HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes
MINUTES
SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
May 7, 2012
Present:
Steve Barney, Kim Biedermann, Margy Davey, Samara Hamze, Jan Scalpone
Excused:
Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Bob Breest, Bob Poeschl
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 Samara Hamze to approve the minutes, as amended, from the last
meeting. Motion carried 4-0 (Kim Biedermann absent).
RESIGNATION OF ALLAN SIMAN
Ms. Davey informed the Board of the resignation of Allan Siman.
CANCEL SEPTEMBER MEETING
Motion by Jan Scalpone and second by Kim Biedermann to cancel the September meeting due to the Labor
Day holiday. Motion carried 4-1 (Barney voting no).
OSHKOSH BIRD FEST
th
Margy Davey gave an update on the Bird Fest, which occurred on May 5 and stated it was another
successful and well-attended event including visitors from Germany and Minnesota.
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
nd
Robin Leslie mentioned that the sustainability plan would be going to Council on May 22 for final
approval and on April 3, 2012, the Plan Commission approved the plan as an independent document instead
of as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and they also emphasized the importance of an
implementation plan with a cost analysis for the action items.
CENTRAL GARAGE
Ms. Davey mentioned the Witzel Avenue site was chosen for the new Central Garage and that after the
Council approves the proposed scope of work and contract for architectural services, the Sustainability
Advisory Board will be asked for input. She stated Public Works will be bringing the item to the board in
June where they will share the proposed scope of work, ask for input before they get into the design and
share what they know about the environmental issues at the site before the design work begins. She also
stated once designs have been put together, Public Works will meet with the SAB again before preparing
final specifications as early as August.
SCHEDULE ENERGY EFFICIENCY SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
Ms. Leslie stated that she would be scheduling an EE Subcommittee meeting to discuss the community-
wide GHG assessment.
SHORELAND RESTORATION, PHASE II
th
Ms. Davey updated the Board on the April 28 event and noted that Phase II of this project is now complete
and that there may be a third phase in the future.
LANDFILL GAS
The Board had a lengthy discussion on landfill gas. Ms. Davey mentioned Winnebago County was already
using some of the gases to create electricity and that the WDNR permit limited the County to what they are
currently generating.
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. He also stated an example of such an assessment
was provided to the Board.
Motion by Kim Biedermann and second by Jan Scalpone to recommend that as an advisory board for the
City of Oshkosh, we would like to express our appreciation to Winnebago County for their sustainable
effort in using the County’s landfill resource, and encourages continuing to explore alternatives to further
reduce the area’s greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Further, we wish to encourage the City of Oshkosh to
continue to explore options to further reduce greenhouse gases for the new Central Garage and compressed
natural gas (CNG) use, and are excited to provide a role in planning for the garage. Further, we continue to
recommend expanding City collaboration with other entities, such as UW-Oshkosh, Winnebago County,
WDNR and the EPA, whenever feasible. Motion carried 5-0.
BOARD ROLE/BOARD RULES
The Board discussed the role of the Board and reiterated that Board members, unless directed to do so by
the Board as a whole, should not contact outside agencies regarding pending Board business.
Samara Hamze stated, as a new member, a guidebook would be helpful.
Ms. Leslie stated that the City does not have them for advisory boards but that it would be something to
work on in the future.
Ms. Hamze stated she would be willing to help with this.
HEALTHY LIVING EXPO
Andrew Sell of Healthy Living Events stated they put on the largest Green Living Expos in the Midwest and
their first event saw 200 vendors and over 2,000 attendees. The newest event, The Sustainability Expo on
May 12th, will see almost 300 vendors and over 3,000 people. He stated he was looking for a community
partner in the Board and would like to solicit a volunteer to help with the event.
Kim Biedermann volunteered to represent the Board at the expo and Samara Hamze stated she would try to
attend.
Motion by Steve Barney and second by Samara Hamze to have Kim Biedermann represent the Board at the
Sustainability Expo. Motion carried 5-0.
BEST PRACTICES FOR EVENT PLANNERS
Ms. Hamze stated she has been working on this and may have something ready for the next meeting. She
and Ms. Davey will be meeting to work on it.
NEXT MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 4th
2 |
May 7, 2012 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
Chair Davey reminded the Board the next meeting is Monday, June 4th at 4:00 pm.
ADJOURN
Motion by Kim Biedermann and second by Samara Hamze to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Leslie
Principal Planner
3 |
May 7, 2012 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes