market had copies of both the Chicken Keeping and Beekeeping Pilot programs along with feedback cards. Twelve feedback cards were filled out by Lake Bluff residents. A live chicken was present at the table. AVA Cole stated this would be the last public forum and for any residents to come forward to express their opinion.
Ms. Nancy Drown came forward to address the SEC. She states that she is in support of the Chicken Keeping Pilot program and would like to be a part of pilot program, if possible. She provided information on why her backyard is a perfect candidate for this program along with the educational opportunity that this program can provide for her family.
Co-Chair Rener asked if any other individuals in the audience would like to come forward. As no one came forward, Co-Chair Rener proceeded to discussion among the members of the committee.
AVA Cole mentioned the changes that were made based off the last discussion. AVA Cole presented Co-Chair Rener’s idea to share the CDC Salmonella Program. AVA Cole asked the committee to discuss the situation.
Co-Chair Rener mentioned that he would incorporate some “common sense guidelines” into the ordinance such as ‘Chickens should not be brought into the home.’ More of these guidelines can be found through the CDC flyer, such as washing hands and adopting guidelines, or rules, for owners to follow with individuals that have compromised immune systems in the home.
Co-Chair Puryear expressed that at some point a chicken will be in someone’s home, so we suggest the CDC document be attached to the permit as information for the resident rather than imposed as a set of requirements.
Member Danly stated that these rules are important for discussion when creating the ordinance but she is very excited to get this program started and under-way. She believes a suggestion is fully adequate which is similar to Co-Chair Puryear’s view.
Member Sorensen concurs with the suggestion. She hopes that owners will use good common sense when handling the chickens.
Member Patterson was curious as to how many permits will be allowed and if there will be any follow up or inspections.
AVA Cole expressed that a 1 year report would be performed to evaluate this program.
B. Final Review of Draft Backyard Chicken Keeping and Beekeeping Pilot Programs
Once the discussion concluded regarding the Chicken Keeping pilot program, Co-Chair Rener requested a motion to approve recommending the ordinance to the Village Board.
Co-Chair Puryear moved to recommend the Village Board adopt the Chicken Keeping pilot program. Member Patterson seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
AVA Cole clarified the next steps and how the process would work for this ordinance. The hope is for this ordinance to be seen by the Village Board by next spring.
Since the committee only voted on the Chicken Keeping pilot program and not the Beekeeping pilot program, the committee had to conduct another vote to approve the Beekeeping Pilot program.
Co-Chair Rener started a discussion and clarified how the Beekeeping pilot program started. Co- Chair Rener motioned to move the Beekeeping Pilot program on the table for discussion.
After no further discussion by the public or by the committee, Member Patterson moved to recommend the Village Board adopt the Beekeeping pilot program. Member Sorensen seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
C. Continue Discussion Regarding the Next Goals/Tasks; Recycling and Beautification Information
AVA Cole stated that this time was provided for the committee to identify the next tasks to pursue from their approved work plan.
a. Recycling
Following up from the Committee’s August discussion, AVA Cole stated that Staff had researched items of interest. Reading from his memorandum to the Committee, AVA Cole presented information on recycling within the Village. Staff estimates that the Village’s Public Works Department services 21 trash cans and 3 recycling containers in the Central Business District. An outdoor recycling container costs about $1200 to install.
Co-Chair Puryear was interested in retro-fitting garbage cans to serve as recycling cans.
Co-Chair Rener stated we must be cognizant of the budget but three recycling cans to twenty-one trash cans is not reasonable. These numbers only relate to downtown Lake Bluff. The idea of doubling that amount to six recycling cans would be a good start, and he stated that a goal of the Village may be to have a ratio of one recycling can for every two public trash cans.
The committee came to the conclusion that an additional three units would be reasonable but the goal is to have 10 to 11 units as the budget permits.
AVA Cole continued, noting that the Village is in year two of a three year study as required by state statute to determine the effectiveness of private commercial waste haulers’ recycling programs. At the conclusion of the study period, the Village would have the option to award a commercial franchise contract for all businesses within the Village if less than 50% of all businesses within the Village participate in commercial recycling programs.
AVA Cole mentioned the school’s recycling program to the committee. The school currently has recycling cans in every classroom. AVA Cole is still waiting to hear back from the park district regarding recycling. AVA Cole mentioned that there will be a plastic bag usage document provided to the committee by AI Scopelliti. Highland Park’s bag recycling ordinance is presented for the SEC’s consideration.
b. Beautification
AVA Cole discussed beautification, the Committee’s prior discussions regarding this item, and asked what the Committee would like to see for a work product that addresses the beautification element of their mission.
Co-Chair Rener stated that the Village can pursue planting, gardening, and native plants for sections along downtown or even along street landscapes. While riding his bike to the Farmers’ Market, he noticed the need for more bike racks. A creative bike rack would be very important.
Member Patterson mentioned that she has also noticed the need for bike racks and also did some research of creative bike racks.
Co-Chair Rener promoted the idea of having a meeting where we look at pictures of areas throughout downtown that would be appropriate for both bike racks and plants/landscaping.
Co-Chair Puryear promoted the continued discussion of the eradication of buckthorn along with what can take its place as a source of screening.
Co-Chair Rener mentioned the idea of conducting a workshop with the ABR committee in regards to landscaping and having site-plans for the proposed areas.
Member Sorensen believes a good plan of attack to be to identify target areas and weave in the concepts the committee has been talking about; for example eradication of the buckthorn.
Co-Chair Rener expressed that the creation of neighborhood and historical gateways could contribute to beautification.
Co-Chair Puryear mentioned the importance of cross pollination of ideas throughout Lake County and possible grants to apply for.
Member Sorensen stated that we can use the previous speakers to come in and talk again or at least ask for assistance in this process.
Member Danly promoted the idea of looking at some areas downtown or throughout the village that members believe need a little TLC and would be a good source to create a beautification template for.
AVA Cole stated the Oct. 19th would be the date that members need to email him their three areas of needed TLC.
c. Sustainability Plan
AVA Cole mentioned the need for a more formal sustainability plan that would be then inserted in the comprehensive plan. This would be a great source to have for the committee.
Co-Chair Rener believes in a simple approach at the beginning in necessary that can then be improved upon as time goes. A discussion ensued about the appropriate level of detail for the plan, and the balance of the Committee’s time to spend between planning and acting.
AVA Cole described some peer communities’ sustainability plans and how they can inform and compare to Lake Bluff’s.
Co-Chair Rener supported addressing more immediate items and accomplishing more before the Committee starts worrying about larger tasks such as estimating carbon footprint. Co-Chair Rener moved to continue this discussion at the next SEC meeting.
d. Guest Speakers
AVA Cole asked if the committee wished to continue inviting guest speakers and, if so, what topics they have interest in. A discussion ensued.
The committee brainstormed for guest speaker topics of solar energy, light efficiency, flood prevention, landscape architecture, sustainable architecture, and by the fire department in regards to approaching the holidays with safety.
AVA Cole concluded with a summary of what will be included in the next meeting based off the discussions from this meeting.
7. Village Staff Report
AVA Cole introduced AI John Scopelliti to the Committee.
8. Member’s Report
Member Brady was given a supposedly bio-degradable grocery bag from Co-Chair Puryear to test and see if it is truly bio-degradable. He tested it and his findings were that it was not bio-degradable.
9. Co-Chair’s Report
There were no Co-Chair reports.
10. Adjournment
As no further business came before the SEC, Co-Chair Rener moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Member Patterson seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
https://www.lakebluff.org/government/agendas-and-minutes?format=raw&task=download&fid=1555
Alerts Sign-up