Metro East Sun

City of Collinsville Cool Cities Committee Met June 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Brennan called the meeting to order over the ZOOM meeting call at 7:01pm. The following members were present and answering roll call: Brennan, Glotfelty, Lutz, Marconi, and Young.

Also Present: Deputy City Manager Derek Jackson, Sustainability Intern Waleska Do Valle Santos, SIUE Dr. Sharon Locke, Planning Commission Chairman Scott Rayho, Glen Carbon Cool Cities Committee Chairperson Chris Krusa

SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR

Christopher Krusa, Chairman of the Glen Carbon Cool Cities Committee, addressed the committee. Mr. Krusa stated that Glen Carbon is pursuing a second greenhouse gas inventory soon and is interested to see how Collinsville’s process is going.

Scott Rayho, Planning Commission Chairman, stated that he applauds the committee’s progress over the past couple years and is looking forward to hearing more information about the greenhouse gas inventory.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Young made a motion to approve the May 17, 2021 meeting minutes with corrections. Seconded by Lutz. Voice vote: All Ayes. Motion approved (5-0)

DISCUSSION

D 1. Guest Speaker – Ralph Jackson, Director of Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Derek Jackson informed the Committee Ralph Jackson needed to postpone until a future meeting due to feeling under the weather.

D 2. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Update

Jackson introduced Valeska Do Valle Santos, Sustainability Intern for the City of Collinsville, and Dr. Sharon Locke, Associate Professor and Director of the SIUE STEM program. Santos presented information about her progress on the greenhouse gas inventory. Santos explained the scope of the study is to focus on 2019 data, which represents a more typical year in terms of human activity. The inventory will include both city operations and the community. Santos explained the process of collecting data from various sectors, such as city facility utility data, public utility data, waste hauling data, and transportation related data. That data is being logged into Clearpath, the software used to generate a greenhouse gas inventory report. Santos stated that the report will be able to provide detailed information about where the emissions are coming from, including transportation, electricity generation, industry, agriculture, commercial, and residential. Santos displayed Granite City’s 2020 data as an example so that the Committee members would know how to expect the data to be presented once the report is finalized. Dr. Locke provided an overview of the Clearpath software and the methodology of adding data into the system. She described the ability to make notes of where and who the data was collected from, how sound the data is, and the ability to use estimates if the data is too broad. Jackson stated that Santos and Dr. Locke would be back before the Committee and the City Council in August or September to present their final report. The Committee thanked Santos and Dr. Locke for the presentation.

NEW BUSINESS - NONE

OLD BUSINESS - NONE

STAFF REPORT

Jackson provided an update on the City’s green recognition program. Jackson presented the Committee a video of Old Herald Distillery & Brewery and Dejavu Kidz. Jackson shared an upcoming Garden Party event being hosted by St. John’s Community Care to celebrate their newly established garden at their facility on Sunday June 27th at 222 Goethe Avenue.

COMMENTS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Young requested an update regarding the City exploring the installation of a biochar facility. Jackson stated that he sent an email to Phil Blum with Terrachar in May requesting information on design and pricing. Jackson stated he has not heard back from Blum yet. Glotfetly stated that he was a call with Blum this week and will remind Blum to follow up with Jackson for a possible City project. Young asked Jackson what interest there has been in the City’s Sustainability Plan. Jackson stated that typically most residents are unaware that the City has adopted the plan. However, upon learning that the City has a plan in place, the consensus is very favorable. Additionally, the plan is well received by the City’s land use planner and City Manager, as the plan encourages positive changes to the City’s land use code as well as funding opportunities with the State of Illinois for having a plan in place, which is often the criteria for certain grants.

ITEMS FOR JULY MEETING AGENDA

Jackson stated that he will inquire with Habitat for Humanity to present in July. Jackson stated that if any Committee members had ideas for guest speakers or agenda items to please let him know. Brennan suggested a follow up on the biochar topic and other businesses for green recognition. Jackson added that he will be coming to the committee in the near future to nominate a green business of the year to be presented during a community awards event in October. Brennan requested that biochar be an agenda item if an update is ready.

Motion to adjourn made by Young, seconded by Glotfelty.

Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion Approved (5-0)

ADJOURNMENT at 7:59pm

https://collinsville.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=collinsville_a07b99ae2e067afe032825f3444b6032.pdf&view=1