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CITY OF
WEST CHICAGO
WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET
Approved 4/16/2025
MEETING MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
March 20, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order Establish a Quorum
a. Dave Shah, Staff Liaison, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
b. Roll call found Chair Nazree Williams, Commissioner Bob Blaus, Commissioner
Victoria Burris, and Commissioner Allen Rodriguez present. Commissioner Tyler
Kesler arrived after roll call at 6:07 P.M. Co-Chair Tom Cherrington was absent.
c. Aldermanic liaison present included Alderman Christopher Swiatek.
d. Staff liaison present included Assistant Director of Public Works, Dave Shah, and
Public Works Administrative Assistant, Ashley Heidorn. Director of Public Works,
Mehul Patel, was also in attendance.
2. Approval of Minutes
a. Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of January 16, 2025
i. Rodriguez made a motion, seconded by Blaus, to approve the Meeting
Minutes.
1. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Burris, Rodriguez
2. Voting Nay: None
3. Public Participation/Presentations
a. None
4. Items for Consent
a. None
5. Review and Discuss the Commission Priority List
a. Current List
i. Sustainability Plan - Subcommittee Update
1. None
b. New Additions
i. Spring Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Event (Hawthorne Lane)
1. Meet up location: Water Treatment Plant, 1400 W. Hawthorne
Lane, West Chicago
Discussion: The Commission suggested scheduling the event to
immediately follow the April Environmental Commission meeting.
a. Rodriguez made a motion, seconded by Blaus, to move
the April meeting to April 16, 2025, at 5:00 P.M., with the
Spring Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Event to immediately
follow.
i. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Burris, Rodriguez
ii. Voting Nay: None
ii. Blooming Fest —- May 17, 2025, 9:00 A.M. — 3:00 P.M.
1. Location: Downtown West Chicago
475 Main Street T (630) 293-2200
West Chicago, Minftage 1) of 30) 293-3028 Ruben Pineda Michael L. Guttman
60185 westchicago.org MAYOR CITY ADMINISTRATOR

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Discussion: Shah updated the Commission on preparations for Blooming
Fest. He noted that DuPage County would again be providing bareroots
to distribute at the event. He suggested scheduling the bareroot
preparation for the same day as the May Environmental Commission
meeting.
1. Rodriguez made a motion, seconded by Blaus, to move the
May meeting to May 15, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. at the Water
Treatment Plant, 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane, West Chicago,
and prepare the bareroots the same evening.
a. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Burris, Kesler, Rodriguez
b. Voting Nay: None
Rodriguez suggested having an arborist in attendance for Blooming Fest;
Burris indicated she would reach out to her arborist neighbor to see if they
would be available to attend. Kesler suggested including the Community
Survey at Blooming Fest, and Williams suggested offering the survey on
tablets if possible.
iii. Paper Shredding Event & Rain Barrels Pick Up — June 7, 2025, 9:00 A.M.
— 12:00 P.M.
1. Location: West Chicago METRA Station Parking Lot
Discussion: Shah noted that rain barrel orders are open and have been
advertised on the City’s website. Blaus confirmed that fabric collection
will also be included as part of the event. Burris expressed interest in
making a butterfly presentation at the event, but given the setup of this
particular event, Williams suggested reaching out to the library instead.
6. Other Business
a. Public Works update from the Director of Public Works
i. Mehul Patel, Director of Public Works, provided the Commission with a
detailed explanation of his Department, its day-to-day and long-term
operations, as well as upcoming projects and programs.
Discussion: Some informational questions and answers followed. The
Commission expressed interest in supporting and/or assisting Public
Works where practicable. Rodriguez suggested a tour of the Water
Treatment Plant in the future, and Patel offered a tour to precede the May
15" Environmental Commission meeting.
b. Newsletters subcommittee progress
Cc.
Discussion: Shah advised Williams that he is trying to set up a meeting with the
City’s Marketing and Communications Manager once he knows her availability to
meet.
Appreciation letter or certificate for the Holiday Lights Recycling Event
participation
Discussion: Rodriguez suggested hand-delivering certificates to the collection
site participants to express the Commission's appreciation of their contributions.
Shah confirmed that certificates would be made to accommodate this.
Request for presentation at the Ball Horticultural Company to celebrate Earth
Day — Week of April 21, 2025
Discussion: Shah shared that Ball Horticultural was interested in having a
Commissioner present at their Earth Day celebration week. Burris noted that
they had contacted her about doing a presentation; Shah said he would put her
in touch with their Marketing Specialist about possible coordination and go from
there.
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e. April 22, 2025 — Earth Day Proclamation (April 21, 2025, CC Meeting)
Discussion: Shah advised the Commission that the Earth Day Proclamation will
be presented at the April 21, 2025, City Council meeting and invited the
Commissioners to attend.
f. Recruitment
Discussion: Williams expressed interest in recruiting an additional Commissioner
so that all seven seats on the Commission would be filled. Rodriguez suggested
making some recruitment efforts at Blooming Fest.
7. Adjournment
a. At 7:41 P.M, Blaus made a motion to adjourn, and Rodriguez seconded the
motion. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote.
Respectfully,
Ashley Heidorn
Public Works Administrative Assistant
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