Lake County Gazette

Village of Lake Bluff Sustainability and Community Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee met March 4.

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 4, 2019 in the Village Hall Board Room (40 E. Center Avenue) at 7:01 p.m. and the following members were present:

2. Roll Call

Present: Brian Rener, Co-Chair Leslie Bishop

Anne Sorensen Sophia Twichell

Nan Patterson Emma Johnson

Absent: Marina Carney Puryear, Co-Chair

Also Present: Glen Cole, Assistant to the Village Administrator (AVA) John Scopelliti, Administrative Intern (AI)

3. Consideration of the February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes

Member Twichell moved to approve the February 4, 2019 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 for items not on the agenda.

5. Order of the Meeting

The Co-Chairs will entertain requests from anyone present on the order of business to be conducted during the Meeting.

There was no request to change the order of the meeting.

6. General Business

a. Final Draft of Landscape Identity, Gateway, and Corridor Study; Consider Recommendation

AVA Cole stated that the consultants completed the final version of the Landscape Identity, Gateway, and Corridor Study. He emphasized that feedback from the community and stakeholders were provided in the packet and were shared with the consultants as well. He stated that the consultants have done a great job over the last month implementing the ideas expressed through resident and stakeholder feedback.

Member Twichell expressed her interest in the costs page and that the page stated that LBOLA’s efforts were all volunteer which she didn’t believe was correct. She stated this because they said that they were planning to partner with the village regarding chipping and some out of pocket costs. She stated that she believes that this should be specified. AVA Cole stated that LBOLA did not provide an estimate prior to the meeting. He stated that this will be added to the final version.

Co-Chair Rener expressed his thanks to the residents for their feedback. He specifically thanked George Russell for all his diligent comments and research about the plan and its relation to the village.

In response to a question, AVA Cole stated that they are waiting to hear back from ComEd regarding the status of electric poles along the North Shore Trail.

Co-Chair Rener stated his happiness with the different plans and the budgets provided within the playbook.

Member Twichell stated she moves to recommend the Landscape Identity, Gateway, and Corridor Study to the Village Board for approval. Member Patterson seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote:

Ayes: (6) Bishop, Sorensen, Twichell, Patterson, Johnson, Rener Nays: (0)

Absent: (1)Puryear

Member Twichell stated that she moves to recommend the detailed landscapes of Project A from the Landscape Identity, Gateway, and Corridor Study to the Village Board for approval. Member Sorensen seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote:

Ayes: (6) Bishop, Sorensen, Twichell, Patterson, Johnson, Rener Nays: (0)

Absent: (1)Puryear

b. Draft of Village Sustainability Plan

AVA Cole stated that the has always had two mandates as implied by its name; 1) the first is community beautification, and 2) the second is not just pursuing sustainability initiatives but with crafting a sustainability plan for the village. The draft Sustainability Plan is a publication to inform and educate the residents of Lake Bluff as to why sustainable practices are important and beneficial for the Village, as well as a strategic tool for how the Village can achieve these goals.

Member Twichell stated that she was very pleased with the way this plan was designed and written. She stated that she is very interested to know what Lake Bluff is doing well and not doing too well. She stated that bio-diversity was not mentioned once in this plan and she believes it is relevant. Member Twichell stated that green buildings should fit under energy conservation but could also fit under more than one group. She stated that another piece to mention under stormwater would be considered green infrastructure. She expressed that she really loves the “what you can do” sections. She stated that she wants to consider this a living document.

Member Bishop stated that she hasn’t heard anything about disaster mitigation and public health. She stated that we should add something about public health. She emphasized that flooding or fire would fall under disaster mitigation. Member Bishop stated that the ravine section should be a little bit stronger. She stated that she believes going in the future that something could be changed in the zoning to protect the ravines. She emphasized that Appendix A was developed beautifully.

Co-Chair Rener emphasized the aspect of resiliency explains the disaster management section.

Member Twichell emphasized that we need to be more explicit in regards to green infrastructure, resiliency, and eradication of buckthorn.

