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SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
MARCH 7, 2016
PRESENT: Margy Davey, Nikki Stoll, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Jan Scalpone, Kim Biedermann,
Lurton Blassingame, Robert Turner, and Tom Pech
EXCUSED: Samara Hamzé
STAFF: Elizabeth Williams, Associate Planner
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm and a quorum was declared present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment was received.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES, FEBRUARY 1ST, 2016
Motion by Mr. Pech and second by Ms. Biedermann to approve minutes as written. Motion carried 8-0.
INTRODUCTION OF BOARD APPOINTEES
Ms. Davey welcomed Lurton Blassingame and Robert Turner to the Sustainability Advisory Board and
provided each with an opportunity to introduce themselves.
A motion by Ms. Biedermann and second by Ms. Stoll was made to move agenda item seven, Approval of
ICLEI Milestone 2 Report – Reduction Target Setting, to the next item on the agenda. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF ICLEI MILESTONE 2 REPORT – REDUCTION TARGET SETTING
Kathy Thunes from East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission provided background on the
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) five milestones to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. Ms. Thunes noted that the City of Oshkosh signed on to the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection
Agreement on September 11, 2007 committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet or surpass the
Kyoto Protocol targets. The Milestone 1 Report inventoried greenhouse gas emissions produced community-
wide and by the City’s municipal operations for the baseline year of 2007. The Milestone 1 Report was
completed on May 6, 2013.
Ms. Thunes further explained that in 2014, City staff requested technical assistance from East Central
Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to complete the ICLEI Milestone 2 Report – Reduction Target
Setting. Ms. Thunes provided an overview of the process taken to develop the Milestone 2 Report,
summarized the findings within the Milestone 1 Report, reviewed the short, mid and long-term reduction
targets recommended within the Milestone 2 Report, and listed potential strategies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions moving forward.
Mr. Pech questioned if the targets being set would impact only the municipal operations or the community at
large.
Ms. Thunes explained the reduction targets being recommended would impact both municipal operations and
the community at large.
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Mr. Pech recognized that the Common Council would be able to impact municipal operations but questioned
how the reductions would be achieved at the community scale.
Ms. Thunes explained that the Common Council could establish policies and programs that would impact the
community as a whole and not just municipal operations.
Ms. Bogden Muetzel requested that a new source be sited within the box on page 8 of the draft report which
refers to the Kyoto Protocol.
Ms. Thunes agreed to make the change requested and forward a new report to Ms. Williams for distribution.
Ms. Davey thanked Ms. Thunes for completing the report and requested a motion for approval with the
suggested edit so that staff can forward the report to the City Manager.
A motion by Mr. Blassingame and second by Ms. Biedermann to approve the draft Milestone 2 Report –
Reduction Target Setting as edited. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF 2015 SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT
Ms. Davey requested suggested changes or edits to the 2015 Sustainability Advisory Board Annual Report.
Mr. Pech suggested rewording the last sentence of the ICLEI Milestone 2 Report be reworded to omit “Late
in 2015”.
With no other edits suggested, a motion by Ms. Biedermann and second for Mr. Blassingame was made to
approve the 2015 Sustainability Advisory Board Annual Report as edited. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF 2016 SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD WORK PLAN & SUSTAINABLITY
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
Ms. Davey requested suggested changes or edits to the 2016 Sustainability Advisory Board Work Plan and
Sustainability Plan Implementation Schedule which were discussed at the last meeting.
Ms. Bogden Muetzel questions the status of the terrace tree ordinance which was being worked on in 2015
by the City Forester and whether the zoning ordinance would now require bike parking at all new
development sites.
Mr. Pech noted that the Common Council had not yet approved any changes to the terrace tree ordinance.
Ms. Davey explained that bicycle infrastructure was included as part of the zoning code update which has not
yet been completed and adopted by the Common Council.
With no edits suggested, a motion by Mr. Pech and second by Ms. Stoll to approve the 2016 Sustainability
Advisory Board Work Plan and Sustainability Plan Implementation Schedule as presented. Motion carried 8-
0.
STATUS OF UW-OSHKOSH ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROJECTS
Ms. Williams provided an update on the status of the UW-Oshkosh Environmental Studies Projects being
coordinated with Professor Jim Feldman. Students were split into groups and have identified five focus areas
including (1) research and develop ordinance to require native plantings at all detention basin sites; (2)
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research and develop urban agriculture ordinances, specifically urban bee keeping; (3) strategies to promote
energy efficiency at rental properties; (4) strategies to address plastic bag and wrap recycling; (5) strategies
for use of vacant city-owned lots awaiting development. More information will be provided at upcoming
meetings.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETING
Ms. Davey requested agenda items for future meetings noting the 2025 Initiative and digital distribution of
monthly meeting materials were discussed during the meeting. No other items were suggested.
NEXT MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 4TH.
Chair Davey reminded the Board of the next meeting.
ADJOURN
Motion by Ms. Biedermann and second by Ms. Bogden Muetzel to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0.
Meeting adjourned at 6:32 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Williams
Associate Planner