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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes April 1,2019 PRESENT: Margy Davey, Pat Dwyer Hallquist,Vic Oliver, Lurton Blassingame,Jake Krause,Adam Maslowski, Michelle Bogden Muetzel EXCUSED: Robert Turner,Jason Kalmbach ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley, Scott Williams (Oshkosh Media), Kevin Crawford (UW- Oshkosh) I. Call to Order Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and a quorum was declared present. II. Public Comment No public comments occurred. III. Approval of Minutes, March 41h,2019 Chair Davey asked if any board members had any revisions to the minutes. No members had revisions so the board approved the minutes 7-0. (Blassingame/Krause) IV. PAH Presentation-Kevin Crawford Professor Kevin Crawford from UW-Oshkosh provided an introduction on his background. He mentioned that his background was in Environmental/Analytical Chemistry and that in addition to his work as a professor,he was also the director of UWO's Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations (SIRT). Mr. Crawford explained what Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were and that they were flat structures that could interact with DNA. He stated that oil and coal contain them. He stated that 16 compounds of PAHs are considered by the EPA and that they were based on what could be measured at the time. A number of PAH compounds are carcinogens. Mr. Crawford compared the toxicity of PAHs to other substances by using Probable Effects Concentrations (PECs). He stated that PAHs stick to carbon like mud. He explained that some of the research he worked on looked at PAHs in rivers in 3 Wisconsin cities. Eau Claire, Stevens Point, and Racine were examined and compared. His research showed that more PAH contamination was evident in urban areas than in rural ones. He and his team looked at the resulting data as many ways as possible. Mr. Crawford presented a number of plots and graphs to the SAB and displayed how similar his samples were to other compounds. He explained that coal tar sealants were a major source of PAHs. He then offered an opportunity for board members to ask questions. Mr. Maslowski asked what percentage of sealants were coal tar. Mr. Crawford stated that he was not sure of the percentage but that on the eastern side of the U.S. coal tar sealants were more common. Mr. Blassingame asked what the cost difference was between asphalt and coal tar based sealants. Mr. Crawford stated that he was not sure. He explained that to minimize PAHs coal tar was much higher on the list of sources. Asphalt was less likely to pollute the environment. Chair Davey asked what else the SAB should communicate to the community. Mr. Crawford stated that it was important to watch out for potential sources of exposure to PAHs but that unlike some substances such as lead, the human body could over time reduce its levels of PAHs. The SAB then thanked Mr. Crawford for coming in and he left at this point. V. Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management Planning Grant-Discussion/Action Chair Davey explained that she had spoken with Justin Gierach from Engineering and that the Department of Public Works was working on obtaining a DNR grant for updating the City's stormwater management plan. A draft letter of support was included in the SAB packets for the board to review and consider. Chair Davey explained this and the board members voted 7-0 to approve the draft letter and send it to the City Manager (Oliver/Bogden Muetzel) VI. Urban Beekeeping and Chickenkeeping Ordinances -Update Mr. Wiley provided a brief update. He explained that staff had made the text changes to the draft ordinances as the board had requested at the last SAB meeting. Staff was working on the memo for Council and to get the item onto a Council agenda before the next meeting for consideration. Mr. Wiley explained that all City Departments involved in the revisions wanted to be on the same page. VII. Environmental Leadership Award -Update Chair Davey provided an update on the Environmental Leadership Award and explained that 2019 was the first year an award was presented. The Southwest Rotary and SAB presented the 2019 award posthumously to Paul Fowler. Mr. Fowler was heavily involved with numerous environmental initiatives in the City and beyond. Chair Davey explained that Mr. Fowler's award was well-deserved and that the goal was to present the award annually. VIII. Menominee Shoreland Restoration-Update Ms. Bogden Muetzel provided an update and explained that she was reaching out to members of the community to recruit potential volunteers. She stated that her group was hoping to get the pumphouse opened up and that they would work from gam-11 am on Saturday,April 131h,weather permitting. She also explained that Bird Fest was set to occur on Saturday, May 41h, and that the Friends of Menominee Park Shoreland were partnering with United Way and potentially Target again. Chair Davey asked how members of a group interested in volunteering might reach Ms. Bogden Muetzel. Ms. Bogden Muetzel answered that potential volunteers could reach her through the Friends of Menominee Park Shoreland Facebook page or to email her directly. IX. Oshkosh Corporation Sustainability and Wellness Expo-April 161h Chair Davey informed the board that a representative from Oshkosh Corporation had reached out to her and asked her if the SAB could attend the Sustainability and Wellness Expo scheduled for Oshkosh Corporation employees on Tuesday, April 161h from 11:00 am until 3:30 pm. She stated that if SAB members wanted to attend, they would have to register. Mr. Blassingame asked if there were signs onsite to direct attendees. Mr. Maslowski replied that Oshkosh Corporation would have signs. Mr. Blassingame asked what usually occurred at the Expo. Mr. Maslowski explained that typically many organizations attend and each has a booth. Oshkosh Corporation employees could visit the booths and interact with representatives from each organization. Chair Davey mentioned that she could attend at least part of the Expo. Ms. Oliver stated that she could also attend the Expo. X. 2019 Oshkosh Farmers Market- Select Dates-Action Chair Davey explained that the time had come for the SAB to select 2019 Farmers Market dates. Mr. Blassingame asked if the board wanted to reach out to Mr. Turner. Chair Davey stated that she could follow up. Ms. Oliver explained that she could help with the market and that June 1st and July 131h would work best for her. Chair Davey stated that Mr. Turner usually helped staff with the SAB booth in the previous years and was generally flexible. Mr. Wiley stated that the organizers of the market needed the completed application back before the May SAB meeting. XI. Social Media-Discussion/Action Ms. Oliver provided an update on SAB social media activity and stated that she created a series of posts for March centered on water quality and sent them to Mr. Wiley for posting. Ms. Oliver explained that she would work on posts for the month of April in the coming days and do a month of posts at a time. She explained that if SAB members like, comment, share, and invite friends to like the SAB posts and page, it will help grow the SAB Facebook page. For April Ms. Oliver was planning to focus on the benefits of rain barrels. In May she intended to look at Menominee Park. Ms. Oliver stated that board members could send her ideas for posting and she would send them to Mr. Wiley. Chair Davey suggested featuring material on Bird Fest since it was set to occur in May. Mr. Wiley added that he would be meeting with City Manager Rohloff and Emily Springstroh from Media Services later in the week to discuss the social media policies and determine how to simplify the process of posting for boards and commissions on social media. XII. Agenda Items for Future Meeting Ms. Bogden Muetzel asked that the Menominee Shoreland update remain on the agenda as a future item. Mr. Blassingame asked to include the Environmental Leadership Award so the SAB could continue having discussion on the award and selection committee for the future. Mr. Wiley explained that updates on the Farmers Market and Social Media would also be on the agenda. It was also staff's intention to include an update on the urban bee and chicken ordinances for the next agenda. Chair Davey stated that she would like to include another program on the next agenda if she could coordinate it with the potential guest. She asked the board if they found potential guest speakers beneficial. The board supported bringing in additional guest speakers. The board voted 7-0 to adjourn at 6:41 pm (Bogden Muetzel/Oliver). Recorded by: Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner