HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.03.25 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
March 3rd, 2025
SAB PRESENT: Margy Davey, Lisa Moore, Jacob Klaameyer, Brad Spanbauer, Joe Stephenson,
Paul Treder
EXCUSED: Alyssa Reinke, Vic Oliver, Jaden Zurn
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.
Ms. Davey asked if new member, Mr. Treder, would provide a brief introduction to the board.
Mr. Treder introduced himself to the board. He shared that he is a retired nurse practitioner,
and a long-term resident of Oshkosh. He also shared that he has been looking for more
opportunities to get involved and volunteer in which interested him in joining the Sustainability
Advisory Board.
III. Approval of Minutes, January 6th, 2025
Mr. Klaameyer motioned to approve the minutes. Mr. Spanbauer seconded the motion.
The board approved the February 3rd minutes 6-0 (Klaameyer/Spanbauer).
IV. Low Mow Spring / Summer
Ms. Dziengeleski shared that she just re-sent all of last year’s No Mow May information out, so
if anyone would be willing to provide updates to those documents that would be greatly
appreciated. She continued with stating that staff has contact information for residents that
have been participating in No Mow May for all the years the city has been doing it.
There was discussion amongst the board on best lawn cutting practices, educational materials,
registration, and next steps.
V. Chapter 30 Landscaping Requirements
Ms. Davey introduced Chapter 30 Landscaping Requirements along with the existing species
list and the recommended species list included in the meeting packet.
Ms. Dziengeleski shared that these are the same lists that Mr. Kluza provided at the February
meeting. She shared that staff has not discussed the lists internally yet, and asked the board
what they would like to see with these lists moving forward.
Mr. Klaameyer shared that he would like to see the additional recommended species added,
and also the species that Mr. Kluza recommended be removed to be taken out of the existing
ordinance. He also shared that he would like landscaping point values evaluated and added.
Mr. Treder asked what the list of species is for.
Mr. Stephenson explained that new developments are required to meet certain landscaping
values and the ordinance is to help guide developers of potential species that they can plant at
their site.
Mr. Spanbauer asked if this change would have to go through Plan Commission for approval.
Ms. Davey answered yes, and stated that this is a change to the zoning ordinance. She followed
up with also making the native species list available to homeowners in the future.
There was discussion amongst the board about point values and resilience weight and how
those will differ between natives and nonnatives on the list, as well as how much of a point
incentive natives should have.
Ms. Davey stated that creating a subcommittee of a couple of board members, Planning Staff,
and possibly the City Forester could possibly tackle the task of associating point values to the
existing species.
Mr. Stephenson recommended that it may be easier to associate a percentage increase to all
native species versus non-natives species rather than going through each individual species and
associating a value to each one.
Mr. Spanbauer mentioned the biodiversity component and that there have been some past
conversations on not wanting developers to just plant one or two species.
Mr. Klaameyer said that native plantings are already incentivized in the code, but he would like
to see them have a greater incentive. He also explained that the current code does have some
diversity components as different types of plantings are required.
Mr. Klaameyer motioned to increase the 10% incentive for the native plantings to 20%. Ms.
Moore seconded the motion. The board approved a recommendation to increase the point
incentive for native species to 20% 6-0 (Klaameyer/Moore).
Mr. Klaameyer motioned to add the additional species list into the landscaping code along with
resilience weights that are shown in both the additional species list and the existing species list
as shown in the meeting materials. Mr. Stephenson seconded the motion. The board approved a
recommendation to add the additional species list and associated resilience weights as shown in
the meeting materials to the Chapter 30 Landscaping Requirements 6-0
(Klaameyer/Stephenson).
Mr. Klaameyer motioned to take the recommendations from the bottom of the existing species
list provided by Jacob Kluza and the Wisconsin Extension to remove said plant species from the
recommended species list in Chapter 30. Ms. Moore seconded the motion. The board approved
a recommendation to remove plant species on the bottom of the existing species list from
Chapter 30 Landscaping Requirements 6-0 (Klaameyer/Moore).
Mr. Klaameyer motioned to reword the commonly used appropriate landscaping species figure
to say 1 per 20 of any perennial plantings. Mr. Spanbauer seconded the motion. The board
approved a reccomendation to reword the commonly used appropriate landscpaing species
figure to say 1 per 20 of any perennial plantings 6-0 (Klaameyer/Spanbauer).
VI. City Basin Maintenance
Ms. Davey introduced the topic and reminded the board that this came up when a resident
came to speak at the January meeting and expressed concerns, he had on basin maintenance
near his property.
Ms. Dziengeleski provided an update to the board that explained the timeline of the
maintenance at the basin. She also shared that prairie restoration factsheets, Wisconsin DNR
(WDNR) herbicide/pesticide treatment records that, and information on the WDNR approved
herbicides that have been used and their environmental impacts were all sent to the concerned
resident. She also explained that the invasive species at this basin, Phragmites, could only be
treated with chemicals when it engulfs such a large area. She concluded with sharing that the
City’s Public Works Department does utilize other management practices when possible, and
that staff has had conversations on better communicating when these maintenance practices
will be taking place.
Mr. Klaameyer said that one of the major concerns was application of herbicides and the health
impacts, not just in treating the invasive species but the human and animal health. He asked if
there was any comment on those concerns.
Ms. Dziengeleski shared the chemicals are approved by the WNDR and also needs to be
reported when used. She explained that these chemicals have been used in state parks as they
are heavily traveled with many people and animals present annually.
Ms. Davey shared that she had a phone conversation with this resident in which he explained
that staff has shared the chemical name with him. She then followed up with that she agrees
with staff that all property should be notified prior to chemical application, so they know that
their animals and/or kids should not be playing around the basin during the time that it is being
treated.
Mr. Stephenson mentioned sharing the schedule of these treatments with the Neighborhood
Associations.
Mr. Klaameyer mentioned that he had other issues they would like the board to address
because ultimately the city has blocked off this space for only storm water retention. He shared
that he could see potential in this space being utilized by the public more such as adding a trail
so residents have more engagements with the native plants that are present.
Mr. Stephenson shared that he loves the idea of this, but unfortunately this space gets the worst
of everything and the last thing the city would want is residents engaging with this area more
than they need to.
There was some discussion amongst the board about creating more communication and
education with residents about invasive species and proper maintenance practices.
VII. Sustainability Related Plans
Ms. Dziengeleski shared that staff has been working with the consultant on all the data needed
for the Comprehensive Energy Plan. She also shared that staff is having biweekly check in
meetings with the Sustainability Plan consultant, and that they are working on planning
interviews with staff and community stakeholders. She included that mandatory staff training
is taking place mid-March and staff interviews are scheduled for the week after.
Mr. Treder asked for some insight as to what all these plans were and why were they occurring.
Ms. Dziengeleski provided a brief summary.
Ms. Moore added a shoutout to Sun Prairie as they have achieved 100% renewable energy on all
municipal buildings. She shared that this is really something the City of Oshkosh can look
forward to, so it is a great end goal to keep in mind.
X. Agenda Items for Future Meeting
WLGCC Updates, Sustainability Activities and Events
XI. Next Meeting is Monday, April 7th, 2025
XII. Adjourn
The board voted 6-0 to adjourn (Moore/Spanbauer)
Recorded by:
Emma Dziengeleski, Assistant Planner