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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesMINUTES SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD AUGUST 7. 2017 PRESENT – Margy Davey, Robert Turner, Lurton Blassingame (came in during item 5), Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Adam Maslowski, and Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Professor Jim Feldman of UW-Oshkosh EXCUSED –Tom Pech Jr., Ryan Hamann, Jason Kalmbach STAFF – Steven Wiley (Assistant Planner) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:08 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. INTRODUCTION – NEW BOARD MEMBER PAT DWYER HALLQUIST Newly appointed board member Pat Dwyer Hallquist was introduced to the board and she gave a brief overview of her background and interest in renewable energy and sustainability. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment was received. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, APRIL 3, 2017 Motion by Mr. Turner and seconded by Ms. Bogden Muetzel to approve the June 5th minutes as written. Motion carried 5-0. ROTARY ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD - DISCUSSION The board refrained from discussing this item and Chair Davey requested that Item VIII Update and Discussion – UW Oshkosh Senior Seminar Collaboration for Fall would be discussed in its place. UPDATE AND DISCUSSION – UW OSHKOSH SENIOR SEMINAR COLLABORATION FOR FALL This item was moved up in the agenda. Professor Jim Feldman explained to the board that he had spoken with colleague Laura Hartman who attended the July SAB Workshop and initially discussed ideas for collaboration in his place. Professor Feldman stated that this semester would be the fourth semester of collaboration between the students and the SAB. He explained the beekeeping ordinance as having originated as a seminar project through collaboration between the SAB and the students. Professor Feldman stated that the goal of the seminar is for the students to produce something the SAB and community can use while allowing the students to obtain experience working on real world issues. He envisioned the students potentially researching possible ordinances to bring to the Council. He stated that the SAB could suggest to them possible ordinances that SAB would like to see looked at. He said that at this point, he was looking for guidance from the SAB. Discussion ensued on an ordinance that could require the recycling of construction materials. Professor Feldman stated that the students could potentially take 4 ordinances to examine. Mr. Turner mentioned the students possibly looking at a project such as doing solar panels on the pump house by Webster Stanley. Chair Davey mentioned a potential project of examining how to speed up infrastructure for electric cars in the city. Chair Davey explained that she could see this turning into an ordinance requiring a certain number of charging stations for gas stations and new developments. Professor Feldman explained that he was open to the students looking at projects and that projects that were not necessarily ordinances were certainly possibilities. Ms. Bogden Muetzel raised the possibility of looking at native plants and inventorying vacant lots in the city where native plants might have the ability to occur. Discussion occurred on whether the project would be an ordinance or a policy change. Professor Feldman explained that it could work really well for Mr. Wiley to come and “charge” the students by speaking with them about what the SAB would want them to do. Mr. Turner stated that he could also be a part of this and Chair Davey stated that she could assist in presenting to the students. Professor Feldman then asked about December 4th as a tentative date for the final student presentations. Board members stated that ideally the presentations would occur in the evening since several members work. Ms. Bogden Muetzel asked about the students looking into permeable pavers. Professor Feldman said this would be another possibility and asked that board members send any additional ideas or input to Chair Davey or Mr. Wiley within the following week. COMPLETE STREETS - DISCUSSION Chair Davey asked Mr. Blassingame to give an overview of how the Complete Streets came to the SAB. Mr. Blassingame explained that Professor Laura Hartman brought it up and Mr. Wiley also explained that Allen Davis (Director of Community Development) heard a citizen statement to the Common Council at a past Council meeting requesting that the City look at Complete Streets. This was the reasoning behind Planning Director Darryn Burich instructing Mr. Wiley to place the item on the agenda. Chair Davey explained that there was a large percentage of the population in Oshkosh that does not have access to cars. Mr. Blassingame mentioned that important to discussing Complete Streets is examining the economic benefits of such a policy. Mr. Turner mentioned that the idea of a policy that enhances walkability in the city is superb. He stated that Oshkosh is not very walkable and many areas are very difficult to reach without a car. Mr. Wiley stated that he would keep this on the agenda for the next meeting. Chair Davey asked about the board holding a special meeting or workshop in September and the board proposed September 20th and 21st as potential dates. The meeting would occur at 6 pm and some board members requested hard copies of the Complete Streets material. LIVE GREEN – UPDATE AND DISCUSSION Chair Davey explained that the city and Silver Star Brands were partnering again to host the Live Green event on September 9th at the Convention Center from 12 pm-2 pm. She stated that a number of organizations were planning to be there and that if any SAB members were interested or knew of anyone interested that they are welcome to attend. PROJECT – URBAN BEEKEEPING ORDINANCE BROCHURE Chair Davey distributed her latest draft of the Urban Beekeeping brochure and sought additional input from other board members. A few board members offered comments and mentioned a few corrections. Chair Davey stated that she would incorporate these changes. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETING Ms. Bogden Muetzel gave an update on the Menominee Shoreland Restoration and stated the goals of maintaining the viewing area and demonstration areas for trimming. She mentioned that the Parks Board wanted a discussion of the height of the native plantings. She stated that people from the area complained because they felt the plantings would compromise the views of the lake. The meeting was scheduled to take place on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 6 pm and board members encouraged supporters to attend. Ms. Bogden Muetzel requested that the Shoreland Restoration stay on the agenda for the next meeting. Mr. Wiley stated that Complete Streets would stay on the agenda and discussions could continue on it. Mr. Wiley also stated that the Sustainability Plan Update would stay on and that workshops could continue. Chair Davey reminded the Board of the next meeting, which would be Monday, October 2, 2017. Tentative dates for a workshop were proposed for September 20th or 21st. ADJOURN Motion by Mr. Blassingame and seconded by Ms. Bogden Muetzel to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner