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Memorandum
TO: Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commissioners
FROM:
Lisa Sanzenbacher, Sustainability Coordinator, Manager’s Office
DATE: January 29, 2026
SUBJECT: January 27, 2026 Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission (SEAC) Meeting Minutes
Meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM in Conference Room D/E at Skokie Village Hall Present:
Chairperson Jennifer Grossman, Vice Chair Jim McNelis, Commissioners Christopher Buccola Michael
Gershbein, Lisa Gotkin, Emily Okallau, Robert Render, Charles Saxe, Lisa Sanzenbacher, Sustainability
Coordinator, Trustee Lissa Levy
Absent (Excused): Commissioners Andrew DeCanniere, Olivia Mahoney
Also Present: Lauren Grodnicki, Liaison, Go Green Skokie Ania Ocasio, Joule Power Communities
Public: Lee Hansen (Emily Oaks), Jim Barnard (Go Green Skokie)
I. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Okallau to approve the minutes from the October 28, 2025 meeting
of the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission, seconded by Commissioner Gotkin. The minutes
were approved as presented.
II. Old Business
a. Recap of the Skokie Green Business Recognition event
Commissioner Grossman recapped the events at Sketchbook Brewery and the Village board meeting
to award the 11 Skokie businesses with the Green Business recognition. C. Grossman commented it was
well attended and a good program. Sustainability Coordinator added that the next cohort of businesses will
begin soon in 2026 with a focus on energy benchmarking for the businesses.
b. Recap of Pumpkin Smash.
Commissioners Saxe and Gershbein said it was well attended, but questioned how it
compares to previous years. S.C. Sanzenbacher said Skokie composted 1.95 tons in 2026,
just slightly less than the previous year of 2.6 tons. She also commented that region
wide, communities composted over 200 tons of pumpkins, reducing Greenhouse Gas
emission by 144tCO2e, through the organization, SCARCE.
III. New Business
a. Introduction of Ania Ocasio, Joule Power Community
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Ania was recently hired by Joule Power Communities to help with the outreach efforts to
enroll Skokie residents in the new Community Solar Program. She shared her background
as well as her enthusiasm to begin. Her contract is for one year and paid for by Joule. The
Village does not pay for her time nor marketing materials. However, the Village helps the
outreach efforts by suggesting events to attend, providing connections to other
organizations and reserving rooms in the Library. She requested the Commissioners review
the outreach toolkit and continue to talk about Community Solar with the community.
Ania encouraged Commissioners to email her directly at ania@joulecommunitypower.com
with additional ideas of where to do outreach.
b. Approval of the 2026 SEAC Meetings Calendar
i. A motion was made by Commissioner Okallau to approve the 2026 Calendar,
seconded by Commissioner Vice Chair McNelis. S.C. Sanzenbacher noted that the
April 21st meeting will be the Energy Resource Fair, at the Skokie Public Library, in
lieu of a traditional meeting. More discussion of the resource fair is discussed in
item III. e. and f.
c. Commission rules and Membership
i. S.C. Sanzenbacher expressed gratitude to former SEAC Commissioners Alma Likic
and Rick Moskovitz. She also noted that the Mayor has been interviewing for open
positions and the Office will report back when there are candidates to appoint.
Discussion ensued regarding how candidates are chosen and the interview
process, lead by Trustee Levy. Commissioners wish to submit to the Mayor and the
Board certain criteria for someone to be considered on SEAC, as well as short
biographies of current members.
ii. S.C. Sanzenbacher reviewed the current meeting norms, as dictated by the Open
Meetings Act. She noted that there will be a formal training for Boards and
Commissions Chairs, Vice-Chairs and staff liaisons on February 12, with the new
Village Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod. The training will include information
about the Open Meetings Act, highlighting the process, procedures, notice, rules
of order, public hearing guidelines and public comments during meetings.
Commissioners requested to have clarification for subcommittee rules.
d. Sustainability Plan 2025 Updates
i. S.C Sanzenbacher asked for any updates or changes to the 2025 Sustainability Plan
update, which was reviewed under “Updates” in the Sustainability webpage.
ahead of the meeting. Commissioners gave updates.
e. Important April/ Earth Month Volunteer Events
i. Chair Grossman noted that there are multiple events in April that need the help of
SEAC volunteers:
1. Spring Greening - Sunday, April 12 (8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.) Commissioners are
encouraged to register with the Skokie Park District closer to the date to sign
up for a volunteer shift
2. Energy & Home Repair Resource Fair (Skokie Public Library)
a. Monday, April 13 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. SEAC members are
welcome to volunteer, but S.C Sanzenbacher noted the timing may
not be optimal with work schedules.
b. Tuesday, April 21 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. This event is in lieu of
the April SEAC meeting. Commissioners are invited to volunteer in
shifts as their schedule allows. They are encouraged to talk to event
attendees about the benefits of implementing energy efficiency and
renewable energy improvements to their home. S.C. Sanzenbacher
stated that even though representatives from the utilities and Illinois
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Solar for All will be there, it is also helpful to have neighbors talk to
other neighbors about the benefits.
f. Low Income Energy Efficiency Outreach and Engagement Grant Opportunity: “Village of
Skokie Energy Connections Initiative: Expanding Awareness to Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Programs”
i. S.C Sanzenbacher noted that Skokie received a $19,107 grant to help low- and
moderate-income households lower energy costs through efficiency and renewable
energy programs.
ii. The one-year initiative (through December 2026) will provide multilingual outreach,
targeted mailings, and community resource fairs.
iii. The program expands the Skokie Home Improvement Program by connecting
residents to ComEd, Nicor free programs and the Illinois Solar for All program
iv. Village staff and community partners will support outreach, track results, and report
outcomes to guide future efforts: SEAC will assist in developing educational
materials, promoting workshops and community events, and sharing information
through their established sustainability networks and partnerships.
1. Checks off many Sustainability Plan action Item boxes: LH 2-1, LH 2-3, BE 1-2,
BE 3-1, BE 4-1, HS1-4
IV. Other Business
C. Saxe informed the group that a draft ordinance of e-motos was discussed at the Public Safety
Commission and is consistent with Ride Illinois’ recommendations.
C. Render commented that Collective Resource merged with Urban Canopy for curb-side
composting in Skokie.
Trustee Levy requested to have Janet Ginsberg to come speak to the Commission regarding
sustainable materials. Commissioners are interested to have the speaker come. Trustee Levy will
coordinate with the speaker.
V. Public Comment
Skokie resident Jim Barnard urges the commission to promote solar panels, especially those on the
Weber center, and that the public should be aware of these panels
During the meeting, it was noted that Lauren Grodnicki has been made an official liaison for Go
Green Skokie.
VI. Next Meeting
February 24, 2026
VII. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM with a motion from Commissioner
Okallau, seconded by Commissioner Saxe.
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