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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesMINUTES SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD August 3, 2009 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Barney, Margy Davey, Ron Hardy, Justin Mitchell, Tony Palmeri, Jan Scalpone, Dam Stolley EXCUSED: Bob Breest, Andrew Sabai ABSENT: none STAFF: Susan Kepplinger, Lynn Lorenson 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 June 1 minutes as submitted (there was no July meeting). Margy Davey seconded the motion which passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. LEGAL OPINION /DISCUSSION DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS In response to a Board member request at the June meeting, City Attorney Lynn Lorenson attended to address the issue of conversation between Board members and the public during the public comment portion of the agenda. She indicated that the statutes require that all items discussed at a meeting be noticed in the agenda. However, Board members may ask brief questions for the purpose of clarification. NOMINATE AND ELECT VICE CHAIR Chair Ron Hardy opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair to fill the vacancy created when Paul Poeschl was elected to the Common Council. Margy Davey nominated Justin Mitchell and Jan Scalpone seconded the motion. Steve Barney nominated Margy Davey who declined the nomination. There being no further nominations Justin Mitchell was unanimously elected to the position of Vice Chair. OUTREACH AND WEBSITE UPDATES Justin Mitchell reported that he will be arranging to meet with Jon Urben and Dean Leisgang to discuss arranging for press releases to create more public awareness regarding sustainability issues. He will also be working on updating the web site. GREENHOUSE GAS WORKING GROUP UPDATE Ron Hardy reported the working group met twice since the June Board meeting. They reviewed the Municipal Green House Gas report and found one significant measurement method that should be reexamined. The working group will meet again this week to develop a written response to the plan. The group is also discussing establishment of a forecasting date which will probably be the same as the target date, 2020 might be a good choice. SUSTAINABILITY PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE Dam Stolley reported that the Committee did not meet in July. Scott Hansen from WPS will be presenting information on local private sector sustainability projects at the August meeting. Jan Scalpone raised the issue of the anticipated three year period for completion of the Community Sustainability Plan. Tony Palmeri agreed, expressing concern about the potential loss of grant funding due to not having a plan in place. However, he also acknowledged the importance of not rushing the process and making sure the community at large was involved in the process. TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP There was no report from this working group. WATER RESOURCES WORKING GROUP Jan Scalpone reported that the working group had met once since the June board meeting. Each member took one or two goals to work on. Jan Scalpone chose shoreline restoration in Miller's Bay and she completed a report which includes recommendations. Justin Mitchell chose water conservation and has begun to research what other communities have done. He also reported that the water test results at Miller's Bay have been good up to the last test. This is probably due to low rain levels which also have reduced blue green algae. He will make some contacts to ensure that the water testing information is posted in a more timely fashion on the City web site and that it is provided in a manner that is understandable. VISION OSHKOSH REPORT Copies of the sustainability portion of the Visioning Report had been provided to the Board for review prior to the meeting. Ron Hardy asked for comments on the report from Board members. Following discussion, Board members agreed to have Ron Hardy and Justin Mitchell write a memo to update the Common Council on the Board's past, current and planned activities as they relate to the sustainability recommendations contained in the Visioning Report. That memo will be provided to the Common Council prior to the workshop on the Visioning Report scheduled for August 17. ICLEI LEGAL ACTION SUMMIT RESOLUTION This item was withdrawn by Steve Barney due to timing issues. AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER MEETING The following items were suggested for inclusion on the September agenda; information relative to lead paint issues; the Riverwalk Plan and Sustainability; City use of Stimulus program funding. Since the September meeting falls on Labor Day, staff will make arrangements for an alternate meeting date from the following options; Tuesday, September 8, Monday, September 14 or Tuesday, September 15 all at 4 pm. ADJOURN There being no further business, Tony Palmeri moved the meeting be adjourned. Margy Davey seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Susan Kepplinger Principal Planner