===== PDF PAGE 1 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET Approved (2/26/2026) MEETING MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION January 15, 2026, 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. Members in attendance included Chair Nazree Williams, Commissioner Bob Blaus, Commissioner Victoria Burris, Commissioner David Carlson, 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. e. Also in attendance were Director of Public Works, Mehul Patel, Mayor Daniel Bovey, and prospective Commissioner Matt McClure. 2. Selection of Co-Chair Discussion: Rodriguez and Kesler expressed possible interest in the position. Selection will be made at a future meeting. 3. Approval of Minutes a. Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of November 20, 2025 i. Blaus made a motion, seconded by Rodriguez, to approve the Meeting Minutes. 1. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Burris, Carlson, Kesler, and Rodriguez 2. Voting Nay: None. 4. Public Participation/Presentations a. Presentation from the Director of Public Works i. Mr. Patel 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 Commissioners expressed their appreciation of the Public Works Department as well as their interest in supporting and/or assisting Public Works where practicable on upcoming projects and programs. 5. Items for Consent a. None 6. Review and Discuss the Commission Priority List a. Current List i. Sustainability Plan – Subcommittee Update 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] Discussion: Discussed in conjunction with Item 7.B. It was agreed that the matter of single-use bag fees be referred back to the Sustainability Subcommittee for further development of the message, to clarify the purpose and alignment with City priorities, and to outline the recommended next steps. ii. Annual Report 1. January 15, 2026 – Present Draft Report at the Commission Meeting 2. February 2, 2026 – Present Annual Report to City Council Discussion: Williams and Rodriguez suggested postponing the Annual Report to be presented in conjunction with the Arbor Day and Earth Day Proclamations in April to maximize visibility and efficiency. The Commission agreed. iii. Holiday Lights Recycling Event – November 28, 2025, to January 16, 2026 Discussion: Shah noted tomorrow would be the last day for collection. Staff have reported similar participation levels to last year. Rodriguez received feedback from Jewel management suggesting improved signage for future events to increase visibility and reduce confusion. b. New Additions or Upcoming Events i. Earth Flag Training by SCARCE – April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM 1. Location: Water Treatment Plant Discussion: None. ii. Earth Day & Arbor Day Proclamations – April 20, 2026, City Council Meeting Discussion: None. iii. Spring Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Event (Hawthorne Lane) – TBD 1. Meet Up Location: 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane Discussion: Shah suggested April 16, 2026, to follow the Environmental Commission meeting that day at 5:00 PM. iv. Blooming Fest Event – May 16, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 1. Location: Downtown West Chicago Discussion: Shah noted that the application has been submitted on behalf of the Commission. v. Recycling Extravaganza & Rain Barrel Pick Up – June 6, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1. Location: West Chicago Metra Station Parking Lot Discussion: Shah shared that SCARCE offered to include collection containers for battery recycling for free if the Commission would like to include it in the Recycling Extravaganza. The Commission agreed they would like to include battery recycling in the event. Mayor Bovey suggested expanding educational outreach through District 33 student flyer distribution, potential school competitions, and improved promotional materials. 1. Blaus made a motion, seconded by Rodriguez, to partner with SCARCE to include battery recycling in the Event. a. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Burris, Carlson, Kesler, and Rodriguez b. Voting Nay: None. vi. Rodriguez suggested changing the April Commission meeting to April 15, 2026, to coincide with Earth Flag Training. Discussion: Commissioners agreed to the date change. ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 7. Other Business a. FY 2026 Event Flyer Discussion: Blaus suggested adding a QR code for additional information to be found on the website, but Shah noted that they would have to wait as the City website will be revamped, and currently, there are environmental and recycling- related topics spread throughout rather than in one central location. b. Staff’s suggestion for Single-Use Bag Fee Discussion: Shah detailed the phased approach suggested by staff regarding a potential single-use plastic bag fee or ordinance, which included a timeline for accomplishing each phase. Suggestions included strengthening the narrative and ensuring the initiative connects to measurable local impacts. Business community engagement would be key, along with community education. c. Environmental Commission Positions and Term Expirations Discussion: Discussed in conjunction with Item 2. Williams, Blaus, Burris, and Kesler’s terms have expired. All Commissioners expressed interest in reappointment. d. Authorize implementation of FY 2026 Rain Barrel Program i. Carlson made a motion, seconded by Rodriguez, to authorize implementation of the FY 2026 Rain Barrel Program. 1. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Burris, Carlson, Kesler, and Rodriguez 2. Voting Nay: None. e. Grant application for the energy efficiency grant for small businesses Discussion: None. f. FY 2026 Budget Request update Discussion: Shah recapped that $34,000 was requested in the FY 2026 budget – $30,000 for consultant services related to the single-use bag initiative and $4,000 for promotional and educational materials; the $30,000 consultant funding was not approved. Mayor Bovey clarified that the consultant denial was not a rejection of the plastic bag initiative itself but was related to overall budget considerations. He also requested that the Commission develop a list of the top five environmental priorities for West Chicago and focus on initiatives with measurable local impact. g. Presentation from the Director of Public Works (Moved to Item 4) h. Rodriguez requested to reschedule the February meeting to February 26, 2026. Discussion: Commissioners agreed to the date change. i. Other Open Discussions: i. Mayor Bovey tasked the Commission to brainstorm and list the top-five environmental issues in West Chicago. The findings would then be presented to the City Council at a later date by the Commission. 8. Adjournment a. At 8:53 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 ===== PDF PAGE 4 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental Commission FROM: Public Works Department DATE: January 15, 2026 SUBJECT: Suggested Process to Implement Single-Use Bag Fee Dear Environmental Commission, Following is a step-by-step process and timeline suggested by City Staff to initiate and propose a Single-Use Bag Fee in the City. Staff believe that the suggested phases will encourage community involvement, build trust and legitimacy of the policy, increase compliance, and reduce overall implementation and enforcement costs. Phase 1: Planning & Research (Month 1) Goal: Establish foundation and feasibility • Gain informal City Council support • Define goals and success metrics • Decide bag types and proposed fee amount • Define projects or grant programs for collected revenue • Research comparable bag fee programs • Confirm legal authority and constraints • Assign Lead Commissioner and internal commission team • Define enforcement authority within the City based on similar programs • Define staffing capacity for enforcement and monitoring based on similar programs Deliverables • Draft policy concept • Preliminary impact and revenue estimate Phase 2: Stakeholder Engagement (Months 2–3) Goal: Build buy-in and refine policy • Identify key stakeholders • Conduct meetings with retailers • Hold public input sessions • Prepare, Distribute, and Collect Community survey feedback • Adjust policy based on public input • Begin drafting ordinance or policy language • Propose an effective implementation date Deliverables • Stakeholder feedback summary • Revised policy proposal Phase 3: Policy Drafting & Approval (Months 3–4) Goal: Formally adopt the bag fee Page 1 of 2 475 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 5 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET • Finalize ordinance or policy language • City Attorney legal review process • Publish public notice & notify businesses & residents • Hold public hearings • City Council vote and formal adoption Deliverables • Adopted ordinance/policy • Official implementation date Phase 4: Education & Retailer Preparation (Months 4–6) Goal: Ensure smooth transition • Develop public education materials • Create & Distribute retailer guidance documents • Host retailer trainings or Q&A sessions • Launch public awareness campaign Deliverables • Public-facing communication materials • Retailer compliance toolkit Phase 5: Soft Launch / Grace Period (Month 6) Goal: Educate before enforcing • Focus on education over penalties • Address questions and complaints • Monitor early compliance • Provide technical assistance to retailers Deliverables • Early implementation report • Issue log and resolutions Phase 6: Full Enforcement & Evaluation (Months 7–9) Goal: Ensure compliance and measure impact • Begin formal enforcement (if needed) • Conduct compliance checks • Track bag usage reduction • Monitor revenue collection • Evaluate equity impacts • Adjust program if necessary Deliverables • 6–12 month evaluation report • Recommendations for improvement Feel free to reach out to Dave Shah, P.E., Assistant Director of Public Works at dshah@westchicago.org or 630-293-2255 with any questions, concerns, or suggestions on the suggested process to implement the Single-Use Bag Fee. Page 2 of 2 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, Illinois F 630.293.3028 Tia Messino 60185 westchicago.org INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR