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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.07.2022 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes February 07th, 2022 PRESENT: Eric Degroot, Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Lisa Marone, Vic Oliver, Bob Poeschl, Bradley Spanbauer, Aaron Wojciechowski, Margy Davey EXCUSED: Ken Osmond, Michelle Bogden-Muetzel ABSENT: STAFF AND OTHERS: Brandon Nielsen (Staff Liaison), Staff (Oshkosh Media), James Rabe (Director of Public Works), Kelly Nieforth (Director of Community Development), Amy VandenHogen (Assistant City Attorney), Lynn Lorenson (City Attorney), Allison Madison (WI Salt Wise) I. Call to Order Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. II. Public Comment There was no public comment III. Approval of Minutes, January 3rd, 2021 No board members had any revisions for the minutes. The board approved the January 3rd minutes 7-0 (Poeschl / Hallquist). Motion by Mr. Poeschl to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Ms. Dwyer-Hallquist Motion carried 7-0. IV. Wisconsin Salt Wise – Presentation by Allison Madison from WI Salt Wise Brad Spanbauer introduced Allison Madison from Wisconsin Salt Wise and she began her presentation. Ms. Madison began her presentation by explaining that she had reviewed a previously submitted Salt Usage research project done by UWO Students and that she had talked with James Rabe and his staff in the week prior. She gave praise to Mr. Rabe, and his staff, for the implementation of best practices for salt usage and for attending multiple Salt Wise seminars/webinars. She further explained that in her opinion Oshkosh is doing great at the municipal level but feels there is room to improve the messaging for citizens on salt usage. Ms. Madison shared that Wisconsin Salt Wise is a coalition of organizations that came together to reduce salt pollution in lake, rivers, streams, and drinking water and in 2021 they began to do their work statewide. She also explained the negative consequence salt has on sidewalks, roads, and bridges. Ms. Madison shared statistics on chloride amounts in local waterways and how that disrupts aquatic life growth. Ms. Madison encouraged the SAB to educate their citizens on salt usage and its harmful effects as a permanent pollutant in the fresh water system and to review the city’s snow removal ordinance. The ordinance currently says that when ice cannot be removed, the sidewalk and handicap ramps/crosswalks accesses shall be kept sprinkled with material(s) to accelerate melting and prevent slipping, and that ice must be removed as soon as possible, and that if this is not done the owner may receive a fine or citation. She recommends this language be changed. Brad Spanbauer said he would like the board to look into this ordinance at a future meeting. Ms. Davey questioned if there were different de-icing materials that can be used when temperatures are below 15 degrees and are more environmentally friendly. Ms. Madison said that there are no environmentally friendly de-icers and there are also no truth in labeling laws around de-icers. She added that when temperatures drop below 15 degrees WI Salt Wise recommends switching over to sand to create temporary traction. Vic Oliver questioned if the city’s snow removal ordinance was in compliance or matched ADA compliance requirements. Mr. Rabe noted there are different requirements for the public right of way and private property. V. Review of Sustainability Board Process – Presentation by Amy VandenHogen and Lynn Lorenson from the City Attorney’s office Amy VandenHogen and Lynn Lorenson from the City Attorney’s office presented their materials on the updated boards and commissions policies and procedures. VI. Environmental Justice Kelly Nieforth explained that a resolution was brought forward by Mayor Palmeri during the last Common Council meeting and the common council agreed that SAB should look at it first. She provided a brief background on what environmental justice is according to the EPA and what city staff is planning to do to gather more information about what Oshkosh has accomplished, and can further do, regarding environmental justice. City staff plan to have a draft Environmental Justice resolution on an upcoming SAB agenda for SAB to review. VII. Agenda Items for Future Meeting Mr. Nielsen provided an update on the Native Landscaping ordinance stating that staff have discussed the proposed language and are formatting their edits to bring back to SAB for discussion and action. This ordinance is planned to be reviewed at the March meeting. Ms. Davey said that Environmental Justice and an update on the Energy Update Analysis from Mr. Spanbauer are planned for the March meeting. Ms. Hallquist asked for the salting ordinance to be up for discussion on the next agenda. VIII. Next Meeting, Monday, March 7th, 2022 IX. Adjournment The board voted 7-0 to adjourn (Poeschl / Spanbauer) Motion by Mr. Poesch to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Spanbauer Motion carried 7-0. Recorded by: Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner