===== PDF PAGE 1 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET Approved (09/18/2025) MEETING MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION August 21, 2025, 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Establish a Quorum a. Dave Shah, Staff Liaison, called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. b. Members in attendance included Co-Chair Tom Cherrington, Commissioner Victoria Burris, Commissioner Tyler Kesler, and Commissioner Allen Rodriguez. Chair Nazree Williams and Commissioner Bob Blaus were absent. c. Aldermanic liaison present included Alderman Christopher Swiatek. d. Staff liaison present included Assistant Director of Public Works, Dave Shah. 2. Approval of Minutes a. Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2025 i. Rodriguez made a motion, seconded by Cherrington, to approve the Meeting Minutes. 1. Voting Yea: Cherrington, Burris, Kesler, Rodriguez 2. Voting Nay: None 3. Public Participation/Presentations a. Juliet Mathey, Recycling Education & Outreach Specialist, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Presentation: Ms. Mathey explained that she is part of a three-year campaign funded by a $2 million grant from the EPA to promote recycling. The intention is to get residents excited about recycling, increase education to improve the rates of participation, improve the quality of materials to decrease contamination, promote purchasing of recycled goods, and reduce overall consumption. As a whole, recycling rates have been low and remain stagnant, which is part of why this campaign was created. The campaign is working with SCS Engineers to collect data and Güd Marketing to spread awareness and education. These education efforts will include things such as billboards, social media and streaming service advertisements, community events, presentations, and workshops for environmental groups. Commissioners provided suggestions for what may be effective in West Chicago, such as direct mail (i.e., including recycling information in water bills), communications in both English and Spanish, utilizing the Mayor in social media efforts, and educating children. 4. Items for Consent a. None 5. Review and Discuss the Commission Priority List a. Current List i. Sustainability Plan – Subcommittee Update 1. New Business 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, Illinois F 630.293.3028 Tia Messino 60185 westchicago.org INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] a. Single-Use Bag Fee Discussion: Kesler discussed the background of efforts by the Subcommittee to gather information from Batavia regarding their experience with instituting single-use bag fees. Shah provided the Policy Memorandum and its enclosures to the Commissioners, which were received on August 20, 2025, from Kesler, one day before the Commission meeting, outlining the proposed next steps for the Commission to get the ball rolling on instituting single-use bag fees in West Chicago. The Subcommittee is requesting approval to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a consultant to gather information and conduct public outreach, and requesting the finances required to potentially run a local study to determine how it could work for the City. Kesler noted that the State of Illinois may eventually be instituting bag fees statewide, but doing this now would put the City ahead of the game. Shah noted that he shared the memo and its enclosures with the Director of Public Works and Interim City Administrator, but they have not had time to provide comments thus far. Cherrington made a motion, seconded by Rodriguez, to move forward in the process and have staff review the single-use bag fee Memorandum in the process of issuing an RFP to select a consultant to assist with the initiative. ii. Annual Report 1. November 20, 2025 – Present Draft Report at the Commission Meeting 2. December 15, 2025 – Present Annual Report to City Council Discussion: None. b. New Additions or Upcoming Events i. Fall Adopt-A-Highway Event – September 18, 2025, 5:00 PM 1. Location: Water Treatment Plant, 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane Discussion: Shah noted this event will take place immediately after the Environmental Commission meeting that day. ii. Pumpkin Composting Event – November 1, 2025, 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. 1. Location: New Hope United Methodist Church, 643 E Washington St, West Chicago, IL 60185 Discussion: None. iii. Holiday Lights Recycling Event – November 28, 2025 to January 16, 2026 1. Locations: WC City Hall, WC Water Treatment Plant, WC Public Library District, New Hope United Methodist Church of WC, Murphy Ace Hardware, The ARC Center, Jewel Osco Discussion: None. 6. Other Business a. SCARCE & The Conservation Foundation Field Trip overview Discussion: Commissioners who attended the field trip shared some details about the outing. SCARCE is a large facility with a great variety of items accepted to be recycled or repurposed. They offer many books and teaching aids that can be sold to teachers at a discount, as well as items such as CDs and LPs for purchase. They also melt down old crayons to create new ones, amongst many other recycling efforts. SCARCE also awards an Earth Flag to organizations that meet their green initiatives, several of which the Commission already meets. Commissioner Blaus suggested on the trip that it should be the Commission’s goal to obtain the Earth Flag. Additionally, The Conservation Foundation runs an organic farm and partners with DuPage County to facilitate the sale of rain barrels. They are also a great networking resource for environmental groups. ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] b. Commission’s FY 2026 Budget Request & Discussion Discussion: Commissioners expressed interest in designing and distributing reusable canvas bags to promote the Environmental Commission and spread awareness about their mission, and act as a resource for residents. They would like to request funds for this as well as a budget for the single-use bag fee RFP process. Along with funds for various Commission outings, meals, etc., Shah estimates the budget request to be around $30,000.00-$35,000.00 total. c. Environmental & Sustainability Initiatives Webpage Content (Enclosed) Discussion: Shah gave a brief overview of the draft webpage content proposed for a new Environmental Commission webpage. The draft was well received, and Commissioners made some additional suggestions for additions and modifications. d. Prefinal or 95% Plans for West Chicago Community Park Phase 0 Development comments were due to the Staff Liaison by July 31, 2025 Discussion: Shah noted no comments were received. Rodriguez expressed interest in the Commission being involved, where appropriate, in future plans for potential green space at the site of the proposed new City Hall on Washington St. e. Bi-Weekly City News Updates Discussion: Shah shared that all Commissioners are signed up for the City’s bi- weekly news updates on the City website so they can stay up to date with the latest updates from the City. 7. Adjournment a. At 7:43 P.M., Cherrington 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