HomeMy WebLinkAbout10. 20-100 MARCH 10, 2020 20-100 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 6-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: APPROVE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN UPDATE
INITIATED BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approved
WHEREAS,the Sustainability Plan was adopted by Common Council in 2012; and
WHEREAS, the "Sustainability Plan 2019" has been prepared with input and
support provided by the Sustainability Advisory Board with input from citizens through
workshops and Sustainability Advisory Board meetings; and
WHEREAS, said Plan sets forth recommendations to improve the quality of life in
Oshkosh by incorporating sustainability practices to meet the environmental, economic
and social needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs; and
WHEREAS, the Sustainability Advisory Board and Commission recommend
approval of said Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the "Sustainability Plan 2019", on file at the City Clerk's Office, is hereby
approved and adopted.
of
Oshkosh
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Mark Lyons, Planning Services Manager
DATE: March 5, 2020
RE: Approve Sustainability Plan Update
BACKGROUND
The updated Sustainability Plan provides a series of revised chapters including updated goals,
objectives and action items regarding sustainable initiatives in the City of Oshkosh. The plan
establishes background and context for each sustainability issue. It examines ways to address
each issue and potential partners. The Plan was developed in consultation with the
Sustainability Advisory Board.
The plan is meant as an Action Plan to guide the SAB's and City's efforts to advance
sustainability long-term in Oshkosh. The update process occurred over a year and an half
period from 2017 to 2019. Each SAB member reviewed and revised one or two chapters of the
original 2012 Sustainability Plan. After the revisions, the entire board had the opportunity to
review each chapter at Plan Update Workshops. The City has accomplished or advanced
many goals from the 2012 plan, so the SAB saw the update process as an opportunity to revise
the Plan goals, account for advancements and create new action items to advance
sustainability.
ANALYSIS
The Sustainability Plan was updated and reformatted to make it more accessible for the SAB,
City staff and the public. Each chapter begins with an introduction to provide definition for
each issue and to give local context. Objectives are stated, followed by policy
recommendations for each objective. Many of the policies were included because the SAB
believes that the City can undertake the policies. The plan is a community plan, so the plan
states where other entities (individuals or businesses) should be involved. Recommendations
are phrased as action statements. They suggest priorities and directions for the City and
residents.
City Hall,215 Church Avenue P.O.Box 1130 Oshkosh,WI 54903-1130 920 236 5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
ITEM: APPROVAL OF THE UPDATED SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
Plan Commission meeting of March 3, 2020
GENERAL INFORMATION
Applicant: Sustainability Advisory Board, Community Development Department
ACTION REQUESTED/BACKGROUND
The Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) and staff request approval of the updated Sustainability Plan
which provides a series of revised chapters including updated goals, objectives and action items
regarding sustainable initiatives in the City of Oshkosh. The plan establishes background and context
for each sustainability issue. It examines ways to address each issue and potential partners. The Plan
was developed in consultation with the Sustainability Advisory Board.
The plan is meant as an Action Plan to guide the SAB's and City's efforts to advance sustainability
long-term in Oshkosh. The update process occurred over a year and an half period from 2017 to 2019.
Each SAB member reviewed and revised one or two chapters of the original 2012 Sustainability Plan.
After the revisions, the entire board had the opportunity to review each chapter at Plan Update
Workshops. The City has accomplished or advanced many goals from the 2012 plan, so the SAB saw
the update process as an opportunity to revise the Plan goals, account for advancements and create
new action items to advance sustainability.
ANALYSIS
The Sustainability Plan was updated and reformatted to make it more accessible for the SAB, City
staff and the public. Each chapter begins with an introduction to provide definition for each issue and
to give local context. Objectives are stated, followed by policy recommendations for each objective.
Many of the policies were included because the SAB believes that the City can undertake the policies.
The plan is a community plan, so the plan states where other entities (individuals or businesses)
should be involved. Recommendations are phrased as action statements. They suggest priorities and
directions for the City and residents.
The Sustainability Plan itself is laid out as follows:
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
1.) Atmosphere
2.) Economic Development
3.) Energy
4.) Environmental Conservation
5.) Government
6.) Land Use and Development
7.) Local Food
8.) Managing Waste
9.) Safe and Healthy Community
10.)Transportation and Mobility
11.)Implementation
• Glossary
The plan is formatted in a consistent, visually accessible manner. Photographs pertinent to the subject
matter are employed wherever possible. Readers should find the plan easier to review than
previously. The plan provides a glossary of terms so that readers can understand the terms and their
use in the document.
The updated Sustainability Plan is consistent with the goals of the recently adopted (2018)
Comprehensive Plan. Some of these goals include enhancing environmental quality, promoting
environmentally sensitive and responsible utilization of land, encouraging efficient and compact
utilization of land, increased economic prosperity and many goals listed in the Agricultural, Natural
and Cultural Resources chapter. The Sustainability Plan also has no conflicts with the City's Zoning
Ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Plan Commission approve the updated Sustainability Plan based on a finding
that it is not in conflict with the Comprehensive Plan.
The Plan Commission approved of the updated Sustainability Plan based on a finding that it is not in
conflict with the Comprehensive Plan. The following is the Plan Commission's discussion on this
item.
Site Inspections Report: N/A
Staff report accepted as part of the record.
The Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) and staff request approval of the updated Sustainability Plan
which provides a series of revised chapters including updated goals, objectives and action items
regarding sustainable initiatives in the City of Oshkosh. The plan establishes background and context
for each sustainability issue. It examines ways to address each issue and potential partners. The Plan
was developed in consultation with the Sustainability Advisory Board.
Mr. Wiley presented the item. The Sustainability Plan was updated and reformatted to make it more
accessible for the SAB, City staff and the public. Each chapter begins with an introduction to provide
definition for each issue and to give local context. Objectives are stated, followed by policy
recommendations for each objective. Many of the policies were included because the SAB believes
that the City can undertake the policies. The plan is a community plan, so the plan states where other
entities should be involved. Recommendations are phrased as action statements. They suggest
priorities and directions for the City and residents. The updated Sustainability Plan is consistent with
the goals of the recently adopted (2018) Comprehensive Plan. Some of these goals include enhancing
ITEM—Sustainability Plan Update 2
environmental quality, promoting environmentally sensitive and responsible utilization of land,
encouraging efficient and compact utilization of land,increased economic prosperity and many goals
listed in the Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources chapter. The Sustainability Plan also has no
conflicts with the City's Zoning Ordinance. He said staff recommends that Plan Commission approve
the updated Sustainability Plan based on a finding that it is not in conflict with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Mr. Fojtik opened technical questions to staff.
Ms. Palmeri pointed out that the Chair for the Sustainability Advisory Board was present. She said
she was curious about some of the recommendations in Chapter 5 under the Government section. She
inquired about the recommendation relating to Energy Management under Government Objective.
She asked if the recommendation would encompass the City facilities.
Margy Davey (Chair for Sustainability Advisory Board), 885 Portside Court, explained the entire
Government section pertained to municipal buildings. She stated this would definitely be part of
anything the city was doing. She said it would be nice if everyone was aware of this Plan and read it.
Mr. Lyons asked if the Sustainability Advisory Board was involved in the Central Garage planning.
Ms. Davey replied it did come to the board and was the only large project they really had an
opportunity to provide input in. She said it did come to theirs during theirs planning process and they
were able to meet with the architects ahead of time. She said the board recommended to Council that
the building be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified but the Council
chose not to certify it because of the cost. She said due to that, the board does not have any data for
the next building that they may be involved in. She stated they would still recommend LEED
certification or something similar for any building going forward.
Mr. Mitchell asked how Ms. Davey envisioned the Plan being utilized once it has been approved.
Ms. Davey replied in a perfect world, it would be the basis for forming a Green Team for the City
which was proposed to Council about four or five years ago. She said it would be nice to get a
Sustainability Director hired but she would be happy just to get people from each board and
department together once a year to discuss what they are doing with sustainability. She stated the
Board would really like to know about all things going on in the City that they could help with and
earlier in the process.
Mr. Mitchell asked if Ms. Davey felt like the Planning Department was the overarching body of the
Sustainability committee and if not, who it would be.
Mr. Lyons answered the Sustainability Advisory Board is staff liaison through the Planning
Department. He said ultimately the Council is the overarching body that makes the decisions on a lot
of things that are in this Plan due to the financial impacts of the Plan. He agreed with Ms. Davey that
the City could do a better job including the Sustainability Board on projects that are going on in the
City.
ITEM—Sustainability Plan Update 3
Ms. Erickson asked if there was any mechanism for tracking progress on the Plan.
Mr. Wiley replied the closest thing would be their Green Tier Legacy Membership which is through
the Wisconsin DNR. He explained that there was a scoresheet of sustainability initiatives and some of
those are included in the Plan. He said the Board would score itself and put goals in for the next year.
He said the scoreboard is submitted to the State every year as part of the Annual Report requirement
for the Green Tier Membership.
Ms. Davey added they also have their annual State of the City update as well as their Annual Goals.
She referred to the last page on the Plan which showed the 2019 goals. She said they do have updated
2020 goals that they will be swapping out and the idea would be to switch out the goals every year.
She said they do track the goals on a monthly basis.
Mr. Mitchell said there is a section on Economic Development and another one on Government but
was curious where he would find information on development projects in which the City provides
financial support such as TIFs.
Mr. Wiley replied he thinks it would be Land Use or Economic Development. He explained there
were some sections where there was some overlap so they mentioned similar things sometimes twice.
Ms. Davey agreed with Mr. Wiley. She said they would rather repeat information rather than miss
information completely.
Mr. Mitchell said he did not find information in the Plan on development projects in which the City
provides financial support.
Ms. Davey said they might not have ever considered that one.
Mr. Coulibaly commented when he thinks sustainability,he thinks long term. He said he is more
concerned about the efficiency of the action. He asked if there was a plan for assessment and adapting
to changes that need to be made to adjust goals.
Ms. Davey replied they have not put hard numbers on anything. She stated the only time they
tracked something with numbers was back in 2008-2009 when they worked on the ICLEI plan.
Mr. Coulibaly asked if there was a plan to assess to the action plan and how it is going.
Ms. Davey replied she thinks that would be part of the Green Team.
Ms. Palmeri inquired about the recommendation about interim community gardens in Section 7 under
Promote Local Food Production Sales and Consumption. She asked if there was any public input
from the Neighborhood Associations or similar groups about implementing permanent community
gardens.
ITEM—Sustainability Plan Update 4
Ms. Davey replied the SAB has never been approached by any Neighborhoods about collaboration but
SAB has also never reached out to the Neighborhoods for collaboration. She said it should be
something they put on their to do list.
Ms. Palmeri asked if there was any consideration by the SAB to recommend permanent community
gardens instead of only interim community gardens.
Ms. Davey replied there was no discussion about taking any land permanently for that. She explained
the thought process of SAB at the time and how the interim community gardens became part of the
Plan.
Mr. Mitchell asked what the steps would be to implement the Sustainability Plan's language into the
staff reports. He said it is a planning related Plan and thinks it would be helpful if the language was
also present when discussing different projects that the City if proposing such as the splitting of
farmland lot resulting in loss of farmland preservation.
Mr. Lyons said if Plan Commission would like staff to include a Sustainability section to the staff
report, they could.
Mr. Mitchell clarified it would only be when it is applicable because it is not always applicable.
Mr. Lyons said he would prefer adding it to all staff reports to keep them consistent. He reiterated if
it is what the Board wants, staff would be more than willing to add a Sustainability section.
Mr. Fojtik asked if there were any public comments.
Ms. Davey asked the board members to read the plan if they did not already do so because the
Sustainability Board worked very hard on it. She said there may be changes that need to be made but
it was the best the Board could do at the time. She explained that sustainability changes so quickly
but they tried to bring the Plan as up to date as they could with the idea that it is a living document.
She said their hope is that the Action Plan that is posted at the end of the Plan will continue to keep it
up to date. She said at the SAB meeting last night, they discussed electric charging stations and their
infrastructure in the city and how it is needed. She stated that topic was not even on their radar in
2008 and it goes to show how fast sustainability can change. She said they always appreciate input.
Mr. Lyons suggested it may be beneficial to have SAB present annually their Action Goals to Plan
Commission.
Plan Commission agreed it would be a good idea.
Ms. Palmeri asked if there was anyone on the SAB that periodically reviews the Council and Plan
Commission agendas to see if there is a topic SAB would like to weigh in on.
Ms. Davey replied there are several people that do that intermittently but no one is assigned to do it.
ITEM—Sustainability Plan Update 5
Mr. Mitchell stated the Sustainability group has been pretty involved in waterfront programming
shoreline restoration activity which is part of the Plan. He asked if anyone has approached the
Sustainability group for feedback about the extensive planning process involving waterfront activity
in the Sawdust District.
Ms. Davey replied they have not but Sustainability also has not inserted themselves in it. She said
they did make some recommendations for the Lakeshore Park which was not as extensive as they
hoped but it was still progress. She stated it is all an education process.
Mr. Mitchell stated he knows some of the planning documents such as the Impediments for Fair
Housing and the Consolidated Plan talk about racial discrimination and housing and asked if there
were any other city document or committee that specifically addresses social and economic
opportunity for minority populations.
Ms. Palmeri said the Strategic Plan also does reference that and there are half a dozen core elements in
which that is described.
Mr. Lyons added the Strategic Plan is being updated to include more and the draft will be going to
Council in March. He said it will include additional elements related to housing.
Mr. Mitchell said Community Support on page 22 starts to talk about some of the things outside of
what people often think of for sustainability. He said often times these Plans have a Social and
Economic section that tries to address a fair and equitable community for all different types of
segments of the population. He suggested if there is not already a body or document that specifically
address that beyond housing that maybe it should be something to consider.
Ms. Davey stated she is recently becoming more aware of the diversity and inclusion component that
should be involved in everything. She said she has other documents she is working with on which are
being proof read for making sure they are okay for that. She said they did not put the Plan through a
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) lens. She said it occurred to her this morning that maybe it
should go through that lens just because there may be things that they need to update in the Plan but
said she would not hold up the Plan for that reason. She commented it would a very good goal to go
through the Plan with a DEI lens and see how they can improve the document.
Mr. Coulibaly commended the SAB for doing a good job on the Plan. He inquired about the timeline
on how often the Plan would be updated or amended.
Ms. Davey replied they had a five year goal to update the Plan which would have been in 2017 but
did not realize it would take three years to update the Plan.
Ms. Palmeri inquired about Triple Bottom Line on page 21. She asked who would be doing the
education and promoting.
Ms. Davey explained when they wrote it they were considering it would be something the whole city
would need to be doing. She stated everyone would be doing the educating and promoting. She said
ITEM—Sustainability Plan Update 6
the SAB wrote the Plan for the City of Oshkosh as in the whole city.
Ms. Propp thanked Ms. Davey and the SAB for the hard work and for the Plan. She stated the Plan is
very comprehensive and readable. She said if people would just read it,it would change how they
think.
Ms. Davey commended Mr. Wiley for helping to make the Plan look beautiful. She stated a Green
Team would be beneficial but even if they do not get that far,just having all departments read the
chapter that pertain to them would be beneficial.
Mr. Fojtik suggested sending each department the chapter or chapters that pertain to them with a
cover sheet instead of the entire Plan.
Me. Mitchell asked if this would be an appropriate time to make changes.
My. Lyons explained it is an internal document for the City and suggested sending the document back
to the Sustainability Board to evaluate changes then bring it back to Plan Commission. He said if the
change is editorial and simple they could change it at Plan Commission but if it is content driven it
should go back to the Sustainability Board.
Ms. Davey suggested adding a timeline to anything that would be sent back because the Board only
meets once a month.
Mr. Lyons stated they would like to get the update approved because it has been a long time since it
was updated. He asked Ms. Davey if it was okay if staff compiled the feedback and sent it to SAB.
Ms. Davey replied they would appreciate the feedback.
Mr. Ford commented he loves the idea of working with the Neighborhoods as an implementation
arm. He stated there are all these different Plans and there is always concern about consistency,
awareness and implementation and suggested implementing a Performance Dashboard where
everyone would have access. He said it would track everyone's progress and help get everyone on
the same page.
Ms. Palmeri stated SAB does have an Annual Report on the Action Plan and asked if Mr. Ford was
suggesting using that as a dashboard.
Mr. Ford explained it would be combining all the Plans and their progress in one central location
where everyone would have access.
Ms. Palmeri stated there are multiple openings for Youth Members on the SAB and suggested using
those openings as a potential genesis for a Green Team.
Ms. Propp encouraged Plan Commission to pass the Plan tonight. She said SAB does not need Plan
Commission to micromanage their plan but stated the SAB does appreciate Plan Commission's input.
ITEM—Sustainability Plan Update 7
She said if there is input to send it to SAB but asked Plan Commission to approve the Plan.
Mr. Lyons explained Plan Commission needs to review the Plan under their purview which is that the
Plan is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. He said SAB could make minor changes based on
feedback before it goes to Council.
Mr. Hinz brought up the annual meeting with SAB and how Plan Commission would have additional
input going forward. He stated they are already creating more opportunity for input.
Mr. Coulibaly said there will be another Plan update in a few years and suggested letting people
know so they can start giving feedback.
Ms. Palmeri stated this would seem like the appropriate time to make changes and give input rather
than Council sending it back because Council is relying on Plan Commission on a consistency basis.
She said there was one issue with consistency earlier in the meeting. She asked if it would be
appropriate to amend the language at this meeting instead of after the fact.
Mr. Fojtik said it looks to him as Plan Commission is asked to find that the Plan is not in conflict with
the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Lyons suggested if Plan Commission members feel the Plan is in conflict the Comprehensive Plan
then they should recommend language and send it back to SAB.
Mr. Mitchell stated it could go either way. He said it could be a recommendation from SAB or they
need to look at the Comprehensive Plan. He said as he mentioned before about farmland that they
could look at that language. He said the language is in the Sustainability Plan but maybe not to the
degree that is motivating for the City to do work on.
Mr. Lyons explained as the State Statute is laid out for this body's job, it is to determine if the Plan is
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. He said if members feel it is not consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan, they should recommend denial. He said if Plan Commission wants to amend
the Comprehensive Plan that it would be a separate discussion.
Ms. Propp stated she does not think it is appropriate to amend or micromanage the Plan now. She
said she would like to vote to approve the Plan but has to leave.
Ms. Propp left at 5:06pin.
There were no other public comments on this item.
Mr. Fojtik closed public comments.
Motion by Mitchell to adopt the findings and recomynendation as stated M the staff report.
Seconded by Coulibaly.
ITEM—Sustainability Plan Update 8
Mr. Fojtik asked if there was any discussion on the motion.
Mr. Mitchell stated they talked a little bit about using a further guide to help in collecting information
in being more knowledgeable about the development projects that the City gets involved in, provides
financial support and specifically related to the sustainable nature of their development project. He
explained his thinking which was that at some point it could be valuable for their checklist or some
sort of evaluating tool not to say yes or no or be used to deny or evaluate the credibility of the project
but for informational purposes. He said it would be to gather information to get a baseline on the
projects the City is supporting. He said an example is the Buying Local section and looking at the
LEED standards where they talk about materials or products extracted, harvested or recovered as well
as manufactured within 500 miles of project site and their recommendation would be about 10%. He
said that type of tool could be something that is in one of their goals. He said it does talk about it in
the Comprehensive Plan about promoting conservation of natural resources. He said that would be
something if SAB was willing to, to add to the Plan.
Mr. Lyons asked if that would materially affect Mr. Mitchell's decision on approving the Plan tonight.
Mr. Mitchell replied he is willing to move forward with the Plan.
Motion carried 8-0.
ITEM—Sustainability Plan Update 9
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SUSTAINABLE OSHKOSH 2O20
Acknowledgements
Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board
Margy Davey
Michelle Bogden Muetzel
Lurton Blassingame
Robert Turner
Jason Kalmbach/Eric DeGroot
Adam Maslowski
Jake Krause
Pat Dwyer-Hallquist
Vic Oliver
Oshkosh Common Council
Mayor Lori Palmeri
Deputy Mayor Steve Herman
Deb Allison Aasby
Bob Poeschl
Bill Miller
Jake Krause
Matt Mugerauer
City of Oshkosh
Mark Lyons, Planning Services Manager
Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner
The original Sustainability Plan was approved by the City Council on May 22, 2012. The original
document was revised by the Sustainability Advisory Board over a year and a half period from 2017-
2019.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
INTRODUCTION 5
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 9
1. ATMOSPHERE 11
2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 17
3. ENERGY 25
4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 31
5. GOVERNMENT 35
6. LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT 43
7. LOCAL FOOD 49
8. MANAGING WASTE 55
9. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY 61
10. TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY 69
IMPLEMENTATION / ACTION PLAN 79
GLOSSARY 80
Opposite - Oshkosh Riverwalk- Courtesy of Sue Panek
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2007, the Oshkosh Common Council signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
and re-instituted the disbanded Energy & Environmental Advisory Board (now named the
Sustainability Advisory Board or SAB) to advise the City Manager and Council on specific energy
and environmental issues. In 2008, the board held its first meeting, the City joined the International
Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and planned for the City's first Sustainability
Plan.
Planning Process
A Sustainability Plan Steering Committee was established in 2009 with the Planning Services
Division of the Community Development Department directed to guide the process. Planning
Services assembled and chaired the Steering Committee with representatives from the community
(citizens, Chamber of Commerce, Oshkosh Area School District, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh,
and Wisconsin Public Service), and City boards (Landmarks Commission, Plan Commission,
Administrative Services, Transportation, and Parks).
The Steering Committee looked at Sustainability Plans of comparable communities such as Eau
Claire, La Crosse, Green Bay, Middleton, Madison and Stevens Point. The Committee was introduced
to the Natural Step process, and the American Planning Association Policy Guide on Planning for
Sustainability. Using these tools, committee members drafted ten chapters which were given to the
SAB and City staff for review.
The Steering Committee evaluated recommended changes, incorporating the input into a final draft
document in August 2011. The SAB approved the draft document on June 6, 2011, and forwarded
to the Common Council for a workshop with the Steering Committee, SAB, and Plan Commission
on August 30, 2011. Council directed staff to solicit additional comments from the public and other
advisory boards and to consider how to reconcile the Plan with other City Plans.
A public open house was held in December 2011, and the plan was reviewed by the Storm Water
Utility Board, Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee,Advisory Parks Board, Traffic
Review Board, Board of Health, Landmarks Commission and the Transit Advisory Board. Comments
were reviewed and incorporated into the February 2012 draft which was forwarded to the Council on
March 13, 2012, for another workshop with the Steering Committee and SAB. The Council forwarded
the document to the Plan Commission for a recommendation, stressing the importance of the
development of an implementation plan for the action items. On April 3, 2012, the Plan Commission
approved the Plan as an independent document, not an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, and
reiterated the importance of an implementation plan with a cost analysis for the action items. On
May 22, 2012, the Council approved the Oshkosh Sustainability Plan.
1
Plan Format
Each chapter begins with an introduction to provide definition for the issue and to give local context.
An objective is stated, followed by sets of policy recommendations. Policies were chosen primarily
for actions the City has the power to carry out. However, since this is a community plan, the City is
not necessarily the only or best agent to carry out a recommended action. The Plan also states when
action or leadership should be the responsibility of another entity (such as the county, state, or an
institution) or group (such as individuals or businesses), and to be open when the potential actors are
determined.
Recommendations are phrased as action statements, with recognition that they cover ranges of
difficulty, expense, time required, and public concern. The recommendations are meant to stimulate
innovation and provide guidance to decision makers. They are not precise prescriptions to solve
problems,but as a group they suggest priorities and directions for the City and residents.
Action Plan
The last action of the Steering Committee was to work with City staff to identify items that could
provide the City with an Action Plan of specific short-to-medium-term projects. Some of the projects
were already planned or in progress,but clearly address recommendations in the plan. Other Action
Plan items were selected to give the City some stretch goals to prove their ability to lead by example.
In 2017, the SAB undertook the process of updating the original 2012 Sustainability Plan that has
been the Board's progress guide. The 2017 process was intended as a five-year update to reflect the
City's progress on sustainable initiatives to date. The City has accomplished or advanced many
goals from the original plan, so the SAB saw the update process as an opportunity to revise the Plan
goals, account for technological advancements, and create new action items to continue to advance
sustainability.
During the process, each board member revised one or two chapters based on the City's progress and
status. Relevant information was added to each chapter's introduction, and goals and action items
were revised to reflect the City's current position as well as trends throughout the State.
After revision, the entire Board had the opportunity to review each Chapter at Plan Update
workshops. Staff then compiled the Chapters into a single plan document for Board review. The
updated plan was sent to the Plan Commission for review and recommendation. The Sustainability
Advisory Board approved the updated plan at the August 5, 2019 SAB meeting. The City Council
reviewed and adopted the plan at the XX Council meeting. This updated plan continues to serve as
the basis for ongoing Sustainability goal planning in the City of Oshkosh.
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INTRODUCTION
The sustainability plan for San Francisco begins with a challenging but honest question:
"Sustainability is a word you have to spell to people over the phone. How can there be a community
plan based on a word that is not in common use?"
For the City of Oshkosh, the answer is not simple, nor the path direct. The City hosted two years
of education, debate, staff development, and report drafting by a Sustainability Plan Steering
Committee. City staff, citizens, organizational representatives and civic leaders came to the table
with a mix of professional experience, common sense, questions, concerns, and enough goodwill to
see the job to completion. The time span included orienting new City planning staff to think about
the future of the city during a time of great uncertainty about the direction of our planet, country, and
state.
The Comprehensive Plan is the place we list and integrate our best ideas and vision for the future.
An early decision by the committee was that a community plan based on sustainability make its first
entry as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. This decision recognized that the people of
Oshkosh need time to grasp ways that sustainable approaches will change, or possibly, conserve their
community. Ideally, sustainability should simply become the way things are done in Oshkosh.
Defining Sustainability
A first step in defining sustainability for a city is to decide what should be sustained. The Steering
Committee's list of priorities follows:
1. Energy production from renewable resources
2. Local food production, sales, and consumption
3. The City's natural resources
4. A safe and healthy atmosphere
5. Responsibly managed waste facilities
6. A safe, healthy, engaged, and diverse community
7. Safe, efficient and environmentally sound transportation
S. A local economy that attracts new businesses and encourages existing businesses to balance
profit, people, and planet
9. Development patterns and buildings that support these goals
10. Cost-effective, socially responsible and environmentally sound governmental practices to meet
community needs.
5
This list captures the balance between the three pillars of sustainability: (1) the human population,
(2) the economic systems developed by the human population, and (3) the physical environment
that supports life and economic systems. Balance between three major components of our world,
especially our cities, is necessary. This trio goes by many names: People-Profit-Planet, Triple Bottom
Line or Societies-Economies-Ecosystems. Finally, the time element of sustainability requires finding
ways that this balance continues into the future. A short version combining balance and time is
commonly phrased as:
Sustainability is meeting the current environmental, social and economic needs of
our community while ensuring the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
The Sustainability Advisory Board does not claim the power to see the future, but past and current
trends provide some guidance. Many recommendations of "sustainable" practices are attempts
to slow or halt unsustainable practices -- those that lack balance and those we do not believe can
be continued long into the future. Some of the recommendations we publish in 2019 may turn out
to lack resiliency, but this plan was written with the faith that a safe, healthy, diverse, educated
population supported by a stable economy and intact environment will find ways to fulfill our goals.
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OBJECTIVES
Goal: Improve the quality of life in Oshkosh by incorporating sustainability
practices to meet the environmental, economic and social needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Objectives
Atmosphere: Provide a safe and healthy atmosphere for people, nature, and planet.
Economic Development: Bolster the local economy by attracting sustainable businesses and green-
collar jobs, and encouraging existing businesses to become more sustainable.
Energy: Foster energy conservation and local energy production from renewable resources.
Environmental Conservation: Protect and enhance the City's natural resources.
Government: Lead by example and foster sustainability policies and actions for cost-effective, socially
responsible and environmentally sound governmental practices to meet community needs.
