Development News for Park Ridge, Illinois

New Bike Plan Development Underway; City to Issue RFP for Consultant

The Sustainability Commission received a positive update on the mobility work item, specifically regarding the development of a new bike plan. A meeting with Drew indicated strong interest from the city staff in advancing this plan. The city intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an outside consultant to develop the bike plan, with responses expected by Labor Day. The plan is anticipated to guide future projects, potentially replacing the need for separate initiatives like 'sberos'. The commission also discussed the possibility of the bike plan's scope potentially rolling over into the next year, necessitating protection in the upcoming budget. Additionally, commission member(s) plan to organize more community bike rides and reach out to the health commission regarding bike safety explorations.

Sustainability Commission Debates Budget Priorities, Reusable Bags, and Speaker Events

The Sustainability Commission discussed potential budget items for the upcoming year, including funding for reusable bags as part of outreach following the plastic bag ban, with a recommendation of approximately $2,000 for 500 bags. They also considered reallocating funds from underutilized speaker events to other initiatives, potentially for the reusable bag program or other community events. The commission noted that speaker events have historically had low turnout and suggested focusing on co-sponsoring events or engaging in existing ones like the farmers market for better impact. A discussion also occurred regarding the feasibility and potential cost of a summer intern or coordinator position, which had been cut from the previous year's budget.

Sustainability Commission Approves Funds for Composting Educational Materials

The Sustainability Commission discussed and approved a motion to expend up to $100 from the budget for educational materials related to composting, specifically for a composting game and other related items. Tracy, a commission member, will be responsible for purchasing these materials. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Community Composting Services Under Review Amidst Contamination and Budget Concerns

The Sustainability Commission discussed the ongoing use and potential budget needs for community composting collection sites. While usage remains high despite the introduction of SBC services, the commission anticipates needing to run close to budget and may require an amendment. For the next year, they are considering the need for extra bins during the months when composting is not typically offered (December, January, February, March). A discussion also ensued about contamination issues in the compost bins, including plastic bottles and non-compostable bags, and the potential need for additional garbage and recycling bins nearby. The commission plans to investigate the feasibility and cost of providing these additional bins and explore whether SBC or another provider like Urban Canopy should handle the service, with a preference for Urban Canopy due to greater confidence in their processing of materials.