HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Plan Change RecommendationsSAB Sustainability Plan Change Recommendations
The Board discussed the submitted change recommendations for the draft sustainability plan and made
the following recommendations:
Margy Davey:
Chapter on Environmental Conservation: Waterway protection: Pollution control and habitat protection
Consider a ban of municipal, commercial, and residential use of coal tar based pavement sealcoat, as it
contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and
have been proven to be toxic to fish and other aquatic life as well as a contributor to asthma and heart
disease in humans; encourage use of asphalt based pavement sealcoat instead, when necessary.
(change accepted 9 -0)
Michelle Bogden Muetzel:
Local Food, section Zoning Ordinance and Municipal Code Revisions Current language states, "Review
small animal ordinances and consider allowing chickens, rabbits, and ducks in residential and other
districts." This could use clarification if the intent is slaughter and food consumption of said animals.
Perhaps mention of possible change in ordinances or setting safety regulations towards this end if that is
the intent. Change to: "Review small animal ordinances and consider allowing chickens and goats for
non - slaughter food production in residential and other districts." (change accepted 9 -0)
Atmosphere, section Indoor Air Quality Add discouraging or banning use of paints, glues, caulks and
other materials with high levels of VOCs, flame retardants, hazardous cleaning products, and other
chemicals that negatively impact air quality. (change accepted 9 -0)
Perhaps encourage purchase of indoor living plants in municipal buildings that reduce indoor air
pollution. (change accepted 9 -0)
Add public education element about these items. (change accepted 9 -0)
Strong and Healthy Community, section Social Justice Last sentence could be improved ( "Promote
retraining of those displaced in the short -term by a shift to a more sustainable economy. "). It could be
more effective in our current economic situation with a rephrase to: "Promote job creation and
retraining of those displaced in the short -term with a shift to a more sustainable economy." (change
accepted 9 -0)
Transportation and Mobility, section Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities, subsections Planning and
Riverwalk Both sections mention completion of projects in year 2010. Should they read 2011? Change
language to include "complete and adopt Bike and Pedestrian Plan in 2011" and " Riverwalk segments
completed in 2010 and additional sections to be completed in 2011 -12. "(change accepted 9 -0)
Green Economy, Objective. Change to: "Bolster the local economy by attracting sustainable businesses,
green - collar jobs, and encouraging businesses to become more sustainable." (change accepted 9 -0)
February 10, 2011 Page 1 of 8
SAB Sustainability Plan Change Recommendations
Green Economy, section Attracting Green Businesses Add a note on encouraging or seeking out
businesses, such as restaurants or shops that directly sell products for public consumption that are
organic and /or sustainable. (change accepted 9 -0)
Sustainable Government, section Purchasing Currently states, "Continue to use recycled paper
whenever applicable." Could go on to say, "Encourage 100% post- consumer recycled content." Can we
give a mention to vegetable -based inks, or is this not feasible for municipal functions? (change accepted
9 -0)
Kim Biedermann:
Overall, I think the plan looks wonderful.
One comment that I have is that the green jobs documents written by Jim Resick may perhaps be
attached at the end of the plan, if we think we'll have other back -up documents as well. I'm just not
sure if I would necessarily place them right within the plan. Jan Scalpone stated the Steering Committee
did not intend for this to be included but it could be incorporated later in the document.
Justin Mitchell:
Initial Goal and Objectives section: Sustainable Development - add "and grounds" to the end after "into
buildings" (change accepted 9 -0)
Initial Goal and Objectives section: Transportation and Mobility - add "and promote" after "Enhance"
(change accepted 9 -0)
Initial Goal and Objectives section: Sustainable Government - remove "cost- effective" and change to
economically feasible. (change accepted 8- 2- Bogden Muetzel and Barney voting against)
Energy Section: 2nd paragraph after "like Wisconsin, which has no ", replace "fossil fuel" with coal, oil,
or" (note we do have wood..) (change accepted 9 -0)
Energy Section: 2nd paragraph after "Independence is a call to develop state" insert "and local" (change
retracted by Mitchell)
Energy Section: 2nd paragraph - remove "There are environmental costs to developing these local
sources, but ". (change accepted 9 -0)
Energy Section: 2nd paragraph after "avoiding pollution that" replace "affects" with "negatively impacts"
Energy Section 3rd paragraph - poorly written starting with "Ways to finance ". This part should be re-
written in a more concise manner with a shorter sentence structure. (change accepted 9 -0 but Board
requests the Steering Committee clarify what "ways to finance" means)
Energy Policies 1. after "Encourage the wider use of Energy Star ", insert "and other sustainable" (change
accepted 9 -0)
February 10, 2011 Page 2 of 8
SAB Sustainability Plan Change Recommendations
Energy Policies 1. after "Promote government assistance programs to winterize houses" insert "and
apartments" and after "for eligible homeowners" insert "and renters ". Delete the remainder of the
sentence "usually........ possible ". (change accepted 9 -0)
Energy Policies 1: after "WPS incentives and assistance for energy conservation projects. Promote"
delete "one or a few common ". (change accepted 9 -0)
Energy Policies 1: At the end, add a sentence "Promote methods and best practices that individuals can
implement concerning responsible energy usage." (change accepted 9 -0)
Energy Policies 1: "Promote F ocus on EneFg • and ` P6 incentives and assistance for energy
conservation projects such as Focus on Energy and WPS." (change accepted 9 -0)
Energy Policies 3: Remove "Transportation is a large..... buildings ". Either delete or move up to Energy
Overview section - not in policies (change retracted by Mitchell)
Energy 5 Renewable Energy: after "Encourage" insert "and support the" (change accepted 9 -0)
Energy 6 Government Commitments" At the end, add "Pursue additional beneficial commitments to a
sustainable community and ;w , t maintain existing commitments (such as Tree City USA and Bird
City Wisconsin)." In addition, add this to the Sustainable Government section of the Plan. (change
accepted 9 -0)
Energy 7. Public and Business Awareness - get rid of "raising" in the header. (change accepted 9 -0)
Energy 7. Public and Business Awareness - add the following partners: national - EPA, HUD; local - East
Central Wisconsin Regional Planning, Oshkosh Housing Authority (change accepted 9 -0)
Local Food: Community Gardens — Insert at end: "Promote garden opportunities throughout
community' (change accepted 9 -0)
Local Food: Sustainable Gardening: after "promote these rules" insert "and best practices through
workshops, handouts, and demonstrations" (change accepted 9 -0)
Local Food: Greenhouses: Replace "go organic" with "implement organic and environmentally sensitive
methods" (change accepted 9 -0)
Local Food: Greenhouses: Replace "iffy' with "uncertain" (change accepted 9 -0)
Local Food: Zoning Ordinance etc: Remove last sentence "consider regulations determining..." and
replace with "develop brochure for best practice for composting" and also add to Food Education
section (change accepted 9 -0)
Local Food: Farmer's Markets ": Insert at end "Ensure that participation in markets continue to remain
affordable and accessible" (change accepted 9 -0)
February 10, 2011 Page 3 of 8
SAB Sustainability Plan Change Recommendations
Local Food: Grocery Store: Remove last sentence "Coops build community..." and expand the
introduction paragraph to detail coops, farmer's markets, gardens, etc. (change accepted 6- 3- Poeschl,
Scalpone and Barney voting no)
' ^^.,' C^^d ( nete this expands b eye d F ^ ^^' Add to Green Economy: Add additional section: "Buy
Oshkosh: Evaluate the potential for creation of a buy Oshkosh promotional campaign similar to the state
of Wisconsin's Something Special From Wisconsin program." (change accepted 9 -0)
Comments end from January 3 rd meeting
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Justin Mitchell:
Environmental Conservation
1) Environmental Conservation: Replace "the watershed drains almost 12 percent of the state" with a
sentence that describes what watershed and what it means to drain 12 percent of the state ". The
current sentence is uninformative and unhelpful. (change accepted 5 -0)
2) Environmental Conservation: after "lakes classified as impaired water" insert "by the Wisconsin DNR"
. (change accepted 5 -0)
3) Environmental Conservation: replace "an outcome of the visioning process" with "as supported by
the 2010 Vision Oshkosh community survey". (change accepted 5 -0)
4) Environmental Conservation: Replace choice with voluntary, and reduce the repetition of this theme,
as it doesn't contribute value to the section
" By cheice,,tee- Tthe city aims to improve its natural appearance and plant more trees, an outcome of
the visioning process. Both the regulatory and cheiee voluntary options reflect what the nation, state
and local community consider important." (change accepted 5 -0)
5) Environmental Conservation Waterways Protection: Impervious Surfaces: add at end " Continue
reduction of road width efforts and explore single -side on -road parking" (change accepted 5 -0)
6) Environmental Conservation Waterways Protection: Pollution control and habitat protection" - after
"city shoreland to protect against polluted run -off, discourage geese" add "improve aquatic habitat,"
(change accepted 5 -0)
7) Environmental Conservation Waterways Protection: Citizen safety: After first sentence, add the
following sentence: "Develop a process for identifying and resolving water pollution issues" (change
accepted 5 -0)
8) Environmental Conservation Water Conservation: Water Efficiencies: insert " Offer innovative
incentives for residential, commercial, and industrial water conservation improvements such as low -flow
February 10, 2011 Page 4 of 8
SAB Sustainability Plan Change Recommendations
showerheads, low -flow restaurant dish sprayers, and other proven conservation measures" (change
accepted 5 -0)
9) Environmental Conservation Natural Environment — natural look: after "such as gateways" insert
"and the hwy 41 corridor" (change accepted 5 -0)
10) Environmental Conservation Natural Environment — add at the end "Continue the development of
new park space in residential neighbors without access to a neighborhood park" (change accepted 5 -0)
11) Environmental Conservation Natural Environment: after "replacement during development" insert
"adopt a tree planting policy to require appropriate placement of trees during all road construction" "
(change accepted 5 -0)
Atmosphere
1) Atmosphere: after "diminish our health" insert ",harm wildlife," (change accepted 5 -0)
2) Atmosphere: remove "people spend most of their time indoors" (change accepted 5 -0)
3) Atmosphere: replace "construction equipment and power tools" with "construction equipment,
power tools and other human activity' (change accepted 5 -0)
4) Atmosphere: List the companies that contribute 98% of toxic air emissions — other communities list
the business they intend to closely collaborate with, and we should too. This isn't a negative, rather an
indicator that can be referenced when significant improvements continue to be achieved (change
accepted 5 -0)
5) Atmosphere: Why is there no data present on allergin prevelance in schools, or ashthma in school
children, or lead poisoning in school children (often from breathing lead dust)? Further, why is there no
data on the frequency of traffic (has it increased or decreased, which relates to air pollution" (change
accepted 5 -0)
6) Atmosphere: I have not had a chance to review the data from the DNR, but I recall numerous times
when the air quality for Winnebago County was determined to be less than "good ". I will attempt to
follow up with the data for the meeting. If contrary documentation is identified, I will present a
correction to the listed data in the report (change accepted 5 -0)
7) Atmosphere: Air quality Improvements: at the end of the first sentence, add "through incentives,
technical support, and collaboration with UW Oshkosh and Fox Valley Technical College." (change
accepted 5 -0)
8) Atmosphere: Air quality Improvements: insert "actively promote and enforce backyard burning
restrictions and regulations" at the end. (change accepted 5 -0)
February 10, 2011 Page 5 of 8
SAB Sustainability Plan Change Recommendations
9) Atmosphere: Indoor Air Quality: add sentence at end "develop innovative programs to education
and assist homeowners, landlords, and renters in resolving indoor air quality issues and preventing
potential hazards" (change accepted 5 -0)
10) Atmosphere — question that if we include noise pollution, why not light pollution? (change accepted
5 -0)
Managing waste: no reference to pollution leaching into water (change accepted 5 -0)
Steve Barney:
1. Section: "Atmosphere," pg 10.
The last sentence of the 2nd paragraph refers to "a 2007 resolution to approve the US Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement ", and "a 2008
resolution to adopt milestones to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution." I suggest the addition of
explicit citations to those resolutions, so an interested reader can look them up and read them:
- Resolution 07 -262, passed 5 -2 by the Oshkosh Common Council on Sept 11, 2007
- Resolution 08 -295, passed unanimously by the Oshkosh Common Council on Aug 26, 2008 (change
accepted 5 -0)
2. Section: Green Economy: Triple Bottom Line, pg 22.
Please add a reference to the STAR Community Index, which is supposed to help communities
implement the "triple bottom line" sustainability concept(economy, environment, and social equity).