Land Use and Development: Guide and promote sustainable City-wide development patterns and
incorporate sustainable features into buildings and grounds.
Local Food: Promote local food production, sales and consumption.
Managing Waste: Promote waste management awareness and reuse of materials, increase the
number of items recycled, reduce initial consumption, and reduce the amount of material diverted to
landfills.
Safe and Healthy Community: Promote healthy living, civic engagement, cultural and ethnic
diversity, and provide a safe and healthy community for our citizens.
Transportation and Mobility: Enhance mobility alternatives to the automobile; design safe, efficient
and environmentally sound transportation infrastructure; and connect to other local and regional
networks.
Opposite - Courtesy of Sue Panek
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ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere includes the air we breathe, and mercury pollution of local waters and fish
the sounds we hear, the odors we smell, from coal-fired plants). Climate change may
the greenhouse gases that keep the planet also be impacting Oshkosh in subtle ways,
habitable, weather systems that deliver water, as Wisconsin has seen warmer winters, more
and the high stratospheric ozone layer that precipitation, longer growing seasons, and
protects us from harmful ultraviolet sunlight. shorter lake ice seasons.Air pollution from
People and cities can overload this atmosphere Oshkosh also contributes to global climate
with pollutants (e.g., toxins, smog, allergens, changes stressing other parts of the world,
noise, additional greenhouse gases, and particularly for societies less affluent and able
ozone-depleting chemicals) that diminish our to adjust, and ecosystems less resilient than
health, harm wildlife, damage agriculture and ours. The City of Oshkosh recognized these
structures, lower property values, and present issues with a 2007 resolution to approve the
new risks from changing climate. U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
Atmospheric pollution creates local and distant (Resolution 07-262) and a 2008 resolution
problems. Local effects in and near Oshkosh to adopt the International Council for Local
include indoor air pollution as people spend Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Five
most of their time indoors;noise pollution Milestones for Climate Mitigation (Resolution
from vehicles, trains, construction equipment, 08-295).
power tools and other human activity; air
pollution from factories,buildings and
motorized vehicles and small engines; and air
pollution carried in from other cities (e.g. acid
11
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Air quality has been improving in Oshkosh. Indoor air pollution has seen steady
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources improvement as well. Public areas have been
publishes data online for an "Air Quality cleaner with tightening of rules on tobacco
Index" based on ground-level ozone for smoke in state buildings, followed by a
Appleton and Fond du Lac (the closest sites citywide smoking ordinance, and the 2010
to Oshkosh). For 2007- 2009, about 90% of our implementation of a state law. Workplace
days were ranked "Good" (the top category); air quality has been improved by federal
with the other 10% reduced to "Moderate" regulations and monitoring. Based on its
level of health concern. Since 2003 we have not geology, Winnebago County is listed by the
recorded any days that were "Unhealthy for EPA as "Moderate Potential" for harmful levels
Sensitive Individuals," and 1988 was the last of radon, a naturally occurring, underground,
year we experienced "Unhealthy" days. radioactive toxin, with recommended testing of
indoor spaces to determine if ventilation needs
Over the last 10 years of monitoring, an improvement.
increase in toxic air emissions has occurred.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) shows 61,200
lbs. of TRI-covered chemicals in 2017 were
released into the atmosphere in Oshkosh, up
from 41,600 lbs. in 2007 and 19,500 lbs. in 2003.
Three facilities in the community are primarily
responsible for the release of these chemicals,
which are primarily ozone (74%), toluene
(13%), and xylene (8%).
12
ATMOSPHERE OBJECTIVE
PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY ATMOSPHERE FOR
PEOPLE, NATURE, AND PLANET
POLICIES
AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS INDOOR AIR QUALITY
1. Collaborate with local companies 1. Ensure local agencies are appropriately
emitting air pollutants, exploring ways enforcing state and local regulations
to continue to improve their pollution regarding indoor tobacco smoke,
reduction practices and technology. combustion products, molds, and radon.
2. Continue to collaborate internally to 2. Continue to encourage the purchase
improve both city bus services and of indoor living plants in municipal
bicycle access on main roads so-as to buildings to reduce indoor air pollution.
reduce automobile-related pollution. 3. Strengthen clean indoor air policies by
3. Facilitate the reduction of vehicle idling expanding the definition of "smoking"
by constructing more roundabout to include any lighted or heated tobacco
intersections in place of stop lights and or nicotine product, including electronic
signs, considering no-idling signs at smoking devices that produce an aerosol
bridge and rail crossings, and continuing or vapor.
the idling education campaign with the
Oshkosh Area School District. NOISE POLLUTION
4. Mandate city officials include air 1. Develop guidelines for citizens to petition
pollution impacts as part of the for quiet zones, seasons, or times (e.g.
assessments carried out when expanding Sunday mornings in warmer seasons).
infrastructure or considering annexation. 2. Continue to review noise ordinances and
5. Consider revisions to ordinances against their application with respect to sources
odor-producing sites and activities while (i.e., autos, motorcycles, trains and
ensuring existing ordinances are properly boats, airplanes and events), updating as
enforced. technology advances.
6. Promote the city's tobacco-free parks 3. Explore opportunities to strategically
rule, approved by the Advisory Parks deploy noise-reducing barriers (e.g. along
Board in 2018. Highway 41).
7. Promote tobacco-free events and festivals
policies on city property and throughout
the community.
14
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GREENHOUSE GAS "SINKS"
1. Encourage the citizenry to plant trees, 2. Educate the public about air quality
flowers, and brushes that will act as a data available online from federal and
natural greenhouse gas sinks that will state regulatory agencies, as well as any
absorb carbon dioxide. greenhouse gas inventories conducted by
2. Continue to plant trees on easements in the city.
order to maximize the urban forest cover. 3. Periodically use city social media
3. Encourage use of local plant materials accounts to alert the citizenry on days
(e.g. wood, straw, composites, with substandard air quality in order
bioplastics) during construction (e.g. to create awareness; suggest actions
by removing outdated restrictions in individuals can take to mitigate the
building codes). occurrence of such days.
4. Collaborate with developers to minimize 4. Educate the public about regulations for
topsoil erosion during construction and private use of fireworks and explosives.
landscaping. 5. Educate and alert the public about the
potential dangers of paints, glues, caulks
PUBLIC AWARENESS and other materials with high levels of
1. Educate the community about local volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
and indoor air pollution issues, noise as well as flame retardants, hazardous
pollution, and how air pollution is cleaning products and other chemicals
contributing to global climate change. that may negatively impact air quality.
Include advice about how individuals
can reduce their pollution contributions.
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ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Since the adoption of the Oshkosh's 2012 become more sustainable. The Aurora and
Sustainability Plan, demand has increased Affinity (Affinity is now Ascension) medical
for new sustainable products, services, and facilities were at the forefront when the 2012
jobs. Oshkosh is increasingly showing signs Sustainability Plan was adopted and remain
of this "green economy." We continue to so today. International companies such as
attract sustainable industries. These industries Wal-Mart and McDonalds, are leaders in
work with the environment and involve sustainability worldwide. Winnebago County
environmentally friendly products or services. recently adopted a resolution to become a
We have builders constructing sustainable member of the PACE Wisconsin Commission.
buildings, food vendors supporting sustainable PACE Wisconsin assists developers by
agricultural practices, and a sustainable providing funding options to incorporate
university at UW-Oshkosh. The installation of renewable energy into their projects. We have
solar panels at the First Congregational Church continued to see state supported programs like
is an excellent example of local investment in Focus on Energy helping businesses reduce
renewable energy. their energy use. In the face of such activities,
equipping Oshkosh as a green business center
The community has seen more corporate makes good financial sense.
responsibility to society and the environment.
Major companies such as Oshkosh Corporation
and Silver Star Brands have established
their own teams intended to help them
Opposite -Interior rendering of Oshkosh Corporation Global Headquarters -
Courtesy of Oshkosh Corporation
17
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE
BOLSTER THE LOCAL ECONOMY BY ATTRACTING
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES AND GREEN COLLAR
JOBS, AND ENCOURAGING EXISTING BUSINESSES
TO BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE
POLICIES
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC
PLANNING GREEN COLLAR JOBS
1. Add clean technology to Oshkosh's 1. Partner with the Greater Oshkosh
targeted growth sectors. Economic Development Corporation
2. Identify products and sectors for a (GO-EDC) to create and offer business
sustainability-related manufacturing and incentives to attract green-collar
production niche in Oshkosh. companies.
3. Conduct a needs assessment of green job 2. Outreach to local sustainable industries
demand. and offer special bonding or government
4. Inventory existing job training programs funding options.
and link them to information provided in 3. Establish creative financing strategies for
the green jobs needs assessment. local sustainable businesses.
5. Work with the Oshkosh Area School 4. Continue pursuit of green building
District, University of Wisconsin- practices for new construction and
Oshkosh, Fox Valley Technical College, renovation.
and University of Wisconsin-Extension to 5. Partner with the Chamber of Commerce,
bring together partners to grow the green Chamco Inc., and New North Inc.
collar industry. to develop a marketing piece aimed
6. Develop a strategy to secure available at attracting industry within the
government and private funding to grow sustainability sector.
the industry. 6. Market the City to sustainable technology
7. Conduct a market analysis to determine businesses.
the potential for a "green" business
incubator in the city.
18
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PROMOTING GREEN CAREERS
7. Market businesses that reduce 1. Work with the Oshkosh Area School
dependence on fossil fuels, do not use District, Fox Valley Technical College
toxic chemicals, exceed clean air and and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
clean water standards, and employ to ramp up education, training and
sustainable practices such as not using counseling for careers in sustainability.
plastic straws and Styrofoam. 2. Continue the City's collaboration
8. Connect businesses to use by-products with the UW-Oshkosh Quest III and
of other processes or whose wastes Environmental Studies programs.
can be used as raw materials for other 3. Examine City departments to determine
industries. opportunities for students to intern and
9. Work with businesses to maintain and/ advance sustainable practices in City
or revitalize, restore, or improve the operations.
natural terrain, drainage and vegetation,
minimizing disruption of natural
systems.
10. Connect businesses that reuse processed
water or make use of solid waste for
materials or energy production.
11. Examine and improve the Home
Occupation section of the Zoning
Ordinance if possible to further
encourage home-based businesses that
reduce travel needs.
19
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BUYING LOCAL TRAVEL GREEN WISCONSIN
1. Market local businesses and products to 1. Help the Oshkosh Convention and
strengthen our economy. Visitors Bureau attract and expand
2. Create a Buy Local promotional business-related eco-tourism, such as
campaign similar to the State's those related to waterways,biking, and
"Something Special from Wisconsin" other outdoor activities.
program. 2. Encourage businesses and facilitate
3. Educate residents about the importance the process to increase participation
and benefits of supporting local and certification in the Travel Green
businesses. Wisconsin program, a voluntary program
4. Continue efforts to increase local providing opportunities to be recognized
government purchasing of local products. as a green business.
5. Develop tools to connect local suppliers 3. Update the existing "Making Your Event
with businesses, consumers, and Sustainable" brochure that exists for
government. event planners.
6. Promote the sale of local food and drink 4. Work to attract more sustainability-
at events. related conventions and events to
7. Encourage the development of local Oshkosh.
shops to foster a distinct Oshkosh
identity.
8. Research and publish a local green
business directory to include green-
collar companies and companies with
improved sustainability.
9. Encourage local artists to work with
businesses to display their products.
10. Support businesses and non-profits
offering products and services from
people with disabilities, in local
institutions or with other social needs.
20
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TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
1. Promote and educate institutions and 7. Promote the Wisconsin Department of
businesses to measure their success Natural Resources' Green Tier program
not only by financial profit, but by which supports environmentally
environmental and social performance innovative companies who go beyond
as well. Called "Triple Bottom Line" compliance with minimum regulatory
(the Planet or Natural Capital, People or standards while improving their bottom
Social Capital, and Profit or Economic line. Affinity Health Systems is a Green
Capital), this accounting approach has Tier 1 corporation.
been endorsed by the United Nations 8. Continue to participate in the Green Tier
and International Council for Local program, attend yearly meetings, submit
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) as a annual reports, and select goals from
bona fide technique to measure corporate the Green Tier Scoresheet annually to
and governmental sustainability. pursue.
2. Compile a list of companies in the region
to show other companies the value of
employing triple bottom line.
3. Encourage local businesses to adopt
sustainable accounting practices by
leading by example and sharing the city's
successes.
4. Work with all levels of educational
institutions to develop a green
curriculum.
5. Support the Public Library's efforts
to build resources regarding green
practices.
6. Collaborate with the Chamber and local
colleges to hold an annual conference to
promote sustainability.
21
COMMUNITY SUPPORT CONSUMER EDUCATION
1. Continue to support programs for 1. Encourage consumers to make the best
housing, transportation, education, work, purchasing decisions by providing
and social networks to improve the information about what to look for when
economic status of people in need. trying to make environmentally and
2. Continue to provide the Community socially responsible selections.
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds 2. Establish venues for disseminating
to support social services. information to consumers on
3. Work with service agencies such as environmental product labeling.
Habitat for Humanity and Advocap to 3. Create partnerships with area businesses
find the best locations and buildings. to assist in informing consumers on
4. Help groups coordinate events, for environmentally and socially responsible
collecting donations, fundraising, choices.
enlisting volunteers, and educating the
public about opportunities and services. QUALITY OF LIFE
5. Consider a consortium to apply for 1. Preserve and Protect City's Natural
federal assistance for new opportunities, Resources
emergencies, disaster relief, faith-based 2. Develop public/private partnerships to
initiatives, etc. fund quality of life assets.
6. Assist with efforts to create a permanent
warming shelter and ensure adequate PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
facilities for the homeless.
7. Promote the availability of food pantries, 1. Identify/develop funding sources
r 2. Partner with existing businesses and
resale shops, transportation and human
stakeholders.
services at various outlets and on the
3. Develop and complete targeted and
city's sustainability website.
specific economic development plans.
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Habitat for Humanity- Oshkosh, Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods, and the City of Oshkosh partnered with
area volunteers to carry out Rock the Block for the first time in 2019. Volunteers assisted in various curb
appeal projects to enhance the neighborhood appearance in the Sacred Heart Neighborhood. Photograph
courtesy of Habitat for Humanity- Oshkosh.
