===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Draft MEETING MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION June 19, 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 Chair Nazree Williams, Co-Chair Tom Cherrington, Commissioner Bob Blaus, Commissioner Victoria Burris, Commissioner Tyler Kesler, and Commissioner Allen Rodriguez. 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 May 15, 2025 i. Rodriguez made a motion, seconded by Blaus, to approve the Meeting Minutes. 1. Voting Yea: Williams, Cherrington, Blaus, Burris, Kesler, 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 Discussion: Williams and Kesler shared the results of their discussion with Batavia Ward 2 City Council Member, Leah Leman, and Batavia Ward 5 City Council Member, Abby Beck, regarding single-use bag fees. Fox Valley Sustainability Network was suggested as a good resource to further the City’s sustainability efforts. They shared that an increase in tax revenue for the first year or so of bag fee implementation can be expected, but it will eventually taper off as shoppers transition to reusable bags. Kesler volunteered to draft a summary of the main takeaways for the Commission so the group can formulate a recommendation from there. Businesses in Batavia under 5,000 square feet are exempt from bag fee requirements, so business size exemptions may be something to consider in the process. Some discussions followed regarding recycling concerns and ways to make it easier for residents to recycle effectively and communicate good recycling habits to the masses. 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: Some discussion followed regarding methods and practices to compile the Draft Report. Shah suggested he could work together Page 1 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] with Chair Williams and Co-Chair Cherrington to draft it. The Commission agreed to this plan. b. New Additions or Upcoming Events i. Fall Adopt-A-Highway Event – September 18, 2025 (Tentatively). 1. Location: Meet at the public parking lot east of Hawthorne Lane & Industrial Drive Discussion: Shah noted this event is tentatively scheduled for the same day as the September Environmental Commission meeting. After discussion the Commission agreed to schedule the meeting for 5:00 P.M. that day with the cleanup event to take place immediately thereafter. 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: Blaus suggested distributing small prints advertising the Pumpkin Composting Event that could be distributed along with Halloween candy by residents. Shah reminded the Commission of a previous idea to advertise the Event on yard signs leading up to the date. Advertising where pumpkins are sold was also suggested. 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: No discussion. 6. Other Business a. 2025 Paper Shred and Medical Disposal Event Totals Discussion: Shah shared statistics regarding the Event totals and items collected as outlined in the meeting agenda. The Commission agreed it was a very successful Event. Blaus suggested finding ways to collect additional items with SCARCE’s help next year, including musical instruments, crayons, bicycles, bowling balls, electronics, and plastic cards that can be punched into guitar picks. Additional discussion followed, including ideas and suggestions for the Event in 2026. b. Monarch Butterfly Plantings Update Discussion: Burris shared that the Monarch Waystation at City Hall was cleaned up, and many plants were transplanted to all four “Welcome to West Chicago” signs throughout town. New plants from local business We Grow Dreams were also planted at the new garden plot in the METRA parking lot. c. Juliet Mathey, Recycling Education & Outreach Specialist, from Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus, will attend the July 17th meeting Discussion: Shah shared that he met Mathey at Bloomingfest, and she expressed interest in meeting with the Commission and plans to attend the July Environmental Commission meeting to do so. d. SCARCE & The Conservation Foundation Field Trip i. Tentatively on Friday, July 11, 2025 – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM 1. 9:00 AM – SCARCE, 800 S Rohlwing Rd, Addison, IL 60101 2. 12:00 PM – Conservation Foundation McDonald Farm, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Rd B, Naperville, IL 60565 Discussion: Shah noted that Blaus organized these two tentative visits so that Commissioners would have an opportunity to learn about and witness the work Page 2 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 4 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] that these two organizations do. Rodriguez suggested postponing to July 25 so he could be available to attend; Blaus said he would contact each organization and see if that date was available instead and advise Shah of such. 7. Adjournment a. At 7:29 P.M., Cherrington made a motion to adjourn, and Blaus seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote (Kesler left at 7:04 P.M. before the conclusion of the meeting). Respectfully, Ashley Heidorn Public Works Administrative Assistant Page 3 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 5 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Environmental & Sustainability Initiatives The City of West Chicago promotes environmental sustainability through innovative initiatives, events, services, and programs to benefit its community in partnership with different organizations, businesses, and residents. Through the efforts outlined on this resource page, West Chicago aims to support a higher quality of life for future generations. Sustainability is essential to building resilient, healthy communities, and by prioritizing environmental stewardship, the City is investing in a more vibrant, equitable future for all who live and work in West Chicago. City of West Chicago Environmental Commission Adopt-A-Highway Program As stewards of many of the sustainability efforts, the The City’s Adopt-A-Highway Program allows local Environmental Commission keeps the Mayor and groups to adopt sections of street right-of-way to City Council informed about state and federal help keep them clean through scheduled litter environmental laws that may necessitate their collection activities, typically held between April and attention. The Commission also makes November. The program is administered by the recommendations to enhance the City's environment Director of Public Works and follows procedures through policies, programs, and goals that align with outlined by the Illinois Adopt-A-Highway Act, along state and federal regulations while also organizing with additional city-specific safety and scheduling various events and programs that enhance the City’s requirements. environmental efforts. More information about the City’s Adopt-A-Highway More information about the Environmental Program is available within the City’s municipal code. Commission, including how to apply to be on the Groups interested in participating in the Program can Commission, is available on the Boards and fill out the online form below. Commissions webpage.