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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 199321M RWP Armor 4 602U1.279i �R Cit of Evanston 1W y Environmental Control Board Minutes November 18, 1993 Draft -- Not Approved Members Present: Pat Frank, Dan Hartnett, Sally Halderman, Charles Klosterman, Sharon Lieberman, Iry Miller, Bill Moss, Matt TerMolen, Melissa Wynne Members Absent: Judy Freitag, Gabe Rodriguez, Claus Voss, Staff Present: Linda Lutz, Ecology Center Coordinator Dtners Present: Judy Elsass, League of Women Voters Harry Snuoert The Board reviewed the minutes of the October 21, 1993 meeting maKing several cnanaes. Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Ms. --ieberman that the October 21. 1993 minutes be aAprovea. Tne Environment Board (EB) approved the minutes. Ame-•ca,, public Health AsSociaiion Meeting Mc. Lieberman bresentec notes and information on the national convention of the Ame--Lan Public Healtn Association, Topics of particular interest were e,1.i,on'nenta ris4, modeis fo, evaivat,ng environmental health brograms in poor a,eas. environmental ;ustice, aeac anc otne- topics. Ms. Lieberman noted that t"r major national tnrust of etrec-lve community organizations is to organize iozal,, to aftect environmental issues. In*eGrated Pest Management (IPM) m%, Lieoerman announcea tnat sne nas organ:zea a meeting for Decemoer 14. 1993 a- 0- a; the Civic Center for community environmental groups. City recycling s-aft, and interestec peopie to discuss a unified approach to IPM. Based on r)3_t attendance, large local pesticide users are not interested in participating, N_. -leoermar saio tnE group will discuss a unified approach tc gypsy moth eCuCa'. 1 ors . Ur, :ranr, concurred that it is time to change the emphasis of the IPM committee to the community level. Ms. Lutz distributed maps from the Illinois Department of Agriculture that highlighted the distribution of the number of male moths found in traps around Evanston. Both the spring spray sites recorded moths: 5 at the lakefront, and 20 in the resiaen,ial area near Sheridan and Greenleaf. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will be coming to Evanston to look for egg masses. There is no current recommendation for 1994. Mr. Stan Smith (Illinois Department of Agriculture) said that a number of north shore communities that were sprayed in the spring had higher than expected moth counts. He thinks moths are coming into the area from Wisconsin and Micnigan. Environment Board Relations Mr. TerMolen reported on the Human Services Committee meeting of November 1, 1993. Mr. TerMolen plans on attending once a month to update the Committee. The Human Services Committee expressed interest in information on noise generated by leaf biowers, gypsy moth update, and the progress of the energy committee. Energy Committee Mr. Klosterman reported that he and David Kraft had met with the Mayor and City Manager to delineate responsibilities of the joint energy committee of the EB and the Energy Commission. Mr. Klosterman reported that the Energy Commission has a definec scheaule of report submission dates: initial report is due January 1995, work completed on the Edison franchise is due in May 1995, and final decisions regarding the franchise is due in December 1995. Mr. Klosterman made it clear that the EB's responsibility is in the area of an energy policy, nct with the franchise agreement. Mr. Klosterman reported on the meeting with 3 members of the Energy Commission: David Kraft, David Grumman (Vice-chairman). and Bud Nesvig (Chairman). General tonics such as what should be :overea in an energy policy, staffing of the joint committee, and how to initiate the process. As the Energy Commission has just begun meeting, they would like a little time to pull their thoughts, ideas, and d-rection togetner. Mr. Klosterman will keep the EB informed. Clean Air Act Mr. �i,:�sterman attended a presentation on the Empiovee Commute Option Act of the Clean Air Act. He noted that in 2 years companies of 100 or more employees need to reduce the number of cars in their oarhing lots by 25% to the level of earn car representing :.36 persons (From the current 1.09). States will lose federal highway funds if they are not in compliance. Mr. Klosterman pointed out that the goai is to reduce by 50% the amount o` ozone produced by cars. Mr. Klosterman gave the manna. tr:)m the conterence to Ms. L.ut: tc give to the City staff in cnarge of comDi,ance. Mr. rlcs'erman saic] the Act encourages 3 - 4 riders per car and the use of public tra^sDortation. Dr. Franc said her experience with van pools varied; with pressu-e to worE longer nours, and variable scheduling it can be difficult to c,ganize a van pool scnedule. Electro - Magnetic Fields Mr. Miller noted same trends 1n the current data: * Research efforts will produce a lightweight car that get 110 miles per gallon in the next 10 years * Efforts to develop no waste products is a response of the chemical inaustry to environmental regulations; the goal is to have environmentally benign technologies * There is lots of research 1n the area of electro - magnetic fields: no hard data says there are significant health risks, longer term studies in the next 5 - 10 years will give a solid answer. Dr. Frank added that she had recently attended a conference on EMF - now called electric and magnetic fields. She said magnetic fields are more consistent while electric fields tend to be low frequency whicn falls off rapidly around houses. Measuring EMF is difficult. Currently you need a measuring device on a person to record the exact dose. More magnetic fields come from household appliances versus cower lines. While no hard data exists you may want to hold your hair dryer farther away and move digital clocks a least a foot from your bedside. Mr. Snubert added that although the field is neavler from household appliances, the duration is short: use of wryer, vacuum. etc. He noted that taotn the duration and dose are at work. Dr. Frank pointed out that Commonwealth Edison routes transmission lines around sensitive sites lake, hospitals. schools, senior housing. Buried cables may also pose a threat. Noise Mr. Snubert reviewed his letter to the ooard regarding noise from leaf olowers. Dr. Frank noted that the EB will be making a report at the request of Alderman Moran regarding leaf blower noise. Issues to De consiaerea will be to survey the �^mpla nts. loo+. at alternatives such as an orainance or Dan, determine what is inforceanle, and loot• at what other communities are doing. Ms. Halderman will review the EB's fiie4 on noise. Mr. Shubert na0 the noise ordinance from Highlana Party and several articles on tree suolect. He said 'eat plower operaTors are sub)ect to decibel levels of 105 wnlcn car do iOna term aamage. He encourageo the EB to worF on the oroo em. Pustc eum site Mr. Moss and Ms. Wynne met with Eric Anderson and Jucay A • e l 1 e regarding the Rustoieum site. Ar environmental assessmert was done that revealed 3 problem areas: above ground storage tanks, uncerground storage tanks. and the nortn-east ce-ne• o* the property treat nave Deer leasea tc a car reoair firm. Ms, wvnre'fi concern was the 'iaDiltity from the *orme- dump site t-lanafi11 wnicr the _•tv ieasec in the 1930's and 1940's. Tne -ity does nave inaemn,ficatior from Rusto,eur and the City is comfortable with that. There -s no , nraem,>> f f Corr qustoleum regarding thi ra Darty sites. There is no indemnt',cation from Nome i)eooi: the City tnlnks Ftustaleum would have 11aD}lIty as an owner/operator. Ms. Wynne assumed that Home Depot should be indemnified by Rustoleum, and thought that indemnification from Home Depot might be appropriate. She noted that the City did receive environmental counsel regarding the site. The only issue of concern seems to be that Home Depot can not build on the dumb site part of the property unless they meet specific ouilding reouirements. Mr. Moss added that Home Depot is waiting for clearance from the State. Testing was done. Mr. Moss and Ms. Wynne will follow the process. Hazardous Materials Dr. Frank noted there was a hazardous materials unit of the Fire Department sent to Sure Brothers. An article appeared in the newspaper. Dr. Frank requested that Ms. Lutz see if a person from the Fire Department could address the EB regarding the Hazard Team and its responsibilities. Mr. Klosterman moved, seconded by Mr. TerMolen to adjourn the meeting. The next meeting of the Environment Board will be Thursday, December 16. 1993 at 7:30 PM in room 3650 of the Civic Center. Chic cam" -� a ►.�� 2210�0 Mgt Mum ' � i 6QZ01-Z74t Cityof Evanston ; 1W BNVIIWMZ r BOAM Environment Board Minutes December 16, 1993 Members Present: Pat Frank, Sally Haidermaw, Charles Klosterman, Melissa Wynne Members Absent: Judy Freitag, Dan Hartnett, Sharon Lieberman, Iry Miller, Bill Moss, Gabe Rodriguez, Matt TerMolen, Claus Voss Staff Present: Linda Lutz, Eoology Center Coordinator Others Present: Judy Elsass, League of Women Voters A quorum was not present and no official meeting of the Envirorment Board was held, Meeting Dates for 1994: January 20 February 17 March 17 April 21 May 19 June 16 July 21 August - no meeting September 22 October 20 November 17 December 15