Peoria Standard

City of Batavia Committee of the Whole met March 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Wolff called the meeting to order at 7:04PM

1. Roll Call

Members Present: Ald. Solfa, Baerren, Lanci, Beck, Pieper, Ajazi, Cerone, Barazza, Leman, Chanzit, Vogelsinger, Malay, Uher, Wolff

Members Absent: None

Also Present: Mayor Schielke, Laura Newman - City Administrator, Chief Hanson - Batavia Fire Department, Max Weiss - Management Analyst, Lori Botterman, Communications Department Manager, Anthony Isom, Economic Development Manager 2. Reminder: Please speak into the microphone for BATV recording

3. Items Removed/Added/Changed

None

4. Matters From the Public (For Items NOT on the Agenda)

Chair Wolff asked if members of the public wanted to address the Committee. Linda Sawner indicated she has been a resident of Batavia for 41 years and is active in various environmental projects. She noted that she is grateful for how our City is addressing the issues such as single use bags.

5. Discussion: Single Use Bag Fee Revenue Usage

Ald. Uher indicated that the money should be used fairly and items under consideration should be switched to percentages. Ald. Wolff added that the revenue generated should come down over time and noted that we should figure out how to spend the money whether it be bags to give away, outreach or certain programming. Ald. Vogelsinger noted that she is in favor of using the recommendations from the Environmental Commission. Ald. Chanzit noted that an energy assessment on the entire town should be considered. The Mayor Schielke is in favor of handing out bags to the community and mentioned that no other surrounding communities are doing this type of thing. Adding that, we need to get the public to understand what we are doing and why. Ald. Pieper asked staff about jute bags and pricing. Max Weiss indicated that each bag is between $3 and $6. Laura Newman noted the average cost even with a City logo would be about $5. Ald. Cerone noted that it would be great to engage the community to design a bag. Ald. Baerren is not a big fan of the bag because the people will not use them. Laura Newman indicated that people that wanted bags would come to city hall to get their bag. Ald. Lanci likes the idea of having a small number of bags on hand and added it’s a messaging and a perception thing we need to address along with education of why we have the bag fee. There seemed to be a consensus of members indicating that going to percentages is the right thing to do and most favored a cloth bag handout in some form.

Ald. Beck would like to see someone managing the implementation, messaging, data collection of the bag distribution. She liked the energy audit idea as well. Alex from the Batavia Environmental Commission (BEC) indicated that all the ideas put forth by the Commission is not the only idea. Alex indicated the BEC could probably help with background research and participating in the working group. Ald. Wolff then mentioned we should get someone from the outside to help the City’s effort. There seemed to be a consensus about not having to spend all the money now and most were in favor of exploring a consultancy to manage these programs. Laura Newman said staff would create a scope of work and request proposals. Max Weiss indicated that staff could create a survey for the residents if requested. It was decided to have staff survey the Council for their top 3 ideas and what programs the City would want a consultant to implement as a basis for a request for proposal including timelines.

6. Other

None

7. Adjournment: With no further matters to discuss, Chair Wolff called for a motion to adjourn. There was a motion, a second and a voice vote. The meeting ended at 9:27 PM

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03042024-2224