Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia Environmental Commission met Jan. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. Call to Order

2. Member and Guest Introductions

Members present: Carolyn Burnham, Tim Grimm, Gary King, Emma Cole, Alex Zelles, Andrew Greenhagen, Chris Bong, Andrew Deitchman Members absent: Michael Willuweit

Guests: Dustin Pieper

3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes – approved and sent

4. Single Use Bag Fund Use- there will be a COW meeting on 2/13 to discuss this issue. BEC presented some ideas in July- Parkway Trees, rebates to help residents decarbonize their homes. Another possibility brought up by the Climate Action Plan committee (not discussed in July) would be heat pumps for the Tiny Shops.

Dustin also suggested parkway benches (made of recycled bags), subsidized bike racks, and a bike share system. Another possibility is a native plant giveaway.

Carolyn and Andrew Deitchman will attend the meeting to represent the BEC and some of these ideas.

5. Events/Educational Programs- Carolyn has organized several education events at the library: Home Decarbonization (2/1) and Composting for Everyone (5/8).

Emma will contact Kane County Forest Preserve and Fermilab to try and get some programs in place for Spring/Summer.

6. Big Tree Program- nothing new at this time but Gary and Alex will be working on signage for the program.

7. Goals for 2024

• Have official Big Trees by April

• Native Landscaping Ordinances

• Continue working on Educational Outreach Programs and partnerships

• Continue to review Climate Action Plan and educate the public on progress

• Help with the implementation of the use of the bag fees

• Organizing each goal in terms of timelines and leaders (TBD at the next meeting)

8. BEC Annual Update to City Council- this will happen at the COW meeting on 1/16. Alex, Carolyn, and Emma will be there to represent. We will be discussing Water Willow plantings, Big Trees Program, Fox River and Dam Education, Sustainable Education Programs and Natural Area Partnerships, Single Use Bag Fees, partnering with City Council to provide feedback, involvement with the Climate Action Plan, and the BEC Goals for 2024.

9. Open Discussion- all members should review the Strategic Plan sent out by Alex earlier today.

There is a NIMPA informational meeting at City Hall on 1/31.

Kane County started a coalition with other groups and municipalities to get money from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (USEPA). They first met in November. The goal of the coalition is to submit projects to this grant fund to increase the chances of getting money to this region. Is anyone interested in joining in on this coalition so Batavia would have representation and submit some projects? Tim reports that Batavia did apply for some grant money, and it might have been through this coalition. He is going to check on this. BEC will have an open seat soon and Dustin may know someone who is interested. Any interested parties should send an email to bec@bataviail.gov

10. Adjournment

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01102024-2198