Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2018-03-08

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, March 8, 2018

 Village Hall – 2nd floor Conference Rooms D & E
 7:00 p.m.


 AGENDA
 U




 I. Call to Order



 II. Approval of Minutes



 III. Jenny Grossman, JD, Chair
 Skokie Environmental Sustainability Advisory Commission
 First year update: Environmental Sustainability Plan



 IV. Chair’s Report
 • Boards and Commissions Dinner – March 12, Holiday Inn




 V. Director’s Monthly Report




 VI. Old/New Items of Business
 • Tobacco 21



 VII. Next Meeting:

 April 12, 2018, 7:00 p.m.
 Village Hall 2nd Floor Conference Rooms D & E

 Will Evans, Chair
 Skokie Human Relations Commission
#516486 – v9

Skokie Board of Health
 Committee Meeting Minutes
 March 8, 2018

Present Excused Absent
Mr. Abbasi Dr. Sood Mr. Pandya Ms. Black
Dr. Dave Dr. Topouzian Ms. Nickisch Duggan
Dr. Drachler Ms. Urbanus Dr. Gaynes
Ms. Jones Ms. Varma
Dr. Prince Dr. Werner
Dr. Shim Dr. Vernon
 Dr. Williams

Bruce A. Jones, Staff
Guest, George Issakoo - Assistant to the Public Works Director and Staff Liaison for the Environmental
Sustainability Advisory Commission


A. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman.


B. Approval of Board of Health Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the February 8th meeting were approved as
 corrected. Dr. Drachler introduced new board member Mr. Irtaza Usman.


C. Presentation: Jenny Grossman, JD, Chair, Skokie Environmental Sustainability Advisory Commission
 (SEAC) Progress update: Environmental Sustainability Plan (copy attached)
 Ms. Grossman spoke about the SEAC and gave a progress update on their work to fulfill the Environmental
 Sustainability Plan. She mentioned that the SEAC has divided into sub-committee groups, in order to
 effectively work on each section of the plan.

 1. Water Management
 Objectives:
 • Reduce commercial, industrial and residential water usage through conservation.
 • Use natural systems to reclaim used water and storm runoff.

 Progress to date:
 • Met with the Park District to review the District’s pesticide management practices
 • Looking at how the Village regulates and limits impervious surfaces.
 • Actively monitors accomplishments of rain barrel program.
 • Will sponsor a tree planting initiative this spring by waiving the 50/50 cost-share on Village planted
 parkway trees.

 2. Air Quality (there is currently no SEAC sub-committee working on this priority area)
 Objectives:
 • Hire a contractor to conduct a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Skokie by 2021. Local data
 will guide best practices.
 • Increase the electric, biodiesel, and Flex Fuel vehicles in the Village fleet.
 • Continue to improve Village infrastructure to increase energy efficiency.
 • Apply complete streets policies to reduce dependence on motor vehicles.
 3. Energy Conservation
 Objectives:
 • Create an energy reduction goal for the entire Village.
 • Promote the use of renewable energy sources.
 • Increase energy efficiency of new and existing development.
 • Establish land use policies that maximize energy conservation.
 • Increase surface cooling shade by updating landscaping design guidelines.
 • Continue to participate in the Tree City USA program; try to return to the Tree City Growth Award.

 Progress to date:
 • Co-hosted a workshop on home solar energy installations.
 • Looking at how Village code regulates solar power and wind power installations.
 • Actively monitoring legislation in Springfield relating to solar and wind power incentives.

 4. Transportation (most active sub-committee):
 Objectives:
 • Implement the Complete Streets Policy and evaluate effectiveness.
 • Reduce the dependence on automobiles by promoting walking, bicycling, and public transportation.
 • Enhance biking and walking routes to schools.
 • Evaluate the feasibility of extending the Divvy bicycle program into Skokie.

 Progress to date:
 • Participates in the Village Complete Streets Steering Committee.
 • Monitored and participated in PACE’s updating of their routing study for the Skokie Service Area.
 • Monitoring Village bike lane and trail development, provide input on trouble areas within the system.
 • Reviewed findings of Mark Fenton’s recent walk audit of downtown Skokie and will be providing
 input on projects relating to Complete Streets.
 • Participated in “Pop-Up” event at Niles North High School, which involved the placement of
 temporary traffic calming devices on Lawler Avenue. This was in conjunction with Active
 Transportation Alliance and the Complete Streets Steering Committee.

 5. Waste Management
 Objectives:
 • Increase recycling to decrease the volume of trash sent to landfills.
 • Evaluate disincentives for using plastic bags at stores.
 • Set a percentage goal for materials recycled as a Village.
 • Encourage the use of reusable water bottles to reduce plastic waste.
 • Explore expanding recycling to include food scraps, textiles and other materials.

 Progress to date:
 • In Skokie recycling lags behind the national trend (23% vs. 34%). In the past 5 years refuse collection
 in the Village increased 4 % while recycling has declined 2 %, despite marketing and education
 efforts. Discussed concerns with lack of recycling participation and the SEAC will be conducting a
 more detailed analysis of recycling participation and program limits.
 • Is actively monitoring staff’s pursuit of a curbside textile recycling program – currently in concept a
 joint venture with the City of Evanston and the Village of Lincolnwood.
 • Sponsored Village’s first pumpkin recycling event.
 • Successfully encouraged Village Trustees to allow food scrap composting in approved containers,
 following a pilot study.

 Ms. Grossman concluded by stating the SEAC would like to engage and work in collaboration with the Board


#531019, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes March 8, 2018
 of Health on any particular topics of interest within the Environmental Sustainability Plan.


 Discussion
 Dr. Counard asked if the SEAC or Public Works has set a target for recycling. Mr. Issakoo and
 Ms. Grossman replied that while this is great idea they have not established a specific target percentage for
 recycling. Mr. Issakoo and Ms. Grossman clarified that the diversion rate shown in the presentation does not
 include businesses.

 Dr. Drachler stated the BOH is interested in encouraging businesses to recycle, because most businesses in
 Skokie are not recycling. Mr. Issakoo and Ms. Grossman agreed this was important, and said that the SEAC
 is working to promote commercial recycling as well.

 Dr. Counard added that when Ann Tennes, Marketing Director, recently spoke with the BOH the same
 concern was raised. The BOH would like to encourage smaller businesses to use the one 95 gallon cart that is
 provided through the Village contract. This cart is insufficient to meet the needs of larger businesses.

 Dr. Williams stated that residential recycling carts are often filled well before the garbage cart. Skokie should
 switch the sizes and provide larger recycling carts and smaller garbage carts. Could the BOH help promote
 this idea? Perhaps it could be as simple as switching the cans and marking the garbage can as recycling.

 Dr. Topouzian mentioned that the Hyatt Hotel has a garbage collection bin marked for paper, plastic, and
 cans. Dr. Drachler acknowledged he has seen these all over the world, to make it easy for people to recycle.

 Mr. Abbasi asked why recycling is declining? Ms. Grossman replied that in part the decrease might not
 reflect a decrease in the number of people recycling, but rather a decrease in the amount of materials recycled,
 because many companies are reducing packaging.

 Dr. Dave asked about giving a discount on Skokie vehicle licenses for having energy efficient vehicles.
 Mr. Issakoo responded that Public Works would look into the possibility of a discounted vehicle license fee.
 He added that the Village is promoting electric vehicle use by replacing older municipal vehicles with electric
 vehicles, and adding a second charging station for public use at Village Hall.

 Dr. Williams asked about take out containers and offering restaurants a cost sharing program to promote
 recycling. There was discussion about people bringing in their own reusable take-out containers. Mr. Jones
 said he would look into that possibility.

 Dr. Werner asked about ornamental lawns and water conservation. Ms. Grossman stated that the SEAC is in
 favor of using native plants to conserve water.

 Dr. Drachler asked about bike lanes and combining them with other communities going east and west.
 Ms. Grossman replied that the SEAC agrees with this concept, and the Church Street bike lane will connect
 with lanes in Evanston and Morton Grove. Also, there will be continued work to extend the Old Orchard
 Road paths.

 A question was raised about cost sharing or Skokie incentives for solar panels on homes. Ms. Grossman
 replied that Skokie does not offer any incentives but there are State tax incentives. She added that the BOH
 might assist with the renewable energy priority by considering possible improved health outcomes.

 Ms. Jones spoke about energy conservation and some basic things people can do to make their homes energy
 efficient. Ms. Grossman said these are the types of things the SEAC energy sub-committee is looking at too.


#531019, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes March 8, 2018
 Ms. Grossman concluded the lively discussion by mentioning that on an overall basis the SEAC would look
 for support from the BOH on any issue they bring to the Board of Trustees. Perhaps there could be further
 thought and discussion about collaborating?


D. Chair’s Report
 Dr. Drachler reminded the Board about the “Boards & Commissions Appreciation Reception” this coming
 Monday March 12th. Several BOH members will receive years of service awards: Dr. Drachler – 15 years,
 Ruth Varma – 15 years, Dr. Gaynes – 10 years, Dr. Topouzian – 10 years, and Mr. Abbasi – 5 years.

 Dr. Drachler mentioned that just prior to this evening’s BOH meeting he had stopped by the Lincoln Junior
 High School for a Drug Awareness Facts & Myths program. David Clough from the Health Department was
 also in attendance at this event. Dr. Drachler added that there was an excellent speaker from the Lake County
 Health Department who discussed “the truth about vaping”. He suggested we invite her to speak to the BOH.

 Dr. Dave stated there was a recent issue with junior high students vaping during a basketball game.

 Dr. Williams spoke about a new pediatric research study that identified additional hazards from vaping
 because of the heavy metals used within the batteries for vaping units.

 Dr. Drachler announced that the BOH proposed “Tobacco 21” ordinance change will be presented to the
 Village Trustees at the April 16, 2018 meeting. At that same meeting the “Public Health Partners in
 Excellence” Awards will be presented to the Niles Township Food Pantry and the Solid Waste Agency of
 Northern Cook County (SWANCC), in recognition of their recycling programs.

 Dr. Drachler commented that he and Dr. Counard will attend the BOH Budget Hearing meeting on the
 evening of Monday, April 23, 2018.

 Dr. Drachler concluded his report by asking Mr. Usman to give a quick 5 minute introduction about his
 personal and professional background at the next monthly meeting in April.


E. Health Director’s Monthly Report:
 Dr. Counard presented the February Monthly Report – a copy is attached. Report highlights:

 • Chamber of Commerce Supports Board of Health Tobacco 21 Proposal
 On February 12, the Skokie Chamber of Commerce overwhelmingly voted to support increasing the age
 to purchase or sell tobacco products to 21 years in the Village. Dr. A. Michael Drachler and Dr. Timothy
 Sanborn, NorthShore Cardiology, spoke with the Chamber. The ordinance change will be presented to
 the Village Trustees at their April 16, 2018 meeting.

 • Health Director invited to give CDC Preventive Medicine Grand Rounds
 Health Director Dr. Catherine Counard was invited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
 give a national webinar about the Skokie Community Health Plan – focusing on the process we use for
 conducting community health needs assessments and creating the plan. Fifty-two public health
 physicians participated remotely, and were very interested in our work.

 • South Asian Healthy Lifestyle Initiative (SAHELI )
 The SAHELI team conducted its first health fair at the Metropolitan Asian Family Services site in Niles.
 Twenty-five people qualified for the study and are interested in participating. The first group educational
 and exercise sessions will begin in April 2018


#531019, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes March 8, 2018
 • Turning Point Town Hall Meeting – Health Dept. Participation
 Susan Reisberg, David Clough and Darlene Codd represented the Health Department at the Turning Point
 Behavioral Health Care Center Town Hall meeting at the Skokie Public Library. The panel of elected
 officials and local experts discussed mental health care access and the impact of current political and
 economic factors on mental health services.

 • NACCHO MRC Challenge Grant
 The Health Department received a $7,500 grant from the National Association of County and City Health
 Officials (NACCHO), to support the Medical Reserve Corp efforts to reach the foreign-born population.
 The funds will cover translation of Emergency Preparedness and communicable disease education
 material into Skokie’s top six languages (Arabic, Urdu, Tagalog, Russian, Chinese and Spanish).


F. Old/New Items of Business
 None


Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.


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Next Board of Health Meeting:
April 12, 2018 7:00 p.m.
Village Hall – 2nd floor Conference Rooms D & E


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#531019, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes March 8, 2018