HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.02.2020 Minutes CITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
November 2nd,2020
PRESENT: Virtually: Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Michelle Bogden Muetzel,Bradley Spanbauer,
Ken Osmond, Bob Poeschl, Robert Turner, Margy Davey
EXCUSED: Eric DeGroot, Vic Oliver
ABSENT: None
STAFF AND OTHERS:Brandon Nielsen,Jake Timm (Oshkosh Media)
I. Call to Order
Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to and a quorum was declared present.
II.Approval of Minutes,October 51h,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. Robert Turner seconded the motioned. The board
approved the October 511,minutes 7-0 (Poeschl/Turner).
III. Community Composting with UW Oshkosh
Mr. Spanbauer explained that the Biogas program is looking to get in touch with people for this
program but have not yet had a chance to do so. Mr. Poeschl talked about a student presentation
that was conducted some time ago that the city council listened to. He explained the
presentation was about the city engaging in more composting opportunities on a municipal
level and offered to spearhead that initiative further if the committee thought that was a good
idea. Ms. Davey and Ms. Bogden Muetzel expressed interest in revisiting that presentation and
felt it was a good starting point in the community composting conversation.
IV. Duck Ordinance
Mr. Nielsen explained that the majority of what was written for the chicken ordinance was
applied to the draft version of the duck ordinance,but some information was needed in the
standards of practice section in order to finish the ordinance. Mr. Poeschl asked about the total
number of allowed ducks and chickens in the ordinance. Mr. Nielsen explained that the total
allowed number would be four, whether that be all ducks, all chickens, or a combination of
both; so that the new duck ordinance does not allow any more bird like animals than the
chicken ordinance already defines. There was conversation about the standards of practice
section of the draft and it was ultimately determined that this would be discussed further, at the
next meeting, after that section had been updated.
V. Fossil Fuel Divestment
Ms. Davey asked Mr. Nielsen which of the two provided documents was up for review and he
explained that the marked up document was for everyone to physically see the changes that
were made from the existing document and the non-marked up document was the final product
with all edits being applied. Ms. Davey asked if anyone had any comments to make about the
document and stated that she feels this document is important, regardless of current fossil fuel
investments, so that it is in the record that Oshkosh would like to do this. Mr. Poeschl explained
his want to meet with the finance director to help understand what current investments and
divestments are in place. Ms. Bogden Muetzel asked if anyone was going to work on adding
page numbers with the whereas statements that are associated to specific areas in the
sustainability plan. Ms.Davey explained a potential problem because of how the sustainability
plan can be accessed online,but will add the page numbers in hopes that it clarifies where the
information is located within the sustainability plan. Ms. Hallquist requested multiple language
edits to the document and those were noted.
VI. Social Media
Mr. Nielsen briefly described how the last month had went regarding the SAB Facebook page
and requested that the board continue to provide content to share. Mr. Osmond shared his
thoughts on how the page functions. He explained that in his experience with social media and
community causes, it is clear there is a severe lack of activity on the SAB Facebook page and the
inability to provide advice and council directly to that page is problematic. Mr. Osmond added
that anything to reduce the current barriers of content sharing frequency should really be of the
utmost priority regarding this agenda item. Mr. Poeschl recommended that the SAB Facebook
page pick a consistent message and then post about that three or five times, examples included
were, SAB Schedule/Minutes, and approved or denied action items.
VII.Agenda Items for Future Meeting
Ms. Davey stated that community composting, duck ordinance, fossil fuel divestments, and
social media will be on the next agenda. Mr. Spanbauer explained an energy innovation grant
and wanted it to be on the next agenda as a discussion item. The next meeting agenda,
scheduled for December 7t11, 2020.
VIII. Next Meeting, Monday December 7th-Virtual via WebEx
Chair Davey reminded the board of the next meeting and that in January the board will be
revaluating the goals sheet.
IX. The board voted 7-0 to adjourn (Poeschl/Osmond)
Recorded by:
Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner