HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.04.2021 Minutes CITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
January 41h,2021
PRESENT: Virtually: Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Michelle Bogden Muetzel,Bradley Spanbauer,
Bob Poeschl,Vic Oliver,Ken Osmond, Margy Davey
EXCUSED: Eric DeGroot
ABSENT: None
STAFF AND OTHERS:Brandon Nielsen,Jake Timm (Oshkosh Media), Kate Hancock-Cooke
(Citizens' Climate Lobby)
I. Call to Order
Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present.
II.Approval of Minutes,December 71h,2020
Chair Davey asked if anyone on the board would like to make a motion to accept the minutes as
written;Bob Poeschl moved to accept, Ken Osmond seconded The board approved the
December 7th minutes 7-0 (Poeschl/Osmond).
III. Citizens' Climate Lobby: Carbon Fee &Dividend
Ms. Davey introduced Ms. Hancock-Cooke and briefly explained what Citizens Climate Lobby
(CCL) is. Ms. Hancock-Cooke explained that CCL started 13 years ago,is volunteer based with
roughly 190,000 participants, and that CCL was founded with the intention of trying find good
climate solutions based on scientific research. CCL believes that the number one climate solution
is to remove/reduce carbon dioxide from the earth's atmosphere and that the most effective way
to do that is through federal legislation. Ms. Hancock-Cooke explained the Energy Innovation
and Carbon Dividend Act that is currently in congress with bipartisan support and how CCL is
helping municipalities learn of the bill in hopes that they will endorse it,which in turn will
show state and federal law makers that their communities want action on climate. Ms. Hancock-
Cooke exhibited statistics about our nation's climate,Wisconsin's climate, costs of weather
disasters, and local opinion surveys showing support of CO2 regulation. She further explained
how the carbon fee and dividend fundamentally functions and what the benefits would be from
it. Currently over 100 counties and cities across the nation, including 17 in Wisconsin,have
signed a resolution in support of this bill.
Mr. Osmond questioned the ability of this bill to restrict the EPA's regulatory functions and
CCL members explained how it does not restrict the EPA in any capacity. To best prepare the
SAB and City Council for public questions that may arise if the city was to pass a supportive
resolution for bill like this Mr. Osmond addressed additional concerns and questions regarding
the bill. Ms. Hancock-Cooke stated that she believes the free market stimulus that is built into
the bill addresses much of what Mr. Osmond expressed. She offered to return, to answer further
questions either from the SAB or the Council, to help move this resolution forward.
IV. Energy Innovation Grant
Mr. Nielsen provided an update on this grant stating that at this time the city will not be
submitting an application because it was determined that currently, with the activity types
available, the city is not in a position to fulfill the application requirements.
V. Social Media
Ms. Oliver asked for anyone who has an idea on something to post, please send her an email so
she can work on getting that turned into a Facebook post. Ms. Oliver provided an update on the
FB statistics stating that the numbers were fairly consistent with the prior 6 months that were
studied.
VI. Fossil Fuel Divestment
Ms. Davey read the memo that was sent to the SAB from the Long Range Finance Committee,
which stated that LRFC will be sending their recommended investment policy to city council
without any of the provisions suggested in the SAB resolution because of its potential impact to
staff and the desired effects on investments held by the City of Oshkosh. Mr. Poeschl expressed
concern with the memo because it stated that LRFC discussed the Fossil Fuel Divestment
Resolution before the SAB had voted on the resolution, effectively only discussing a draft
version of said resolution (LRFC discussion Dec 2^' and SAB passed the resolution on Dec 7t").
Mr. Poeschl recommended that the two board chairs and staff liaisons discuss this further to get
a better understanding of where the two committees are coming from.
VII.Agenda Items for Future Meeting
Carbon Fee and Dividend resolution to be reviewed, similar to the one that City of Appleton's
council had recently passed.
Update on the Fossil Fuel Resolution.
Review the 2021 Goals and make plans to accomplish those goals.
XIII. Next Meeting, Monday,February 15t,2021
IX. The board voted 7-0 to adjourn (Poeschl/Bogden Muetzel)
Recorded by:
Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner