HomeMy WebLinkAboutVision Oshkosh SAB StatementTo: City Manager Mark Rohloff
CC: Oshkosh Common Council
From: Ron Hardy, Chair Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board
Re: Vision Oshkosh Final Report
12 August 2009
On August 3 the City of Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board discussed the recommendations
within the Vision Oshkosh Final Report, focusing primarily on the chapter on "Sustainability"
(pp.55 -60) as well as relevant portions of other chapters.
First, our Board recognizes the importance and value of resident participation and vision in
guiding the direction of the city, and public input is a desired component of sustainability
planning.
Second, we were impressed with the strong support indicated for sustainable development,
renewable energy, and alternative transportation options based on the survey results included in
the report.
Without casting judgment on the document as a whole, the Sustainability Advisory Board
recognizes within the Vision Oshkosh report a number of recommendations that our Board is
either already working on or that we will likely be working on in the near future. Of note:
We are in the process of developing a "carbon foot print reduction plan" through our
work with ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and in partnership with the
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
We are currently looking at natural drainage and filtration areas to address surface runoff
such as developing a natural area in Millers Bay. This would consist of a shoreline buffer
with native plantings as recommended by the recently completed Onterra Vegetation
Study.
Future goals of our board will address buffering other public waterfront areas, as well as
rain gardens, increased native tree, shrub and prairie planting and pervious pavement.
Our board is working with other city committees charged with updating the bicycle
pedestrian plan. We support developing a network of bike lanes on streets, an off street
trail system, and support a transportation plan that emphasizes "walking, bicycle
ridership, and transit ridership."
The City of Oshkosh has already moved to single stream recycling, which we support.
Our board is working with the Plan Commission and City Planning on the Sustainability
Planning Steering Committee, where more of these recommendations may be considered
for implementation.
Our board is working on a plan for educating the public about what "sustainability"
means, and promoting the statement "Sustainability is the key to the future viability of
Oshkosh."
Our board may be considering the recommendation regarding "a tree canopy plan" in
2010, working with other groups and other city boards and /or departments.
Other recommendations in the Vision Oshkosh report may also have merit, and the Sustainability
Advisory Board is willing to consider in the future any of the recommendations that the Oshkosh
Common Council or the City asks us to look at.
We hope that this information is helpful to you as you consider the Vision Oshkosh Final Report.
Ron Hardy
Chair, Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board