HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesMINUTES
SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
June 1, 2009
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Barney, Margy Davey, Ron Hardy, Jan Scalpone, Dani Stolley, Andrew Sabai
EXCUSED: Bob Breest, Justin Mitchell, Tony Palmeri
ABSENT: NONE
STAFF: Susan Kepplinger, Catherine Neiswender, Jon Urben, Paul Greeninger
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ron Hardy called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present.
APPROVE MINUTES
Jan Scalpone moved approval of the minutes as submitted with the correction that number 4 in the Resolution Endorsing
The Natural Step Framework for Sustainable Communities be changed to read "Meet present and future human needs
fairly and efficiently". Margy Davey seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Alan Siiman, 1019 E. Irving Avenue, read a portion of a letter from Sen. Petri regarding taking action to address global
warming. Mr. Siiman then suggested that the Board consider proposing an ordinance that would impose a .20 tax on both
plastic and paper grocery bags.
Michaelen Urben, 24 Lake Street, stated her interest in participating in the development of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan.
Staff advised her to contact the Planning Division for information.
Todd Sohr, 530 Grand, spoke about the DNR Source Water Assessment Report which designated Lake Winnebago as an
"impaired" lake. The Assessment listed two EPA Superfund sites in the Lake Winnebago watershed; one in the Town of
Harrison, and one in Ripon.
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Ron Hardy introduced new Board member Andrew Sabai and announced that Jan Scalpone and Justin Mitchell had been
reappointed.
UPDATE ON SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING
David Patek, Public Works Director, provided information on the status of implementing single stream recycling. The
bins that will be used by homeowners have been selected and the new system should be implemented in the fall. The
Winnebago County Solid Waste Board has banned the use of blue bags after January 1, 2010.
In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Patek identified a number of steps that will be taken to educate the public
about the process and explained that the types of recyclables that will be collected will remain the same as are collected
now. It is hoped that this new process will make recycling easier and will increase the rate of recycling in Oshkosh,
which has one of the lowest rates of recycling in the County.
UPDATE ON STIMULUS ENERGY FUNDING
Jon Urben, Director of General Services, explained that the City would receive $634,000 in Federal economic stimulus
funds to be used for energy conservation. The first step will be to have an energy audit done of City facilities, which
should be complete in mid July. Audit results will then be used to identify and prioritize projects.
ICLEI MILESTONE #1/GHG AUDIT
Jon Urben and Paul Greeninger presented the Greenhouse Gas audit completed by interns under their supervision. Ron
Hardy complimented them on their efforts. The report will be reviewed by the subcommittee who will report back to the
Board at the next meeting and then a decision will be made about how and when to communicate this information to the
public and City staff.
NOMINATE AND ELECT NEW VICE CHAIR
Board Members agreed to lay this item over until all members were present to vote.
UPDATE ON WEBSITE
Justin Mitchell was not present to report.
SUMMER OUTREACH
Dani Stolley handed out a list of public events scheduled for this summer that would provide an opportunity for public
outreach and education.
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Sustainability Plan Advisory committee will be meeting Wednesday.
BIKE/PEDESTRIAN PLAN
Staff reported that a citizen advisory committee had been identified and provided the names of those that would be
serving. Bob Breest will represent the Sustainability Board. The Planning Services Division is staffing the planning
process and any questions about the committee or the project should be directed to Principal Planner David Buck.
WATER RESOURCES WORKING GROUP
Jan Scalpone indicated an interest in having Andrew Sabai join this group. The group had not met but will. City Forester
Bill Sturm is working on a plan for shoreline restoration in Millers Bay.
CITY HYBRID BUS RECOGNITION
Interest was expressed in recognizing the Transit Division for securing funding for four hybrid busses. There was
discussion of establishing a formal program to recognize efforts of private businesses to operate more sustainably and to
raise public awareness about Sustainability. No specific approach was agreed upon.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR JULY 6 MEETING
Board members agreed to not have the July meeting due to conflicts related to the Fourth of July holiday. The following
items were suggested for the August meeting; legal opinion regarding discussion between Board members and the public
during public comments, waste volume and Energy Star software.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, Margy Davey moved the meeting be adjourned. Dani Stolley seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Kepplinger
Principal Planner