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06/01/2019COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Minutes of Meeting June 1, 2019 The Village Board met as a Committee of the Whole in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2019. In attendance were: PRESENT: Village Board Staff Harriet Rosenthal, Mayor Kent Street, Village Manager Robert Benton, Trustee Andrew Lichterman, Asst. Village Manager Thomas Jester, Trustee David Fitzgerald, Management Analyst Mary Oppenheim, Trustee John Sliozis, Police Chief William Seiden, Trustee Eric Burk, Finance Director Dan Shapiro, Trustee Clint Case, Code Enforcement Supervisor Barbara Struthers, Trustee Bob Phillips, Public Works Director Matt Weiss, IT Systems Coordinator Public Comment There was no one present for public comment. Presentation by Go Green Deerfield Art Wilde and Deb Singleton of the group Go Green Deerfield outlined their presentation to the group, including 10 members of their organization who were in attendance. Mr. Wilde stated the group’s goal is to provide a balanced perspective to look at an immense need with practical solutions. They want to activate the community to make sustainability the norm. He noted that 140 residents are involved in the group. He stated that the group is asking the Village to pass a resolution to reduce green house gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030 and then be carbon neutral by 2050. Ms. Singleton outlined their plan to reach those goals, focusing on energy, transportation, food, waste, land and water. She noted that carbon dioxide emissions are now out of balance. She outlined a climate model that shows the impact on Deerfield, including weather, infrastructure, food supply and public health. Mr. Wilde stated that residents need to own their own carbon footprint and prepare for impacts related to climate change. Ms. Singleton noted the options are to pay less now and invest in action, or pay big in the future. Trustee Oppenheim noted that she wants examples of things other communities are doing. She agrees with the group and wants guidance on how to implement and how to enforce. Mr. Wilde noted that Evanston and South Elgin have implemented opt-out electricity aggregation programs to provide 100 percent green energy. Ms. Singleton noted that Highland Park has a sustainability plan and there is a Chicagoland Metropolitan Action Plan that addresses environmental, economic and social impacts of climate change. Trustee Shapiro asked if the group is Deerfield based and how it works with the Village’s Sustainability Commission. Mr. Wilde noted that the group is Deerfield based, but is involved with other Go Green groups throughout the area. They have been in touch with the Sustainability Commission. He noted the groups complement each other, but have different big-picture outcomes. Trustee Struthers asked how to translate this information to individual households. Mr. Wilde noted that households can look at the energy piece and find ways to reduce their gas and electric bills. Trustee Jester asked about measurement and how to evaluate it. Mr. Wilde noted that they can work with Village staff to get data on utility aggregate figures and use those as a baseline. Trustee Jester inquired about what else can be measured. Mr. Wilde noted that academic studies have identified ways to measure the impact of transportation, including number of miles driven and public transit use. Ms. Singleton noted that water consumption and tree canopy are other measures. She stated they would like to use existing research that looks at how to measure carbon dioxide emissions. Trustee Seiden stated that this a relatively new group that looks to be doing a good job and is asking for support from the Village. Trustee Oppenheim noted that the group’s focus would shift to an over reaching goal instead of doing things in a one-off situation. Trustee Seiden inquired how Mr. Wilde became involved in the movement. Mr. Wilde stated that he and his daughter attended a presentation at the Deerfield Library and his daughter encouraged him to take action. Mayor Rosenthal thanked the group for the great job they are doing. She believes there is a consensus to move forward with a resolution at a Village Board meeting. She asked for suggestions and steps to move forward to educate the community. Trustee Jester stated that he believes the climate data is being used as a scare tactic and that the Village does not contribute to the global tipping point. He believes that nuclear power should be part of the solution. He believes their solutions are not technologically sound. Trustee Oppenheim noted she believes every community contributes and every community should be looking at making changes. Trustee Seiden stated he would like to Village to be a leader in this issue. Residential Lighting Concerns and Regulations Mr. Lichterman introduced the item, outlining past actions and previously proposed regulations that were tabled after working with residents to solve the problems. Mr. Case noted that enforcement of any lighting regulations would be difficult. He asked the Mayor and Board for direction on whether or not to place additional regulations. Mayor Rosenthal noted that the previous proposal would not have fixed the problems that it was trying to address. Mr. Lichterman noted regulations could be based on bulb wattage and light trespass. Mr. Lichterman noted that some lighting is for security. He noted that these lights could be placed on motion sensors. Trustee Shapiro inquired about similar regulations in other communities. Mr. Lichterman noted that Highland Park and Lake Forest have regulations in place. Trustee Oppenheim noted she thought lighting regulations could lead to enforcement issues. Trustee Shapiro agreed. He noted that there are only two issues with residential lighting in a community of more than 18,000 people. Trustee Struthers noted that in some cases bright lights can intrude on a neighbor’s ability to enjoy their own backyards. Trustee Jester asked staff to find a reasonable standard and let residents litigate the issue. Mayor Rosenthal requested a pros and cons list regarding various types of lighting and regulations. Mr. Case noted it would be helpful to delineate between decorative lighting and security lighting. He suggested tying the lighting to the same time as the noise ordinance for decorative lighting. Dr. Levy reiterated his desire for lighting regulation. He believes his neighbor’s lighting is intrusive. He discussed a petition that was signed by six families. He believes the current situation has led to an adversarial relationship with his neighbor. He suggested the lumens be limited on outdoor sconces and regulations for spot lights that require them to face downward. He believes that lights should be facing the home, not away from the home. He also requested a maximum height requirement for attached lights to homes. Trustee Seiden noted he had a security light installed and his neighbor asked him to turn it down, so he did. He does not believe these individual instances require new regulation, just a neighborly approach. Trustee Seiden suggested that the police determine appropriateness of lighting. Chief Sliozis noted that police need regulations to be able to enforce them. Mayor Rosenthal requested staff develop lighting regulations for sport courts. Trustee Shapiro noted that it is unfortunate that neighbors can’t get together to solve problems. Mr. Lichterman recommended following regulations set by the lighting engineers association. Tree Houses and Play Houses Mr. Lichterman reported that the Village does not regulate tree houses or play houses. He outlined two current structures that have become issues with residents and ComEd. Trustee Oppenheim noted the Village does have rules for accessory structures, such as sheds and garages. Mr. Case noted he proposed including these as accessory structures and define them in the Zoning Ordinance. This would require minimum setbacks. Mr. Burk reported on the outcome from a state audit of the telecommunications tax that resulted in a payment of $4.4 million. Adjournment There being no further discussion, Trustee Oppenheim moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion was adjourned at 11:42 a.m. Respectfully submitted, David Fitzgerald Management Analyst