Village of River Forest Sustainability Commission met Feb. 10
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Sustainability Commission was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue – River Forest, IL.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Upon roll call, the following persons were:
Present: Co-Chair Charrette, Co-Chair Lennon, Commissioners Avalos, Hoyt, and Student Commissioner Stierwalt (arriving at 7:02)
Absent: Commissioner Kadlec
Also Present: Staff Liaison Seth Jansen
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
3. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES
Co-Chair Lennon made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Avalos, to approve the meeting minutes from January 13, 2026.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Co-Chair Charrette, Co-Chair Lennon, Commissioners Avalos and Hoyt
Nays: None
Absent: Commissioner Kadlec
Motion Passes.
4. COMMISSIONER UPDATES
All Commissioner updates were directly related to Commission Projects.
5. COMMISSION PROJECTS
Commissioner Hoyt shared a document created by a Roosevelt Middle School Student to raise awareness on ways to reduce bird window collisions. Commissioner Hoyt also shared the dates of the World Migratory Bird Day events. On Thursday, May 28th at 7:00 PM, there will be a book discussion hosted at the River Forest Library to discuss The Field Guide to Citizen Science by Caren Cooper. Co-Chair Charrette and Commissioner Hoyt shared that the Forest Preserve and Trailside Museum will host a Big Sit bird watching event on Saturday May 9th to coincide with World Migratory Bird Day. Commissioner Hoyt also suggested there may be further coordination with the Chicago Audubon for the event. Commissioner Hoyt further noted that District 90 is working to allow rooftop observation for potential common nighthawk nesting sites over the summer and that the Roosevelt Environmental Club has offered to fundraise for anything, such as a potential trail cam for this observation project. Commissioner Avalos suggested an art display at the Library as a potential future collaboration for Bird City designation. Co-Chair Lennon suggested sharing the document produced by the Roosevelt student with the Lights Out proclamation to raise additional awareness. The Commission discussed working with the Roosevelt Environmental Club to produce additional graphics and documents to help promote the project. Student Commission Stierwalt also noted the OPRFHS Environmental Club contacted the high school to inquire about rooftop observation of nesting sites there as well. He further noted there is strong interest among the high school Environmental Club members for participation in the nighthawk observation project.
Commissioner Hoyt stated he has been working on developing protocols for the common nighthawk observation process. He anticipated the project would run approximately from early June through mid-July. Rooftop observations would be focused on identifying nesting sites. For bird monitoring beyond that, specific sites would be developed, and volunteers would conduct observations for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour beginning at sunset to note the presence of common nighthawks. A report sheet would be developed, including instructions and ask for observers to note any calls, sightings, and bird behavior.
Commissioner Hoyt further developed his plan to develop instructions. The Commission discussed the rooftop observation process. Commissioner Hoyt noted that former Commissioner Marti had shared some documents for the Commission with regards to the Bird City efforts prior to his resignation from the Commission. Mr. Jansen noted that he had utilized those materials and the general language from the Bird City Network and the City of Chicago when developing the draft proclamations for World Migratory Bird Day and the Lights Out campaign. Mr. Jansen outlined the draft proclamations for the Commission. The Commission discussed the proclamation.
Commissioner Hoyt stated he would review and provide feedback prior to next month’s meeting. The Commission discussed incorporating actions taken by the Village. Mr. Jansen shared a recent meeting with the Sustainability Coordinator with the Village of Oak Park which included discussion on potential ways to collaborate with regards to the Bird City efforts.
Mr. Jansen stated he was still working on a grant application for the ComEd/Openlands grant. Mr. Jansen shared that the grant application was submitted for the Missouri Prairie Foundation grant. Both grants are focused on the planting sites along Hawthrone Ave. and Central Ave., with the Missouri Prairie Foundation grant limited to acquiring plants to be planted along Hawthrone, while the ComEd/Openlands grant would look for full restoration of the existing native plant site on Hawthorne and butterfly garden on Central. Mr. Jansen and Commissioner Hoyt discussed the plan to apply for these sites this year and then apply for the Village lots along Park Ave. next year, once a more complete design has been developed for that site. Mr. Jansen provided a general update on the status of Park Ave. lot project.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Jansen provided a summary of the quarterly waste report, noting that there continues to be little to no correlation between tonnage rates of waste, recycling, and compost. Mr. Jansen provided a status update on the charging station installation projects, noting the Level 2 Chargers are fully operational at the Thatcher lot, the Fast Chargers at the Franklin lot should be operational in the coming week, and the North Ave. lot remains stalled with final paperwork approvals. Co-Chair Charrette inquired about promotion of the opening of these charging stations. Mr. Jansen provided brief updates on the permeable paver parking lot project and rooftop solar projects that are progressing at Village Hall and the Public Works garage, respectively. Co-Chair Charrette inquired about sustainability related projects in the Capital Improvement Plan; Mr. Jansen noted future planned conversions to Electric Vehicles and expanding EV charging capacity. Mr. Jansen outlined upcoming social media and newsletter plans. The Commission discussed upcoming communications. The Commission discussed the forthcoming ban on gas-powered leaf blowers and how contractors are being notified; Co-Chair Lennon suggested additional information with contractors’ license renewals.
7. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING – MARCH 10, 2026
The Commission reached a consensus to hold its next meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2026
9. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Avalos made a motion, seconded by Co-Chair Charrette, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 PM.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Co-Chair Charrette, Co-Chair Lennon, Commissioners Avalos and Hoyt
Nays: None
Absent: Commissioner Kadlec
Motion Passes.
https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/Agenda_Packet_3-10-26.pdf
