HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesMINUTES SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD October 7, 2013 PRESENT: Kim Biedermann, Aaron Campbell, Margy Davey, Jan Sc alpone, Nikki Stoll, Bob Breest, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Samara Hamze ABSENT: Tom Pech STAFF: Elizabeth Schultz, Assistant Planner CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Cha ir Margy Davey. APPROVE MINUTES Motion by Aaron Campbell and second by Kim Biederma nn to approve the minutes from the last meeting as submitted. Motion carried. LAWRENCE STAHOWIAK, OSHKOSH FOOD CO-OP Lawrence Stahowiak, Paul Van Auken, and Sabina Bast ias from the Oshkosh Food Co-Op Board of Directors were present to give an update. Mr. Stahowiak explained that the group is currently conducting a membership drive to identify 100 founding members, which to date they have secured o ver 25% of their goal. Monies obtained from the dri ve will assist with the completion of a feasibility st udy to determine the best site for the store. Ms. Hamze questioned why a feasibility study was th e next step before opening. Mr. Van Auken explained that the group has done res earch into best practices for co-ops and is working with the Food Co-Op Initiative, a non-profit in Min nesota that assists groups wishing to establish a f ood co-op in their community. Based on these resources, t he Board of Directors felt a feasibility study was necessary to help ensure success once the doors fin ally open. Ms. Hamze followed up by asking what benefits the e ntire community would receive by having a co-op in Oshkosh. Mr. Stahowiak explained the food desert that has be en identified in Oshkosh’s central city area. The co-op will hopefully mitigate this and bring fresh food t o the residents of this area. Mr. Van Auken further discussed the organizational structure of a food co-op and the unique advantages that come along with becoming a founding member. RANDY JOHNSTON, OAKLAWN SCHOOL Randy Johnston, Facilities Maintenance Director of the Oshkosh Area School District, gave an update on the newly completed 68,000 square foot elementary s chool. Mr. Johnston explained that the site contains 70 ge othermal wells with 5 energy recovery units to regu late the building temperature. Forty-five heat pumps su pply each class room and office area with temperatu re regulation. Throughout construction 60 tons of was te was diverted from the landfill. Mr. Johnston is working with an outside firm to com mission the building which will take about a year t o complete. They are confident that the project will reach LEED Gold Certification.
2 | October 7, 2013 Sustainability Advisory Board Minut es COMMUNITY GARDEN EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE Board members finalized the community garden educat ional signage draft and agreed to work with community garden organizations to find locations be fore the signs are printed. A motion was made by Ms. Biedermann and second by M r. Campbell to approve the community garden signage with the conditions that the comma usage is consistent and one of the photos is updated. Moti on carried 8-0. SHORELAND RESTORATION UPDATE Ms. Scalpone explained that Justin Mitchell has con tinued to work on the Shoreland Restoration site. Recently, 30 volunteers met to clean up and install 160 new plants throughout the site. Mr. Mitchell would like to develop a long range plan for the site and work to establish a group that can formally adopt t he site to continue to manage the operation. APPROVE RESOLUTION 13-01 DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUELS Ms. Bogden Muetzel explained that the subcommittee used examples from other communities and organizations wishing to divest from fossil fuels t o draft the proposed resolution. Ms. Biedermann asked why five years was selected as the target date. Mr. Campbell explained that this timeframe was cons istent with other resources used by the subcommitte e. Ms. Bogden Muetzel added that the resolution is con servative and asks that no new investments in fossi l fuels be made and to work over the next 5 years to find out if current investments can be moved. Motion by Ms. Scalpone and second by Mr. Breest to forward the resolution to the City Manager for revi ew. Motion carried 8-0. NEXT MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 TH Chair Davey reminded the Board of the next meeting. ADJOURN Motion by Ms. Biedermann and second by Ms. Hamze to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Schultz Assistant Planner