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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.4.23 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes December 4th 2023 SAB PRESENT: Margy Davey, Lisa Marone, Vic Oliver, Brad Spanbauer EXCUSED: Megan LaFond, Ken Osmond, LaKeisha Haase ABSENT: STAFF AND OTHERS: Brandon Nielsen (Staff Liaison), Emma Dziengeleski (Planning Staff), Staff (Oshkosh Media) I. Call to Order Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order at 6:00pm and a quorum was declared present. II. Public Comment Ms. Davey asked if there were public comments. No public comments occurred. III. Approval of Minutes, November 6th, 2023 Mr. Spanbauer motioned to approve the minutes. Ms. Marone seconded the motion. The board approved the November 6th minutes 4-0 (Spanbauer/Marone). IV. UW-Oshkosh Environmental Studies Student Presentations Professor Jim Feldman gave some background on what the Environmental Studies students have been working on this semester. He thanked the Sustainability Advisory Board and city staff for making the presentations possible. The first student group proposed that the City of Oshkosh add more garbage and recycling bins downtown. The group focused primarily on the Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). There are currently garbage receptacles downtown, but they are not properly labeled, which leads to cross contamination, litter, and/or trash ending up in waterways. The group explained that the local businesses they spoke to were concerned that DORA would bring more litter to the downtown area. They proposed two possible approaches, permanent and temporary, with both including educational aspects. The permanent approach would include 17 permanent recycling receptacles to match the trash receptacles. This would keep a consistent look and require a similar emptying process. The temporary approach would include adding 17 blue municipal receptacles. This approach would be more cost effective and include an easier pickup process. The group provided examples from other cities similar to Oshkosh to show how something like this could be possible. The second student group proposed that the City of Oshkosh implement an urban tree protection zone during construction. They explained that the city currently does not have any guidelines for tree protection. The group also stated that Oshkosh has a tree cover of 9%, which is much lower than the state average of 28%. The group listed all the sustainable aspects that are affected by tree cover. They proposed that Oshkosh should create an ordinance for a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) during construction and related activities. The group provided details from their discussions with stakeholders and learned that many trees are not accounted for in the planning process, and are too quickly removed during construction. They explained that this can be avoidable. They ended by including DNR Forestry Grants that could be utilized for implementation of their proposed ordinance. The third student group proposed that the City of Oshkosh allow residential use of permeable pavements. The group more specifically proposed an update to the City’s Zoning Codes to permit permeable pavement installations in residential driveways and also provide a technical definition of permeable pavement. The group then explained the dangers of runoff and what that can mean for our community and surrounding waterways. They stated that runoff can create impaired waters which fail to meet clean water standards. The group shared that Lake Winnebago will be reintroduced to the DNR Impaired Waterways list in 2024. Some concerns of stakeholders were addressed, and that a solution could be to incorporate the DNR Technical Standard of only allowing permeable pavers ten feet from foundations. The group ended with discussing possible funding and grant opportunities to make permeable pavements more available to residential property owners. The fourth student group proposed that the City of Oshkosh create a Climate Resiliency Plan. The group listed a number of environmental, social, and economic impacts that Oshkosh may face as climate change continues. They focused primarily on the urgency of uncertainty and that having Oshkosh create a plan would be considered a forward thinking, proactive approach to become more prepared. Overall, addressing climate resiliency will make the city better prepared, save time and money, and will be a resource for future climate events. The group gave examples of surrounding cities, consulting agencies, grants, and other funding sources that could make the implementation of a Climate Resiliency Plan possible. Ms. Davey asked if anyone had questions for any of the student groups. Mr. Nielsen informed the group that covered permeable pavers that the zoning code section they had listed was incorrect. He asked that they would see him after to clarify the section so they have it correct in their final report. Ms. Davey asked the garbage and recycling bins group if the other cities they researched had similar approaches to the two they are proposing. The group representative gave the example of Stevens Point, and how the city worked with the university to implement garbage cans downtown that were painted with messages about recycling, saving the planet, etc. Ms. Davey asked about the other communities they researched. The group representative explained that many communities they researched had something similar to what Oshkosh currently has in place. They explained that Appleton is the community that really stood out and is why they chose to use it at one of their key benchmarks. Mr. Nielsen also told the group to include any quotes and/or comments they got from businesses within the DORA. He felt that was an important aspect to their proposal and will be important to include in their final report. Ms. Davey asked if there was any mention of the farmers market and if recycling bins are required. The group explained that they spoke to the Special Events Coordinator, and she stated that she could see that being a barrier for events that come to Oshkosh. She was unsure how requiring garbage and recycling bins at events would go over. Mr. Nielsen stated that he was happy to see that the urban forestry group was able to speak to Travis Derks and had his support. Ms. Davey thanked all the groups for their presentations and congratulated them on their research. V. Environmental Leadership Award Ms. Davey announced that some nominations have been received, but that there is still time for more to come in. She also stated that there will be no 2024 State of the City, so this award will most likely be presented at a future Common Council meeting. Mr. Spanbauer asked for the timeline. Ms. Davey shared that by January it would be ideal to have all nominees in so that there will be enough time to review. VI. Agenda Items for Future Meeting Winter Farmers Market, Future Presentations, 2024 SAB Goals VII. Next Meeting is Thursday, January 4th, 2023 VIII. Adjournment The board voted 4-0 to adjourn (Oliver/Marone) Recorded by: Emma Dziengeleski, Assistant Planner