Dupage Policy Journal

City of Warrenville Environmental Advisory Commission met May 6

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A. CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Cecelia Gerber called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM

B. ROLL CALL

Present: Chair Cecelia Gerber (CG), Commissioner Patrick McNulty (PM), Commissioner Kathy Franke (KF), Commissioner Margaret Votava (MV).

Absent: Commissioner Jean Marie Kauth (JMK).

Also Present: Council Liaison Kathy Davolos (KD), Staff Liaison David Romero (DR), Kay Halpin (KH), Mayor Andy Johnson (AJ).

Nota Bene: Chair Gerber was appointed by Mayor Johnson and sworn in as Chair of the Warrenville Environmental Advisory Commission for FY 2026.

C. APPROVAL OF APRIL 15, 2025 MINUTES

CG made the motion to the approve the April 15, 2025 meeting minutes, PM seconded the motion, and th motion was unanimously approved.

A discussion followed the motion about making agenda items available sooner. DR. instructed the WEAC how to use the Warrenville web site to schedule notifications to be sent to Commissioners’ email accounts by using the “notify me” section on the agenda page. By creating an account and choosing check boxes various City notifications, news items, agendas, etc. can be routed to email addresses.

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

KH reported that the Arbor Day event went very well. Further discussion follows in the business agenda section below.

E. OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS/REPORTS

DR reported that the planning commission was early in the process of evaluating D.R.

Horton, Inc’s, proposal for Cantera Point Townhomes development at the intersection of Ferry Road, Warrenville Road and MacCliff Road.

F. BUSINESS OF MEETING

1. Sorting and Packaging of Battery Recycling

Commissioners sorted two boxes of batteries to be recycled.

2. 2025 Arbor Day Event Wrap Up discussion

Commissioners discussed the following topics related to the Warrenville Arbor Day event on April 26, 2025:

• There were significant numbers of left over seedlings, especially river birch. They were donated to Warrenville Public Works and Timber Creek HOA.

• Some attendees requested we consider smaller seedling items like dwarf varieties or bushes. Trees, for some, were too large.

• The seedlings from the Foundation were very dry. We will follow up with the source to remedy the conditions next year.

• It was suggested that the seedling separation, wrapping, and soaking be finished the night before the event. Or we need to recruit many more volunteers to assist in preparation; attendees were picking their seedlings faster than they could be made available. It was reported that Metea High School was interested in assisting in 2026.

• The display presented by KF showing alternatives to single use plastic items was well received.

• The timing of prize announcements needs to be focused more on attendee presence instead of time intervals. Announcements should be timed for greater attendance.

• Consider age-appropriate food choices.

• Consider revising the signage for the Autistic Friendly Room to make the room inviting to all kids.

• Consider providing flyers announcing Arbor Day to local high schools.

• Consider outreach to Cantigny, Morton Arboretum, DuPage Forest Preserve District.

CG and DR have updated a document (Arbor Day 2025 Wrap up Document) detailing the suggested changes to be considered for the 2026 Arbor Day planning.

3. Review of upcoming EV presentation and further Library Series planning

The notice announcing the EVs for Everyone was not posted on the library’s online calendar of events. DR reached out to Tom Hill (with the library) to inquire if the event would be posted on the library’s website; at this time their marketing team will not be posting the event. The event was, however, announced by email blasts several days before the event. The Commission will follow up with the July Dark Skies presentation.

4. Discussion of Comparable Communities environmental commission research

Tabled for later discussion.

5. Discussion of possible collaboration with the Hozho Project

Tabled for later discussion.

G. COMMISIONER COMMENTS/REPORTS

MV reported having some very early season problems with deer ticks and an increased potential for Lyme disease. She requested that the City post warnings on the website and the digital marque at the corner of Batavia and Butterfield roads to alert to the situation.

CG recommended that the Commission investigate how to increase the number of WEAC Commissioners from 5 to 7 to facilitate creation of smaller work groups that will not violate the OMA quorum rules.

PM reported several current news stories about villages and the State of Illinois preparing ordinances and laws to “Prohibit a retail mercantile establishment from offering or making available a single-use plastic checkout bag at the point of sale. Allowing said establishment to offer a recycled paper bag or reusable bag to consumers for a fee. Provides for educational material and signage. Provides for enforcement after an implementation period.”

Currently Elgin is preparing verbiage for an ordinance and the Illinois General Assembly is processing SB1872. Batavia and Woodstock currently have enacted such ordinances.

PM asked WEAC to add an agenda item to the next session in June.

H. ADJOURN

CG moved to adjourn at 8:50 PM, motion seconded by PM, motion passed unanimously.

https://www.warrenville.il.us/DocumentCenter/View/30308/05-06-2025-EAC-Minutes?bidId=