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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.03.2024 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes June 3rd 2024 SAB PRESENT: Margy Davey, Lisa Marone, Jacob Klaameyer, Alyssa Reinke, Vic Oliver, Brad Spanbauer, Joe Stephenson EXCUSED: ABSENT: STAFF AND OTHERS: 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, May 6th, 2024 Ms. Reinke motioned to approve the minutes. Mr. Spanbauer seconded the motion. The board approved the May 6th minutes 7-0 (Reinke/Spanbauer). IV. Tree Protection Zones Ms. Dziengeleski explained that staff had reached out to Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager, and he informed them that he would not be able to attend this meeting, but he would like to find a time to talk to the board. He stated that he will plan on coming to the July 1st meeting. She shared that she kept this topic on the agenda if the board wished to prepare and discuss more prior to Travis attending the next meeting. Mr. Stephenson shared that he had done some research related to this topic and that he would like to include looking at setting a target tree canopy for the city and exploring planting trees on smaller terraces into next meeting’s conversations. Mr. Klaameyer added that he would like to know the current public tree inventory process and status. Also, the methods and challenges in increasing the City of Oshkosh’s urban tree coverage and diversity. Lastly, he explained that he would like to discuss public tree protection methods. He said that he would be interested in learning more about what is being done currently and areas that need possible improvements. Mr. Stephenson shared that the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission recently released a mapping tool that showed the public tree inventory for that area that also included a number of different layers, including an environmental justice tool. Ms. Davey shared that she would also like to take a look at the Zoning Ordinance to see if any improvements could be made. She said that she’d like to take a deeper look into landscaping requirements when it comes to native plantings versus nonnative plantings. She also questioned the former MIT study that was completed and if there was anything in there that the board should discuss. Mr. Spanbauer said that he would take a look at the study and see. He also added that the UWO Senior Seminar Project is what got this topic on the board’s radar. He questioned if that is something that the board should revisit prior to the discussion with Travis. Ms. Davey shared that she believes that hearing from Travis first would be important. She feels that he could give the board information first prior to taking a deeper dive into the UWO Senior Seminar Project. V. No Mow May 2024 Update Ms. Dziengeleski stated that No Mow May had just ended, Saturday, June 1st and that the Inspection Services Department was out today with their normal long grass enforcement. She shared that staff had checked in with them early today, but that they stated it would be too soon to report any violation numbers. She also shared that staff had sent out two follow up emails to registered participants throughout the month and that some feedback had been received, which was neat to see. She ended with that staff hopes to better report the outcome of No Mow May 2024 at the July 1st meeting. VI. Summer Farmers Market Ms. Davey announced that she had received dates for the Farmer’s Market. She said that the list she had been given would be preferred dates, but if the board finds that a number of the dates wouldn’t work, they could try for some different dates. She explained that if any members appear to be available that someone would need to be there to set up around 7 AM and then stay until close, around 12:30 PM. Ms. Davey then listed all possible dates. The board discussed which dates would work best for them all, and tentative dates were finalized amongst the group. Ms. Davey did share that they would get two dates free, but would have to pay $22 for the third date. The board then discussed the number of ideas that they had previously discussed to cover at the Farmers Market. Ms. Oliver shared that they had given staff a stack of outdated forms that needed updating and printing. She also shared that they do not necessarily need to focus on one thing, but rather cover a number of different topics. Ms. Davey shared that they could focus on one larger subject to draw people in, but then had more material and information at the booth to share. Mr. Spanbauer shared that they could get a wheel, or he could borrow one from campus, that they could write trivia about recycling or other sustainability topics to draw people in to play. Ms. Reinke shared that she has a “Spin the Wheel” and “Plinko” in her office that she could bring if no one else needs it. The board would just need to change the material on them to what they would like to do. Ms. Marone shared that they had found materials for coloring and that she could bring stickers. Ms. Davey said that they did have stickers that they could put on a switch plate cover. She then asked if there were still markers. Ms. Oliver shared that new markers would be needed. Ms. Davey said that the switch plate covers were fun because they were not permanent and that kids could bring them home, and put them wherever they would like. Mr. Spanbauer also suggested getting “swag”, or other material from other entities that relate to sustainability could be beneficial. He said that getting something from the county about recycling like the brochures or magnets would be nice. Ms. Oliver said that the big thing with the Farmer’s Market is that they want something for the kids and a take away for the adults. Ms. Davey added that you always want candy available as well. She also added that they will probably learn at the first one what they should have at the others. She then said that they should probably bring a clipboard with paper, so individuals can leave their contact information. Mr. Spanbauer suggested possibly bringing an iPad to have the City Sustainability page up on, or also scroll through a number of slides with additional information. Ms. Davey shared that they would most likely need a hotspot to have something like that, because they may not have access to any public WIFI. Mr. Spanbauer said that they could at least have graphics and slides that could be easy to view without WIFI. Ms. Davey responded with saying that she believes that is a good idea, but that she wouldn’t put a ton of time into something like that because depending on the sun, they may not be able to see the screen. She explained that with other groups in prior years they have struggled with getting hotspots to work and that other issues had arisen. Mr. Stephenson shared that it seems like when people go to Farmer’s Market, they are looking for paper and handouts to take with them. Ms. Reinke shared that they could just have a QR code that residents could scan if they wanted more information. Ms. Dziengeleski shared that staff had already been working on updating past business cards, and she could see if staff or IT could assist in adding QR codes to them. VII. Review 2024 Goals Ms. Davey shared that the they could review their 2024 goals now or in the workshop after the meeting. She asked the group what they preferred. The board responded with the workshop. VII. Agenda Items for Future Meeting i. Tree Protection Zones ii. Summer Farmers Market iii. No Mow May Update iv. ARPA update v. EIGP update IX. Next Meeting is Monday, July 1st, 2024 X. Adjourn The board voted 7-0 to adjourn (Spanbauer/Oliver) Recorded by: Emma Dziengeleski, Assistant Planner