Park Ridge Sustainability Commission Meeting - March 4, 2026

The Park Ridge Sustainability Commission met on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Six of nine commissioners were present, meeting quorum requirements (five of nine). The meeting covered a wide range of sustainability topics including an EV readiness program deadline, community composting metrics, farmers market reconfiguration, and a single-use bag ordinance. No members of the public spoke.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the February 4, 2026 meeting.

Discussion Items

• Decision Making Structure: The commission discussed an email from Andrea Klein regarding the decision-making structure. All present agreed to continue the current informal consensus-based approach. No formal vote was taken, but consensus was recorded.
• Calendar & Upcoming Events: Key upcoming events were reviewed:
  • April 18: Park Ridge Park District Earth Day Fair (commission will staff a table; shifts to be organized).
  • April 23 (Thursday): One Earth Film Festival (location to be confirmed, likely at the church).
  • April 25: Friends of the Parks bike sale (possible informal info table).
  • May: Bike Month proclamation (needs to be submitted by mid-April city council meeting).
  • June 27 (Saturday): EV Expo at the triangle lot (location to be confirmed).
  • Regular commission meetings: April 1, May 6, June 3.
• Mobility: Brad Olson circulated a draft memo to Drew regarding engagement on the new bike plan. The memo highlights prior commission discussions for the consultant. Commissioners were asked to provide feedback by email within two weeks; if no concerns, the memo will be sent without a formal vote. Community bike rides scheduling is in progress, with promotion assistance from Wheel & Sprocket.
• Waste and Recycling – Single-Use Bag Ordinance: The first reading of the ordinance occurred on Monday (March 2 or 3). The second reading is scheduled for the March 18 city council meeting. A concern about accessibility for employees with disabilities was raised; Michelle Agreda researched and found no documented issues. She will continue to investigate.
• Community Composting: Vanessa Anderson reported that the community composting program has collected over 5,000 pounds since installation (nearly one year). The breakdown is ~3,700 pounds at the triangle lot (five bins) and ~1,600 pounds at D-Road (three bins). Urban Canopy, the current hauler, has 150 residential participants. The portal provides metrics on emissions reduction. Educational materials and potential events (e.g., pumpkin smash) were discussed. The commission plans to track waste more closely and prepare for the transition to the new waste hauler (SBC), which will offer residential food/yard waste collection—a different service from the community composting.
• Farmers Market: The market reconfiguration moves it from the parking lot to the street. The exact location for the commission’s table is pending; they will coordinate closer to the start. Dates for the 2026 season need to be set, with a goal of having each commissioner work 2-3 shifts to spread the load. Service hours for local students will be offered (St. Paul of the Cross and possibly Mary Seat of Wisdom). The market also requested children’s engagement activities; ideas included coloring sheets, a composting game, and reuse activities.
• Education and Outreach: A Girl Scout troop from Field School (2nd graders) requested a presentation on composting and recycling. Michelle Agreda and another commissioner will coordinate. The commission plans to create an FAQ/educational memo about the new SBC composting service once details are finalized, and to use QR codes and social media to disseminate information.
• Climate/Energy – Electric Vehicle (EV) Memo: The EV memo (dated January 2026, needs correction from “2025”) recommends applying to the Metro Mayors Caucus EV Readiness Program. The application requires adopting the Greenest Region Compact (already done) and submitting a letter of commitment by April 30 to join the waitlist. There is no financial commitment; staff time for meetings is the main requirement. Commissioners discussed whether to include a budget recommendation for EV charger installation in the same memo. Consensus was to separate the budget ask (for the 2027 budget) and present the EV readiness request as a first step. The memo will be revised accordingly and brought back for final approval at the next meeting.
• Municipal Aggregation Grant Funds: Kevin Roose presented a list of how other municipalities use their aggregation grant (e.g., sidewalk improvements, environmental initiatives). The commission discussed possible uses: EV chargers, an electric mower/blower exchange program, street lighting upgrades (a meeting with Public Works is scheduled for March 12), or a resident sustainability grant. No specific project was selected. The consensus is to recommend that the funds be used for sustainability broadly, and to return with a specific proposal later. This may be included as an addendum to a future memo.
• Community Solar: Kevin Roose reported that Deerfield and others promote MC Squared as their official community solar provider. Options include direct link to Citizens Utility Board’s comparison tool or endorsing a single provider with vetted terms. The commission will research further and potentially invite Adam Hoover from NIMEC to present on pros and cons.

Key Outcomes

• Decision Making Structure: Retained informal consensus (no formal vote).
• Mobility Memo: To be finalized via email feedback; to be sent to Drew within two weeks if no concerns.
• EV Memo: To be revised to separate the EV readiness application (step one) from the budget recommendation (step two). Revised version to be approved at the April 1 meeting.
• Composting Data: Recorded as 5,000+ pounds collected; will be used for social media and education.
• Farmers Market: Planning to set dates at next meeting; shifts to be scheduled.
• Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (note: not a joke).
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by consensus.