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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.3.2021 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes May 3rd, 2021 PRESENT: Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Bob Poeschel, Margy Davey, Ken Osmond, Bradley Spanbauer, Vic Oliver EXCUSED: Lisa Marone ABSENT: Eric DeGroot STAFF AND OTHERS: Brandon Nielsen (Staff Liaison), Scott Williams (Oshkosh Media), James Rabe (Director of Public Works), UW-Oshkosh Professor Jim Feldman and his Environmental Studies Senior Seminar students, UW-Oshkosh Professor Misty McPhee, Aaron Wojciechowski (City Council Member), Lori Palmeri (City Mayor), Tom Otte (Salt Saver Inc) I. Call to Order Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II. Approval of Minutes, April 5th, 2021 No board members had any revisions for the minutes so the board approved the April 5th minutes 7-0 (Poeschel / Bogden Muetzel). Motion by Mr. Poeschel to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Ms. Bogden Muetzel. Motion carried 7-0. III. Approval of Minutes, April 7th, 2021 No board members had any revisions for the minutes so the board approved the April 7th minutes 7-0 (Poeschel / Bogden Muetzel). Motion by Mr. Poeschel to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Ms. Bogden Muetzel. Motion carried 7-0. 6:05 PM SAB member Michael Beardsley joined the meeting IV. UW-Oshkosh Student Presentations Professor Jim Feldman thanked the Sustainability Advisory Board for making the presentations possible and turned the floor over to the students. The first student group presented on their proposal for Road Salt Additives to be used in the City of Oshkosh. The group explained that road salt has economic and infrastructure impacts, such as, metal corrosion on buildings, bridges, and drainage systems along with estimated damages of 3 million dollars a year for Oshkosh. They explained the environmental effects and water quality impacts of road salt usage. The group proposed that Oshkosh implement one of the following salt additive options, an acetate-based brine called salt saver, a beet juice solution called geomelt, or a cheese brine. Road salt costs have been steadily increasing over the past 40 years with 2020 reaching an all- time high at $77.10 per ton. All three of the proposed salt additives would result in an annual cost savings. The group discussed barriers and trade-offs for each of the proposed salt additives, as well as the benefits of using organics and acetates. They stated that road salt has more negatives than positives while organics and acetates have more positives than negatives, and therefore the proposed salt additives are a better choice for Oshkosh going forward. Questions: Mr. Poeschel asked if the proposed additives are to be used in addition to road salt. A member from the group explained that yes road salt is still used but the organics would reduce salt usage by 30% and acetates would reduce salt usage by 50%. Professor McPhee asked if the price of salt coincided with the amount used. The group replied that no, the price is set through a bidding system. Mayor Palmeri questioned if mixing in the additives would cause any issues with the equipment. The group replied they did not find any data to show that new issues were caused by the proposed additives. Mr. Poeschel ask Mr. Rabe if he had found anything about equipment issues with these additives and Mr. Rabe responded that he had not. Ms. Muetzel asked if the group found any issues with added nutrients in the waterways with the organics. The group replied that this was one of their main concerns with the organics because when the bacteria decomposes it draws oxygen but is only temporary so it does not appear to be a concern. The second student group presented on a Restaurant Composting Program proposal. The group explained multiple current world issues with food waste and how some of that waste can be used to create sustainable energy through biodigesters. The group proposed a fee for service curbside composting pilot program for Oshkosh area restaurant food waste, which would then be composted at the UW-Oshkosh biodigester and converted to energy. The program would provide receptacles for interested restaurants which could then be collected by UWO Biogas using their new waste hauling trucks that were purchased for collecting waste of this nature. The suggested monthly collection fee for this service would be $45 dollars for a 30 gallon composting bin. The group explained how they used a similar Steven Point initiative as a benchmark in developing this program. The group surveyed 15 local restaurants asking them a number of questions. They found that almost half of those surveyed would be interested in participating in a program like this and an additional 20% would re-evaluate after the program is finalized. The group explained some of the barriers, such as, not having enough space to house a 30 gallon bin in a kitchen area and concerns with the fees involved. In conclusion the group stated that a program such as this would provide a positive economic and environmental impact on the community. Questions: Mr. Osmond asked if there was any distinction made between the differences in food waste and biodegradables (non-food waste). The group explained that for this program they are limited by what the UWO bio digester can accomplish in its 28 day cycle and therefore some bio plastics cannot be used because they take more than 28 days to decompose. Mr. Osmond asked about the fee schedule. The group explained that the fee would be based on the frequency of pickup needed and not based on weight or size of the bin. Ms. Muetzel asked if the Stevens Point example serviced businesses and residents and the group stated they are both businesses and residents and equate to a total of 100 to 150 customers. Mr. Poeschel asked if there were any concerns with health code violations in regards to a composting