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of Oshkosh Inc.
The city and several community partners including Habitat for Humanity, Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods,
the Oshkosh/ Winnebago County Housing Authority, and Advocap partner together to carry out the ONE
Oshkosh initiative.
23
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ENERGY
Energy comes in various forms. Some sources The state of Wisconsin is not energy
are widely available and renewable such as the independent. The state consumes 1,891 trillion
sun or wind. Other sources are less accessible, BTUs of energy,but only produces 309.8
such as fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas or trillion BTUs within its borders (nuclear,
radioactive minerals that need to be extracted biofuels, and other renewable). For a state like
from the parts of the earth where they occur. Wisconsin, which has no coal, oil, natural gas
Modern industrial societies use very large or uranium resources, energy independence
amounts of energy to heat and cool buildings, is a call to develop state and local energy
provide lighting, produce food, transport resources that build local economies.
people and goods, run machines, and provide Wisconsin-based renewable energy resources
communications. include sun, wind, hydropower, geothermal,
and biomass. Shifting away from fossil
Cities need to import energy for their fuels has the significant benefits of avoiding
concentrated human populations. Transporting pollution that negatively impacts health and
energy via roads, rail, ships, pipelines or wires increases greenhouse gases.
takes energy, land and money and carries
environmental risks.A more sustainable city Energy conservation is a beneficial, achievable,
would get more of its energy locally. The term and necessary step towards a sustainable
"energy independence" has been coined to energy system. The technical means to improve
cover both import reduction and development energy efficiency is available and ranges from
of domestic energy sources. simple insulation to complex electronics.
Energy conservation should take top priority
According to the U.S. Energy Information because the lowering of energy demand makes
Administration: energy independence easier to achieve because
• 32.8% of all energy use as of 2016 in Wisconsin local renewable sources do not have to be as
is attributed to the industrial sector,followed large, while energy cost savings can provide
by transportation (24.4%), residential (22.5%), funds for further conservation improvements
and commercial (20.2%). or new sources.
• The majority of electricity in 2017 is generated
by coal-fired power plants (55%). Meanwhile,
only 9.3% electricity is generated from
renewable energies.
• The Point Beach nuclear power plant provides
15% of Wisconsin's energy, but is one of the
oldest plants currently in operation.
Opposite Image of Corrim plant with solar panels - Courtesy of Sue Panek
25
ENERGY OBJECTIVE
FOSTER ENERGY CONSERVATION AND LOCAL
ENERGY PRODUCTION FROM RENEWABLE
RESOURCES
POLICIES
BUILDINGS
1. Encourage the wider use of ENERGY 4. Coordinate with state and local
STAR and other sustainable-labeled organizations (e.g., Focus on Energy and
building materials, appliances and Wisconsin Public Service) to promote
electronics (e.g., programmable incentives and assistance for energy
thermostats, lighting fixtures, low- conservation projects.
emittance glazed windows, insulation, 5. Encourage businesses to measure
heating and cooling equipment, washers energy performance (e.g. ENERGY
and dryers, water heaters, office STAR Portfolio Manager) and use
equipment and refrigeration equipment). green building rating systems such as
2. Continually update city purchasing Leadership in Energy and Environmental
policies for energy efficient devices Design (LEED) (see Land Use and
and showcase results on city building Development section).Advertise
performance. community successes and achievements
3. Partner with state and local agencies to on the City's and/or Sustainability
communicate government assistance Advisory Board's website.
programs to winterize houses and 6. Promote methods and best practices
apartments for eligible homeowners and individuals can implement concerning
renters. responsible energy usage.
26
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Image of Corrim plant with solar panels and windmills - Courtesy of Sue Panek
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
1. Continue to upgrade outdoor lighting 3. Encourage businesses and homeowners
to high efficiency lamps (e.g., street to work with Wisconsin Public Service,
lighting, parks, athletic fields, and Leach which offers multiple pricing programs
Amphitheatre). designed to help encourage energy
2. Develop efficiency standards for an efficiency and promote the use of
outdoor lighting ordinance for all new renewable energy.
construction and existing building 4. Encourage the use of alternative flex-
lighting retrofits. fuel vehicles in fleets (e.g., city, police,
schools, buses and taxis).
RENEWABLE ENERGY 5. Raise awareness regarding burning
1. Continually monitor technology trends wood for heat, especially that fireplaces
to ensure building codes allow for the and fire pits provide negligible heat
development of solar, wind, geothermal, with far larger pollution impacts and
and biomass energy sources, with safety risks than safe and efficient stoves
guidelines to protect public safety and and furnaces meeting Environmental
maintain community standards for Protection Agency certification standards.
aesthetics. 6. Encourage consideration of greenhouse
2. Identify opportunities for zoning gas released when making fleet
modifications to coordinate and purchases/choosing fleet vehicles.
encourage siting for larger facilities, such
as factory-scale digesters or "farms" of
small wind turbines or solar panels.
27
PUBLIC AND BUSINESS
AWARENESS
1. Partner for educational purposes with 3. Coordinate sales promotions for energy-
national and statewide groups (e.g. Focus related products.
on Energy, RENEW Wisconsin, ENERGY 4. Use fairs and home shows to promote
STAR, Energy Center of Wisconsin, public understanding of current energy
Wisconsin Department of Natural use and affordable first steps, such as
Resources, Wisconsin Public Service, light bulb changes and winterizing.
Environmental Protection Agency, 5. Promote seasonal load control programs
Department of Housing and Urban for residences and businesses that allow
Development) and organizations in the the utility to control large appliances and
community that can provide leadership air conditioning systems.
and resources (e.g. Winnebago County, 6. Develop demonstrations and tours
ADVOCAP, Chamber of Commerce, of projects that help residents and
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox businesses learn about successful
Valley Technical College, Oshkosh Area strategies.
School District, East Central Wisconsin 7. Encourage, coordinate, and collaborate
Regional Planning Commission, Oshkosh with the business community about
Housing Authority). energy savings via guaranteed
2. Use the Sustainability Advisory Board's performance contracts, life-cycle payback
website to provide materials that options, and other programs which lead
inform residents and businesses about to greater efficient use of energy.
energy conservation and renewable 8. Share seasonal facilities, such as schools,
sources, payback times, site assessment, parks, and tourist facilities, to maximize
installation, regulations, and listings the time they can be in a low- or no-
of energy tax credits or other forms of energy mode.
assistance available from the federal, 9. Complete the Green Infrastructure Audit
state, and local governments, power for City ordinances.
companies and non-profits.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION
Preserving the water, land, and wildlife in and With its Tree City USA designation, Oshkosh
around the City is critical to quality of life for is recognized for its commitment to also
all who reside there. Lake Winnebago--the meet strict standards for urban forestry
largest inland lake in Wisconsin, and one of the management. Trees, native plants, and urban
largest freshwater lakes in the U.S--provides green spaces provide places for groundwater
Oshkosh with drinking water, wildlife habitat, to be soaked up and purified. The trees of the
and recreational activities that benefit the urban forest also absorb and remove other
economy. However, Lake Winnebago is pollutants, such as carbon and sulfur dioxide,
classified as impaired by the Wisconsin DNR ozone, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulates
based on criteria in the Federal Clean Water that enter the air from fossil fuels used for
Act. The City authorized Onterra study of buildings and vehicles. The City is also
2010 declared the shoreline as an incredibly known for its Bird City Wisconsin designation,
poor example of shoreland maintenance. highlighting the City's support of its large
The City has since taken on mandatory and populations of migratory and year-round
voluntary measures to manage stormwater and birds. These birds, along with bats and insects,
sewage treatment for pollution control, such as control nuisance and disease-carrying pests.
native plantings along the lakeshore, drainage Together, the water, land, and wildlife of
basins, and incentives for residents to use best Oshkosh help keep everyone--and everything--
practices for stormwater runoff on their land. happy and healthy.
31
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE
SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE THE CITY'S NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT TO SUPPORT THE LIFE AND
ECONOMY RELYING UPON IT
POLICIES
WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
1. Update current and future downtown 5. Raise public awareness on the
and riverfront plans with stormwater importance of cleaning boats before and
management best practices while also after entering the water to prevent the
keeping public access a high priority. spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS)
2. Continue to enforce erosion and sediment through programming such as the DNR's
control requirements at construction Clean Boats, Clean Waters program.
sites. 6. Consider implementing temporary
3. Continue to support the use of native rules regarding no wake zones to align
plantings along the City's lake and with varying water levels rather than
riverfronts, encouraging the restoration permanent no wake zones to be mindful
of more shoreline. of economic impacts on tourism and
4. Explore creating a center for river and property values.
lakes education in the downtown area to
attract visitors and promote the value of NATIVE LANDSCAPING
the resource.
1. Review-and modify City lawn and tree
ordinances to encourage responsible
RECREATIONAL WATER SAFETY native landscaping.
1. Encourage continuation of water testing 2. Provide residents and businesses
by the Winnebago County Health with a best practices guide for native
Department at Menominee Park Beach, landscaping.
posting results publicly on-site and 3. Continue replacement of annual plants
online. in City landscaping to native, perennial
2. Partner with local organizations plantings to reduce soil disturbance,
including the Winnebago County decrease stormwater runoff, and
Health Department and DNR to hold mowing.
informational sessions on local water- 4. Consider no-maintenance, low-growing
quality concerns, such as cyanobacteria native grasses when planting new or
("blue-green algae"). replacement turf.
3. Encourage continuation of beach 5. Add native species to roadside seed
grooming to remove litter and other mixes on arterials at the edge of the City,
contaminants from the shore area. and advise the Wisconsin Department
4. Promote responsible boat and personal of Transportation to do the same in the
watercraft use on the water, including Highway 41 corridor.
noise, speed, wake generation, and
potential user conflicts.
32
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Friends of Menominee Park Shoreland -Menominee site -photograph courtesy of Justin Mitchell
6. Control non-native, invasive species GREEN SPACES
in right-of-ways, parks and other 1. Strengthen existing development codes
public areas, especially where they are and promote policies that place a high
particularly aggressive, such as along value on developing an aesthetically-
frontage roads. pleasing, natural environment that
7. Consider programs to help residents promotes social connectedness
pay for "natural improvements," such throughout the City.
as burying utility lines, or removing and 2. Create plans to improve select developed
replacing dead trees on their property. areas, such as gateways and the Highway
41 corridor, with a more natural look.
WATER CONSERVATION 3. Continue the development of new park
1. Review city building codes to update space in residential neighborhoods that
standards for low-flow water-conserving have little-to-no access to neighborhood
plumbing fixtures parks.
2. Review ordinances to ensure the City 4. Engage residents in the development
is able to address drought situations of parks for recreational, social
by having policies in place to curtail connectedness, and environmental
unessential water uses. purposes."
3. Offer innovative incentives for
residential, commercial, and industrial TREE PLANTING AND
water conservation improvements, such RETENTION
as low-flow plumbing fixtures and other
proven conservation measures. 1. Support the continuation of the vigorous
4. Educate citizens and business owners urban forestry program on terraces and
on useful tips for cutting back on water in City parks.
usage, collecting water for reuse, and 2. Maintain the City's street-tree inventory,
installing low-flow fixtures. municipal nursery, and status as a Tree
5. Continue to offer rain barrel workshops, City USA.
providing education on household 3. Encourage continuation of programs that
stormwater runoff while assisting support the planting of additional urban
participants in rain barrel construction. trees.
33
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GOVERNMENT
With almost five percent of the city's Through the Sustainability Advisory Board
working population and more than two (SAB), the city has created a sustainability
dozen city-owned buildings, the city has website providing information on sustainable
numerous opportunities to lead by example actions as well as a full range of available
in sustainability efforts. This section provides resources. The SAB has also created a
sustainable policies and actions for city staff Facebook page as another means of outreach.
and departments to incorporate into daily City departments continue to implement
operations and municipal projects. It also sustainable measures as they become available.
suggests administrative procedures to facilitate Examples include the use of biodegradable
community actions. A greenhouse gas (GHG) paint, increased use of LEDs and motion/
inventory for municipal buildings has been occupancy sensors, improved traffic signal
completed and reduction targets set. City staff timing, solar-powered pedestrian crossing
continues to attend seminars and workshops flashers, and permeable pavers.
to increase their knowledge of sustainable
practices.
Photograph of Common Council Meeting- Courtesy of Oshkosh Media
35
GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVE
LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND FOSTER SUSTAINABILITY
POLICIES AND ACTIONS FOR COST-EFFECTIVE,
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY
SOUND GOVERNMENTAL PRACTICES TO MEET
COMMUNITY NEEDS
POLICIES
ADMINISTERING ENERGY MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY 1. Require energy modeling as part of
1. Seek the creation of a position responsible architectural design in all new public
for coordination of sustainability building construction to help determine
activities to report to the City Manager. the greatest efficiencies for energy
2. Incorporate sustainability responsibilities conservation.
in job descriptions for relevant city staff. 2. Demonstrate a wind turbine or solar
3. Form a green team of representatives energy in a high traffic location to serve
from each department under direction of as a model for the community.
the Sustainability Coordinator to evaluate 3. Develop an energy conservation policy
and implement internal sustainable for all city facilities and implement it
actions. through promotion, education, employee
4. Continue to involve the public in training, and action.
sustainability activity through the 4. Continue to develop policies to preserve
website, online surveys, social networks, and plant trees around city buildings and
governmental meetings, and workshops. within and adjacent to city parking lots.
5. Review the Sustainability Plan annually. 5. Analyze the energy savings impact of
Present an update of how well the city is a four day work week for buildings
meeting sustainability targets at the State where public contact is not a major
of the City event. consideration.
6. Incorporate life cycle analysis as part of
the architectural design process.
36
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GREEN BUILDING COMMUNICATION/TRAINING
1. As fiscal resources permit, use respected 1. Continue to raise awareness and provide
rating systems to help in the design training opportunities for city staff about
process and monitoring of new municipal sustainability practices.
buildings, additions and renovations. 2. Explore ways to share facilities and
2. Consider adaptive reuse of existing services with other governmental
buildings as first priority for expanded entities—the school district, county,
municipal space. technical college and university.
3. Use local and recycled building materials 3. Continue participation in Sustainable
when possible. Communities Network, Green Tier, and
4. Consider consolidation of departments other regional and state sustainability
with other units of government, such networks.
as done with the city/county health 4. Partner with the University of Wisconsin-
department to promote more efficient use Oshkosh and other local groups to
of space and resources. maximize sharing of knowledge.
5. Continue changing existing annual 5. Use local media on a regular basis to
plantings at municipal facilities to communicate sustainable activities the
perennial native species. city is undertaking.
37
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City Purchasing/ General Serz)ices Staff- Courtesy of Oshkosh Media
PURCHASING
1. Develop a purchasing policy that 6. Continue to use recycled paper wherever
incorporates preferences for sustainable applicable.
purchasing. When possible, utilize Full 7. Encourage use of 100% post-consumer
Cost Accounting (FCA) to analyze all recycled content products.
costs, advantages, and alternatives. 8. Continue to encourage use of electronic
2. Define 'cost' not just as the monetary documents and email rather than
cost,but also include social, generating paper copies.
environmental and life cycle costs. Use 9. Continue to work with vendors to reduce
this process rather than relying solely on packaging.
the low bid process. 10. Continue to buy local when possible.
3. Modify requests for proposals, 11. Reduce or eliminate non-green products
specification and contract language to and cleaners.
ensure sustainable energy procedures are 12. Continue to partner in shared purchasing
an integral part of each project. ventures.
4. Adopt purchasing policies for procuring 13. Encourage the City to divest from all
equipment, computers and appliances fossil fuels.
that consider and promote energy
savings (e.g. using ENERGY STAR
procurement policies as guidelines).
Include a policy with standards for
worker safety, handling of chemicals, and
alternative products and equipment.
5. Use a refill purchasing policy, replacing
consumables instead of stocking excess.
38
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSIDERATIONS
1. Review and adopt recycling practices at 10. Install rain barrels and rain gardens at
all municipal facilities. city facilities to reduce runoff.
2. Install low flow faucet aerators and 11. Follow standardized environmental
high efficiency toilets in all municipal management procedures, such
bathrooms to conserve water. as International Organization for
3. Encourage use of city water, e.g., Standardization (ISO) 14001.
installation of bubblers, hydration 12. Continue to implement measures such as
stations, etc. prairie treatment demonstration gardens.
4. Highlight the savings in number of
plastic bottles kept out of the waste
streams due to use of hydration stations
in City facilities.
5. Increase use of hydration stations in City
facilities.
6. Implement a fleet replacement program
incorporating the use of the most cost
and energy efficient technology available.
7. Install a few electric charging stations at
City Hall.
8. Demonstrate environmentally
safe landscaping practices in areas
surrounding city buildings.
9. Reduce mowing wherever possible.
39
CITY OF OSHKOSH
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Human Resources Staff- Courtesy of Oshkosh Media
HUMAN RESOURCES GOVERNMENTAL
1. Hire and promote people with COMMITMENTS
diverse backgrounds, experiences and 1. Fulfill the U.S. Conference of Mayors
perspectives. Climate Protection Agreement approved
2. Adopt human resource management in 2007 (Resolution 07-262) and the ICLEI
practices that support sustainability Five Milestones for Climate Mitigation
objectives, such as allowing "flex time" approved in 2008 (Resolution 08-295)by
or telecommuting, or offering incentives developing a Climate Action Plan with
for use of public transit,biking, and ride- goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
sharing. matched with strategies for reducing the
3. Continue to provide a wellness program use of fossil fuels.
and maintain efforts to become certified 2. Make use of the carbon reduction targets
as a Well Workplace. set by Milestone 2 of ICLEI.
4. Provide all City employees with an 3. Pursue additional beneficial
adequate level of compensation to commitments to a more sustainable
support themselves, promote employee community and maintain existing
retention and reduce turnover costs. commitments, e.g., Tree City USA and
5. Empower employees to think creatively, Bird City Wisconsin.
generate ideas, and share suggestions on
municipal sustainability.
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LAND USE AND
DEVELOPMENT
The physical layout and land use of our Sustainable development not only addresses
communities is fundamental to sustainability. the broad view of community land use,but
Over the past several decades, two main land also the detailed view of sustainable sites
use practices have converged to generate and buildings. Emphasis is on building
unsustainable trends in urban sprawl. (1) with nature in mind, exemplified by the
zoning that separates each type of land use U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in
discouraging mixed-use neighborhoods and Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
isolating employment locations, shopping Green Building Rating System and the
services and housing from one another and EPA's ENERGY STAR ratings for homes,
(2) low density growth planning aimed at appliances, and fixtures. LEED promotes a
creating automobile access to increasing whole-building and neighborhood approach
expanses of land. Community sustainability to sustainability. It recognizes performance
requires a transition from poorly-managed in five key areas of human and environmental
sprawl to Smart Growth planning. This entails health: sustainable site development, water
land use practices that create and maintain savings, energy efficiency, materials selection,
efficient infrastructure, ensure close-knit and indoor environmental quality. Oshkosh is
neighborhoods, and preserve natural and constructing LEED certified buildings, several
agricultural systems. In Wisconsin, the Smart of which are on the University of Wisconsin-
Growth law has begun to move communities Oshkosh campus and at least one commercial
in this direction. Smart Growth's vision is to building, a recently built Kwik Trip on 20th
promote denser settlement while providing Avenue. Green rating programs are showing
mixed uses, open space and transportation up more frequently in communities across the
choices-the antithesis of sprawl. The 2040 country and have proven to be a reliable tool to
City of Oshkosh Comprehensive Plan complies standardize the language of "green" buildings.
with the Smart Growth law and reflects this Sustainable ideas influence housing also, as
vision. developers begin to employ such concepts as
"life-cycle" design.
43
LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE
GUIDE AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CITYWIDE
DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS AND INCORPORATE
SUSTAINABLE FEATURES INTO BUILDINGS
POLICIES
LAND USE POLICIES TO ENCOURAGE
1. Review standards for development GREEN BUILDING
in the Highway 41 Corridor Overlay
District to address sustainability issues
and to potentially allow for mixed-use GREEN BUILDINGS
development in the corridor. 1. Practice and promote sustainable
2. Consider similar overlay districts for the building practices using the LEED
Highway 21 and Jackson Street corridors. program, ENERGY STAR, or a similar
3. Identify other high traffic corridors system.
and offer incentives to help redevelop 2. Build awareness of the Living Building
underutilized commercial buildings, strip Challenge as a standard for sustainable
centers, and parking lots. development.
4. Assign first priority to commercial 3. Consider requiring green building for
redevelopment areas already identified in all new city buildings and remodeling
the Comprehensive Plan. projects. The city can lead by example
5. Continue to promote attractive transit- by establishing green building policies
oriented, mixed income housing near and goals, and creating a framework to
new or alongside existing retail and office implement them.
developments to reduce travel time to 4. Consider offering incentives for green
work and shopping areas. buildings or requiring green buildings in
6. Work to increase the total area of Tax Increment Financing Districts.
municipal park land to meet the needs of 5. Encourage the use of solar panels, wind
the City's population. turbines or other renewable energy
7. Design and promote public spaces that sources on existing and new construction.
prioritize human interactions and social
connections.
8. Encourage inclusionary zoning for
affordable housing.
44
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Oshkosh Facilities Maintenance Building - courtesy of Sue Panek
LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSIS BUILDINGS AND ENERGY
(LCCA) 1. Partner with utility companies,
1. Promote life-cycle cost analysis as a ENERGY STAR, and others to offer
necessary component of designing a energy efficiency education programs
sustainable development. or incentives to improve energy use in
2. Provide educational materials to help buildings. Buildings account for 40% of
developers and builders know how energy consumed in the U.S. Strategies
to assess the full range of social and to reduce energy consumption are
environmental impacts of their projects widely available on numerous websites,
so better choices can be made. Life-cycle including the city's sustainability website.
costs take into account the full life of a
building project or development—from COOL ROOFS
its raw material production, manufacture, 1. Consider a green or white roof pilot
transport and actual use to its disposal. project on a city building. Green roofs or
LCCA can be performed on large and living roofs typically have native grasses,
small buildings or on isolated building flowers, shrubs and vegetation planted
systems. Proven methods to account for into a layer of soil over a waterproof
LCCA include the LEED Green Building membrane. Other common features
Rating System or the International include gravel paths, patios, irrigation
Organization for Standardization (ISO) systems and photovoltaic arrays. Green
14000 Environmental Management roofs absorb and clean rainwater,
Standard. Another useful tool is Return provide insulation, create habitats for
on Investment estimates, or cost-benefit wildlife, and help to lower urban air
analysis,before expanding infrastructure temperatures. White roofs are another
networks, i.e., streets, sewer, water, option. White roofs are painted white or
electricity or communications. use a white membrane or tiles to reflect
solar radiation off the roof, reducing the
building's thermal load.
45
MATERIAL RECOVERY AFFORDABLE AND SOCIALLY
1. Provide incentives to promote the SUSTAINABLE HOUSING
recovery of all recyclable building 1. Work with public and private housing
materials including not only construction providers to offer a mix of housing types
waste from new building projects, but affordable to low and moderate income
also what exists on site. owners and renter.
2. Promote adaptive reuse and renovation 2. Continue to employ programs
of older buildings while retaining historic subsidizing owner and rental
integrity. Many of these were made of rehabilitation and first time homebuyers,
stone and brick which are long-lasting, such as the Community Development
have a good fire rating, and contain Block Grant Program (CDBG), the Home
thermal retention properties. Rental Rehabilitation Program (HOME),
Wisconsin Housing and Economic
LOCAL MATERIALS Development Authority (WHEDA) and
1. Promote the use of building materials local housing authority programs.
and products found in the immediate 3. Encourage life-cycle or adaptable design
area and surrounding region. Buying to help people live independently
and using local quality building materials throughout their lives. This type
strengthens the local economy, creates of design includes fixed accessible
local identity, and decreases out of the features, such as wider doors and
region transportation costs. halls, open floor spaces and clear traffic
patterns; and adaptable features, such
as wall reinforcement for grabbers and
removable base cabinets for future knee
space.
4. Continue to promote affordable and
socially sustainable housing for all
segments of the population.
46
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County Housing Authority - courtesy of Sue Panek
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LOCAL FOOD
The local food movement is aimed at connecting consumers back to the land, providing fresh and
nutritious food, protecting the environment and supporting the local economy.
Growing Oshkosh is a nonprofit urban farm founded in 2012 with the hopes of bringing fresh,
healthy, local and affordable food to downtown Oshkosh, as well as to local schools, social service
agencies, at-risk neighborhoods and throughout the entire community. They specialize in sowing,
growing and sharing quick-growing, nutrient-dense crops,but it is their educational mission that is
at the core of everything they do, especially their youth education programs. Their "beyond organic"
and sustainability-focused urban farm brings to market thousands of pounds of food each year and
all the food grown in their 14 elementary school gardens are free to students, families, staff and
neighbors.
Opposite: Oshkosh Farmers Market - Courtesy of Michael J. Cooney
49
LOCAL FOOD OBJECTIVE
PROMOTE LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION, SALES AND
CONSUMPTION
POLICIES
FARMLAND PRESERVATION
1. Support the preservation of agricultural 5. Explore the use of acquired lands the City
lands in the city's extraterritorial growth of Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority is
area from premature conversion of prime land banking for future redevelopment,
farmland to non-agricultural uses. for interim neighborhood gardens.
2. Work with private land owners and 6. Whenever possible, use land-banked
developers to provide conservation sites to reduce the city's costs to maintain
easements for long-term local food these properties.
production.
3. Explore the use of other agricultural PRIVATE AND INSTITUTIONAL
and green space preservation programs, GARDENS
such as Purchase of Development Rights 1. Work with Growing Oshkosh
(PDR) and Transfer of Development
Rights (TDR), as well as the use of Inc. in demonstrating sustainable
conservation subdivisions. urban gardening with greenhouses,
4. Partner with the Future Farmers of aquaculture, and educational outreach to
America and encourage cooperative the city schools.
2. Partner with University of Wisconsin-
efforts with schools in efforts to preserve Extension, Fox Valley Technical College
farmland.
and other local organizations to prepare
a brochure related to setting up an urban
food plot within applicable city/county
regulations.
50
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SUSTAINABLE GARDENING
PRACTICES GREENHOUSES
1. Partner with the University of Wisconsin 1. Encourage local greenhouses to
Extension and other groups in promoting implement organic and environmentally
best practices to protect people, water, sensitive methods.
and wildlife through workshops and 2. Work with greenhouse owners to donate
printed materials. starter plants for community food plots
2. Work with local education institutions in mixed-to-low income neighborhoods.
to support the establishment of a 3. Ensure the zoning ordinance facilitates
demonstration community garden establishment of greenhouses in
to illustrate sustainable practices residential as well as other districts.
and provide tours and educational
opportunities for the community. MUNICIPAL CODE REVISIONS
3. Promote the urban chickenkeeping 1. Revise the zoning ordinance to address
ordinance for single and two family community gardens as permitted or
residential uses. conditional land uses in all zoning
4. Promote the urban beekeeping ordinance districts.
and educate residents on urban 2. Support the creation and implementation
beekeeping. of ordinances that permit responsible
composting.
51
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LOCAL FOOD SALES FOOD EDUCATION
1. Support establishment of neighborhood 1. Employ the city's sustainability
markets. website and media services to provide
2. Continue to support Oshkosh Farmers opportunities for citizens to learn about
Market Inc. and other locally-raised and the importance of growing, preserving
produced food. and buying local and organic food,
3. Continue to support food sales from local food safety, (such as advisories
stands and trucks within current city, on mercury in Winnebago fish), and
county and state regulations. reducing greenhouse gas emissions
4. Work with the groups who are interested by eating lower on the food chain
in establishing a food co-op at a (vegetarian).
downtown location. 2. Work to expand educational
opportunities through the library,
PUBLIC EVENTS schools, University of Wisconsin-
1. Promote locally grown/produced goods Extension, greenhouses, local media and
at public events held in Oshkosh. other available educational outlets.
2. Offer incentives to local producers 3. Develop a best-practices brochure for
such as discounted vendor licenses and composting.
permits. 4. Encourage the use of recyclable bags for
3. Promote biodegradable food service food shopping, and reusable straws and
products if disposable utensils and plates utensils for food consumption.
are used at public events.
52
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MANAGING WASTE
The City of Oshkosh collects recyclable and While recycling is an important factor in
solid waste materials and disposes of them a sustainable community, promoting the
in partnership with Winnebago County. The reduction of initial use and reuse of materials
county is a member of a 25-year tri-county is a preferred method. Area residents and
agreement with Brown and Outagamie businesses have many options, ranging
counties,begun in 2002. As the conclusion from grinding masonry materials from
of this agreement occurred in 2018, it will be demolished buildings for reuse in road
increasingly important to reduce the solid construction projects, to utilizing resale and
waste stream volume and postpone the siting thrift stores for both donations and purchases,
of a new landfill in Winnebago County for to composting yard waste to feed a family
as long as possible. Single-stream recycling, garden.As technology advances and new
established in 2009, has already shown an markets are created, we can expect to see
increase in recycled items, as well as cost a significant increase in options for waste
savings with usage of automated equipment. reduction and uses of recovered materials.
Materials collected from residences through Currently, prescription drugs can be disposed
the single-stream recycling program are of at a drop-off box at the Oshkosh Police
transferred to the Tri-County Single-Stream Department. Leaf waste is spread on farm
Recycling Center in Outagamie County for fields. The yard waste collected is sent to
sorting and sustainable redistribution. the urban biodigester system. Information
on proper disposal of hazardous waste and
e-waste can be found on the city website.
Opposite - View of tipping room floor - Courtesy of Winnebago County Solid Waste
55
MANAGING WASTE OBJECTIVE
PROMOTE WASTE MANAGEMENT AWARENESS AND
REUSE OF MATERIALS, INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
ITEMS RECYCLED, REDUCE INITIAL CONSUMPTION,
AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF MATERIAL
DIVERTED TO LANDFILLS
POLICIES
EDUCATION WASTE REDUCTION
1. Minimize waste creation by improving 1. Improve institutional and business waste
public understanding of source reduction reduction and recycling programs.
as the most preferred method of waste 2. Educate restaurants on the potential
management. cost savings and waste reduction by
2. Educate and promote reduction, allowing customers to ask for single use
reuse, recycling, and recovery of waste disposables like straws, napkins, and
materials through information on the plastic silverware.
City's Sustainable Oshkosh website. 3. Work with restaurants to eliminate the
3. Provide information such as a green use of Styrofoam containers.
business list to increase consumer 4. Encourage use of reusable shopping bags
product awareness and environmentally and other multi-trip containers to reduce
preferable purchasing. usage of plastic bags and single-use
4. Distribute updated information such as containers.
an annual mailing included with water 5. Promote alternatives to paper usage, as
bills about proper disposal of hazardous well as 100% post-consumer recycled
waste, prescription drugs, electronic content when feasible.
waste, and other banned items through 6. Provide information and incentives to
the Sustainability website and events promote recovery, reuse, and recycling of
such as the farmer's market. demolition debris and building scraps at
5. Identify cost-saving benefits of waste construction sites through programs such
reduction, as well as environmental gains as WasteCap.
for local residents and businesses.
56
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Interior of Oshkosh City Garage - Courtesy of Sue Panek
RECYCLING COMPOSTING
1. Consider recycling containers in public 1. Provide education on setting up and
areas and at public events next to waste maintaining compost bins at home,
barrels. Ensure that single-stream community gardens, and the workplace
recycling containers are well marked and for organic waste (e.g. grass, leaves,
visible. brush, leftover fruits, vegetable waste,
2. Encourage 'away from home' locations, and garden debris).
such as gas stations and convenience 2. Communicate with local employers who
stores, to also provide recycling have existing compost programs to share
containers. best practices across the city.
3. Continuously review the municipal 3. Continue to promote use of monthly
recycling program for updated methods pickup collection and drop-off sites for
or technologies to improve the system. community composting of leaves and
4. Educate the public on what items are and other organic materials.
are not appropriate for recycling streams. 4. Continue partnering with the renewable
5. Finalize and distribute a one-page energy facility biomass digester to
educational handout on resources, convert community organic waste to
websites, etc. directing residents to more electricity and heat with the local dry
information on recycling. anaerobic biogas system.
5. Explore the municipal collection of
organic waste. Communicate with
other areas of the state and country
to determine how to get over hurdles
related to curbside compost pickup.
57
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Winnebago County Solid Waste - Courtesy of Sue Panek
CONSUMER REUSE ELECTRONICS
1. Encourage reuse of furniture, clothing, 1. Provide education regarding statewide
household,building and decorating collection and recycling system for
items through local thrift stores (e.g. consumer electronic devices, including
Goodwill, St. Vincent De Paul, Habitat for their ban from landfills or incineration.
Humanity ReStore) or online forums (e.g. 2. Promote diversion of e-waste to
Freecycle, Craigslist, eBay). responsible recycling or disposal
facilities. Promote e-waste recycling
NON-BIODEGRADABLES events at local businesses on the
1. Encourage use of cloth or reusable Sustainability website.
shopping bags by educating retailers and 3. Encourage establishment of a local
shoppers about advantages of reusable collection and disposal site for e-waste.
bags. Promote reusable bag programs 4. Partner with local electronics stores to
providing customers with a monetary or create awareness on recycling programs
other incentive to participate. available for e-waste products.
2. Encourage restaurants to use bio-
degradable single-use take out containers
instead of non-biodegradable containers.
3. Educate the community about water
bottle waste and high quality of city tap
water.
4. Promote sale of safe multi-use containers
and encourage restaurants and retailers
to provide means for customers to refill
bottles with city water.
58
Winnebago County Landfill - Courtesy of Sue Panek
PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE- SPECIAL EVENTS
COUNTER DRUGS 1. Create a pilot project to make an
1. Continue to encourage and facilitate the established community zero-waste event
collection and disposal of unwanted/ by using products that are bio-based,
excess prescription and over-the-counter recyclable, or compostable using glass,
drugs. bioplastics and paper products instead of
2. Work with law enforcement to establish plastic. Expand to include all community
additional collection sites beyond events.
the drop box at the Oshkosh Police 2. Partner with the Chamber of Commerce
Department. to create incentives to promote zero-
3. Educate the public on the need to keep waste events.
these items out of the wastewater and
landfill systems. LITTERING
1. Encourage citizens/visitors to pick up
HAZARDOUS WASTE litter in parks, public places, along
1. Continue to promote the availability waterways, during special events, and in
of the household hazardous material the general community.
facility at the Winnebago County 2. Continue to enforce littering laws and
landfill. Investigate expanding hours for encourage carry in, carry out.
additional drop off times. 3. Continue to evaluate public spaces and
2. Remind residents on a regular basis that events for adequate waste and recycling
items such as tires, batteries, and waste receptacles.
oil should be taken to the landfill for 4. Increase public awareness on the
proper disposal. locations of plastic bag recycling
containers and on what plastics these
locations accept.
59
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SAFE AND HEALTHY
COMMUNITY
Food, water, and shelter are the basic The City of Oshkosh has strong public works,
physiological components necessary for life. police and fire departments to provide public
Security, health and well-being are the basic safety and support for its citizens. Winnebago
safety needs of humans. Friendship, family County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural
and community are the basic social needs. Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard provide
Environment, social justice and economics boater safety on Lake Winnebago and the
are the pillars of sustainability. The City of Fox River. The Winnebago County Health
Oshkosh is a community where residents and Department is an important partner with the
the local government strive to meet basic needs City on various initiatives. Winnebago County
in a sustainable fashion. also has a strong emergency management and
first responder network.
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The City has many medical, dental, Oshkosh has seen much progress since
rehabilitation, and assisted living/retirement the original 2012 Sustainability Plan. The
centers, including Aurora Health Center and Downtown YMCA recently underwent a major
Ascension NE Wisconsin Mercy Hospital. expansion. The City recently added bike lanes
From Little Oshkosh and Pollock Pool to on Irving Avenue, and has continued work
the Oshkosh Seniors Center, there are many towards the completion of the Riverwalk.
opportunities for recreation and socialization These recent successes are examples of positive
for all ages. Oshkosh is home to many parks catalysts for community health.
located throughout the city, with Menominee
Park on Lake Winnebago being the largest. Oshkosh provides educational support at
many levels, and is home to not only the
Over 60 religious facilities are located in Oshkosh Area School District but also the
Oshkosh. Cultural and social venues are Fox Valley Technical College, the University
myriad, including Leach Amphitheater, the of Wisconsin-Oshkosh plus many parochial
Oshkosh Public Library, the Oshkosh Public schools. The Chamber of Commerce, Chamco,
Museum, the Grand Opera House, the Paine and the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors
Art Center, and the Experimental Aircraft Bureau support both the social and economic
Association (EAA) Museum. Oshkosh, bases of the city.All of these entities and
Wisconsin's Event City, is home to a monthly many more make Oshkosh a safe and healthy
downtown Gallery Walk, Waterfest, Irish Fest, community in which to live.
Oktoberfest, and the Celebration of Lights.
Opposite- Courtesy of Sue Panek
63
SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE
PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT,
CULTURAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY, AND PROVIDE
A SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY FOR OUR
CITIZENS
POLICIES
EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS
1. Maintain well-staffed, trained, and
equipped police and fire departments at 6. Continue to support the many agencies
the level required for our community's and programs that provide benefits to
size and needs. our citizens, such as Wisconsin Interfaith
2. Maintain partnerships and collaboration Needs Response, Meals on Wheels,
with the Winnebago County Health Habitat for Humanity-Oshkosh, the
Department to improve and maintain Oshkosh Area Community Food Pantry,
community and environmental health ADVOCAP, the Housing Authority, and
through the county. GO-HNI.
3. Maintain safe drinking water, sewage 7. Assist with efforts to create a more
treatment and stormwater capacity permanent warming shelter and ensure
sufficient for the population as also safe, healthy, and affordable housing
mentioned in the Environmental options for all income levels.
Conservation chapter of this plan (pgs.
31-33). HEALTH AND URBAN LAND USE
4. Continue human services programs 1. During the Site Plan Review and
supported by community partners. approval process, encourage
5. Continue to support literacy and the development that promotes sustainable
arts by furthering partnerships with the lifestyles by mixing residential, retail
Oshkosh Public Library, the Oshkosh areas, and employment centers with
Public Museum Gallery Walk, and other safe walking/biking paths and access
community entities. to bus routes, and require adequate
landscaping.
2. Encourage housing developments that
reduce isolation foster community spirit,
include a diversity of occupant age,
social, and cultural groups, and remain
64
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affordable to a variety of income groups. 3. Continue to support the Pollock
3. Continue to implement recommendations Community Water Park.
from the Pedestrian and Bicycle 4. Encourage and support the efforts of the
Circulation Plan. Seniors Center, YMCA, Oshkosh Area
4. Continue to promote development that is School District, University of Wisconsin-
accessible and walkable under our new Oshkosh and various organizations in
zoning process. events such as the Tour de Titan and
5. Examine and address connectivity across other walk/bike/run events.
Highway 41 and railroads. 5. Support additional work on the
6. Support efforts of the Public Works and Riverwalk and bike trails.
Transportation staff to ensure that public 6. Implement recommendations of the
facilities, crosswalks, and pedestrian City of Oshkosh Pedestrian and Bicycle
signals comply with the Americans with Circulation Plan to provide residents
Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). with safer conditions for biking and
7. Create safety awareness and educate walking.
Oshkosh residents on the importance of 7. Encourage outdoor alternatives such
snow removal from sidewalks. as walking and biking for family
8. Consider the role of social connections togetherness.
and inclusion in public spaces. 8. Encourage use of our available natural
resources for water sports and events
ACTIVE LIFESTYLES (e.g. Dragonboat Races and sailing
1. Encourage physical fitness among all age regattas).
groups. 9. Acquire additional acreage to create
2. Continue to maintain athletic fields, parkland in areas currently deficient in
courts, and playgrounds in our parks, as
green space.
was done through improvements to the
Ferry Crossing baseball diamond and the
Stevens Park tennis courts.
65
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HEALTHY LIVING 3. Advocate for policies, systems, and
1. Continue to support the health and environmental changes that will improve
welfare of City residents through health for all residents.
programs such as the Committee on 4. Encourage the implementation of
Aging, the Seniors Center, the Boys and employer wellness programs and
Girls Club, Safe Routes to School (SRTS), wellness partnerships between employers
healthcare screenings, mental health and the community. For example, ensure
support, and free clinics. that all City of Oshkosh employees have
2. Create a cross-sector Health in All access to healthcare screenings, mental
Policies team and advocate for a Health health support, and free health clinics.
in All Policies ordinance. 5. Encourage local employers to meet
criteria for Well City designation.
66
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The Oshkosh l Winnebago County Housing Authority conveyed the former Waite Grass Carpet Company
buildings into affordable living units and units became available in December, 2018,
Both Images (opposite and this page) - Courtesy of Sue Panek
67
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TRANSPORTATION
AND MOBILITY
Sustainable transportation generally refers to In addition to the hybrid buses in service,
enhancing alternatives to the automobile- seven new clean diesel buses were added to the
public transit,bicycling, walking and rail-to fleet in June 2018 with three more scheduled to
reduce pollution, conserve energy and decrease be added in 2019 to replace the ten 2003 models
traffic congestion. The City of Oshkosh offers removed from service in 2018. The City has
Go-Transit, its own public transit system. At added bus shelters at the rate of about one to
the time of the plan update, the system offered two per year to new locations throughout the
10 routes to various locations in the City and City. Improvements to the existing downtown
Neenah. In 2014, over half (53%) of Go-Transit transit station and plaza by coordinating plaza
riders were between the ages of 30-64. The design with surrounding streetscaping and
system has seen around a million riders yearly street furniture to create a multi modal facility
for the past five years. The system currently is being planned.
operates within walking distance (400 meters
or 1/4 mile) of about 90 percent of the city.
69
T
Oshkosh has had a long history of rail implementation of the plan. Since the plan's
transportation. The Canadian National inception, several streets including Irving
Railway and Wisconsin and Southern Railroad Avenue and Westhaven Drive have received
run through the City. Rail transport is often bike lanes.
employed for freight and every ton-mile of
freight moving by rail instead of truck reduces The Tribal Heritage trail over the I-41 Bridge
greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds or connects the Wiouwash trail to the Riverwalk
more. On June 13, 2018 two spur lines served on both sides of the Fox River. This trail
by the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad provides another means of recreation and
opened in the Southwest Industrial Park transportation on foot or by bicycle through
connecting local businesses to the national rail the area. On the southern side of the river the
system. trail will continue along the former Municipal
Golf course to Rainbow Park. The Boatworks
The Oshkosh Pedestrian and Bicycle Redevelopment project loop between the
Circulation Plan was approved by the Oshkosh Wisconsin Street Bridge and the Oregon Street
Common Council in 2011. The plan has was open and scheduled for completion in the
recently undergone an update in 2017-2018. fall of 2018. Three sections of the downtown
This plan has had extensive public input and loop remain to be completed; the Dockside
incorporates a broad range of policies affecting tavern to Main Street, Main Street to Pioneer
bike routes, bike parking, pedestrian ways, Island, and Rainbow Park to the Senior Center.
connectivity with transit and trails, funding,
education and intergovernmental cooperation.
The Pedestrian and Bicycling Advisory
Committee was established to oversee
70
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Bicyclist on the Wiowash Trail -Image courtesy of Sue Panek
71
TRANSPORTATION OBJECTIVE
ENHANCE MOBILITY ALTERNATIVES TO THE
AUTOMOBILE; DESIGN SAFE, EFFICIENT AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TRANSPORTATION
INFRASTRUCTURE; AND CONNECT TO OTHER
LOCAL AND REGIONAL NETWORKS
POLICIES
PUBLIC TRANSIT
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS
1. Encourage GO-Transit to continue 1. Assist in marketing the City's Go-Transit
replacing buses at the end of their service system to broaden the scope of ridership.
lives with new clean diesel or hybrid 2. Partner with East Central Wisconsin
options. Regional Planning Commission
2. Partner with GO-Transit, Planning (ECWRPC) to examine and update the
Services and neighborhood associations 2011 Oshkosh Transit System-Transit
to determine best locations and Development Plan (TDP).
implement new covered bus shelters. 3. Assist GO-Transit in determining how to
3. Encourage planned improvements to the further refine their data gathering system
existing downtown transit station and and capture data to improve traveler
plaza by coordinating plaza design with information, comfort, convenience and
surrounding streetscaping and street customer service.
furniture to create a multi modal facility. 4. Educate riders on the app for phones that
allows the customer to track bus locations
in real time.
5. Implement electronic fee collection on all
GO-Transit buses.
6. Explore other service options, such as
van-pooling and shuttle type service.
72
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TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAMS
7. Provide incentives and flexibility for city 1. Employ integrated land use planning
employees and local businesses to use and sprawl reduction policies to make
transit. destinations more pedestrian,bicycle and
8. Design marketing programs to attract the transit friendly.
general public, such as fare capping. 2. Encourage rideshare programs and
9. Explore route alternatives for the telecommuting.
Intercity Bus service to increase usage. 3. Encourage new Park and Ride locations
in addition to the four existing locations
REGIONAL TRANSIT near the City.
AUTHORITIES FOSSIL FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Support statewide efforts to permit
transit agencies to create their own ALTERNATIVES
funding authorities to improve mass 1. Assist in the planned implementation
transit options. of EV charging stations in the City in
2. Consider pervious paving materials addition to the eight EV charging stations
where feasible and where clay subsoil already installed in and within 10 miles
does not inhibit drainage. of Oshkosh.
3. Incorporate landscaping for aesthetics 2. Explore incentives for businesses to
and stormwater control, LED lighting, provide access to EV charging stations
bike racks and other items to conserve and alternative fuels, especially bio-diesel
energy and protect the environment. and its future fuel cousins.
73
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RAIL TRANSPORTATION BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN
FACILITIES
FREIGHT RAIL PLANNING
1. Partner with the Canadian National 1. Partner with the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Railway and Wisconsin and Southern Committee on implementation and
Railroad to protect the rail corridors and further updates of the updated Bicycle
ensure that the right-of-way needs of and Pedestrian Circulation Plan.
the railroads are met while reducing the 2. Continue to examine the benefits and
number of conflict points for the City. potential of a Complete Streets Policy for
2. Partner with the Planning Services Oshkosh.
Division, neighborhood associations, 3. Support the implementation of bicycle
and residents to create and implement and pedestrian-friendly amenities as
the Railroad Mitigation Plan for areas listed in major plans such as Imagine
affected by the railroads. Oshkosh and the Corridors Plan.
PASSENGER RAIL RIVERWALK
1. Encourage establishment of passenger 1. Examine ways to improve and beautify
rail service in the Oshkosh area by the Riverwalk and encourage increased
promoting reopening of a train line use of the Riverwalk over time.
between Green Bay and Milwaukee 2. Work with the Parks Department and
through Appleton, Oshkosh and Fond du abutting property owners to encourage
Lac. shoreline restoration through the use of
appropriate shoreline plantings.
3. Research alternative environmentally
friendly materials for remaining sections
of the Riverwalk.
74
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Opposite two images and left image this page - Courtesy of Sue Panek
WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
1. Assess neighborhoods for their
walkability by determining what goods
and services are within an easy and
safe walking distance to allow residents
and employees to meet their needs
on a regular basis, and recommend
improvements where there are
deficiencies.
2. Review zoning policies for their potential
to allow mixed-use and compact
development.
3. Provide input for the Sawdust District
redevelopment and if possible support
the use of traditional neighborhood
design and transit-oriented development
standards.
4. Encourage strict enforcement of speeding
and other traffic laws to ensure streets
are safe for all travelers—motorists,
pedestrians and bicyclists.
75
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STREET DESIGN AND
MAINTENANCE
1. Continue to promote and build 5. Address polluted run-off issues related
infrastructure to serve a range of users— to salt usage and other methods of snow
pedestrian,bicyclists, transit riders and and ice removal.
motorists. 6. Develop a local erosion control ordinance
2. Incorporate elements of green design and continue to enforce state-required
when reconstructing or building erosion control practices during street
new streets, e.g., LED street lighting, construction.
landscaping, native vegetation, 7. Continue working with City Departments
wider terraces, narrower pavements, to finalize and implement a formal tree
biodegradable paint, sustainable policy for street reconstructions.
infrastructure (example permeable
pavers) and pedestrian amenities. TRAFFIC SIGNALS
3. Explore newer types of construction 1. Synchronize traffic signals with speed
material such as permeable pavers limits to avoid unnecessary stops and
and road design to reduce stormwater idling of cars.
impacts or increase the lasting quality of 2. Consider additional roundabouts where
a street. they could work. Fifteen roundabouts
4. Continue an aggressive street cleaning have been installed in the city to date.
program to protect water quality,
maintain pavement, and reduce the PARKING FACILITIES
burden on the sewer system.
1. Consider bio-filters and other
sustainability practices when rebuilding
or developing parking facilities.
76
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IMPLEMENTATION
ACTION PLAN FOR
2019
An action plan provides direction for accomplishing the objectives of the Sustainability Plan. For the
2012 Action Plan, the Sustainability Plan Steering Committee has selected policies for each objective.
These are intended to be implemented in the short, medium and long term according to the order
they are listed. The action items will be reviewed by the City's Sustainability Advisory Board, who
will set targets, assign responsibilities, and prepare an annual report. The annual report will show
progress not only of Action Plan items,but of the many other policies in the Sustainability Plan that
may be guiding day to day activities. The Sustainability Advisory Board will also update the Action
Plan annually with input from staff, City Council, and citizens.
Goal: Improve the quality of life in the City of Oshkosh by incorporating sustainability practices to
meet the environmental, economic and social needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs.
2019 Sustainability Advisory Board Goals
Government Action
Action Items Responsible Individuals Completion Target
1 Inventory Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Margy,Robert
2 Explore municipal and city-wide use of solar energy Robert,Pat
3 Sustainability Plan update SAB,Staff December,2018
4 Green Infrastructure Audit-UWO Collaboration Staff December,2018
5 Fossil Fuel Divestment-Long Range Finance and City Council Margy
6 Fall 2018-UWO Projects-Implementation SAB,Staff
7 Explore potential for use of permeable pavers on various sites SAB,Staff Ongoing
Education&Outreach
Action Items Responsible Individuals Completion Target
1 Finalize Native Plant Brochure Michelle
2 Sustainability Plan Update SAB,Staff December,2018
3 Coordinate SAB's Faciliatation of Rain Barrel workshop Vic,Staff
5 Create 2018 Annual Report(State of the City) Staff DONE
6 Support Menominee Park Shoreland Project through volunteer cleanups SAB,Michelle Ongoing
Create education program for kids/public on energy,composting,rain gardens
7 etc.,Bird Fest,Farmers Market,ZoolLeach SAB
8 Recycling/clean up(Putting bins at Farmers market,city parks,Washburn,etc.) SAB,Staff
9 Environmental Leadership Award(s)for 2020 SAB Volunteers,Staff Ongoing
Opposite image -Middle Village green space build - October, 2015
79
GLOSSARY
25x25: a rallying cry for renewable energy and a goal for America-to get 25 percent of our energy
from renewable resources like wind, solar, and biofuels by the year 2025.
adaptive reuse: the process of using old structures for purposes other than those initially intended.
alternative transportation: in this document alternative (and/or sustainable) modes of transportation
include transportation by public transit (bus or rail),bicycle, walking, or alternative fuel vehicles.
American Planning Association (APA) Policy Guide on Planning for Sustainability: an extensive
set of sustainability policies for communities based on the four principles of the Natural Step
framework.
benchmark: a standard by which something can be measured or judged; in this document, targets set
for reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
biodegradable: capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other biological means
biodigester: a container in which methane, or biogas, is captured in the processing of organic
material by anaerobic bacteria. The gas is often used for heating, lighting or cooking.
biofilter: a filter system using microorganisms to convert organic compounds of a pollutant to carbon
dioxide, water and salts
biofuel: a fuel, such as wood, methane or ethanol, composed of or produced from biological raw
materials.
biomass: plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source.
Bird City Wisconsin: a designation by a partnership of state birding groups indicating a community
has met certain criteria for making itself healthy for birds. Oshkosh was one of 15 communities
designated early in 2011.
brownfield: abandoned, idled or under-used property where expansion or redevelopment is
complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination.
business incubator: facility established to nurture young (startup) firms during their early months
or years, usually providing affordable space, shared offices and services, hands-on management
ttrOaining, marketing support and often access to some form of financing.
carbon footprint: a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by an
entity, e.g. a country, company, household or individual, through day to day activities over a given
period of time.
climate action plan (CAP): a customized roadmap to reduce global warming pollution by a target
a city has identified. The CAP includes an implementation timeline for reduction measures, costs
and financing mechanisms, assignments to city departments, and actions the city must implement
to achieve its target. The inventory and quantification of existing climate protection measures
helps guide a city to understand where it can get the greatest emissions reductions. The majority
of measures in a CAP fall into energy management, transportation, waste reduction and land use
categories.
climate change: any change in global temperatures and precipitation over time due to natural
variability or to human activity. Present thinking is the Earth is getting warmer because of an
accumulation of greenhouse gases in the lower atmosphere primarily attributed to combustion of
fossil fuels and deforestation.
community garden: a garden cultivated by a group; in this document usually an area designated by
the city or county where garden plots are rented to community members on an annual basis to plant
vegetables and flowers.
compost: a mixture of decaying organic matter, as from food wastes, leaves or manure, used to
improve soil structure and provide nutrients.
conditional land use: in a zoning district, a land use permitted with additional requirements tailored
to the site.
conservancy area: an area protected from development because of special environmental
characteristics
cool, green or white roof: an "environmentally friendly" roof intended to conserve energy by
employing a white reflective or insulated coating, or being planted with vegetation.
ecology: the study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment
energy conservation: reduction in the amount of energy consumed through economy, elimination of
waste, and rational use.
81
energy independence: generally means using less foreign oil, but also refers to areas off the grid and
employing renewable energy sources such as wind or solar.
ENERGY STAR: a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S.
Department of Energy designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help businesses and
consumers save money by making energy-efficient product choices.
e-waste: any refuse created by discarded electronic devices and components or substances involved
in their manufacture or use.
Facility Improvement Measures (FIMs): standards to improve building and system performance,
such as reducing electricity, water or natural gas usage.
flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) or dual-fuel vehicle or flex-fuel vehicle: an alternative fuel vehicle with
an internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended with
either ethanol or methanol fuel, and both fuels are stored in a common tank.
Focus on Energy: a program for eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective,
energy efficient and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources and financial incentives
help to implement projects that otherwise would not get completed or complete projects sooner than
scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote
in-state economic development, protect the environment and control the state's growing demand for
electricity and natural gas.
food co-op: a grocery store organized as a cooperative. Food cooperatives are usually consumers'
cooperatives owned by their members. Food cooperatives follow the 7 Cooperative Principles
(voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic control, member
economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training and information,
cooperation among cooperatives and concern for community) and typically offer natural foods.
fossil fuels: fuels formed by natural resources such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead
organisms. Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are non-renewable
resources because they take millions of years to form, and reserves are being depleted much faster
than new ones are being made.
82
Full Cost Accounting (FCA): generally refers to the process of collecting and presenting information
about environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits/advantages (collectively known as the
"triple bottom line") for each proposed alternative when a decision is necessary. It is a conventional
method of cost accounting tracing direct costs and allocating indirect costs.
geothermal energy: thermal energy generated and stored in the earth. Thermal energy is energy that
determines the temperature of matter. The Earth's geothermal energy originates from the original
formation of the planet, from radioactive decay of minerals, from volcanic activity, and from solar
energy absorbed at the surface. The geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature
between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in
the form of heat from the core to the surface. Use of geothermal energy heating of buildings with
ground source heat pumps has been steadily increasing.
green: in this document, green is shorthand to refer to any environmentally preferable product,
activity, service or process.
green power: a subset of renewable energy representing renewable energy resources and
technologies providing the highest environmental benefit. The EPA defines green power as electricity
produced from solar, wind, geothermal,biogas,biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources.
Customers often buy green power to avoid negative environmental impacts and for its greenhouse
gas reduction benefits.
green or sustainable business: an enterprise having little or no negative impact on the global or local
environment, community, society, or economy; a business that strives to meet the triple bottom line.
green team: in this document, green team is used to describe a team of city department
representatives chosen to lead sustainability initiatives for the City of Oshkosh.
greenhouse gas (GHG): natural and manmade gases in the earth's atmosphere allowing incoming
solar radiation to pass through the atmosphere and warm the earth, while trapping radiant heat
given off by the earth. The radiant heat absorbed by these gases heats the atmosphere. This
is a natural process known as the "greenhouse effect" that keeps the earth habitable. The four
primary greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO) and
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Since the onset of the industrial period, human activities have lead
to sharp increases in the levels of GHGs in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and
contributing to rising global temperatures.
83
greenhouse gas inventory: an audit of activities causing greenhouse gas emissions, such as
electricity use, transportation and waste generation. The inventory provides baseline data for local
governmental operations and community scale activities to help target projects and programs to
reduce emissions.
greenhouse gas reduction target: a specific quantified emissions reduction goal, usually a percentage
by which greenhouse gases will be reduced from base year levels by a chosen target year.
greenhouse gas "sink": the physical site where carbon is stored, e.g., atmosphere, oceans, vegetation
and soils and fossil fuel deposits.
Health in All Policies (HiAP):A transformative, collaborative approach to improving a community
by incorporating health, sustainability, and equity considerations into decision-making across
government agencies and policy areas.
Health in Planning: How the built environment, like zoning policies, comprehensive plans,bicycle/
pedestrian accommodations, and parks, can improve community health and provide increased
opportunities for health.
hybrid vehicle: a vehicle using two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term
most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion
engine and one or more electric motors.
hydration station: an indoor or outdoor site provided with drinking fountains, water coolers or other
means to obtain drinking water.
hydropower/hydraulic power or water power: power derived from the force or energy of moving
water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Prior to development of electric power,
hydropower was used for irrigation and operation of various machines, such as watermills, textile
machines, sawmills, dock cranes, and domestic lifts.
Inclusionary zoning:A type of incentive zoning that requires developers to reserve a portion of
housing units for low and moderate income residents, often with restrictions on resales that specify
purchase by low or moderate income households. Inclusionary zoning programs may be based on
mandatory requirements or development incentives, such as density bonuses, expedited permits and
approvals, relaxed design standards, or fee waivers or reductions. (http://whatworksforhealth.wisc.
edu/program.php?t1=109&t2=126&t3=86&id=341)
84
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI): an association of over 1220
local government members who are committed to sustainable development. It provides technical
consulting, training and information services to build capacity, share knowledge and support local
government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level.
impervious surface: mainly artificial structures--such as pavements (roads, sidewalks, driveways
and parking lots) covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete,brick, and stone--and
rooftops. Soils compacted by urban development are also highly impervious.
Industrial Ecology (IE): the study of material and energy flows through industrial systems. The
global industrial economy can be modeled as a network of industrial processes that extract resources
from the earth and transform those resources into commodities which can be bought and sold to
meet the needs of humanity. Industrial ecology seeks to quantify the material flows and document
the industrial processes that make modern society function. Industrial ecologists are often concerned
with the impacts that industrial activities have on the environment, with use of the planet's supply
of natural resources, and with problems of waste disposal. Industrial ecology is a young but growing
multidisciplinary field of research which combines aspects of engineering, economics, sociology,
toxicology and the natural sciences.
infill: use of land within a built-up area for further construction, especially as part of a community
redevelopment or growth management program or as part of smart growth. It focuses on the reuse
and repositioning of obsolete or underutilized buildings and sites.
invasive species: non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction
causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive
species can be plants, animals, and other organisms, e.g., microbes. Human actions are the primary
means of invasive species introductions.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO): promotes the development and
implementation of voluntary international standards,both for particular products and for
environmental management issues.
ISO 14000/14001: a series of voluntary standards in the environmental field under development by
ISO. Included in the ISO 14000 series are the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard and
other standards in fields such as environmental auditing, environmental performance evaluation,
environmental labeling, and life-cycle assessment. The EMS and auditing standards are now final.
The others are in various stages of development.
85
land banking: the practice of acquiring land and holding it for future use.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): a rating system developed by the United
States Green Building Council (USGBC) that sets definitive standards for what constitutes a green
or environmentally preferable building. The certification system is self-assessing and designed for
rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings. It evaluates
environmental performance of the entire building over the building's life cycle. LEED certifications
are awarded at various levels (certified, silver, gold, and platinum) according to a point-based scoring
system.
light-emitting diode (LED): a semiconductor light source. LED bulbs draw considerably less power
and are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent and halogen bulbs. They can last 10 or more years
under normal usage.
Life-Cycle Design: a framework recognizing each step in product development from extraction
of raw materials through final disposal of all residuals. It focuses on discovering and reducing
environmental impacts.
Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) or Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA, also known as life cycle analysis,
ecobalance, and cradle-to-grave analysis): a technique to assess environmental impacts associated
with all the stages of a product's life from-cradle-to-grave, i.e., from raw material extraction through
materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or
recycling.
McKinstry Study: a study commissioned by the City of Oshkosh to audit municipal buildings and
create a plan for energy savings.
mixed-use development: development which incorporates both residential and commercial uses.
nanomaterials: materials which have structured components smaller than one tenth of a micrometer
in at least one dimension. Materials with one dimension in the nanoscale are layers, such as a thin
films or surface coatings. Some of the features on computer chips are in this category.
native vegetation: plant species native to the northeastern Wisconsin bioregion, usually suited to
their habitat and including all forms of vegetation, e.g., trees, bushes, grasses, forbs, etc.
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Natural Step,The: a framework founded in Sweden, now worldwide, promoting sustainable
communities through four principles: reduction of fossil fuel, reduction of chemicals, protection of
natural eco-systems, and social justice. Wisconsin has 28 Natural Step or "eco" communities.
organic: of, relating to, or derived from living organisms. Organic foods are those produced using
methods not involving modern synthetics such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers, not containing
genetically modified organisms, and not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical
food additives.
Pay-As-You-Throw policy: substituting variable rate pricing for flat rates, meant to provide an
incentive to households to divert an increased portion of its discards away from traditional disposal
to recycling.
payback: the period of time elapsed before an investment is recouped
Policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change:A way of modifying the environment to make
healthy choices practical and available to all community members. By changing laws and shaping
physical landscapes, a big impact can be made with little time and resources. By changing policies,
systems and/or environments, communities can help tackle health issues like obesity, diabetes,
cancer and other chronic diseases. (http://plan4health.us/policy-systems-and-environmental-change-
strategies/)
Polycyclic Aromic Hydrocarbon (PAHs): a group of organic contaminants formed from incomplete
combustion of hydrocarbons, such as coal and gasoline. PAHs are an environmental concern because
they are toxic to aquatic life and because several are suspected human carcinogens. They are present
in coal tar sealants often sprayed or painted on asphalt pavement to protect and beautify driveways,
parking lots and other asphalt surfaces.
potable water: water suitable for drinking
programmable thermostat: a thermostat designed to adjust the temperature according to a series of
programmed settings taking effect at different times of the day. Programmable thermostats may also
be called setback thermostats or clock thermostats.
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Purchase of Development Rights (PDR): a strategy for protecting natural and farmland from
development. Development rights are one of the many rights, such as mineral rights or timber rights
that come with a parcel of land. When a landowner sells development rights, the right to develop or
subdivide a parcel of land is permanently relinquished. The landowner retains all other rights, such
as the right to farm or timber the property, and must continue to pay property taxes. Landowners
often sell or make a charitable donation of development rights to land trusts, or local and state
government agencies.
radon: a colorless, odorless, short-lived radioactive gas that can seep into homes and become a lung
cancer risk.
rain barrel: a barrel used as a cistern to hold rainwater, often a component of a community's
stormwater reduction strategy.
rain garden: a shallow (2"-18") depression, typically planted with colorful native plants, strategically
located to collect, infiltrate and filter rain falling on hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, alleys, or
streets to minimize negative impacts of excessive runoff from these surfaces on lakes and streams.
Regional Transit Authority (RTA): a legislatively created organization with the sole purpose of
operating a transit system within a given jurisdiction, usually with the ability to tax and bond for
operating and capital expenditures.
RENEW Wisconsin: a nonprofit organization promoting clean energy strategies for powering the
State of Wisconsin economy in an environmentally responsible manner.
renewable energy: any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, e.g.,
biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave, and hydroelectric power, not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel.
roundabout: a circular road structure where several roads meet, often replacing stop and go lights.
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS): a program enabling community leaders, schools and parents across
the United States to improve safety and encourage more children, including children with disabilities,
to safely walk and bicycle to school. In the process, programs are working to reduce traffic congestion
and improve health and the environment, making communities more livable for everyone.
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seasonal load control: a program in which utility companies offer a lower rate in return for having
permission to turn off gas or electricity for short periods of time by remote control. This control
allows the utility to reduce peak demand.
single stream recycling: a system in which all paper fibers and containers are mixed together in a
collection truck, instead of being sorted into separate commodities (newspaper, cardboard, plastic,
glass, etc.)by the resident and handled separately throughout the collection process. In single stream,
both the collection and processing systems are designed to handle this fully commingled mixture of
recyclables, with materials being separated for reuse at a materials recovery facility.
smart growth: community growth consciously seeking to avoid wastefulness and damage to the
environment.
Social connectedness: strength of relationships with others in the community
solar energy: radiant light and heat from the sun harnessed by humans using a range of ever-
evolving technologies.
stratospheric ozone layer: atmospheric ozone relatively concentrated in the lower stratosphere in
a layer between 9 and 18 miles above the Earth's surface. It plays a critical role for the biosphere by
absorbing damaging ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths 320 nanometers and lower.Also known
as ozone layer.
subsurface drainage chamber: the use of underground pipes and other fittings to direct the flow of
water from unwanted places to another place.
sustainable: can mean slightly different things depending on the context in which it is used. In this
document it means "use of a resource so the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged."
Sustainability is defined as "meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their needs."(1987 U.N. Conference)
Tax Incremental Financing District (TIF): an economic development tool for Wisconsin, allowing
a municipality to promote growth in a specific district by borrowing on the district's future growth
in taxable property value. In Wisconsin, TIFs may be created for three types of projects: blight or
environmental remediation, industrial development, and mixed-use development. Tax revenue from
improvements in the district pay back debt until all project costs are repaid.
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telecommuting: a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and
hours. The daily commute to a central work place is replaced by telecommunication links. Many
work from home, while others utilize mobile telecommunications technology to work from coffee
shops or other locations.
total maximum daily load (TMDL): a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant a water
body can receive and still safely meet water quality standards.
tot lots: small parks or playgrounds usually located in an urban area.
Transfer of Development Rights (TDR): a tool used to manage land development. TDR is the
exchange of zoning privileges from areas with low population needs, such as farmland, to areas of
high population needs, such as downtown areas. These transfers allow for the preservation of open
spaces and historic landmarks, while allowing urban areas to expand and increase in density.
Travel Green Wisconsin: a Wisconsin Department of Tourism program promoting smart,
environmentally friendly business practices. The program is the first state-sponsored sustainable
tourism certification program in the nation and has become a model for sustainable travel efforts
across the nation.
Tree City USA: a program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the
USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, providing direction, technical
assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in
thousands of towns and cities that more than 135 million Americans call home.
Triple Bottom Line: a method of "true cost accounting," which considers the impact of production
and operating decisions in terms of ecological and social value, as well as economic value.
U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement: participating cities commit to take the
following three actions to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities;urge
their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat
the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol --
7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse
gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system.
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urban growth boundary (UGB) or urban service area: a regional boundary, set in an attempt to
control urban sprawl by mandating the area inside the boundary be used for higher density urban
development and the area outside be used for lower density development. An urban growth
boundary circumscribes an entire urbanized area and is used by local governments as a guide to
zoning and land use decisions.
Vision Oshkosh 2010: an A. Nelessen Associates report which identified and analyzed emerging
trends and community issues, articulated core community values, developed a community vision
based on communities' core values, established a vision action plan to implement the vision, and
defined a method to revisit and update the vision and action plan
WasteCap Wisconsin: a nonprofit, industry-supported 501(c) (3) organization providing waste
reduction and recycling assistance to businesses. WasteCap assists and encourages companies to
effectively drive costs out of their operations through improved solid waste management practices.
Services are made possible through membership, sponsorship, and grants.
watershed: an area of land where all water beneath it or draining off it has a shared destination of
river, lake or stream.
Well City USA: an initiative designed to engage entire business communities in improving the health
and well-being of their workforce. Similar in approach to Well Workplace, the primary requirement
for achieving a Well City USA designation is when a minimum of 20 employers who collectively
employ at least 20% of the city's workforce become designated Well Workplaces within a three-year
period. Each employer must complete WELCOA's Well Workplace Award application documenting
their progress in developing and delivering their worksite wellness initiatives.
Well Workplace: a seven-step,benchmarking initiative by the Wellness Council of America
(WELCOA) which gives organizations a roadmap to successfully build results-oriented wellness
programs into their working environments while avoiding common pitfalls.
wind energy: the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy. Examples are using
wind turbines for electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or
drainage, or sails to propel ships.
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Wisconsin Energy Independent Community: a voluntary agreement between the State of Wisconsin
and communities adopting the State's 25x25 goals (a rallying cry for renewable energy and a goal for
America-to get 25 percent of our energy from renewable resources like wind, solar, and biofuels by
the year 2025).
zero waste: reuse or recycling of all natural and man made materials back into nature or the
marketplace rather than landfilling or similar disposal options for these materials.
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