HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PRESENT: Virtually: Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Michelle Bogden Muetzel,Bradley Spanbauer,
Ken Osmond, Bob Poeschl, Robert Turner
In Person: Margy Davey, Vic Oliver
EXCUSED: Eric DeGroot
ABSENT: None
STAFF AND OTHERS: Brandon Nielsen, Steven Wiley, Jake Timm (Oshkosh Media)
I. Call to Order
Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm and a quorum was declared present.
II. Approval of Minutes,August 3rd, 2020
Chair Davey asked if anyone on the board would like to make a motion to accept the minutes as
written and Bob Poeschl motioned to accept. Vic Oliver seconded the motioned. The board
approved the August 3rd minutes 8-0 (Poeschl/Oliver).
III. Community Composting with UW Oshkosh
Brad Spanbauer explained they are looking for a grant and need a partnership with the city or
county to apply for the grant in the next cycle. A memorandum of understanding is needed
between the city and university to show what a composting partnership/program would look
like. Mr. Spanbauer explained that the Biogas program is looking to get in touch with
downtown businesses that have food waste, so he has sent out e-mails to those businesses in
hopes to have a meeting and ultimately begin collecting their food waste.
IV. Duck Ordinance
Chair Davey explained that the hope for this discussion is to decide if the board wants to pursue
the recommendation of a duck ordinance to the city and what that ordinance should entail. Ms.
Davey brought up the point that the animal ordinance will need to be revised because it
currently prohibits waterfowl and ducks are considered waterfowl. Staff member Steven Wiley
explained that certain section of the chicken and bee ordinance should be able to be used to
write this new ordinance,such as the language for appeals, and can be used as a guide. Ms.
Davey brought up examples from other cities who allow ducks and suggested that using what
has already been established in those ordinances to be reviewed and subsequently used in
creating the City of Oshkosh's duck ordinance. Vic Oliver explained that she would like to see
water requirements be written in the ordinance, as ducks need water to bathe properly.Ms.
Oliver and Ms. Davey discussed the total amount of ducks allowed per property and questioned
whether or not that number should affect the total number of chickens allowed. Ms. Oliver
stated that one of the example cities only allows hens (females) and questioned if the City of
Oshkosh should do the same. Ms. Davey explained that the purpose of the ducks would mostly
be for their eggs and so the ordinance should define ducks as "heavy bodied egg laying hens, no
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drakes." Bob Poeschl shared that he has four chickens on his property and it is a good number
to easily manage. Michelle Bogden Muetzel brought up the discussion point mentioned earlier
about the total number of ducks allowed and how that could affect the chicken ordinance
allowance, or not,but is something that needs to be determined in this process. Ken Osmond
explained that the example ordinances have limits in place for total number allowed and
minimum square footage needed per fowl and questioned if these limits can be accomplished if
the ordinances are separate. Staff Wiley explained that,yes, these limits could be accomplished
with separate ordinances and that there would just need to be language in each, referencing the
other where needed. Mr. Poeschl brought up the question of setback requirements and how that
is handled in different cities. Ms. Davey expressed that there should be no setbacks from
accessory structures located on the subject property because if the duck shelter could be built
next to those structures it would help shield the ducks from Wisconsin s harsh winters, allowing
the ducks to winter better. Staff Nielsen and Staff Wiley will be working on a draft going
forward.
V. Fossil Fuel Divestment
Ms. Davey shared that she updated this document and explained those updates. Ms. Bogden
Muetzel suggested having actual page numbers, or a link, so readers can find it. Ms. Davey
explained the different steps of how the fossil fuel divestment resolution works and conversed
with Ms. Dwyer Hallquist about what is within the purview of the SAB on a topic/resolution
such as this. Ms. Davey and Mr. Poeschl conversed about where this recommendation would go
and where it should go regardless of approval or denial from long range finance. Ms. Oliver
stated that she thinks a statistic in the document stating how much climate change will affect us
would be helpful to add in the document and Mr. Spanbauer agreed, stating that there is likely
data available that could be use in the document to explain what Ms. Oliver described. Ms.
Bogden Muetzel will write a whereas statement for the cost benefit of divesting from fossil fuel
and also for why the community is affected by climate change. Mr. Osmond shared that the
fossil fuel economy has taken a huge dive in comparison to renewable energy, which is up. He
feels this information should be added to the document as well.
VI. Menominee Shoreland Restoration
Ms. Bogden Muetzel received notice that the city has been getting plant height complaints. She
asked the public to share their positive thoughts on the plants and flowers in the area. Mr.
Poeschl asked where the complaints came from and Ms. Bogden Muetzel stated that the city
forester, Bill Strum,had contacted her stating that people are complaining, she is not sure if its
one person or a whole neighborhood. Mr. Poeschl explained how this sounds like things are just
playing catch and hopefully it's all back on track soon.
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VII. Social Media
Ms. Davey shared her conversation with City Manager, Mark Rohloff, about the SAB Facebook
page and it was determined by Mr. Rohloff that the current social media rules will not be
changing at this time; and therefore city staff will continue to administer the Facebook pages.
The SAB was encouraged to send any relevant sustainability related information to Staff
Nielsen's email so he can get that information posted to the SAB Facebook page as soon as
possible. Vic explained some of the challenges with the current setup of posting to the page.
VIII. Agenda Items for Future Meeting
Ms. Davey stated that community composting, the duck ordinance,fossil fuel divestments, and
social media will be on the next meeting agenda scheduled for November 2nd1 2020.
IX. Next Meeting,Monday November 2nd—Virtual via WebEx
Chair Davey reminded the board of the next meeting and that in January the board will be
revaluating the goals sheet
X. The board voted 7-0 to adjourn at 7:30 pm (Osborn/Poeschl)
Recorded by:
Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner