The Town Council received a Bird City Illinois designation at its Oct. 6 meeting and heard an update on implementation of Vision 2050, a sustainability plan focused on municipal operations and community initiatives.

Jennifer Kuroda of the Audubon Council of Illinois presented the Bird City designation and signage, citing the town’s recent projects and program elements highlighted in the application: a reported $75,000 grant to create bird‑friendly habitat adjacent to the Constitution Trail, use of 18% renewable energy in the community, consecutive bicycle‑friendly community designations and a silver LEED certificate for the Children’s Discovery Museum. Kuroda said those items contributed to the town’s application and will be publicized by the Bird City Network.

Staff then summarized Vision 2050 implementation. Administration established an interdepartmental staff sustainability committee to act as the town’s sustainability office while the council considers a permanent staff position. Departments presented specific actions: cultural arts and facilities plan to reduce single‑use bottled water at events and install new water‑filling stations; parks will expand tree planting and convert annual beds to native perennials; public works will test measures to reduce vehicle idling and explore converting up to 20% of the fleet to electric or hybrid by 2030; planning and zoning will pursue higher bicycle‑friendly certification and continue bicycle education programs; water staff will continue water‑quality monitoring and support protections for the Mahomet Aquifer.

Staff cited recent measurable wins: installed water‑filling stations estimated to have eliminated usage of about 370,000 single‑use bottles across town facilities, with the police department using the most (about 170,000 bottles avoided). The committee will continue data tracking, publish an annual report and coordinate with partners such as the Ecology Action Center and Illinois State University.

Council members praised the breadth of participation and asked about committee engagement cadence; staff said the citizen advisory group receives quarterly email updates and will be included in the annual report.