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SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
APRIL 7, 2014
PRESENT: Kim Biedermann, Margy Davey, Samara Hamze, Jan Scalpone, Tom Pech, Lori
Palmeri and Bob Breest
EXCUSED: Michelle Bogden Muetzel and Nikki Stoll
STAFF: Elizabeth Williams, Assistant Planner
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Margy Davey.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cheryl Lauritch spoke in favor of keeping bees in Oshkosh, stating various reasons why they would benefit the
community. Ms. Lauritch provided the SAB with a list of resources to consider while researching the possibility of
urban bee keeping in Oshkosh.
Brian Humbert spoke in favor of allowing hives at the community garden on Jefferson Street and provided the SAB
with a handout including educational benefits and data regarding the bee population decline.
Amber McCord, President of Growing Seeds of Change Community Garden on Jefferson Street, expressed the desire
to have bees at the community garden. Ms. McCord explained bees have experienced a 50% decline in population
over the last twenty five years and they pollinate approximately three quarters of the world’s food crops.
John Dudzinski offered his experience with bee keeping, providing many examples of their benefits. He asked if the
SAB would consider a pilot site at the community garden to see if there were concerns before addressing a city-wide
ordinance change.
Steve Barney congratulated Ms. Palmeri on the completion of the Middle Village Neighborhood Plan. Mr. Barney
noted that downtown Oshkosh has been a victim of urban sprawl and that the Middle Village Neighborhood is adjacent
to this area. Mr. Barney stated it seemed reasonable that urban sprawl was responsible for the decline in Middle
Village. Lastly, Mr. Barney wanted to encourage the City’s participation with the Partnership for Sustainable
Communities, which provides resources designed to assist with revitalization of central city neighborhoods.
APPROVE MINUTES
Motion by Ms. Biedermann and second by Mr. Pech to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried 8-0.
STORM WATER UTILITY WATER QUALITY PROJECT LETTER OF SUPPORT – DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WORKS
James Rabe, from the City of Oshkosh Public Works Department, requested support for submitting a Department of
Natural Resources Urban and Non-Point Source Construction grant application for an expansion of the Washburn
Street detention basin, located at the intersection of Highway 21, Washburn Street and Westowne Avenue. The
expansion would provide increased removal of total suspended solids and total phosphorus from the storm water runoff
generated within the watershed.
Mr. Breest asked if the new basin would be sufficient to accomplish the new requirements of the DNR.
Mr. Rabe explained the expansion would bring the basin up to the design standard for removal of total suspended
solids. There are approximately 75-80 acres of commercial development upstream of the basin and the parking lots are
responsible for the pollutants of concern for the surrounding impaired water bodies. While it is a small watershed, it is
a high generator of pollutants from a per acre basis, which is why the project has been targeted for early
implementation by the City.
Ms. Scalpone asked if the City has received funding from this grant in the past.
2 | April 7, 2014 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
Mr. Rabe explained that the City has received multiple grants from this program - including funding for both planning
and construction.
Motion by Mr. Breest and second by Ms. Biedermann to approve the letter of support as corrected. Motion carried 8-0.
UPDATE: LOCAL & REGIONAL SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
Dave Kress, from East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, provided an overview of the Regional Safe
Routes to School Program. Mr. Kress explained the program’s objectives are to improve childhood health, reduce
traffic congestion, and create more livable communities.
The Regional Safe Routes to School Program provides many services to local communities free of charge including:
developing Local Safe Routes to School Action Plans, incentives for events like International Walk to School Day,
Safe Routes to School workshops and webinars, and staff assistance and resources.
Ann Rumbuc, City of Oshkosh Safe Routes to School Coordinator, provided an overview of the Local Safe Routes to
School initiatives. Ms. Rumbuc explained a local task force meets on the third Monday of the month (location varies).
Activities include, walk/bike to school days, bike rodeos, bike and walk audits, and Local Safe Routes to School
Action Plans.
TORBJORN LAHTI – MY JOURNEY WITH ECO-MUNICIPALITIES: HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD
THROUGH LOCAL ACTION – APRIL 28TH & 29TH
Ms. Williams stated Torbjorn Lahti, a Swedish Urban Planner, will be in the Fox Valley to promote the release of his
new book and will be giving a presentation Tuesday, April 29th at the UW-Oshkosh Alumni Conference Center.
BUILD YOUR OWN RAIN BARREL WORKSHOPS
Ms. Davey explained the Wild Ones will be hosting a workshop in Neenah where participants will build a rain barrel.
Additional information is available on the Wild Ones website.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
Ms. Scalpone explained the Environmental Resources Subcommittee reviewed the Municipal Code and
provided input on changes that would further sustainability in Oshkosh.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Ms. Davey stated the subcommittee has not met but will continue working on ICLEI Milestone 2 once a
meeting is scheduled.
NEXT MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 2ND
Chair Davey reminded the Board of the next meeting.
ADJOURN
Motion by Ms. Biedermann and second by Mr. Breest to adjourn the meeting to work session. Motion carried 8-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Williams
Assistant Planner