Lake County Planning, Building, Zoning, and Environment Committee Meeting - July 29, 2025

The Lake County Planning, Building, Zoning, and Environment Committee met on July 29, 2025, at 10:32 AM. Chair Aldenberg called the meeting to order with a quorum present, including member Schlick participating electronically. The meeting included a public comment, a consent agenda, and two major discussion items: an environmentally preferred purchasing policy and an energy program update.

Consent Calendar

• A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by member Compost, seconded by member Frank, and passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrea Gualdron, a student from Stevenson High School, expressed interest in becoming involved with the county board. She noted her experience with GIS data, zoning laws, and actuarial programs (e.g., Modeling the Future Challenge) and her collaboration skills through Science Olympiad. No specific agenda item was addressed.

Discussion Items

Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy

• Robin Grooms, Sustainability Programs Manager, and Yvette Alberin, Purchasing Manager, presented the initial draft of an environmentally preferred purchasing policy, which would take effect in 2026. The policy aims to incorporate sustainability into county procurement through employee training, purchasing guides, eco-label certification forms, and a 5% price preference for green vendors in competitive bids. The 5% threshold was chosen based on national models and applies only when the green option meets specifications, is within budget, and is available with reasonable competition.
• Key statistics: The policy could add up to $3.535 million in additional costs if all 33 construction bids in 2024 had a green option, but the presenters emphasized that the policy is not intended to inflate budgets. Eco-labels would be third-party verified to avoid greenwashing.
• Member Frank questioned interaction with state/federal transportation funds and IT energy consumption. Staff clarified that the policy would not conflict with grants or statutes and that IT procurements can include sustainability specifications in RFPs.
• Member Knijznek sought clarity on how the 5% preference interacts with the Responsible Bidder Ordinance. Staff confirmed that compliance with the ordinance is a prerequisite before applying the green preference.
• Member Wasley raised circular economy concerns, including electronics recycling. Staff noted that existing surplus and recycling policies, as well as bid specifications, already address this.
• Member Maine expressed caution about competing eco-labels and suggested focusing on a few measurable metrics (e.g., carbon or water usage) rather than relying on labels alone. He also asked about labor practices, but staff stated the policy currently covers only environmental factors.
• Member Schlick (remote) advocated for guardrails beyond 5% (e.g., a dollar cap) and expressed concern that a single green bidder could exploit the preference. He argued for requiring more than one green bidder to trigger the preference.
• Chair Aldenberg and member Compost emphasized the importance of local businesses and the need for purchasing staff to have flexibility in decision-making.
• Member Peterson raised budget concerns, noting that cost increases could reduce the number of projects completed.
• Member Velitzik (remote) supported the policy, arguing that government purchasing power can drive market change and that climate adaptation costs may justify such investments.
• Member Frank clarified that the policy does not preclude staff from rejecting a green bidder if they are not responsive or responsible.
• Staff response: Yvette Alberin noted that the committee's feedback would inform revisions, and the policy may appear on the next day's Financial & Administrative Committee agenda for further discussion, not final action.

Energy Program Update

• Carl Fuchs, the new Energy Program Manager, presented an overarching framework for decarbonizing county operations, aligned with the 2020 board resolution to reduce emissions 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2040, and procure 100% renewable energy by 2040. He noted that buildings account for 65% of Lake County's emissions.
• Program goals include reducing total energy usage by 30% by 2040, reducing energy use intensity (EUI) by 20% by 2040, evaluating energy efficiency in all building upgrades, completing a facility-level decarbonization plan for major buildings by 2027, and creating a countywide investment plan by 2027.
• Strategic pillars emphasize energy efficiency, electrification and renewables, energy data management, resilience, strategic funding, and leadership. A seven-step program cycle (data foundation, performance review, goal setting, strategic planning, execution, evaluation, and recognition) will guide repeatable, data-driven progress.
• Member Wasek asked about partnerships, such as with ComEd. Staff confirmed ongoing data partnerships and plans to seek grants and funding opportunities.
• Member Frank commended the framework's comprehensive approach.
• Staff response: Carl Fuchs and Director Carl Carrar noted that the next steps include completing data collection and benchmarking, and they will return with progress updates in a few months.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
• No votes were taken on the environmentally preferred purchasing policy or the energy program; both were presented for discussion and feedback.
• Staff will incorporate committee input into the purchasing policy and will present it again for potential action at a future meeting.
• The energy program will continue with data collection and benchmarking, with a progress report expected in early fall.
• The meeting adjourned without executive session; the next meeting will include a review of executive session minutes.