HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
March 2nd, 2020
PRESENT: Margy Davey, Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Vic Oliver, Robert Turner, Eric DeGroot
EXCUSED: Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Lurton Blassingame, Bradley
Spanbauer, Adam Maslowski, Jake Krause
ABSENT: None
STAFF AND OTHERS: Brandon Nielsen, Steven Wiley, Jake Timm (Oshkosh Media), Rob and
Karen Hartley - 1711 Punhoqua Street
I. Call to Order
Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and a quorum was declared present.
II. Public Comment
No public comment occurred.
III. Approval of Minutes, February 3rd, 2020
No board members had any revisions for the minutes so the board approved the February 3ra
minutes 5-0 (Turner/Oliver).
IV. Solar Group -buy program — Discussion
Ms. Dwyer Hallquist (Ms. DH) presented information about the program. She explained that
the more people involved makes the overall cost of the project cheaper. Ms. DH expanded on
her personal experience with a similar program that was done through the Sierra Club and how
it worked for her family. It was discussed that 2021 would be the earliest year to apply for this
program because the 2020 deadline had passed. Ms. DH said that the only costs to the city if
they were to adopt something like this would be items such as, staff time, provide meeting
space and to inform the public of the project/program. Ms. DH explained how site assessments
were free, which help determine if a building is even viable for such a project. The question of
whether or not this program can be used on municipal buildings was asked and Ms. DH was
planning to explore this.
Chair Davey moved to place this on the April 6th agenda as an action item. The board would
take action at the future meeting to make a recommendation to the City on whether to
participate in the group -buy program. The board supported the idea of having a representative
from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) speak regarding the program at the
April SAB meeting. It was also recommended to try to get a presentation from MREA, the
group who runs the solar program.
V. Recommend Alternative Placement of Natural Habitat in New Park — Action
Residents Rob and Karen Hartley presented a letter of concern which asked the SAB to make a
recommendation for an alternative placement of the planned splash pad and parking lot in
Lakeshore Park. They explained how the current proposed splash pad and parking area would
result in destruction of trees that house "birds of prey," such as bald eagles, owls and hawks.
Their letter went into more detail about this and was available upon request. Chair Davey
provided an overview on Lakeshore Park and explained that there were many trees located at
the eastern boundary of Lakeshore Park. She stated that the Board could request that the
Advisory Parks Board, Parks Department and Common Council slow the Lakeshore Park
process enough to see whether they could save the trees and bird resting area. Chair Davey
asked that the SAB recommendation go before the Advisory Parks Board and Common Council
together.
Mr. Turner motioned to recommend that the Advisory Parks Board and Common Council
explore an alternative placement of the proposed splash pad and parking lot. The board
approved the motion 5-0 (Turner/Oliver).)
VI. Environmental Leadership Award — Update
Mr. Wiley provided an update and explained that he was finishing the preparation for the
Environmental Leadership Award. He explained that the award would be presented at the
State of the City event on March 9th at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Chair Davey explained
the State of the City event and encouraged the SAB members to attend.
VII. UW Oshkosh Senior Seminar Projects —Update
Mr. Oliver shared what she had done thus far with the "plastic pledge" project and noted she
had just starting looking at all the information along with contacting 4imprint about the sticker
that participating businesses would receive.
VIII. Electric Vehicle Project— Update
Ms. Dwyer Hallquist provided a document showing charging stations in Oshkosh. She
explained her opinions on each level of charging stations and how the levels of charging
stations could be utilized.
ex: Kwik Trip has level 1 charging and Festival Foods has level 3 charging, each are used
differently.
Chair Davey stated that the document provided showed that the city was lacking in the
infrastructure to keep up with the growth of these types of vehicles. Increasing the number of
stations would be helpful to keep up with the growth of electric vehicles. Further discussion
explained possible locations of future stations such as outlet mall and Interstate 41 corridor
locations in general.
Mr. DeGroot talked about the city's current fleet of vehicles and how the SAB should get a
plan/recommendation in place that shows how the city can move forward with an electric
vehicle transition.
IX. Menominee Shoreland Restoration - Update
Chair Davey stated there was not an update for the month due to Ms. Bogden Muetzel not
being able to attend and that this topic would be added to the April agenda.
X. Social Media - Discussion/Action
Ms. Oliver announced this month's posts have been sent to Mr. Wiley and they were on
Pollinators because the gardening season was close to starting. She mentioned the posts were
not just about bees but also butterflies, ants, wasps, flies, hummingbirds and bats.
XI. Agenda Items for Future Meeting
Items for the April meeting would include an update on a recommendation to the Parks and
Council for the splash pad, solar group -buy program recommendation and speaker from MREA
and Farmers Market availability. The Social Media item would remain on the agenda.
Chair Davey asked to add the Fossil Fuel Divestment on the agenda for the May meeting
XII. Review Goals Sheet
Ms. Oliver asked that staff make the Plastic Reduction Pledge its own item on the SAB Goals
Sheet.
XIII. Next Meeting, Monday April 61h - City Hall Room 404
Chair Davey reminded the board of the next meeting.
The board voted 5-0 to adjourn at 6:52 pm (Dwyer Hallquist/Turner).
Recorded by:
Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner