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MINUTES
SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
April 2, 2012
Present: ,
Steve Barney, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Margy Davey, Samara Hamze, Bob PoeschlJan
Scalpone, Allan Siman
Excused:
Kim Biedermann, Bob Breest
Staff:
Robin Leslie, Principal Planner
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chair Margy Davey.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
APPROVE MINUTES
Motion by Jan Scalpone and second by Michelle Bogden Muetzel to approve the minutes from the last
meeting. Motion carried 4-0 (Bogden Muetzel, Hamze and Siman absent).
CNG GARBAGE TRUCK INFORMATION
The board discussed, at length, the new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) garbage trucks the City is
proposing for use with the new automated pickup program.
Kevin Uhen, Streets/Sanitation Superintendent, stated the City has been looking at these for years but the
new central garage has nudged this item forward. He stated CNG is the industry choice now due to the
increase in diesel prices and that WPS could provide a temporary or permanent station at the central garage.
He stated the City has not approached the County about landfill gas because of the additional costs for
infrastructure and the installation of this type of infrastructure is not economical for a few vehicles but
might be if the entire City fleet utilized CNG. He stated the trucks will arrive in September and that the City
has about six months to coordinate the source of the CNG.
Michael Lizotte, UW-Oshkosh Sustainability Director, stated the UWO Biodigester’s main product is
biogas, which is methane made biologically. UWO is looking at fleet use of biogas but right now, the biogas
is being used for electricity. He also suggested gas from the waste water treatment plant could also be used
in the future as there would be no shortage of material from the waste water treatment plant, but that it
would require additional cleaning.
Steve Barney stated the EPA could complete a free assessment and feasibility study of the potential to
produce compressed natural gas from the landfill gases.
Chair Davey requested that Mr. Barney provide more research for the next meeting and at that time, the
Board could consider a resolution/recommendation.
LEED RECOMMENDATION FOR PROPOSED CENTRAL GARAGE
Bob Poeschl stated the proposals are for a tear-down and reconstruction at the current Witzel and Ohio
location or a new site at Fernau and Vinland. He stated staff is recommending the Witzel site due to its
central location, proximity to the waste water treatment plant and the biodigester, etc.
Mr. Lizotte stated the location of the central garage was taken into consideration when the location of the
biodigester was selected because of the proximity to the yard waste materials. UWO is also searching for
heating customers within a half mile. If the central garage were to be located at the Witzel site, UWO would
be in a position to possibly provide heat to the buildings.
Mr. Poeschl stated the central garage should be built to LEED standards but also be LEED certified.
Jan Scalpone mentioned that the Sustainability Plan recommends LEED standards or similar but not
certification. She stated the Board should follow that and not spend the extra money on certification.
Margy Davey stated she thought the money that would be spent on certification would be better spent on
other building features.
Allan Siman wanted to know what the cost and benefits are to being certified.
Mr. Lizotte stated there are studies showing the energy savings are greater for certified buildings versus
buildings only built to LEED standards.
Motion by Bob Poeschl and second by Michelle Bogden Muetzel to recommend that the Common Council
build the new central garage to the highest possible LEED certification. Motion carried 7-0.
BIRD CITY WISCONSIN-HIGH FLYER DESIGNATION
Margy Davey mentioned that the City of Oshkosh is now a High Flyer in the Bird City Wisconsin program.
MILLERS BAY SHORELAND RESTORATION PROJECT, PHASE 2
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Margy Davey mentioned Phase 2 will be on Saturday, April 28 at 8 am and the group is looking for about
50 volunteers.
INTERN
Robin Leslie mentioned that a part time intern has been hired, Lori Hoover, and that once she is available to
work more hours this summer, she will be able to assist with sustainability items such as the implementation
plan for the Sustainability Plan’s 2012 Action Plan items.
BUY LOCAL CAMPAIGN
Michelle Bogden Muetzel stated that she and Kim Biedermann are planning to work with other buy local
programs and are reaching out.
2012 ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
The Board discussed implementation of the Action Plan:
ACTION PLAN FOR 2012
Objectives and Policies
Energy: Foster energy conservation and local energy production from renewable resources
(in process)
1.Complete ICLEI Milestone 1 .
2.Publicize accomplishments of the McKinstry Plan as they are implemented.
3.Investigate funding sources for energy conservation projects.
4.Consider installation of a solar project or a small wind turbine at a municipal facility.
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April 2, 2012 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
Local Food: Promote local food production, sales and consumption.
1.Identify one school to serve as an example for a small community garden project.
2.Provide educational signage for existing community gardens.
3.Draft changes to the zoning ordinance to address community gardens as permitted or conditional land
uses in all zoning districts.
4.Work with residents to identify and convert vacant or city-owned land for neighborhood food plots and
gardens.
Environmental Conservation: Protect and enhance the city's natural resources.
1.Continue to follow the Capital Improvement Program in implementing stormwater management plans to
meet Clean Water Act standards.
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to be completed April 28)
2.Complete second phase of shoreland restoration project at Millers Bay (.
3.Convert city-owned areas with annual plantings to perennial plants and plant native species when
possible.
(provide
4.Create an ordinance regulating the application and sale of sealcoat products containing coal tar
educational information to users, particularly commercial users)
.
Atmosphere: Provide a safe and healthy atmosphere for people, nature and the planet.
(bring back to the Board)
1.Work with the Council to approve a terrace tree ordinance .
2.Develop guidelines for citizens to petition for quiet zones, quiet seasons or quiet times in their
neighborhoods.
3.Take ENERGY STAR challenge for communities, join ENERGY STAR and develop programs to
engage community.
Managing Waste: Promote awareness, reduce initial consumption, promote reuse, increase recycling
rates and reduce the amount of substances entering landfills.
(can be addressed in Zoning Ordinance re-write)
1.Create composting ordinance .
2.Explore partnership with the EPA WasteWise program.
3.Create incentives to promote zero-waste events.
4.Develop a plan to reduce waste (e.g., paper bags, plastic bottles, plastic bags, e-waste, Styrofoam) and
encourage the use of biodegradables.
or charge for plastic/paper bags)
5.Develop cloth bag program (.
Safe and Healthy Community: Promote healthy living, civic engagement, cultural and ethnic diversity;
provide safety and protect citizens from disease.
1.Continue to monitor results of beach testing program.
2.Continue to support park and recreational facilities that promote an active lifestyle.
(is the City designated?)
3.Encourage local employers to meet criteria for Well Workplace designation .
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April 2, 2012 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
Land Use and Development: Guide and promote sustainable city-wide development patterns and
incorporate sustainable features into buildings.
1.Continue investing for long-range revitalization of neighborhoods.
2.Collaborate with NeighborWorks and neighborhood associations on neighborhood clean-up days.
3.Design the new city garage to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards
or similar program.
4.Create a collaborative inventory of existing vacant buildings, promote adaptive reuse and establish
(good intern project).
working committee for these items
Transportation and Mobility: Enhance and promote mobility alternatives to the automobile; design
safe, efficient and environmentally sound transportation infrastructure; and connect to other local and
regional networks.
1.Place a high priority on completion of the Riverwalk.
2.Continue bicycle lane striping and installation of bike route signs as recommended in the Bicycle and
Pedestrian Circulation Plan.
3.Support implementation of connector and evening transit service.
Economic Development: Bolster the local economy by attracting sustainable businesses and green-collar
jobs, and encouraging existing businesses to become more sustainable.
(Margy & Samara to work
1.Create a sustainable best practices document to hand out to event planners
on)
.
2.Encourage adoption of green building practices for new construction and renovation of existing
produce educational materials)
businesses (.
3.Create a “Buy Local” campaign to encourage residents to spend more locally and to educate them about
Kim & Michelle)
the benefits of keeping their money in the Oshkosh area (.
Government: Lead by example and foster sustainability policies and actions for cost-effective, socially
responsible and environmentally sound governmental practices to meet community needs.
where is the City
1.Develop an environmentally-friendly and socially responsible purchasing policy (
with this?)
.
or white
2.Support a recommendation for a green roof for the proposed central garage project.
/or rain barrels
3.Create a demonstration site for a rainwater project andat a city-owned facility.
4.Form a Green Team representing departments, designate a sustainability coordinator, and hire an intern
to implement sustainability activities and promote public awareness.
(determine costs).
5.Develop a signage program for stormwater projects
6.Adopt a green building rating system for new municipal buildings, additions and renovations.
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NEXT MEETING MONDAY, MAY 7
Chair Davey reminded the Board the next meeting is Monday, May 7th at 4:00 pm.
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April 2, 2012 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
ADJOURN
Motion by Allan Siman and second by Michelle Bogden Muetzel to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-
0. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Leslie
Principal Planner
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April 2, 2012 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes