===== PDF PAGE 1 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] C I T Y O F WEST CHICAGO W H E R E H I S T O R Y & P R O G R E S S M E E T ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Thursday, March 19, 2026, 6:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers, 475 Main Street AGENDA 1. Call to Order & Establish a Quorum 2. Approval of Minutes a. Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2026 3. Public Participation/Presentations 4. Items for Consent 5. Review and Discuss the Commission Priority List a. Current List i. Sustainability Plan – Subcommittee Update 1. Single-Use Bag Fee 2. Top Five Environmental Impacts in West Chicago ii. Annual Report 1. April 15, 2026 – Present Draft Report at the Commission Meeting 2. April 20, 2026 – Present Annual Report to City Council b. New Additions or Upcoming Events i. Earth Flag Training & Presentation by SCARCE – April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM 1. Location: Water Treatment Plant ii. Earth Day & Arbor Day Proclamations – April 20, 2026, City Council Meeting iii. Spring Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Event (Hawthorne Lane) – April 15, 2026, 11:30 AM 1. Meet Up Location: 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane iv. Blooming Fest Event – May 16, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 1. Location: Downtown West Chicago 2. Bareroot packaging – May 15, 2026, 4:00 PM, Water Treatment Plant v. Recycling Extravaganza & Rain Barrel Pick-Up – June 6, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1. Location: West Chicago Metra Station Parking Lot 2. Draft Event Flyer (Enclosed) 6. Other Business 7. Upcoming Commission Meetings a. April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM, Water Treatment Plant b. May 15, 2026, 4:00 PM, Water Treatment Plant 8. Adjournment 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] Draft 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 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 Page 1 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 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. 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 Page 2 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 4 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 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 Page 3 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 5 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] RECYCLING EXTRAVAGANZA Paper Shredding SATURDAY, JUNE 6 • Bring up to 10 standard office-sized boxes or plastic bags of documents. • Remove binders, rubber bands, clips, page protectors, plastic tabs, CDs, batteries, and other hard items.METRA Parking Lot at Staples and paper clips are fine. 508 Main Street from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Service provided by Accurate Document Destruction (subsidiary of Groot Industries). Medication and Sharps Disposal This event is FREE for all • Expired or unused medications (pills/ointments in zip-lock bags; no pill bottles).residents & businesses. • Medical sharps (syringes, epi-pens, lancets, needles) This event is organized through the in thick plastic containers with secure lids. partnership of the City of West • Inhaler canisters (no holders). Chicago, the West Chicago Service provided by DuPage County Sheriff’s Department. Environmental Commission, SCARCE, the DuPage County Clothing, Shoes, Apparel Accessories Sheriff’s Office, and DuPage County. • Clean clothing, shoes, belts, hats, scarves, purses, bedding, towels, and other household textiles. • Items must be clean and dry; no wet or moldy items accepted. • Rips, tears, stains that won’t wash out, or missing buttons/zippers are okay. Additional Items Accepted • Used American flags, eye glasses, hearing aids. • New this year: books and smoke detectors! Rain-Barrel Program If you’re interested in ordering a rain barrel For more information, scan the for pick-up at this event, please visit QR code or visit westchicago.org. For questions about disposables westchicago.org/2026-rain-barrel-program please contact SCARCE at (630) 545-9710. ===== PDF PAGE 6 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] FERIA DEL RECICLAJE Destrucción de papel • Traiga hasta 10 cajas de tamaño estándar de oficina o bolsas de plástico con documentos. SÁBADO, 6 • Recuerde retirar todas las carpetas, ligas, clips, protectores de páginas, pestañas de plástico, CDs, baterías y otros objetos duros. Las grapas y los clips DE JUNIO están permitidos. Servicio proporcionado por Accurate Document Estacionamiento de Destruction (subsidiaria de Groot Industries). METRA en 508 Main St. Eliminación de medicamentos y objetos de 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. punzantes • Medicamentos vencidos o sin usar (pastillas/ungüentos Este evento ES GRATUITO en bolsas tipo zip-lock; no traer frascos de pastillas). para todos los residentes y • Objetos cortopunzantes médicos (jeringas, epi-pens, lancetas, agujas) en contenedores plásticos gruesos empresas. con tapa segura. • Envases de inhaladores. Por favor, no traiga soportes. Este evento está organizado a través Servicio proporcionado por el Departamento del Sheriff del de la asociación de la Ciudad de Condado de DuPage. West Chicago, la Comisión Ambiental de West Chicago, Ropa, zapatos, accesorios de vestir SCARCE, la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de DuPage y el Condado • Ropa limpia, calzado, cinturones, sombreros, bufandas, bolsos, ropa de cama, toallas y otros textiles de DuPage. domésticos. • Los artículos deben estar limpios y secos; no se aceptan artículos mojados o con moho. • Rasgaduras, agujeros, manchas que no se pueden quitar o botones/cierres faltantes están permitidos. Artículos adicionales aceptados • Banderas estadounidenses usadas, anteojos, audífonos. • Nuevo este año: libros y detectores de humo. Programa de Barriles de Lluvia Si estás interesado en ordenar un barril de lluvia Para obtener más información, para recogerlo en este evento, por favor visita visite westchicago.org y si tiene westchicago.org/2026-rain-barrel-program preguntas sobre desechables, comuníquese con SCARCE al (630) 545-9710.