Here's a passage from ICLEI's STAR Community Index webpage, which could be incorporated in the text:
"A National Framework for Sustainable Communities The STAR Community Index is a national,
consensus -based framework for gauging the sustainability and livability of U.S. communities. STAR will
be launched in 2011, and is currently being developed through a partnership between ICLEI -Local
Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the Center for
American Progress (CAP)." http: / /www.icleiusa.org /star (change accepted 5 -0)
Staff:
Government section - verbiage about the use of zero or low -VOC paint, glues, materials in City buildings
(existing and new). (addressed in Michelle Bogden Muetzel's Atmosphere, section Indoor Air Quality
comments)
Atmosphere - please address note: Committee questioned whether "Indoor Air Pollution belongs in this
section or a Community Health section. (SAB felt it could go in either section or both)
Administrative Services Comments:
February 10, 2011 Page 6 of 8
SAB Sustainability Plan Change Recommendations
the McKinstry study to audit municipal buildings and create a plan for energy savings. Several' Facility
Improvement Measures(FIM) have been identified and most will be implemented by December 2010,
with remaining measures undertaken as funding becomes available. FIMs currently in progress include
lighting and building envelope improvements at 14 municipal locations, water conservation at 10
locations, vending machine controls at 12, direct digital controls at 4 locations, and high- efficiency
motor implementation at the Oshkosh Public Museum and the Safety Building. The Oshkosh Public
Library will be receiving a steam trap upgrade to reduce energy consumption by eliminating wasted
steam. (change accepted 5 -0)
Policies:
Administering Sustainability.
SAB recommendation: Seek the creation of a position responsible for coordination sustainable
activities reporting to the City Manager. (change accepted 5 -0)
Incorporate sustainability responsibilities in job descriptions for relevant city staff. Form a green team
of representatives from each department under direction of the Sustainability Coordinato
(change accepted 5 -0)
to evaluate and implement internal sustainable actions. When the Sustainability Plan is completed tw-ge
seek adoption by the Common Council. (change accepted 5 -0)
(change not accepted 5 -0)
Green Building. Adopt the As fiscal resources' permit, adopt the LEED Green Building Rating System and
Energy Star label for new municipal buildings, additions and renovations. (change not accepted 5 -0)
Purchasing. Develop a purchasing policy that incorporates preferences for sustainable purchasing.
Adapt When possible, utilize' Full Cost Accounting (FCA) to analyze all costs, advantages, and
alternatives. (change not accepted 5 -0)
accepted 5 -0)
rather than relying solely on the low bid process. (change not
Med Develop' requests for proposals, specification and contract language to ensuFe promote
sustainable energy pFee ,dWes ar e practices as an integral part of each project. (change not accepted 5-
0)
February 10, 2011 Page 7 of 8
SAB Sustainability Plan Change Recommendations
Adopt purchasing policies for EneFgy S±ur£* -a procuring equipment, computers and appliances that c(
and promote energy savings (using ENERGY STAR procurement policies as guidelines) feFty use
(change accepted as amended 5 -0)
Continue to encourage use of electronic documents and email rather than generating paper copies.
Continue to work with vendors to reduce packaging. Continue to buy local when possible. Eventually
reduce or eliminate non -green products and cleaners. Continue to partner in shared purchasing
ventures. (change accepted 5 -0)
Environmental Considerations.
Install low flow faucet aerators and high efficiency toilets in all municipal bathrooms to conserve water.
Discourage use of bottled water by installing filteFs i n taps (change not accepted 5 -0)
Human Resources.
Adopt human resource management practices that support sustainability objectives, such as allowing
flex time or telecommuting, OF effeFing incentiv for use of public transit, biking, and ride - sharing.
(change not accepted 5 -0)
Continue to provide a wellness program and maintain efforts to become certified as a Well Workplace.
Provide appropriate compensation for all city employees. (change not accepted 5 -0)
February 10, 2011 Page 8 of 8