ANNOUNCEMENTS
(noted provided by the crafty and courageous Barb Lintner)
The Champaign Rotary Corn Toast and Golf Outing will be July 21.
Sign Up now for our Habitat for Humanity build on August 2.
We were reminded to get our dues payments in for 2014-15.
SPEAKER
Lacey Rains Lowe, member of the Advanced Planning Division of the Planning Department for the City of Champaign, spoke to us this morning about “Champaign Growing Greener.” Lacey graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and then received her master’s degree in urban planning at Clemson University.
“Our City is a model for environmental sustainability” was the future oriented goal adopted by the Champaign City Council in 2013. This includes seven focus areas: green economy, water, the built environment, energy, transportation behavior, solid waste and recycling, food and urban agriculture.
To achieve the goal it was necessary to create benchmarks and Lacey shared some of the results. A study of greenhouse gas emissions in Champaign revealed that 22% of emissions are from vehicles, 28% from power plants, and 28% residential. Energy efficiency studies yielded the information that 44% of use came from street lights, 1% from traffic lights. By changing to LED’s the city has saved $162,000 per year. 15% of Champaign residents walk or bike to work; 65% drive alone. The city has encouraged staff to use zip cars and the bike pool to attend meetings. 2/3 of water use is residential but the demand per person has steadily decreased in the past 10 years due to low flow fixtures. 90 % of waste in Illinois is from construction and demolition, food, and paper. Champaign has free recycling pick up at curb side and 53% of residents recycle regularly. The Illinois state goal for local supply of food from farm to grocery is 20% by 2020. Local is considered 56 miles or less. Most food travels an average 1,400 miles.
To achieve goals the city has created the outreach program, “Grow Green Till It Comes Naturally” and has partnered with Ameren for free energy audits (call866-838-6918 for information). In addition a “Keep Champaign Beautiful” steering committee is being formed as part of the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign in order to plug into existing resources and grant money for tree planting litter clean up, etc. Lacy told us about the Tour de Coop on Saturday, July 17, an opportunity to see how city residents are raising chickens as a local food source and mentioned other ongoing initiatives such as bike lanes.
Topics brought up in discussion included permeable paving, confusion about bike lane usage rules for bikers and drivers (a 15 minute DVD is available), and the possibilities of green construction certification in the city or state.
For more information you can contact Lacey Rains Lowe at 217-403-8800 or Lacey.Rains@ci.champaign.il.us
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| July 17th | July 24th | July 31st | Aug 7th | |
| Introductions | Neal Chamberlain | Reuben Chambers | Paul Conforti | Molly Delaney |
| Invocation | Ben Mast | John McDaniel | Jan Merchen | Phyllis Mischo |
| Greeters | Neal Chamberlain | Reuben Chambers | Paul Conforti | Molly Delaney |
| BJ Lytle | Ben Mast | John McDaniel | Jan Merchen | |
| Song Leader | Tod | Nick Jungels | Dave Krchak | Bob La Charite |
| Notetaker | Conforti | Chamberlain | Perry | Penwell |
| Rotary Minute | Neal Chamberlain | Reuben Chambers | Paul Conforti | Molly Delaney |
| Decker Weeding | Kerins | Chamberlain | Hatfield | Nelson |
| Next Weekend | Simpson | Duo | Shelby | Nelson |
| Decker Garden | Reifsteck | Adams | Adams | Krchak |
| Watering |
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE
July 17th – Linda Tammen, UIUC College of Education, will discuss the upcoming Youth Literature Festival (Oct 16-18, 2014)
July 24th – Isak Griffiths, Executive Director, and Mary Wallace, Director of Development, will discuss Courage Connection (formerly Center for Women in Transition)
July 31st – Deborah Miller, Director of Development, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
August 7th – Visit from the Governor
August 14th – TBD
August 21st – Bruce Knight, Planning and Development Director, City of Champaign
August 28th – TBD
September 4th – Molly Delaney will discuss the CU Schools Foundation
Date TBD – Chuck Reifsteck will discuss the trials and tribulations of his life while in office, including all the controversial votes, vetoes, and videos