bin in a restaurant kitchen. The group stated that zoning code would require a composting bin to be inside a dumpster enclosure if stored outdoors. Mr. Osmond said that it is his understanding that as long as a waste container is sealable then there should not be any health department issues. The third student group presented on a Residential Permeable Pavement proposal. The group explained multiple water runoff issues related to the Oshkosh area and how permeable pavements can help mitigate these issues by filtering out pollutants that are present. The students discussed some concerns and barriers with permeable pavement applications explaining that clay soils can cause pooling at the surface, that continuous maintenance is required to avoid clogging, and that material cost is likely going to be more than traditional pavements. The group exhibited other municipalities that completed permeable pavement initiatives and what those initiatives entailed. In conclusion the group explained how green focused infrastructure is the future and proposed that the City of Oshkosh amend its current municipal code so that permeable pavement is a permitted driveway surface in all zoning districts or that a new permit be created for the use of permeable pavements. Questions: Mayor Palmeri asked if the group had looked at other types of driveway applications such as two strips of concrete with grass down the middle. The students said they focus primarily on permeable pavements and did not research that type of driveway design specifically. Ms. Muetzel asked how Wisconsin’s harsh weather can affect permeable pavement applications and the group stated that it depends on the specific material but no issues have been found in local use of these pavements. Mr. Osmond asked if the group knew of any grants available for this type of construction and the group did not. Mayor Palmeri asked if any other municipalities provide storm water credits when using permeable pavements and the students said they did see that in some of their research but it was not in place everywhere. A discussion about what is currently allowed in the code occurred to clarify why the group focused primarily on residential application of permeable pavement. The fourth student group presented on an E-Waste proposal. The group explained that in 2009 the state of Wisconsin placed a ban on the disposal of electronics in landfills. This type of legislation across the world caused an increase in E-Waste in developing counties who do not have the same laws in place. They explained that this is an international issue with many complex social, economic, and environmental problems. The students proposed that the City of Oshkosh host a biannual E-Waste event in the City Hall parking lot to bring electronic recycling closer to home. The group explained that a company such as Recycle that Stuff could be utilized for a fee of $275 for 4 hours, and the DNR would reimburse 28% of that cost. Some of the barriers an event like this present would be traffic congestion at the drop off site, staff scheduling, insurance policies, and informing the public effectively. The students recommended an extensive advertising campaign to spread awareness and knowledge. They also wanted to see an E-Waste section on the city website. The group explained that exponential growth in E- Waste should be expected and the City of Oshkosh should do its part in helping get those items recycled appropriately. Questions: No Questions. Ms. Davey thanked all of the groups for their presentations and congratulated them on their research. IV. Duck Ordinance Ms. Davey explained that there were some changes made in the ordinance and asked Mr. Nielsen to go over those changes. Mr. Nielsen explained that ten other cities were looked at, as well as the duck ordinance survey results, in determining the first change to the chicken and duck ordinances. That change was to increase the allowed number of chickens and ducks to a maximum combination of 6. The second change in these ordinances was language that allows for an incubation period to occur inside the home if needed. Mr. Nielsen explained that the county health department did not have any issues with this. Mr. Poeschel motioned to pass the duck ordinance as written and Ms. Oliver seconded the motion. (Poeschel / Oliver) Motion carried 8-0 V. Menominee Park Report Ms. Bogden Muetzel shared with the board that she collaborated with the Winnebago County representative from the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin, the City of Oshkosh Parks Department, and the City of Oshkosh Forester to install eastern bluebird nest boxes at the pump house and in Millers Bay and that she will be monitoring those nests for activity on a weekly basis. She also shared that she applied for a Bird City grant to help recoup the costs associated with those nesting boxes and the surrounding vegetation. VI. Meetings in person or virtual? Mr. Nielsen explained that the City is asking all boards and commissions to decide whether they want to continue to meet virtually or to resume meeting in person and that hybrid is not an option. Mayor Palmeri explained that City Council will resume meeting in person starting this month (May) but public participation will still be virtual. Ms. Muetzel asked that if the board votes in favor of meeting in person there will not be a virtual option and Mr. Nielsen confirmed that was correct, stating there will not be a hybrid option if meeting in person. Ms. Dwyer Hallquist motioned to continue meeting virtually and Ms. Bogden Muetzel seconded the motion. (Hallquist / Muetzel) Motioned carried 8-0 VII. Agenda Items for Future Meeting Solar Permitting Process, Urban Permaculture/Orchards, Menominee Park Shoreline, ARPA Recommendations VIII. Next Meeting, Monday, June 7th, 2021 IX. The board voted 8-0 to adjourn (Muetzel / Poeschel) Recorded by: Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner