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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.01.2021 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes March 1st, 2021 PRESENT: Virtually: Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Eric Degroot, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Bradley Spanbauer, Bob Poeschl, Vic Oliver, Lisa Marone, Margy Davey, Ken Osmond (joined at 6:05pm) EXCUSED: None ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Brandon Nielsen (Staff Liaison), James Rabe (DPW Director), Jason Vander Velden (ADVOCAP), Samantha Spranger, Bryce Boughten. I. Call to Order Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II. Approval of Minutes, February 1st, 2021 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, Brad Spanbauer seconded. The board approved the February 1st minutes 8-0 (Poeschl/Spanbauer). III. ADVOCAP Weatherization Assistance Presentation Jason Vander Velden from ADVOCAP introduced himself and began to share content regarding their Weatherization Assistance Program. Mr. Vander Velden explained that ADVOCAP is a private non-profit that serves Winnebago, Fond du Lac, and Green Lake counties and their weatherization mission is to increase energy efficiency of the home, reduce energy costs for low- income families, and provide long-term relief from expensive energy bills. He shared 2019 statistics related to the work that was completed, such as, 203 homes receiving assistance (90% being owner occupied and 43 being in Oshkosh); and that the most effective improvements were air sealing, attic and wall insulation, heating system replacement, water heater and heating system fuel switches. Mr. Vader Velden further explained that each homes average investment cost was $7,530 and their average energy savings per year was $530. This translated to $107,200 dollars in savings when looking at all 203 homes and approximately $23,000 in savings for the homes completed in Oshkosh. Over the course of time this will equate to an estimated $2,478,900 in energy cost savings for just these year 2019 completed homes. These savings also reflect a positive effect on energy consumption year after year, such as, 150-200 therms per home/per year and 1300 kwh per home/per year. Planning Staff Brandon Nielsen explained to the board that this presentation coincides with last month’s MIT student presentation and study because Mr. Vander Velden was crucial in providing data points from the weatherization program for those students. He further explained that now we can see that in order to accomplish weatherization techniques to residential homes in Oshkosh at a rate of MIT’s recommended 7% per year that this program, and others, would need significantly more funding because, according to the MIT study, 43 homes would be less than .05% of Oshkosh homes that potentially need this type of work completed in a years’ time. Brad Spanbauer asked how this program could be expanded to others outside of the low- income status and stated that maybe more information could be provided in some way so more people, who could potentially afford this work without assistance, can be aware that weatherization techniques exist. Mr. Vander Velden explained that grants are available but unfortunately, to his knowledge, there are not currently any other programs like this that are available for everyone. Mr. Vander Velden explained that renewable energy items are not currently available with this weatherization program. IV. Native Plant Brochure Michelle Bogden Muetzel said that she wanted to circle back with the board to talk about the purpose of the brochure and see what everyone thinks should be in it. Ms. Muetzel explained that the DNR website does have a decent amount of resources available and once SAB is able to attend functions again, like the farmers market, these resources can easily be printed and used for informational handouts. Ken Osmond questioned if the brochure should maybe consist of plants that are on the shorelines of Oshkosh and was curious what the intent of the brochure is. Margy Davey explained that this idea started approximately four years ago when the zoning ordinance changes occurred and a chart was added in that municipal code showing point values for different types of vegetation. Ms. Davey said at the same time a retired county horticulturist was working with SAB to develop multiple brochures, one for each type of vegetation. Ms. Muetzel went over these ideas, reinstating that a brochure showing all of our local native plant species would be helpful in determining what is growing in one’s yard or what could be grown appropriately. Director of Public Works James Rabe offered an idea to reach out to local suppliers and landscapers such as Marty’s Blue Sky and Agricola as they do work with the native plant community. Mr. Rabe will send Mr. Nielsen some website links to share with Ms. Muetzel. V. Duck Ordinance Mr. Nielsen explained that, similar to what was done for the chicken and bee ordinance, the next step with the Duck Ordinance is for a public survey to be created and pushed out on Polco for public input. Mr. Nielsen read through the questions he drafted and asked for input on those questions and the survey in general. Bob Poeschl explained that most of the chicken ordinance public comment was done at SAB meetings as it was being discussed at several meetings in a row over the course of the year. Mr. Poeschl questioned what the Polco survey will accomplish, what will it change (if anything), and/or who are the results for. Mr. Nielsen stated that he did not have those answers but would put together an email with all the proper parties and Cc Mr. Poeschl on it so these questions could be answered. Mr. Poeschl voice his concerns with the timing of this survey and sees this as a something that will push the passage of this ordinance back another month. VI. Salt Usage Ms. Muetzel stated that the city’s salt usage was something she had been wanting to look at and research what other cities were doing in comparison to Oshkosh to determine if there was anything that could be improved upon. Ms. Davey explained that the SAB’s concern is that anytime salt is used on the streets it ends up in our waterways and therefore wanting to research better alternatives. Ms. Muetzel stated she had learned at the salt awareness week webinar that roughly 470,000 tons of salt is used on Wisconsin roads per year, and at $70 dollars per ton, 83 million dollars per year is spent on salt so there is a financial aspect to not using salt as well. Mr. Spanbauer asked if there is a city policy on salt use and explained what proactive informational things are done at the university to help everyone understand the balance between snow removal and salt use. He further explained that some salt is chloride based and that is very difficult to remove from water once infiltrated. Mr. Spanbauer would like to see more education on salt use being distributed in addition to researching alternatives. Mr. Rabe explained that the City of Oshkosh does have a snow and ice removal policy and it is available on the public works website. He added that the city has been using brine for a number of years and that is has significantly reduced the overall salt usage. Mr. Rabe continued by explaining a number of salt related items, to include, current practices, salt trucks capabilities and technology, where salt is used and not used, issues with certain storms and why ice stays present, and staff trainings like salt awareness week and apwa snowplow rodeo. Mr. Rabe explained that to completely remove salt as an application would be a very daunting educational campaign with the general public in the community. He added that sand has been used before to help provide traction in certain scenarios but sand accumulates in gutters, catch basins, and storm sewer mains and therefore he believes there is no perfect solution unfortunately. Mr. Osmond asked what the process is in terms of managing the distribution of salt to prevent storm sewer drainage system and local watershed damage and Mr. Rabe explained that there isn’t really a formula besides prioritizing collector streets, arterial streets, and bus routes with staff available at the time needed. Ms. Muetzel asked if Mr. Rabe knew of any studies that were done concerning salt content in the local watershed and also asked when the department started to make changes and implementing these great practices. Mr. Rabe explained that there is not a lot of historical data on the salt content in the waterways but currently the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance is monitoring Campbell Creek and Sawyer Creek for salt content and that data is available on their website. VII. Social Media Vic Oliver shared with the board that a couple Facebook posts were done in February and they were successful in engagement and that a poll was conducted regarding electric vehicles. Mr. Nielsen encouraged the board to share ideas or posts with him so there can be more activity on the SAB Facebook page. VIII. Agenda Items for Future Meeting City to sponsor an MREA solar group buy Duck Ordinance Native Plants Salt use Social Media IX. Next Meeting, Monday, April 5th, 2021 Ms. Davey reminded everyone that Monday March 22nd, 2021 is State of the City. X. The board voted 8-0 to adjourn (Osmond / Muetzel) Recorded by: Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner