Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Energy and Environmental

Committee

Meeting Minutes

BATES, Tarver, Allan, Kious, Penesis, Strathmann, Young, ex-officios Roth (County Vice

Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)

Friday, April 11, 2025

9:00 AM

County Board Room

2025 Committee Goals

• Pursue funding to improve energy efficiency in Kane County Government-owned

buildings

• Upon passage of the Tree Protection Ordinance, develop budget and implementation

strategy for the Ordinance and an educational program to promote Tree Protection

• Develop Client Action Implementation teams and assist team in prioritizing action items

and development strategies

• Increase education and improve overall recycling in Kane County buildings

• Community outreach to education about the CAIP

_______________________________________________________________________

Call To Order

Chairman Bates called today's meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Mavis Bates

PRESENT

Board Member Deborah Allan

Board Member Chris Kious

Board Member Ted Penesis

Board Member David Young

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Board Member Bill Tarver

ABSENT

Board Member Cherryl Strathmann

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. members Gumz*, Gripe, Juby*, Lewis, Molina*; Environ. & Water

Res. Dir. Wollnik; Recycling Coordinator Ryan; Sustainability Mgr. Hinshaw* and staff

Powell; ITD staff Kash; and members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

There were no remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

Approval of Minutes: March 14, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Chris Kious

Public Comment (Agenda Items)

Committee Member and Kane County resident David Young spoke on the

establishment of the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. He stated that it was founded by

Democrat Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin. He noted that his religion is listed

as Unitarianism, which focuses on individualism and humanism. Unitarianism rejects

the core Christian doctrine of the trinity. Young explained that Unitarian Universalism,

which started in 1961, emphasizes environmentalism and environmental justice. This

was Gaylord Nelson's belief. He stated that this is important to know because it

provides guidance. The current environmental movement is more than just activism.

For some it is based on their religion. Young believes that the movement embraces the

worshiping of the creation, and not the creator.

Environmental (J.Wollnik)

Environ. & Water Res. Dir. Wollnik announced that the Geneva Creek Project is

underway, and will be completed within the next two weeks. Several slopes are now

stabilized, and with spring rains coming, pollution at the Fox River will be reduced.

Upon completion, Wollnik stated that this project will also be a beautiful location for

Kane County employees and visitors. She hopes to conduct a tour of the area, once

the project is complete. (Committee Member Allan arrived at 9:05 a.m.) The

Groundwater Study continues its process with the assistance from municipal partners.

There will be a meeting next month to discuss the next steps. A draft report for their

findings will be presented at next month's meeting. Wollnik noted that Chicago

Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is currently assisting to produce a water

sustainability plan for Kane County. Lastly, she announced that Energy Consultant

Arnie Schramel will attend next month's meeting to report on the solar field at the

Judicial Center. Wollnik addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

Much discussion ensued.

Recycling/Solid Waste (C. Ryan)

Authorizing Subaward Agreement with Northern Illinois Food Bank for

Partnership and Utilization of Composting and Food Waste Reduction Funds

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Chris Kious

MOVER:

Deborah Allan

SECONDER:

Mavis Bates, Deborah Allan, Chris Kious, Ted Penesis, and

David Young

AYE:

Bill Tarver, Cherryl Strathmann, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing Subaward Agreement with Advocate Sherman Hospital for

Partnership and Utilization of Composting and Food Waste Reduction Funds

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Ted Penesis

MOVER:

David Young

SECONDER:

Mavis Bates, Deborah Allan, Chris Kious, Ted Penesis, and

David Young

AYE:

Bill Tarver, Cherryl Strathmann, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing Subaward Agreement with the Kane County Cougars for Partnership

and Utilization of Composting and Food Waste Reduction Funds

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Chris Kious

MOVER:

Deborah Allan

SECONDER:

Mavis Bates, Deborah Allan, Chris Kious, Ted Penesis, and

David Young

AYE:

Bill Tarver, Cherryl Strathmann, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

2024 in Review, Part 2

Recycling Coordinator Ryan presented the Kane County Recycles 2024

Curbside, Centers and Events Review. She provided information on the amount

of residential curbside material collected. Ryan noted that this data is reported

by licensed waste haulers in the county. It was reported that there are 191,900

households with a curbside hauling service. Over 96% of collected data reflects

franchised hauling agreements. The total household output from 2024 was

258,379 tons. Ryan stated that materials either recycled or composted, versus

what was distributed in the landfill, the county diversion rate was 30.8%. The

total amount of trash collected was 178,780 tons. There was 60,317 tons

collected for trash, and 19,282 tons of organic material was collected. She

stated that there has been a steady increase in the amount of trash produced

every year. Ryan highlighted that Pingree Grove had the highest diversion rate

for recycling of 35.6% for the second year in a row. East Dundee took second

place for a 33.8% diversion rate. She proceeded to review the commercial

contract materials collected. The total commercial discards in 2024 was 170,312

tons. There were 8,164 commercial accounts reported. The total impact in 2024

for household waste products collected amounted to 626 tons. Ryan announced

that a mini-worm bin at STEAM Night at Munhall Elementary in St. Charles is

tonight from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. If anyone has campaign signs they would like

to discard, there will be a table at the Government Center through Sunday, April

13. There will be Pop-Up Recycling event at the Geneva Park District Earth Day

Celebration on Saturday, April 19 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Peck Farm Park.

A demo webinar for Recycle Coach will be on Wednesday, April 23 from 12:00

p.m.-1:00 p.m. Much discussion ensued.

Sustainability (S.Hinshaw)

Sustainability Mgr. Hinshaw stated that the Powering Safe Community Grant was

recently applied for. The goal of this grant is to install a flood warning sign at areas of

the county that often flood. The sign will have a rain gauge that detects high water

levels, which activates a flashing light feature. She highlighted that the sign is solar

powered therefore it will be beneficial for clean transportation, resiliency, and

sustainability. Hinshaw noted that there were discussions within the Greenspace and

Ecosystem group on how to increase tree population. She stated that an Environmental

Stewardship Grant was applied for. This grant is available for $5K for advocacy of

greenspace, clean air, and conservation. Hinshaw will provide more updates on these

grants at next month's meeting.

New Business

Committee Member Kious announced that the Forest Preserve will celebrate Earth Day

on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Camp Tomo-Chi-Chil Knolls in Gilberts, Illinois

for a shrub planting extravaganza.

10.

Chairs Comments

Chairman Bates wished everyone a Happy Earth Day and Earth Month.