Lake County Gazette

Lake County Energy & Environment Committee met Dec. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

Vice Chair Parekh called the meeting to order at 11:41 a.m.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Vice Chair Parekh led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Roll Call of Members

Present 6 - Member Altenberg, Member Barr, Member Hunter, Vice Chair Parekh, Member Wasik and Hart

Absent 2 - Member Hewitt and Chair Wilke

*Electronic Attendance: All Members

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, stated that County Board Chair Sandy Hart is present as an ex officio member of all committees and is participating in the discussion and deliberation of the Committee and has the right to vote, as her presence is constituting a quorum.

(Member Altenberg joined the meeting at 11:44 a.m.)

Other Attendees:

Abby Scalf, Communications

Ann Maine, Board Member

Anna Maria Kowalik, IECA

Carissa Casbon, Board Member

Carl Kirar, Facilities

Cassandra Hiller, County Administrator's Office

Chris Anderson-Sell, Communications

Daniel Brown, State's Attorney's Office

Donnie Dann, Public

Edward Bryant, Public

Eric Waggoner, Planning, Building and Development

Gary Gibson, County Administrator's Office

James Hawkins, County Administrator's Office

Jennifer Futterman, Go Green Highland Park

Jessica Vealitzek, Board Member

Joseph Arcus, Planning, Building, and Development

Julie Simpson, Board Member

Karen Fox, State's Attorney's Office

Krista Braun, Planning, Building, and Development

Krista Kennedy, Finance

Matt Meyers, County Administrator's Office

Mick Zawislak, Daily Herald

Patrice Sutton, Finance

Paul Frank, Board Member

Rob Nash, Illinois Beverage Association

RuthAnne Hall, Purchasing

Seema Patel, Chapman and Kutler

Simrata Keshav, Go Green Vernon Hills and Lincolnshire

Stacy Davis-Wynn, Purchasing

Susan August, Purchasing

Walter Willis, Solid Waste Agency of Lake County

Yvette Albarran, Purchasing

4. Addenda to the Agenda

There were no additions or amendments to the agenda.

5. Public Comment (Items not on the agenda)

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, read the public comment instructions. There were no public comments for items not on the agenda. Public comment will be later in the meeting.

6. Chair's Remarks

There were no Chair remarks.

7. Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

8. New Business

CONSENT AGENDA (Item 8.1 -8.2)

Approval of Minutes

8.1 21-1930

Meeting Minutes from October 6, 2021.

A motion was made by Member Altenberg, seconded by Member Hunter, that the minutes from October 6, 2021 be approved. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Aye: 5 - Member Altenberg, Member Hunter, Vice Chair Parekh, Member Wasik and Hart

Absent: 2 - Member Hewitt and Chair Wilke

Not Present: 1 - Member Barr

8.2 21-1932

Energy & Environment Committee Meeting Minutes - Final December 8, 2021 Attachments: E&E 11.3.21 Minutes - Final

A motion was made by Member Altenberg, seconded by Member Hunter, that the minutes from November 3, 2021 be approved. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Aye: 5 - Member Altenberg, Member Hunter, Vice Chair Parekh, Member Wasik and Hart Absent: 2 - Member Hewitt and Chair Wilke

Not Present: 1 - Member Barr

REGULAR AGENDA

8.3 21-1927

Ordinance establishing a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program in Lake County.

(Member Barr entered the meeting at 11:47 a.m.)

(County Board Chair Hart, left the meeting at 11:57 a.m.)

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, presented this item establishing the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program in Lake County. Assistant County Administrator Meyers provided history of the implementation and noted that the program does not include residential properties. He introduced Seema Patel from Chapman and Kutler, along with Anna Maria Kowalik from the Illinois Energy Conservation Authority (IECA) to provide a brief introduction to the program. Seema explained that C-PACE provides an opportunity for property owners to implement energy efficiency projects. Seema and Anna Marie explained in greater detail the roles of Lake County, the property owner and the capital provider in this C-PACE partnership. Discussion ensued.

A motion was made by Member Altenberg, seconded by Member Wasik, that this ordinance be approved and referred on to the Financial and Administrative Committee. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Aye: 5- Member Altenberg, Member Barr, Member Hunter, Vice Chair Parekh and Member Wasik

Absent: 2 - Member Hewitt and Chair Wilke

Not Present: 1 - Hart

8.4 21-1928

Joint resolution adopting a policy to prohibit single use plastics in Lake County’s operations by January 1, 2023.

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, introduced the individuals providing public comment.

The following provided public comment in support of the Single Use Plastics Policy: Donnie Dann

Jennifer Futterman

Simrata Keshav

Peter Gore

Christine Young

Sharon Star

The following provided public comment against the Single Use Plastics Policy: Rob Nash

Discussion ensued. Assistant County Administrator Meyers explained the three options that were presented at the last meeting to reduce single use plastics in Lake County and noted it would primarily affect the cafeteria and coffee kiosk. Additional discussion ensued.

A motion was made by Member Altenberg, seconded by Member Wasik, that this resolution be approved and referred on to the Financial and Administrative Committee. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Aye: 4 - Member Altenberg, Member Hunter, Vice Chair Parekh and Member Wasik

Nay: 1 - Member Barr

Absent: 2 - Member Hewitt and Chair Wilke

Not Present: 1 - Hart

9. County Administrator's Report

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, reported that the meeting is often delayed due to the Public Works, Planning and Transportation (PWPT) Committee meetings running long. It is in the rules that the meeting starts at 10:30am and it would have to go to the Rules Committee to make a permanent change. He can work with the Chair, with consent of the Committee, to push back a start time when he knows there is a potential item that may cause the PWPT meeting to run long.

10. Executive Session

There was not an executive session.

11. Members' Remarks

Member Wasik suggested two agenda items for the next meeting, including an update on the installation of solar panels on County facilities and also an update on the hiring process for the Sustainability Coordinator.

Vice Chair Parekh explained that it's a challenge for him when the meetings start later and he would like consideration of a different start time. Also, this was one of his most enjoyable meetings because two important items are being moved forward.

12. Adjournment

Vice Chair Parekh adjourned the meeting at 1:05 p.m.

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