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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.04.2021 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes October 4th, 2021 PRESENT: Eric DeGroot, Lisa Marone, Margy Davey, Bradley Spanbauer, Vic Oliver, Michael Beardsley, Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Ken Osmond EXCUSED: Aaron Wojciechowski, Bob Poeschl ABSENT: STAFF AND OTHERS: Brandon Nielsen (Staff Liaison), Staff (Oshkosh Media) I. Call to Order Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II. Public Comment III. Approval of Minutes, June 7th, 2021 No board members had any revisions for the minutes so the board approved the June 7th minutes 8-0 (Osmond / Marone). Motion by Mr. Osmond to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Ms. Marone. Motion carried 8-0. IV. Residential Solar Panel Permitting Staff Liaison Brandon Nielsen explained that at the June SAB meeting recommendations were made and subsequently taking into consideration for zoning code amendments related to residential solar panels. He explained that staff revised the zoning code language related to solar arrays so they can be permitted by right, effectively eliminating the conditional use approval process and fees associated with that permit. Those code amendments were sent to plan commission for review and plan commission recommended approval of the amendments. The amendments were then reviewed by City Council at a July council meeting where they were approved. Allowing residential roof top and ground mounted solar arrays by right eliminated the conditional use permit fees and required plan commission approval, which made the permitting process shorter and more affordable. An electrical permit is still required for a solar installation. Mr. Osmond asked how much an electrical permit costs and Mr. Nielsen explained that it depends on the value of the project. i.e. $0 to $500 = $30.00 / $500.01 to $1,000 = $30.00 for the first $500.00 plus $8.00 for each additional hundred dollar valuation or part thereof / $1,000.01 to $10,000 = $70.00 for the first $1,000 plus $17.00 for each additional thousand dollar valuation or part thereof / $10,000.01 to $20,000 = $223.00 for the first $10,000 plus $6.00 for each additional thousand dollar valuation or part thereof / Over $20,000 = $283 for the first $20,000 plus $3.50 for each additional thousand dollar valuation or part thereof. Ms. Hallquist inquired about the city website having solar permitting information and Mr. Nielsen said that some of the work is complete and it now needs to be made into a brochure or something similar so it can be more presentable for the public. V. Solar Group Buy for Oshkosh Mr. Nielsen explained that this agenda item was to be discussed at the August meeting and that meeting ended up getting cancelled so he wanted to make sure it got discussed at this meeting. He explained that because the zoning code ordinance was amended to get rid of the conditional use permit requirement for solar panels the City of Oshkosh can now apply for the MREA Solar Group Buy program. Mr. Nielsen went on to say that sometime in between August and October a different group buy was established through Legacy Solar co-op. Legacy Solar co-op has activated a solar group buy for the entire Fox Valley. Mr. Nielsen explained to the board that he would like the SAB to discuss the two group buy options and, if desired, request that the city pursue one or the other. Ms. Hallquist explained how she understands the MREA group buy operates and how her experience went with the Sierra Club Group Buy she participated in to get solar panels on her roof. The topic of cost was brought up and how to best determine if the Legacy Solar co-op group buy would be cheaper for a resident in comparison to a local contractor or a different group buy. The topic of promoting the Legacy Solar co-op group buy was discussed to determine if and what level of involvement the City of Oshkosh or SAB should have. General discussion occurred regarding solar panels and how they operate when connected to the grid, and what that means, compared to being connected to the grid with a battery. Ms. Muetzel said that she would like to see general solar information be disseminated out to the public and not promote one program or contactor over another. Mr. Spanbauer agreed that the SAB should not lean to one business or program but rather just inform people of solar in general and let them know how that can get accomplished within the City of Oshkosh. Mr. Osmond questioned the specifics of installing solar panels using the group buy approach in comparison to finding a local contractor and having solar panels installed through them, such as, does installing a battery with the solar array make the project ineligible for a group buy. Further general discussion regarding a “Solar 101” document was had with multiple SAB members providing input on what that document should entail. VI. Menominee Park Shoreline Restoration Report Ms. Muetzel shared that the Winnebago Audubon Society helped with some volunteer days this summer and during those days the viewing areas were cleaned up. She added that most bird activity has subsided and that there may be another cleanup day in the future. Overall the feedback for the year was positive and she did not receive any complaints. VII. SAB Goals & Accomplishments review Ms. Davey explained that because of the way the past two years have gone she thought it would be a good idea to review the goals and possibly change the approach or remove certain items that were not accomplishable due to the pandemic and its related restrictions. She asked if anyone had new ideas/goals to share with the group. Ms. Marone said she would like to add something related to park space and the wildlife associated to those areas. Ms. Davey said that the SAB plan does have some language in it regarding this topic. Ms. Davey expressed her interest in PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) and would like the SAB to research how it has affected Oshkosh’s waterways. Mr. Degroot stated that he would like to see the transition of city fleet vehicles to full EV or Hybrid models, were applicable, and would like the SAB to draft a resolution for City Council to review and act upon. Ms. Hallquist asked about the EV charging station that was proposed at the new park shelter and Ms. Davey said that there has been some good movement in favor of EV chargers on the private side. She added that a few local developers/developments are proposing EV chargers within their projects and, during plan commission meetings, she makes sure to ask about EV chargers within a new development; when applicable. Mr. Spanbauer asked for an update on the city projects that were presented to SAB and that he would like the SAB to stay in the loop with those projects so the SAB’s sustainability knowledge can be utilized. Ms. Hallquist stated that she would like to add something about affordable housing and how adding renewable energy solutions could make a property more affordable. Ms. Davey stated that she would like SAB to consider looking more closely into resiliency and getting that incorporated into the future SAB plan. Mr. Nielsen shared the 2021 SAB Goals sheet and the board discussed the items and updated it accordingly. VIII. Agenda Items for Future Meeting Ms. Davey stated that Legacy Solar Co-op will be presenting on the Fox Valley Solar Group Buy and she would like an update on municipal projects, such as, Lakeshore Park, bus depot, and the Parks new admin building. Ms. Muetzel stated that she would like the Menominee Shoreland Restoration on the agenda for November. IX. Next Meeting, Monday, November 1st, 2021 X. Adjournment The board voted 9-0 to adjourn (Muetzel / Osmond) Recorded by: Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner