Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2026-05-26

Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting Agenda
May 26, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Village Hall, 5127 Oakton, Skokie, IL, Conference Room D/E

1) Call to Order
1) Roll Call/Declaration of Quorum
2) Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 24, 2026
3) Old Business
 a) Residential Sustainability Awards
 b) Event Recap
 i) Spring Greening
 ii) Home & Energy Resource Fair
 iii) River Clean Up
 iv) CMAP Steering Committee Meeting
 v) International Compost Awareness Week
4) New Business
 a) Adoption of Code of Conduct and Public Comment Rules
 b) Farmers’ Market Tabling (Call for Volunteers)
 i) June 14
 ii) June 28
 iii) July 12
 iv) September 27
 v) October 4
 c) 2025 Greenhouse Gas Update
5) Public Comment (3 minutes per person, not to exceed 15 minutes total)
6) Announcements

The Village, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that persons with
disabilities who require certain accommodations to allow them to observe or participate in this
hearing, or who have questions about the accessibility of the meeting facilities, contact the
Village’s ADA coordinator Angel Schnur at angel.schnur@skokie.org or 847/933.8400.
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 a) Advisory Boards and Commissions Reception, Thursday, June 25, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30
 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
7) Adjournment


Next meeting of this board/commission is scheduled for June 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. Village Hall
Conference Room D/E
Individuals with questions or feedback about an agenda item may contact Lisa Sanzenbacher by
calling 847/933-8282 or Elizabeth Zimmerman by calling 847-933-8427 or by emailing
publiccomments@skokie.org. All emails and comments submitted will be made public and
shared with this body.




The Village, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that persons with
disabilities who require certain accommodations to allow them to observe or participate in this
hearing, or who have questions about the accessibility of the meeting facilities, contact the
Village’s ADA coordinator Angel Schnur at angel.schnur@skokie.org or 847/933.8400.
Doc #

Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 26, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Village Hall | 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077 | Conference Room D/E



Call to Order

Meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM in Conference Room D/E at Skokie Village Hall


Roll Call / Declaration of Quorum

In Attendance: Chairperson Jennifer Grossman, Vice Chair Jim McNelis, Commissioners
Christopher Buccola, Michael Gershbein, Lisa Gotkin, Robert Render, Charles Saxe, Ryan
Tappel, Assistant Public Works Director / Sta Liaison Elizabeth Zimmerman

Not in Attendance: Commissioners Andrew DeCanniere, Emily Okallau, Trudy Turner

Guest: Lee Hansen, Skokie Park District


Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 24, 2026

A motion was made by Vice Chair McNelis to approve the minutes from the March 24, 2026
meeting of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission, seconded by
Commissioner Gotkin. The minutes were approved as presented.


Old Business


Residential Sustainability Awards

Vice Chair McNelis discussed the program and shared an interview regarding the
Residential Sustainability Awards that was conducted by Commissioner DeCanniere.
A form of the interview is to appear in the Summer 2026 edition of NewSkokie.




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Event Recap — Home & Energy Resource Fair

Chairperson Grossman inquired how else the funds could be used, other than for the
incentive. Event itself was the draw. Library did not have signage. In future, it was suggested
that signs could be purchased. Food not necessary. Commissioners reviewed the
slideshow that was provided to them by Sustainability Coordinator / Sta Liaison Lisa
Sanzenbacher prior to the meeting. Only 3.3 percent of attendees heard about program
from the direct mailer. Most read about the event in the Village’s electronic newsletter,
The Scoop.


Event Recap — River Clean Up

Weather was good, event was well attended. Mayor Tennes was in attendance and
delivered the opening remarks.


CMAP Steering Committee Meeting

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is working with the Village’s Steering
Committee. There was a presentation, and they provided a link and a survey to identify
areas of concern. Commissioner Saxe recommended that a Bike Audit be conducted.
Commissioner Render suggested such an audit be conducted by the SEAC.


International Compost Awareness Week

Discussion of video that could be sent to Homeowners Associations (HOA’s) ensued.
Additionally, there was some discussion of contamination.


New Business


Adoption of Code of Conduct and Public Comment Rules


Farmers’ Market Tabling (Call for Volunteers)

Commission wanted clari cation on the potential extension of the Yellow Line (a.k.a.
Skokie Swift). Sta Liaison Zimmerman stated that bike path talks regarding the Skokie
Valley Trail were happening to propose workaround. Additionally, it was noted that the
Church Street bike lanes are in.

Farmers’ Market and Hefty ReNew program was discussed, including the potential for a
Hefty bag giveaway. Alternatively, a sample could be made available. Additional questions

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ensued, including whether a compost bin could be added or moved from back of Village
Hall, as well as whether there are any freebies left.


2025 Greenhouse Gas Update

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) update was tabled.


Public Comment — 3 minutes per person, not to exceed 15 minute total

No public comments were received.


Announcements

Commissioner Render wanted to know if the SEAC wants to meet with City of Evanston.
Can tackle ideas for regional cooperation.


Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM with a motion from
Commissioner Gershbein, seconded by Commissioner Buccola.


Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM




Respectfully Submitted,


___________________________________________________
Elizabeth Zimmerman, Assistant Public Works Director




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