Member Sorensen mentioned resiliency in regards to the recent Alabama tornadoes. She stated that we need to re-emphasize the importance of public safety and resiliency in this plan.

Member Bishop stated the possibility in the future of technology to take the place of paper.

Member Patterson stated that she was curious about solar panels and the progress with that ordinance. AVA Cole stated that the Village is participating in two RFPs in regards to solar infrastructure. A brief discussion commenced.

Co-Chair Rener emphasized some comments about solar technology in California. He stated that solar panels are becoming way more affordable.

Member Twichell emphasized the section of natural areas and that we don’t have any mention of Lake Bluff Open Lands Association (LBOLA) in the plan. AVA Cole responded that LBOLA was named in one section of the plan, but could be integrated into one of the action steps.

Member Johnson stated she was curious about creating an accessible version of the plan online. A brief discussion commenced.

Member Bishop stated that she was interested in putting messages from the SEC into the newsletter giving people tips, for example, when it is a good time to start laying down fertilizer.

Member Twichell stated that she would like to see stronger information about single strand plastics, the climate accord, and carbon reduction.

Co-Chair Rener stated that a first step would be to look at the different documents stated earlier and compare that information to our plan to see if there are any synergies between the two. A brief discussion commenced.

Member Twichell emphasized that we are trying to meet the county’s initiatives and meet the recycling quota.

Member Sorensen stated that she had a question about stormwater management because she didn’t see the notice of informing residents, or potential residents, of the practice for new homes installing a 1,000 gallon drainage system. She stated that it should be mentioned since we are already doing this in the Village.

AVA Cole stated that “SR-7 Support ‘Bring Your Own Bag’ efforts by retailers and in the community, as well as other programs that promote the use of recyclable bags and discourage single-use waste” needs to be clarified more.

Member Twichell stated that there should be a tax on plastic bags but she supports a complete ban too.

Member Bishop stated that the City of Chicago has a tax regarding the use of plastic bags.

Member Bishop stated that Heinen’s puts you in a lottery to earn a prize at the end of the week if you bring your own re-usable bag.

Co-Chair Rener stated that it would be interesting to do some research in regards to plastic bag taxes surrounding the Village.

Member Bishop emphasized talking to Heinen’s and seeing if they can find ways to package their fresh foods in a way that does not make customers bring more plastic home.

Member Johnson emphasized the idea of inserting an article in this section about sustainable tips when grocery shopping.

AVA Cole mentioned section “EC-5 Partner with community destinations to reduce vehicular idling” to see what the committee’s thoughts were. A brief discussion commenced.

Member Johnson expressed that Lake Forest High School has created a sampling machine to track emissions from idling cars.

AVA Cole stated that he was interested to see what the committee thought about the priorities set in Appendix A for a future meeting. He stated that this is important in deciding what we want to tackle next and what we plan to accomplish in the coming year.

Co-Chair Rener emphasized about funding situations and making sure we take the time to meet with the Village Board. He stated that he specifically was focused on the bike racks as the next topic to tackle.

Member Twichell emphasized the importance of the backyard chicken and bees pilot program, and how that should be shown in the plan more than once.

AVA Cole stated that if you have any comments, to please share with him in the coming weeks.

7. Village Staff Report

a. Lake County Energy and Environment Committee

AVA Cole stated that Sandy Hart is the new President of the Lake County Board and has re- engaged the County in energy and environment work. He stated that the documents in front of the committee is a county committee work plan and committee’s priorities along with the consultants they intend to work with moving forward for different projects.

Member Twichell explained the Sustainability Center at College of Lake County and what they may have to offer. AVA Cole stated that the Village would reach out to them.

b. Washington Park Plans

AVA Cole stated that the Lake Bluff Garden Club have been working on the second phase of their plans for Washington Park. He stated that he believes that they are ready to submit a plan in April for our review of their plans for Washington Park.

8. Member’s Report

There was no member’s report.

9. Co-Chair’s Report

There was no co-chair’s report.

10. Adjournment

As no further business came before the SEC, Member Bishop moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Member Sorensen seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

https://www.lakebluff.org/government/agendas-and-minutes?format=raw&task=download&fid=2051