West Cook News

Village of Brookfield Conservation Commission met Feb. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

I./II. Call to Order at 6:02 P.M. and Roll Call.

Conservation Commissioners Present: Jennifer Dowd, Wyatt Widmer, Megha Patel, Kevin Leodinh, Logan St. John

Conservation Commissioner(s) Absent: Bridget Jakubiak Conservation Trustee / Staff Liaison: Katie Kaluzny

Staff Liaison: Bob Uphues

Guest:

III. Approval of Minutes: Withheld until next meeting

IV. Reports

1. Chair: None

2. Staff: Bob clarified that Joe Seymour passed along the information regarding bike racks and will be passing that info along to village staff and contractors. He also clarifies that we must survey businesses to understand demand for bike racks.

3. Trustee Liaison: Katie shared about a presentation by Hancock Engineering regarding Grand Blvd construction and streetscape improvements. She projects early to mid August as the time we can install racks.

Katie shared that the village board approved the EV Charging station grant for 8-10 EV Charging stations to be funded by match with the village in the 2026 budget. Locations are set for Kiwanis and Elhert parks, but this can be modified. This is a ComEd grant, so is not threatened by federal cuts.

V. Old Business South Kiwanis planning update: Creekside Woods signage is being workshopped and reviewed. Some language is being modified. Wyatt clarified what work has been completed there with Bridget and when Vic and his crew are planning to initiate their work. Katie will put Wyatt in touch with a scout troop that is interested in learning more about the work there.

Earth Day Event: Iris clarified that the Earth Day event should not have more than two commissioners present while giving information to the public as that would qualify as a meeting. There is a set description but we can modify the contents/premise according to our needs. It takes place on 4/22/25. Iris does not need to be one of the commissioners present. We will be highlighting accomplishments throughout the year, not updating on new information that the village board/staff doesn't already know.

Bob clarified that Stevie is already doing an update on the Sustainability Plan and the village would prefer to be directly involved in such an update.

Iris suggests that the presentation should instead be simply an introduction to the sustainability plan for those who don't know about it, and simply to discuss volunteer opportunities or ways for the public to be involved.

Discussion between Bob, Katie, Jen & Iris is in agreement that a presentation should include both commission and staff efforts, as the commission was unaware that Stevie was giving a staff presentation on the plan. The library Earth Day event on the other hand can focus on volunteer involvement and efforts, and a way to encourage the public to go to the village board presentation with Stevie.

There was a discussion to clarify what can and cannot be done as a group among commissioners in deference to the OMA.

There was a discussion about how to handle volunteer tracking. Wyatt offered to take over from Kevin until we get a volunteer coordinator designated either on or off the commission. Until then we can handle volunteers according to commissioners’ respective tabs. We could also use the Earth Day event and volunteers from BNPC or Go Green to act as volunteers and volunteer coordinator, and separate some of these events,

including the Earth Day event, from the commission so as not to be subject to the OMA.

Jennifer created a document to track all national and international environmental events and holidays with which we can coordinate educational/volunteer events. We can also create a document to keep track of local experts who can volunteer to share information regarding specific topics with the public, such as solar panels, EVs, native gardening, etc.

Iris & Kevin will host the Earth Day event and will be accepting feedback from other commissioners on what we want/need at the event. Jennifer will coordinate with Stevie.

Jennifer suggests we can provide assistance to Broadview’s zero waste energy plan event.

VI. New Business

1. Wyatt and Kevin signed their oaths to swear in their reappointment as commissioners.

2. 2025 Sustainability planning:

E-waste event can be done twice this year according to the village's contractor. The Zoo might not be doing theirs this year. Meet the Creek will be on September 20th this year.

Joseph from Cycle Brookfield is interested in co-hosting a pumpkin smash with Groot. It could be combined with a compost collection day in lieu of a second e-waste day. We may have other options for contractors who may be able to provide pro-bono services. Bob will get Jen copies of contracts to determine the best course of action. We could also do a hazardous materials collection day instead of a second e waste day.

June for e-waste, October for hazardous waste, November for pumpkin smash/compost.

Logan would like to plan an educational event regarding rain capture and efficient rain and runoff control. Wyatt may be able to to a rain garden event in tandem, and Jen suggests that MWRD can donate rain barrels and other materials or expertise to such an event.

Wyatt can also contribute giveaway wetland shrubs from the Nursing Program.

Megha would like to host an event to share her experience in replacing her water heater and furnace with a heat pump system as a means of decarbonizing your home. Katie suggests a Riverside resident named Wayne Beales who is a green real estate agent and also has abundant knowledge of decarbonized homes. Someone from the village would be present at Megha’s presentation as well.

Katie suggests we should host an event to discuss EV charger preferences with residents.

3. May 17th is project NICE

Individuals with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield at 708-485-7344 prior to the meeting.

Wheelchair access may be gained through the police department (East) entrance of the Village Hall.

4. Wyatt will host a workday on Saturday the 29th of March from noon to 2pm. There may also be a volunteer opportunity for the 1st or the 8th of March.

VI. Public Comment

VIII. Adjournment @ 7:24 PM Next meeting on 3/18/2025

https://brookfieldil.civicweb.net/document/173268/Conservation%20Commission%20Minutes_022525.pdf?handle=D2CBD5900D094BC9B45DE5652BA2E05F