===== PDF PAGE 1 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET Approved (3/19/2026) MEETING MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION February 26, 2026, 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Establish a Quorum a. Dave Shah, Staff Liaison, called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M. b. Members in attendance included Chair Nazree Williams, Commissioner Bob Blaus, Commissioner Victoria Burris, Commissioner David Carlson, Commissioner Tyler Kesler, Commissioner Matt McClure, 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 was Alderman Carlos Aviña Soto. Discussion: Shah and Commissioners welcomed newly appointed Commissioner Matt McClure. He expressed his gratitude and excitement in joining the Commission. 2. Selection of Co-Chair Discussion: Rodriguez expressed his desire to be Co-Chair and detailed his qualifications for the position. i. Kesler made a motion, seconded by Blaus, to appoint Rodriguez as Co- Chair. 1. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Burris, Carlson, Kesler, McClure, and Rodriguez 2. Voting Nay: None. 3. Approval of Minutes a. Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of January 15, 2026 i. Rodriguez made a motion, seconded by Carlson, to approve the revised Meeting Minutes. 1. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Burris, Carlson, Kesler, McClure, and Rodriguez 2. Voting Nay: None. 4. Public Participation/Presentations a. None 5. Items for Consent a. None 6. Review and Discuss the Commission Priority List a. Current List i. Sustainability Plan – Subcommittee Update 1. Single-Use Bag Fee 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, Illinois F 630.293.3028 60185 westchicago.org Viviana Ramirez CITY ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Discussion: Kesler believes the next important step would be to determine who and how the tasks outlined in the memorandum from Public Works would be accomplished. Rodriguez suggested including questions about a possible single-use bag fee as part of a Community Survey offered during Blooming Fest Event. Distributing reusable bags during Blooming Fest Event was also suggested, and Shah confirmed the Commission could likely get sponsors willing to provide those. Swiatek also encouraged an education element to reduce single-use bag usage so as not to rely solely on fees to discourage their use should a single-use bag fee go into effect. The Subcommittee would like to sit down with City staff to discuss next steps which Shah agreed to coordinate. 2. Top Five Environmental Concerns in West Chicago Discussion: Kesler presented a draft list he created of the top five priority actions and welcomed feedback from the Commission. Discussion amongst the Commissioners followed. Shah admired that some of the goals in the priorities list are already being accomplished by the Commission and believes the draft could be used as a Sustainability Plan. His understanding of the Mayor’s request at the previous meeting was more specifically to identify five environmental issues facing the City. Carlson also shared a list of his top environmental concerns. Shah suggested including potential environmental issues as part of a Community Survey to receive input on what residents may deem as important environmental concerns for the City. Williams will reach out to the Mayor for clarification on the specific goal he gave at the last Environmental Commission meeting. a. Burris left at 7:30 P.M. ii. Annual Report 1. April 15, 2026 – Present Draft Report at the Commission Meeting 2. April 20, 2026 – Present Annual Report to City Council Discussion: None. 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: After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to schedule the Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Event for April 15, 2026, to follow the Earth Flag Training and regular meeting that date. iv. Blooming Fest Event – May 16, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 1. Location: Downtown West Chicago Discussion: Shah shared that once again, DuPage County would be donating 500 bareroots to give away at Blooming Fest. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to schedule the May meeting for May 15, 2026, with bareroot preparation to follow immediately after. ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 2. Blaus made a motion, seconded by Kesler, to move the May meeting to May 15, 2026, at 4:00 P.M. at the Water Treatment Plant. a. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Carlson, Kesler, McClure, and Rodriguez b. Voting Nay: None. 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 noted that he signed the agreement with the shredding company to provide two trucks and operators for the Event. 7. Other Business a. 2025-2026 Holiday Lights Recycling Collection – 424 LBS Discussion: Shah noted a lower turnout this year; there were about 2,000 pounds collected last year and 800 pounds the two years before that. b. Commissioners Reappointments – Feb. 17, 2026, City Council Meeting Discussion: Shah noted the terms for these reappointments will expire April 2028. c. Implementation of FY 2026 Rain Barrel Program i. Sales Begin – March 2, 2026; Sales End – May 24, 2026 Discussion: Shah explained that purchased rain barrels can be picked up at the Recycling Extravaganza for no additional cost. d. Discuss items to be collected at the Recycling Extravaganza i. Smoke Detectors & Book Collection (SCARCE) Discussion: Discussed in conjunction with Item 6.b.v. Blaus spoke with Kay McKeen of SCARCE, who advised against including batteries and paint as part of the 2026 Recycling Extravaganza Event. The organization responsible for the battery recycling is not adequately prepared to participate and a large on-site collections pose a safety risk. Commissioners agreed to continue collection of the previous year’s items as outlined in the 2025 flyer but not include batteries or paint collection. 1. Blaus made a motion, seconded by Carlson, to add smoke detectors and books as part of the acceptable items to be collected during the Recycling Extravaganza. a. Voting Yea: Williams, Blaus, Carlson, Kesler, McClure, and Rodriguez b. Voting Nay: None. e. Downtown Revitalization Commission Liaison Update (Kesler) Discussion: Kesler asked for some guidance on what the goal was in attending this Commission’s meetings. Rodriguez suggested Williams confer with the Mayor for clarification on his expectations for liaison participation during the Downtown Revitalization Commission and Community Development Committee meetings. f. Community Development Liaison Update (Carlson) Discussion: Discussed in conjunction with Item 7.e. 8. Adjournment a. At 8:00 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