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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.07.25 MinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes April 7th, 2025 SAB PRESENT: Margy Davey, Lisa Moore, Jacob Klaameyer, Alyssa Reinke, Brad Spanbauer, Joe Stephenson, Jaden Zurn, Paul Treder EXCUSED: Vic Oliver ABSENT: STAFF AND OTHERS: Brandon Nielsen (Planning Staff), Kimberly Gierach (Planning Services 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. Ms. Gierach introduced herself to the board. III. Approval of Minutes, March 3rd, 2025 Ms. Moore motioned to approve the minutes. Mr. Spanbauer seconded the motion. The board approved the March 3rd minutes 8-0 (Moore/Spanbauer). IV. Sustainable Activities and Events Mr. Klaameyer shared a number of events with the board. He stated that he attended a free school at UW-Oshkosh, as well as the Oshkosh Seed Savers hosted a Seed Swap and Soil Blocking Party. On April 10th from 7-9 pm, the Museum’s Bridging the Past and Present series will be putting on a Tightrope Cultural Appropriation versus Appreciation at the Lakeshore Four Seasons Pavilion. He also shared that on April 12th from 6-10 pm the Fourth Annual Oshkosh Art Collective will be occurring at the Gibson Social Club, and on April 12th Winnebago Bicycle is hosting bikepacking event, and he ended with sharing that Earth Day is April 22nd . Mr. Spanbauer shared that he has been asked to speak about his work and sustainability as part of the Colligan Lecture Series on April 23rd at 5:30pm. Mr. Klaameyer also shared that on April 26th, Urban Ecology Oshkosh will be hosting the BioBlitz and Foraging Event at the Beach Building at County Park from 1-4pm, there is a Repair Café on April 27th at the downtown YMCA from 1-4pm, and May 3rd is Birdfest at Menominee Park from 6am-noon. Ms. Davey shared Public Health Week is April 7th to April 10th. Mr. Spanbauer shared that Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton will be hosting an electronic recycling event on May 1st from 8am-3pm. Ms. Reinke shared that the Fox Wolf Watershed Clean Up will be May 3rd at 10am-noon and the clean up will be taking place over the span of 70 locations. Mr. Treder shared the Oshkosh Slow Roll Event will be on May 20th and BikeOsh will be on May 17th. V. Chapter 26 Trees and Vegetation Rewrite Update Mr. Nielsen let the board know that he Parks Department has been awarded an Urban Forestry Grant to help with the completion of a strategic and management plan for their department and their practices. He said that the funds received will also assist with the Chapter 26 rewrite. Finally, he stated that the draft and final plan will be going to the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) and the Advisory Parks Board, and ultimately the Advisory Parks Board will have the final recommendation to Common Council. Ms. Davey asked if this would be going to Plan Commission as well. Mr. Nielsen said that he was unsure on that. Mr. Stephenson asked what the purview of this plan is. Mr. Nielsen shared that he believes the strategic plan will be looking at the Parks Department and operations as a whole, whereas the Maintenance Plan will be diving into their maintenance practices and where improvements could be made. Mr. Klaameyer mentioned that the board had provided a redlined document of Chapter 26 a few months back and are eager for feedback. He was curious if there was anything that was ready to move forward, or if staff had any updates on the status of that. Mr. Nielsen said that originally the plan was to have an update by the end of quarter one. When Community Development staff asked the Parks Department for an update, they shared an update about the funding received for plans and what was all to be included with the plans. Mr. Stephenson reiterated that the board would like to see the proposed changes they recommended come to fruition and that the board would like to see updates on this when they can be provided. Mr. Treder asked if the city does any of their own plantings, or do they buy them all to be planted. Mr. Nielsen answered with that he does not believe the city has their own greenhouse. Mr. Klaameyer asked if there is anything stopping the SAB from recommending a particular version of Chapter 26 to Common Council. Mr. Nielsen said that in a perfect scenario SAB and the Advisory Parks Board would agree on everything; however, they may disagree and there is opportunity for the plan and recommendations to go back and forth between the boards a few times. Mr. Klaameyer followed up how disagreements will be handled. Mr. Nielsen shared that would have to figure that out if and when it gets to that point. VI. Bird City – May 3rd, 2025 World Migratory Bird Day Mr. Nielsen shared that every year SAB recommends that Common Council designates World Migratory Bird Day as a certain day in Oshkosh. He shared some background information on how the process works and said that staff works with a couple of individuals that are with the Audubon Society to fill out the application as the city needs to apply for this designation on an annual basis. Mr. Treder motioned to approve the resolution. Ms. Moore seconded the motion. The board approved the motion 8-0 (Treder/Moore) VII. Summer Farmers Market Ms. Davey said that at the last meeting the board all agreed they would like to participate, but they were waiting on potential dates. She said that the board would need to agree on two or three Saturdays in June through October before submitting an application. There was discussion amongst the board on potential dates and that they would like to do one earlier in the summer and one in the fall. Mr. Nielsen said that he could create a Doodle Poll for the board to respond with their availability and then staff could send out results to help with this conversation. Ms. Davey said the sooner this can get figured out the better as non-profit spots get snatched up quickly. VIII. Sustainability Related Plans Update Mr. Nielsen started with the Sustainability Plan update and that the consultant is at the step of hosting stakeholder meetings and public engagement opportunities. He also shared that staff meets with the consultant biweekly to go through the different things that are needed. He went on to explain that Staff Sustainability Training occurred in March and as a result, 10 staff across a number of departments signed up to be part of an internal sustainability committee. He concluded his updates with sharing that both him and the Comprehensive Energy Plan consultant met with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) to get data in a different format. Ms. Davey asked if all departments had at least one staff person attend staff training. Mr. Nielsen answered with saying that all city staff were required to attend, and the training was recorded for staff that were unable to attend during the scheduled times. Ms. Reinke asked if new hires are required to watch the recording. Mr. Nielsen said he was unsure, but that was the intent of the recording and he will follow up with HR on that. Ms. Davey asked if it would be appropriate to ask Oshkosh Media to use that training recording for the community. Mr. Nielsen said that the training was specifically geared to staff how to be sustainable at your workspace. Ms. Moore asked if he could share the consultant that did the training. Mr. Nielsen said that he could not recall the company right now, but he will follow up with the name. Ms. Reinke circled back the Sustainability Plan Update and said that she did not feel the board had enough time with the consultant, GRAEF, and would like to see another time get scheduled to get them more feedback. Mr. Nielsen asked if it’s the consensus of the group to try to find more time with GRAEF. The board agreed. Ms. Davey asked if the public engagement sessions can be noticed so SAB can attend. Mr. Spanbauer asked if they are planning anymore in-person meetings. Mr. Nielsen responded that the public engagement sessions will be in-person. He said that dates and times have not been figured out yet, but staff will work with GRAEF on getting those scheduled. Ms. Reinke said that she would like to see the board do both the public engagement sessions, but also have their own meeting with GRAEF as availability allows. Mr. Spanbauer switched gears and asked for a reminder on the timeline for the Comprehensive Energy Plan. Mr. Nielsen said the plan is scheduled to be completed late summer/early fall. IX. Agenda Items for Future Meeting Mr. Nielsen started with Chapter 30 Landscaping Requirements, and shared that this is will be included with other proposed zoning code revisions. Staff will first need to redline all those revisions and workshop them with Plan Commission, and all the proposed revisions will hopefully be approved this upcoming summer. Ms. Moore shared that she would like to talk about a conversation Brad and her had with Dane County and potential for implementing composting program within the City of Oshkosh. She also included that she would like an update on WLGCC. Ms. Davey asked if staff is unable to attend WLGCC meetings, if there is an opportunity for a SAB member to attend. Mr. Nielsen said that he will look into that. Mr. Klaameyer said that he would like to see the Sustainable Activities and Events as a running item now moving forward on the agendas. Ms. Reinke asked about including a free bulk pick up day or dumpster day for residents. X. Next Meeting is Monday, May 5th, 2025 XI. Adjourn The board voted 8-0 to adjourn (Klaameyer/Spanbauer) Recorded by: Emma Dziengeleski, Assistant Planner