City of Collinsville Cool Cities Committee met Feb. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Vice-Chair Marconi called the meeting to order on ZOOM at 7:05pm. The following members were present and answered roll call: Glotfelty, Lutz, and Marconi. Young arrived at approximately 7:18pm and Brennan arrived at approximately 7:30pm, assuming chairperson duties the remainder of the meeting.
Also Present: Deputy City Manager Derek Jackson, Willoughby Farm Superintendent Carol Frerker, Planning Commissioner Scott Rayho, Trees Forever Field Coordinator Emily Ehley
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Glotfelty made a motion to approve the September 20, 2021, meeting minutes. Seconded by Lutz. Voice vote: All Ayes. Motion approved (3-0)
SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR
No speakers from the floor.
DISCUSSION
E 1. Guest Speaker – Emily Ehley, Trees Forever Field Coordinator
Jackson introduced Emily Ehley to the Committee. Ehley provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Committee about Trees Forever, a non-profit which operates out of Illinois and Iowa. Trees Forever is focused on urban forestry and receives funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The organization has planted over 3.4 million trees since 1989 and has 22 staff members. Ehley shared the energy, wildlife, stormwater management, air quality, and property value benefits of planting trees. Trees Forever help communities develop a tree ordinance and tree board, organize volunteers for tree care and planting, achieve Tree City USA status, inventory existing trees, and plan for future planting. Ehley shared information about the Recover, Replant, Restore grant program in the Spring and Fall, as well as a carbon credit program. Jackson informed the Committee that the Parks and Recreation Department will be pursuing both the Recover, Replant, Restore grant and the Tree City USA status. Glotfelty inquired about funding opportunities to tackle invasive species. Ehley stated that there is not currently a grant program dedicated to the removal of invasives, but Trees Forever is developing a long-term tree care program that would include invasives.
E 2. Tree Inventory Project
Jackson presented information related to conducting a local tree inventory. Jackson stated that he was recently apprised by the Parks & Recreation Department that a tree inventory was conducted in the city in 2019 by Heartlands Conservancy which covers all city parks and trees in the Uptown area right-of-way. Jackson stated that he is in the process of acquiring the data. Jackson suggested that the Committee put a stay on this project until staff the data has been reviewed. Jackson stated that he anticipates this agenda item being on the March meeting. Young inquired about the definitions of trees within the City’s existing tree ordinance. Young suggested that definitions be adjusted to include more native trees and remove non-native trees. Jackson and Frerker agreed with updating the definitions. Glotfelty inquired with Ehley if there have been fungal-proof chestnut trees. Ehley said she has not observed a lot of chestnuts being planted in local cities.
E 3. Commercial Property Assess Clean Energy (C-PACE)
Jackson presented information to the Committee about the State of Illinoi’s C-PACE program. Jackson stated that the city is considering a local C-PACE program as it would advance the City’s air quality measures in the Sustainability Plan and targets the commercial and industrial sectors within the community, which equated to 23% of the community’s overall emissions per the 2019 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data Report. Jackson explained that PACE programs allow a property owner to finance the up-front costs of energy or other eligible improvements on a property and then pay the costs back over time through a voluntary assessment. Jackson explained that in addition to the immediate efficiencies to the building’s operational costs, improvements would be considered an asset rather than a liability on a project’s balance sheet. Jackson explained that Illinois currently only allows for commercial PACE programs and not residential. Jackson explained that both Madison County and St. Clair County have not created a C-PACE program. Therefore, if the city chooses to pursue a program, it would have to be at the local municipal level. Jackson stated that the City of Fairview Heights created their own local program in 2019, which a copy of their program was included in the packet. Jackson stated that he will be meeting with the City Manager and Community Development staff prior to the next Committee meeting to determine how the city will proceed with pursuing C-PACE. Jackson anticipates this item being back on the agenda within the next couple months. Glotfelty stated that in his experience working with residential projects in Missouri, PACE is not as popular as some of the other available funding sources. However, Glotfelty says when PACE is the only option it comes in handy for that property owner. Rayho suggested ensuring the program is streamlined as possible. Frerker voiced support for exploring the C-PACE program as an available tool for local businesses.
NEW BUSINESS - NONE
OLD BUSINESS - NONE
STAFF REPORT
Jackson shared that the 2022 Green Business Challenge will be kicking off in March. Jackson thanked Madison County Resource Management for sponsoring the City’s enrollment for the 4th consecutive year. Jackson shared the key dates for 2022. Jackson stated that he is having discussions with Dr. Sharon Locke with SIUE to possibly conduct a Climate Action Plan. Dr. Locke has identified an undergraduate student who is interested in the Climate Action Plan being a senior project. Jackson stated he will be meeting with them to discuss a possible internship starting in the summer. Jackson provided an update on the Collinsville Landfill Project. Heartlands Conservancy and city staff did a walk through of the site to identify site conditions and to develop a plan for the planting season. Jackson shared information about the Urban Ecology Club at Willoughby Farm and the Madison County Household Hazardous Waste collection site in Wood River.
COMMENTS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Young inquired about the status of the rain garden in Woodland Park and what can be done to advance the project. Frerker explained that the Parks & Recreation Department has been working with Heartlands Conservancy and Lewis & Clark Community College to develop an urban forestry program and rain scaping plan to design the layout at the park. Frerker stated that the city will do outreach programs with Heartland and welcomes including the Committee in those efforts. Young requested that the city consider allowing residents to have access to excess mulch. Frerker stated that in the past residents could come to Willoughby Farm to collect mulch. However, she discontinued the services due to some of the mulch being dropped off not being ground up enough, causing there a lot of limbs with sharp ends. Jackson stated he will talk to the Public Works Director about where Public Works drops off their mulch and the prospect of the city allowing access for residents to utilize the materials. Young also discussed the Sustainability Plan policy of discouraging impervious pavements on private property. Young stated that the city should allow gravel driveways in lieu of restricting them via zoning requirements. Young suggested the City consider allowing gravel but mandate the materials be of a certain size, must be clean to avoid issues with dust, and ensure a certain level of maintenance occurs. Young inquired about the process for making the change to allow gravel. Jackson stated that the gravel requirement is currently in the zoning code, so a text amendment would be necessary, and likely be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission and City Council. Young suggested that the Committee reach out to other Cool Cities Committee in other communities to attend the Collinsville meetings to see what they’re working on. Jackson stated he will reach out to some of the surrounding community committees to see what projects they are working on and invite them to a meeting to share. Lutz added that her and the Madison County Resource Management Coordinator are in the process of connecting the metro east communities to have a conversation for sharing ideas. Young highly recommended Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation by Paul Hawken.
ITEMS FOR MARCH MEETING AGENDA
Jackson stated he anticipates the Tree Inventory being back on the agenda assuming the city obtains the data from the 2019 inventory. Jackson stated he will bring any relevant information back from the Green Business Challenge kick-off meeting. Jackson stated that he wants to discuss the green business recognition program for 2022.
Motion to adjourn made by Young, seconded by Glotfelty.
Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion Approved (5-0)
ADJOURNMENT at 8:38pm
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