HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
July 1,2019
PRESENT: Margy Davey, Pat Dwyer Hallquist,Vic Oliver, Lurton Blassingame, Robert Turner,
Adam Maslowski, Eric DeGroot
EXCUSED: Michelle Bogden Muetzel,Jake Krause
ABSENT: None
STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley, Niki Euhardy (Winnebago County Health Dept.), Scott Williams
(Oshkosh Media)
I. Call to Order
Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and a quorum was declared present.
II. Public Comment
No public comments occurred.
III. Approval of Minutes,June 3M,2019
Chair Davey asked if any board members had any revisions to the minutes. No members had revisions
so the board approved the minutes 7-0. (Blassingame/Turner)
IV. Urban Beekeeping Brochure-Action
Mr. Wiley explained that he had put together a brochure on urban beekeeping in the City. He stated
that he included the regulations that applied to beekeeping in Oshkosh. The brochure explained the
process and provided information on obtaining a beekeeping permit. The board approved of the
brochure 7-0 with no changes proposed and asked Mr. Wiley to print copies for the July 131h Farmers
Market (Turner/DeGroot).
V. Waterfront Revitalization Bill -Action
Chair Davey explained that this item had come before the SAB at the June meeting and that there was a
letter of support included in the packet. Mr. Wiley stated that he had drafted a letter of support on
behalf of the board and that the SAB could make changes if they wanted. He had spoken to Acting
Planning Director Mark Lyons and Community Development Director Allen Davis (his superiors) and
received direction. Mr. Wiley stated that two options existed for the SAB. The first was to draft a letter
from the SAB and send it directly to Senator Baldwin's office. The second was to send a letter to City
Manager Rohloff on behalf of the SAB and ask the City Manager to place the proposed waterfront bill
on the Council agenda for consideration. Mr. Wiley stated that his superiors supported the second
option of sending a letter to the City Manager on behalf of the SAB. He asked for comments from the
board on the draft letter. The board had no revisions and voted 7-0 to send the draft letter to the City
Manager (Blassingame/Maslowski).
VI.Lakeshore Master Planning Process-Update
Chair Davey asked Mr. Wiley for an update on the Lakeshore Master Planning. Mr. Wiley explained
that he had included the letter from Parks Director Maurer and the timeline for the master planning
process in the materials for the July meeting. He stated that a public visioning meeting had occurred
on July 10th at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Chair Davey mentioned that several SAB members had
attended this meeting. Mr. Wiley stated that the next major step was the joint Advisory Parks Board,
Sustainability Advisory Board, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for
Monday,July 81h, at 6 pm at the Oshkosh Convention Center. He stated that members of the three
boards and members of the public would have a chance to provide input to the planning team. Ms.
Dwyer Hallquist stated that she would not be able to attend. Mr. Blassingame asked who would chair
the July 81h meeting. Mr. Wiley stated that he could follow up. Chair Davey stated that possibly the
Parks Board chair might run the meeting. She suggested that any SAB members available attend the
July 8th meeting.
VII. City Shapers Presentation and Workshop-Update
Chair Davey provided information on the City Shapers events coming up. She explained that Mayor
Palmeri had put Amy Hardy in touch with her regarding the event. Ms. Hardy was involved with
coordinating the City Shapers workshops for children in fourth through eighth grade. Chair Davey
and Mr. Wiley were working together to develop a presentation and activity for the students. She
stated that the City Shapers workshops were to take place on Monday,July 151h and Monday,July 22nd
at the UW-Oshkosh Polk Library.
VIII. Rain Barrel Workshop-Update
Ms. Oliver provided an update on the proposed rain barrel workshop. She stated that the workshop was
to occur on July 161h at the Masonic Center. She explained that only a few people had signed up so far
and that SAB volunteers would have to coordinate logistics. Mr. Turner asked if there was anything he
could do at that Farmers Market to promote the Rain Barrel workshop. Chair Davey stated that she could
provide her rain barrel for the Farmers Market.
IX. Environmental Leadership Award -Update
Mr. Wiley stated that the Rotary wanted a joint selection committee of Rotary and SAB representatives
to provide direction for the award for the upcoming year. The Rotary was also interested in creating
award plaques for display at City Hall in addition to the certificates presented to awardees. Mr. Wiley
stated that Diane Moran in the City Manager's office usually worked with a few vendors to create
plaques for board members who had served for a number of years. Mr. Blassingame mentioned that he
was willing to serve again. Mr. Wiley stated that two or three members of the SAB could serve on the
committee. He asked for any interested SAB members to contact him regarding serving.
X. Menominee Shoreland Restoration-Update
Mr. Blassingame asked if Ms. Bogden Muetzel received a response from the Herald article on the
restoration project. Chair Davey stated that she had no chance to talk to Ms. Bodgen Muetzel and
asked Mr. Blassingame to provide the board with a recap of the Herald article. Mr. Blassingame
explained that the article mentioned the project, the people involved and asked people to join the effort.
It provided Ms. Bogden Muetzel's contact information for anyone who had questions. Ms. Oliver
stated that the Audubon Society was recognized for helping contribute to the Menominee Shoreland
project.
XI. 2019 Oshkosh Farmers Market-Update
Chair Davey stated that the SAB would be back at the Farmers Market on Saturday,July 13f. She
mentioned that Mr. Turner would be there and asked if anyone else could attend. She stated that this
would give time to get a Facebook event up and additional sign-ups. Ms. Dwyer Hallquist stated that
she was going to offer to help with August. Mr. Blassingame stated that he could help for two hours
and share with somebody else who could do the other two hours. Chair Davey stated that if anyone
else was available they could let Mr. Wiley know. Mr. Blassingame asked what time the Farmers
Market started. She stated that the SAB had to set up the booth by 8:00 am. Mr. Turner stated that he
was usually there by 7:30 or quarter after 7. Chair Davey reminded Mr. Wiley to print brochures for
the market.
XII. Social Media-Discussion/Action
Ms. Oliver explained that she was working on posts for July and that she wanted to be proactive about
getting them done early. She stated that she was focusing on birds for July.
XIII.Agenda Items for Future Meeting
Chair Davey asked that the discussion on Roundup be on the agenda for the August meeting. She
stated that this item revolved around the City's use of weedkillers and that Steve Barney brought it to
council. It would require further research to see how the City used Roundup. Chair Davey stated that
a Council member asked the SAB to review this and that the Parks Department employed Roundup.
She provided information and explained that the board could make recommendations at the August
meeting. She stated that the board could look at organic weed killers. Mr. Wiley stated that he would
be meeting with his superiors and the Parks Director and City Forester before the August meeting to
prepare for discussion for the August meeting. Ms. Oliver asked if the SAB could find out what species
the City used Roundup to address. Mr. Turner suggested having someone analyze the chemicals used.
Ms. Dwyer Hallquist suggested talking to people who had expertise in gardening. Chair Davey
suggested speaking with the UW Extension. Ms. Oliver volunteered to try Master Gardeners and Mr.
Blassingame agreed to check with Evergreen. The Menominee Shoreland Restoration would also
remain on the agenda. Mr. Blassingame mentioned the Environmental Leadership Award as an
additional item to keep on the agenda.
XIV. Next Meeting,Monday,August 5,2019-City Hall Room 404
Chair Davey reminded the board of the next meeting.
The board voted 7-0 to adjourn at 6:30 pm (DeGroot/Blassingame).
Recorded by:
Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner