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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.01.2024 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes July 1st 2024 SAB PRESENT: Margy Davey, Jacob Klaameyer, Alyssa Reinke, Vic Oliver, Brad Spanbauer, EXCUSED: Lisa Marone, Joe Stephenson ABSENT: STAFF AND OTHERS: Emma Dziengeleski (Planning Staff), Travis Derks (Landscape Operations Manager), 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, June 3rd, 2024 Ms. Reinke motioned to approve the minutes. Mr. Spanbauer seconded the motion. The board approved the June 3rd minutes 5-0 (Reinke/Spanbauer). IV. Tree Protection Zones Ms. Davey introduced City Forester and Landscape Operations Manager, Travis Derks to the group to help lead the discussion on tree protection zones. Mr. Klaameyer kicked it off by asking how the city goes about tracking tree inventory and what the current status of the inventory is. Mr. Derks explained that after Elm Ash Borer hit the city, it has been rather difficult to track as there has been some inconsistencies. He shared that there is somewhere between 10,000-11,000 trees. He also explained that they had just recently applied for a grant to help assist with completing an updated inventory. Mr. Klaameyer stated that one of the board’s goals is to increase the number of native plantings. So, he was wondering if awarded the grant funding, the tree inventory will track types of trees and also the diversity of trees within the city. Mr. Derks responded yes, and that it would include the size, health, location, etc. Ms. Davey asked if there is any species that they are concentrating on getting more of. Mr. Derks said that they are focusing on diversifying right now. He listed a number of different species they have planting. Mr. Spanbauer asked if they are focusing on species that will be better adapted to our warming climate. Mr. Derks said a little bit, but it is not one of the main criteria that is looked at when considering tree species. Mr. Klaameyer asked what challenges there is when increasing the diversity of trees. Mr. Derks discussed the partnership between the city and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to start Taking Root Two. He also explained that some challenges are finding trees at nurseries, as well as trying to find residents that want trees in their terraces. Ms. Davey asked how residents can let the Parks Department know they want a terrace tree. Mr. Derks explained the process in a little more detail and discussed the process of planting replacing trees. He also explained the annual plantings process, dealing with above and below ground utilities, and the species limits. Ms. Davey asked if the board could make a Facebook post informing residents to contact the Parks Department if they would like a terrace tree. There was some discussion amongst the board and Mr. Derks on what the best processes would be for residents to reach out. Ultimately, it was decided an email with “Terrace Tree Planting” as the subject, was a good place to start. Mr. Klaameyer asked if there was any way to mandate native trees versus nonnative trees. Mr. Derks responded with the fact that that could be rather limiting as there would only be a small diversity of species and mandating them may not be the best way to go planting more native trees. Mr. Klaameyer also asked if fruiting trees have ever been considered, or if that is a criterion when choosing a species for a given area. Mr. Derks said that they have definitely been considered. He did clarify that when selecting trees for the terraces you do have to consider the proximity to the street you are as well as possibly plugging up the storm sewers. He did mention that in a park setting it could be different and easier to consider; however, you have to take into account the turf maintenance. Mr. Klaameyer then explained to Mr. Derks the board’s interest in tree protection zones. He explained that they had worked with University of Oshkosh students who had done a number of projects on different recommendations to consider. One particular group focused in on tree protection zones which is an ordinance that can be written to protect trees during construction or road maintenance and that many other cities have implemented. Mr. Klaameyer explained that the student project outlined that the city should update their code to include some of the recommended methods. Mr. Derks agreed to the request and shared an example of the most recent road reconstruction on Waugoo Avenue. He shared that he walked the street with the engineers and they came to the conclusion of what trees as well as how many were worth saving. He explained that the contractor then came through and cut all of them down anyway. There was discussion regarding why this happened, possible penalties, and what the procedures are when street reconstructions are occurring. Mr. Derks explained that a possible better goal the board, and the city, could work on for the trees would not necessarily be to replant every tree, but to start looking at ways to replenish the soil as throughout the whole city the soil is poor quality. Mr. Klaameyer shared that in the project they explained that in the dripline the tree would be properly marked, so that nothing could happen within that zone. He asked if Mr. Derks thought that would’ve prevented the situation on Waugoo Avenue. Mr. Derks shared that he thinks it would’ve been a good start, but cones and caution tape only help so much. He also explained that this would be a tough thing to accomplish when doing street reconstruction because there are many other things to consider like putting curbs in, water and sewer lines, etc. He clarified that he could see it being feasible, but that focusing more on the soil and doing future replanting correctly, will better regrow the canopy and set the city up for future success. There was some follow up discussion amongst the group on possible next steps. V. Native Landscaping Areas Ordinance Review Ms. Dziengeleski pulled up the Native Landscaping Areas Ordinance for all to review, and explained that since questions had gotten brought up in June’s meeting, she thought maybe the board would like to further discuss and review the ordinance. Ms. Davey reminded the board of when this process all started, and also asked about how someone goes about getting their native landscaping areas reviewed/approved. Ms. Dziengeleski said that the Director of Parks or designee gives the final review and approval. Mr. Klaameyer raised concern about the ordinance calling out the transition period not being longer than a three-year growing season as that is a rather tough goal for residents to achieve. He asked if any board members remember why that is called out. There was discussion amongst the board on clarifying what the ordinance says and how it is currently being interpreted. They also discussed how and when issues arise for a resident that other may portray those areas as long and noxious weeds and report them. The board then discussed how they could better go about addressing concerns and possibly clarifying some parts of the ordinance so that there is clearer interpretation. VI. No Mow May Ms. Dziengeleski let the board know some statisitics of No Mow May 2024. She started off by sharing that there were 31 long grass complaints in the month of May that happened to be registered No Mow May participants, so they did not receive any violation notices. She then shared that in June there were 5 complaints that had happened to be registered participants, and of that 5, one was not in violation at the time of inspection, one property had to be cut by the Streets Department, and the remaining three properties mowed their lawns once they received their notice. She also shared that she went through all the registration years and looked for properties that have registered for multiple years. She said that a total of 106 properties have been participating from 2022-2024, and between the 2023-2024 the city had a total of 123 registered participants. Ms. Davey concluded with next year looking at participating in Low Mow May versus No Mow May, and those are discussions the board can start having late 2024 into early 2025. VII. Energy Innovation Grant (EIGP) Ms. Dziengeleski shared that the RFQ has been put out and will need to stay open for 30 days. Simultaneously, there were requirements of staff to get some preliminary data and questions answered and sent back to the Office of Energy Innovation before the awarded grant contract is in place. She also shared that WLGCC, which the City of Oshkosh is apart of, was also awarded grant funding, and they are also waiting to hear back from the Office of Energy Innovation. She said that staff is still waiting to see how the two projects will overlap with each other. VII. City of Oshkosh American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Ms. Davey shared that she had received notification that the board’s application was not recommended for approval for ARPA funding. She left the board know that she reached out to a couple of Common Council members who said they were working hard to not award funds to government entities in which the board is. Ms. Dziengeleski updated the board as City Manager Rohloff had informed staff that he recognizes that an update to the Sustainability Plan is much needed, and he will find funding this year to get the update completed. She shared that internally, staff was informed to start getting the ball rolling. There was further discussion on staff’s ARPA update as well as the latest Common Council meeting regarding the ARPA funds and the City’s newly adopted Strategic Plan. IX. Summer Farmers Market Ms. Davey shared that unfortunately the June 22nd Farmers Market date fell through. The next date that the board had scheduled was July 13th. She asked if they would like to discuss other dates to reschedule a later time since June 22nd did not happen. There was discussion amongst the board on possible dates that would work best moving forward. X. Agenda Items for Future Meeting Summer Farmers Market, Native Landscaping Areas (Workshop), Speaker for September’s Meeting Ms. Davey shared that the Conservation Voters will be having their biannual listening session on July 18th from 6:30-8:00pm in the Community Room at the Oshkosh Food Co-op. XI. Next Meeting is Monday, September 5, 2024 XII. Adjourn The board voted 5-0 to adjourn (Spanbauer/Oliver) Recorded by: Emma Dziengeleski, Assistant Planner