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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesMINUTES SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD OCTOBER 2, 2017 PRESENT: Margy Davey, Robert Turner, Lurton Blassingame, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Adam Maslowski, Pat Dwyer Hallquist, Jason Kalmbach EXCUSED: Tom Pech Jr., Ryan Hamann STAFF: Steven Wiley (Assistant Planner) OTHERS PRESENT: Sara Heeney (Oshkosh Southwest Rotary) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment was received. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Blassingame and seconded by Mr. Turner to approve the August 7th minutes as written. Motion carried 7-0. ROTARY ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD - DISCUSSION Mr. Wiley introduced Sara Heeney of the Oshkosh Southwest Rotary to the Sustainability Advisory Board. Mr. Wiley explained that he and members of the Rotary had been engaged in talks about a potential award. He explained that the function of the award was to recognize the organizations and people that do a lot for the environment. Three possible award categories would include Individuals / Residential, Businesses, and Nonprofits. Ms. Heeney explained that businesses could potentially include smaller businesses and larger businesses. Mr. Wiley explained that previous discussions had examined the appropriate venue for presenting the award, and that the State of the City probably was not feasible. He also explained that a point to consider was how to inform people of the award and how to apply. Chair Davey asked if the award was the Southwest Rotary only. Ms. Heeney said yes, as of the current time. Mr. Blassingame stated that the more the Rotary and the SAB could get the word out about environmentally responsible organizations, the better. He explained that the First Congregational Church has a Green Team. Chair Davey stated that the next step was to narrow down a steering committee with representatives from different groups. Mr. Blassingame asked if he should send information on Green Teams to Mr. Wiley. Chair Davey confirmed. Chair Davey stated that the committee could be formed, and criteria created as the first step. As the second step, people could apply for the awards. Ms. Bogden Muetzel stated that a question to consider was whether groups that are part of the steering committee could win an award. If so, would Rotary and SAB want to draw from the same pool? Board members mentioned that it was a good idea to use the city’s television to publicize the award. Chair Davey also raised the idea of corporate sponsorship. Discussion concluded and Chair Davey asked board members interested in serving on the steering committee to contact Mr. Wiley. Mr. Wiley stated that he would continue to talk to the Rotary regarding the discussion about the award. LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE – DISCUSSION / ACTION AS NECESSARY Chair Davey explained that though the SAB members had copies of two potential redevelopment schemes in front of them, the SAB would not be discussing the schemes. She mentioned the Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course Public Input session on Wednesday, October 4th, 2017, and Open House on Thursday, October 5th, 2017. She encouraged all SAB members to attend the sessions to provide input. She explained that the golf course was over 100 acres in size and the last large natural area in Oshkosh. She stated that though the golf course was currently public, once it was to be sold, it was gone. She mentioned that when golf was not being played during winter, the course was used for cross country purposes. Chair Davey explained that the Comprehensive Plan, Sustainability Plan, and Parks Plan all recommended more open space rather than less. She reiterated that the SAB members should go to the public input and open house sessions and stated that the board was publically noticed for the sessions. SEPTEMBER 20th WORKSHOP - COMPLETE STREETS – UPDATE, DISCUSSION, ACTION (AS NECESSARY) Chair Davey asked if Mr. Wiley could give the update to the board on the workshop. Mr. Wiley explained that the board members in attendance that night examined the Complete Streets workbook and the potential of the board looking into a complete streets policy for Oshkosh. Wiley explained that Complete Streets looks at considering all potential road users equally and that often improvements to the streets are strategic based on the street. Mr. Wiley explained that he was seeking action from the board on whether to pursue looking into a Complete Streets policy. Wiley stated that he and the board members that attended the workshop had started considering some of the questions in the Complete Streets Workbook. Mr. Kalmbach stated that he still wanted some examination of other plans, committees in the city, and potential overlap. Ms. Bogden Muetzel explained that she saw this as looking for gaps and that it would be beneficial to bring in one person from each group for input. These would be speakers from the city at SAB meetings. Chair Davey and Ms. Bogden Muetzel said that the speakers from other departments, committees, and entities would allow the SAB to see how things intertwine. Mr. Blassingame mentioned developers and asking if they might be included. After discussion, Chair Davey suggested that the item be carried over for future discussion at the next meeting. Mr. Wiley stated that he would leave it on the agenda and look at other plans for areas of potential overlap and gaps. LIVE GREEN – UPDATE AND DISCUSSION Chair Davey explained that the city and Silver Star Brands had partnered again and hosted the 2nd Live Green event at the Convention Center. Chair Davey mentioned that a number of SAB members were in attendance. She stated that many great vendors were there such as the WI Green Tier Legacy Communities. She mentioned that attendance was not as great as the event planners were hoping. Mr. Blassingame mentioned that the people that did visit and attend were very excited and passionate about the event and the subject matter. Chair Davey explained that she and Mr. Wiley were set to meet with Silver Star to discuss moving the event to spring. UPDATE AND DISCUSSION – UW OSHKOSH SENIOR SEMINAR COLLABORATION FOR FALL Mr. Wiley updated the board and stated that Chair Davey and he had met with Professor Jim Feldman and his 18 environmental studies students on September 19th to discuss direction for the fall semester. Wiley stated that Chair Davey and he had explained to the students what the SAB does, how the city works, and some past collaborative projects. Wiley explained some of the projects the students were planning to work on this fall. Chair Davey mentioned that the students were set to present at the December 4th, 2017 SAB meeting, which would also be a workshop between SAB and Council. MENOMINEE SHORELAND RESTORATION – UPDATE Chair Davey asked Ms. Bogden Muetzel to give an update on the Shoreland Restoration project. Ms. Bogden Muetzel stated that just after the August Parks Advisory Board meeting, she had a workday where they trimmed the site down to 3-4 feet in height. On September 2nd, a workday occurred at the site near the pumphouse. On Saturday, September 30th, the group worked at the Millers Bay site, trimmed and maintained the viewing area, and maintained the trails. On Saturday, October 14th, from 9am – noon was a workday planned for Millers Bay open to members of the public. Ms. Bogden Muetzel mentioned the planning meeting she was trying to schedule for October 9th, and explained the Doodle poll where people could put in their availability. She was thinking of hosting the meeting at the Environmental Research Innovation Center on the UW-Oshkosh campus. Lastly, Ms. Bodgen Muetzel explained that she was thinking of doing an all site trim day in early June of 2018. PROJECT – URBAN BEEKEEPING ORDINANCE BROCHURE Chair Davey asked if the Urban Beekeeping brochure had gone up for printing. Mr. Wiley stated that it had not. She asked Mr. Wiley to send it up for printing. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETING Chair Davey mentioned Complete Streets staying on the agenda for the next meeting along with discussion on the Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course depending on the timeframe of the situation and the Sustainability Plan Update. Mr. Wiley stated that he would work on a timeline for the Sustainability Plan Update. ADJOURN Motion by Mr. Turner and seconded by Mr. Blassingame to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Steven Wiley Assistant Planner