City of Edwardsville Cool Cities Initiative Advisory Committee met April 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order 6:01pm
2. Roll Call RT, BD, SM, MK, TK. SW all present. CL, SW and KP not present.
3. Approval of Minutes from the April 16th, 2022 Cool Cities Committee meeting. Revisions were made and then voted on and approved.
4. Citizens wishing to address the Board - none
5. Announcements - After a long tenure, Jamie Henderson has stepped down as board member. Brigham Dimick announced that this is his last meeting on the committee. Stephanie Malench volunteered to be the new secretary. The size of the committee has changed to seven and the quorum will now be four.
6. Old Business
A. Republic Services -
Recycling at Public Events - Recycling containers will be stashed in Public Works until Republic can pick them up. The new markings on the containers are much clearer and intuitive to read.
B. Parking Ordinance -
Steve is in mid-draft. Rather than imposing maximums of parking spaces city-wide, the plan is to just repeal the minimums. Maximums will be retained for downtown. Bicycle parking will provided on a model that is based on what Edwardsville's BPAC discovered from the Chicago plan.
A discussion ensued about new buyers of old businesses at the intersection of S. Buchanan Street and East Schwartz Street (Jack in the Box, and the original Annie's) regarding the new light ordinance. Evidence exists about light pollution negatively impacting bird navigation during migration season. Anecdotal evidence was shared about how the increasing amount of light pollution has contributed to a decline in the Edwardsville bat population.
C. Green Cities Challenge
An excellent meeting last Friday. Stephanie spoke of Webster Groves campaign of giving away garden signs for "No Mow May" during which the mowing ordinance of the municipality is not enforced until the 2nd week of May. TK recommends a "No Maximum Height" which would allow mowing while not mowing down much that which is in bloom. The board members listed many of the blooming plants currently in bloom.
D. Pollinator Pathways
Mapping of our town as pollinator gardens was discussed in previous meeting. The only criterion to qualify is that one's garden or lawn does not use pesticides. One's address is not disseminated, but rather a butterfly icon is simply placed on the street on the map. Since privacy is protected, it should bolster participation. For those interested, contact Jenna Hogan at Pollinator Pathways. MK mentioned other Illinois communities with maps of pollinator gardens in their communities.
7. New Business
A. Bike and Hike Event -
Request from SJ Morrison in which EPAC asked us to collaborate with them on May 20th (during the 2nd week of the Goshen Market) with organized rides and walks. Will give away pancakes from Chris's Cakes and it is advertised as a Waste Free event with compostable eating ware.
B. Green Business/Green Cities Tracker-
The Green Cities Challenge agency now provides a Green Business and Green Cities Tracker for each city to keep track of. An Edwardsville City email plus a point person would be required to input the data (for sustainable practices like a no idling ordinance for city vehicles, LED lightbulb exchange, and the list goes on). RT will send Claire lott the information for further consideration. Steve suggests there will be overlap with the city's annual report since there are shared data points to audit.
C. Updating Website for Native Planting
The idea is to have a page on City website that will provide guidance to citizens interested in developing a native garden, as well as links to Grow Native, Heartland Conservancy (they have an annual sale), and other sources for native plants. SM suggested listing native plants available at local vendors and guidance for what to plant in shade and sun. Steve has the authority to approve whatever needs to go on the webpage.
8. Adjournment - The board adjourned at 7:25pm. SK moved, MK seconded.
https://www.cityofedwardsville.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04202023-2959
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