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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesMINUTES SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD August 2, 2010 Present: Steve Barney, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Bob Breest, Margy Davey, Justin Mitchell, Bob Poeschl, Andrew Sabai, Jan Scalpone Excused: Bob Poeschl, Kimberly Biedermann Staff: Darryn Burich, Planning Director, Robin Leslie, Principal Planner, Allen Davis, Community Development Director, Mark Rohloff, City Manager, Chris Strong, Transportation Director, Ray Maurer, Parks Director CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:00 by Acting Chair Justin Mitchell. APPROVE MINUTES Motion by Jan Scalpone and second by Margy Davey to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT None. NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTION Justin Mitchell introduced the newest member of the Board, Michelle Bogden Muetzel. BIRD CITY USA PRESENTATION Jan Scalpone stated that a coalition of several local environmental groups including the Oshkosh Bird Club, Winnebago Audubon and Fox Valley Chapter -Wild Ones is pursuing designation of Bird City Wisconsin for the City of Oshkosh. Ms. Scalpone stated Bettie Harriman is leading that group and was in attendance to give a presentation to the Board. Bettie Harriman stated Bird City Wisconsin is being promoted by the Milwaukee Audubon Society, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative and the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology with funding from Together Green, an alliance of the National Audubon Society and Toyota. Ms. Harriman also stated Bird City Wisconsin is patterned after the nationally recognized Tree City USA and will certify urban/suburban/rural communities that apply and successfully meet criteria for education, habitat management, species management, and limiting or removing hazards to birds. Bird City Wisconsin seeks to encourage communities to implement sound bird conservation practices by offering high visibility public recognition to those that succeed in doing so. In order to assist in achieving certification and public recognition as a community that is "bird - friendly" and one that protects and enhances habitat for birdlife, "Bird City Wisconsin" has worked with municipal officials and conservation organizations to compile a menu of best practices. In conclusion, Ms. Harriman said to achieve initial annual certification as a `Bird City," communities will need to demonstrate in a written application that they have met at least seven (7) of the following 22 criteria, including three (3) from Category 1 and one (1) from each of the other four categories: 1. Creation and Protection of Habitat A. The community is in compliance with Wisconsin's "Smart Growth" law for land use planning and resource management. B. The community has a park system with habitat for birds of a number of species. This is demonstrated by bird monitoring results and /or other data obtained from researchers or local volunteers. C. Existing bird habitat has legal protection. D. Park planning seeks to provide additional bird habitat. E. The community does not restrict "wild" or natural lawns and landscaping. F. The community offers the public information on control and removal of invasive species such as garlic mustard, buckthorn, and reed canary grass. G. The community contains a segment of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail or an IBA (Important Bird Area). H. The local Chamber of Commerce (or similar group) takes an active role in the planning process for protecting and enlarging favorable bird habitat. I. OTHER: Demonstrate in a narrative account some other municipal action in furtherance of habitat creation or protection. 2. Participation in Programs Promoting Effective Community Forest Management A. The community participates in the "Tree City, USA," program, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation B. OTHER: Demonstrate in a narrative account some other important municipal accomplishment in this area. 3. Limiting or Removing Hazards to Birds A. The community has an educational program in place to control free - roaming cats and /or actively publicizes the American Bird Conservancy "Cats Indoors!" program. B. The community provides easy -to- obtain information to property owners regarding protecting birds from window - strikes. C. OTHER: Demonstrate in a narrative account some other important municipal accomplishment in this area. 4. Public Education A. Schools in the community participate in Flying WILD, helping ensure that the nation's students are knowledgeable about the conservation needs of migratory and other birds. B. The community, through bulletin boards, community newsletters, city or county website, or other media, provides information to property owners on methods to create and enhance backyard habitat for birds. C. The community provides links to other organizations with information on backyard habitat programs such as Audubon at Home, the National Wildlife Federation, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, University of Wisconsin Extension, the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Humane Society of the U.S., and "Beyond the Birdfeeder: Creating a Bird - Friendly Yard with Native Wisconsin Plants," by Mariette Nowak. D. The community is represented in at least one bird monitoring program such as the Christmas Bird Count, the Great Backyard Bird Count, or Swift Night Out. E. The community sponsors an annual bird festival. F. The community has a program that involves schools, garden clubs or other organizations in bird conservation activities. G. OTHER: Demonstrate in a narrative account some other important municipal accomplishment in public education. 5. International Migratory Bird Day The community adopts an official resolution and holds a celebration marking International Mi r atory Bird Day (IMBD), celebrated on the second Saturday in May or sometime in the week before or after that date SAB Minutes 2 August 2, 2010 Sustained Flight Awards To achieve yearly recertification as a `Bird City" and "Sustained Flight" status, a community will need to demonstrate that it continues to meet at least seven (7) of the above. Ms. Harriman stated she believes that the city already meets the criteria that are underlined in the basic requirements. Motion by Margy Davey and second by Jan Scalpone to authorize the Chair to work with staff and Ms. Harriman to craft a resolution acknowledging International Migratory Bird Day to forward to the Common Council. Motion carried. FOCUS ON ENERGY PRESENTATION Justin Mitchell stated "Focus on Energy" representatives Nate Curell and Bill Plamann were in attendance to give the Board a presentation. Nate Curell stated Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost - effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in -state economic development, protect our environment and control the state's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. Mr. Curell also stated Focus provides training opportunities including Community Practical Energy Management and Building Operator Certification. These trainings teach employees to assess energy costs and identify energy savings. There are still 2010 dates available and if the City was interested, he suggested a visit to their website www.focusonenergy.com. ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS Justin Mitchell acknowledged the work of Ron Hardy and thanked him for his service. He stated since Mr. Hardy's resignation, the role of Board Chair needed to be replaced. Motion by Margy Davey and second by Bob Breest to nominate Justin Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell accepted the nomination. Motion carried 6 -1 (Steve Barney voting no). Justin Mitchell stated that since he was the former Vice -Chair of the Board, a new Vice -Chair would need to be nominated. Motion by Jan Scalpone and second by Bob Breest to nominate Margy Davey. Ms. Davey accepted the nomination. Motion carried 7 -0. ADJOURN Motion by Margy Davey and second by Bob Breest to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7 -0. Meeting adjourned at 5:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Robin Leslie Principal Planner SAB Minutes 3 August 2, 2010