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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD Minutes June 3,2019 PRESENT: Margy Davey, Pat Dwyer Hallquist,Vic Oliver, Lurton Blassingame,Jake Krause,Adam Maslowski, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Robert Turner, Eric DeGroot EXCUSED: None ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley, Lynnsey Erickson(Winnebago County Health Dept.), Niki Euhardy(Winnebago County Health Dept.),Jake Timm (Oshkosh Media), Kathy Hutter (Winnebago County Solid Waste) I. Call to Order Chair Margy Davey called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and a quorum was declared present. II. Introduction: New SAB Member Chair Davey announced that Eric DeGroot was the new board member. III. Public Comment No public comments occurred. IV. Approval of Minutes, May 61h,2019 Chair Davey asked if any board members had any revisions to the minutes. No members had revisions so the board approved the minutes 8-0. (Blassingame/Krause) V. Presentation: Waste and Recyclables -Kathy Hutter (Winnebago County Solid Waste) Chair Davey introduced guest speaker Kathy Hutter of Winnebago County. Ms. Hutter introduced herself and described her role as the Recycling Program Manager at Winnebago County for the past three years. She started her slide presentation by defining solid waste management. She explained that all waste had to go somewhere and each type of waste went to a corresponding destination. She provided a description of how curbside pick-up works in Winnebago County. (Ms. Bogden Muetzel arrived at 6:04 pm). Ms. Hutter mentioned the Tri-County Recycling program between Winnebago, Outagamie, and Brown counties. She described Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). For each type of recyclable material (plastic, paper,metal, and glass), Ms. Hutter explained what items could go into recycling and what could not. Mr. Blassingame asked how people should handle bottle caps. Ms. Hutter answered that plastic bottles should be rinsed out and the bottle caps placed back on before the bottle is placed in recycling. She stated that recycling did not accept plastic bags,wrap, film or motor oil containers. Chair Davey asked if what was recyclable changed from time to time. Ms. Hutter replied that eligible recyclables did change based on the market. Chair Davey asked why Styrofoam was not recyclable. Ms. Hutter answered that the market demand was not there for Styrofoam and that the material was very light and often dirty since most Styrofoam was take-out containers. Ms. Hutter then mentioned the Northeast Wisconsin Recycling guide. She described a few major issues often encountered by recycling staff. Medical sharps, plastic bagsibagged recycling, and items such as clothing, wire,rope, and hoses were examples of items that posed issues in the recycling streams and some of which were prohibited. Ms. Hutter explained that household drop off programs existed for many of these items. At this point Ms. Hutter concluded her presentation and opened up for questions. Ms. Dwyer-Hallquist asked if China not accepting some recyclables has affected the area locally. Ms. Hutter replied that China no longer accepted mixed paper and plastics but that this has not prevented Winnebago County Solid Waste from moving materials. Mr. DeGroot asked if there was a flat rate or charge per pound for electronics. Ms. DeGroot answered that there was a flat rate. Chair Davey asked where garbage went when garbage trucks arrived at a waste facility. Ms. Hutter answered that the garbage went onto a floor specific for garbage and it was not mixed at any point with recyclables. Chair Davey asked how to dispose of invasive plants. Ms. Hutter replied that these plants should be disposed of in garbage and that once the plant(s)were buried in a landfill,they would not likely cause further issues. The board thanked Ms. Hutter and she left at this point. VI. Urban Beekeeping and Chickenkeeping Ordinances -Update Mr. Wiley explained that the revised drafts of the urban bee and chicken ordinances had gone before the City Council and were passed at the May 14f Council meeting. The new ordinances were in effect and streamlined the approval process for residents wishing to keep bees and chickens. Mr. Wiley explained that staff already had received and approved several applications for permits. VII. * Waterfront Revitalization Bill-Discussion (Item added and Agenda reposted 05/31/2019) Chair Davey explained that Mayor Palmeri had asked that this item be added to the agenda for consideration. She mentioned that the Mayor was asking if the SAB wanted to recommend that the City support the proposal. Mr. Blassingame supported the proposed bill. Ms. Dwyer-Hallquist stated that infrastructure upgrades could include wetlands. Chair Davey stated that infrastructure upgrades could also include stormwater systems. Mr. DeGroot asked about coastal reclamation. Chair Davey explained that the SAB and staff could investigate questions further, then at the next SAB meeting the SAB could decide if they wanted to take action and make a recommendation. Ms. Bogden Muetzel stated that the bill offered potential for grant funding. Chair Davey stated that she could send Mr. Wiley more information. Lakeshore Master Planning Process-Update Mr. Wiley mentioned the letter from Parks Director Ray Maurer and schedule from the consultant that were included in the SAB packets. Important dates included June 10f, where a Public Visioning Meeting was to occur at the Oshkosh Convention Center from 5:30-7:00 pm. At this meeting board members could attend and offer input as citizens. The July 81h joint meeting was to occur at 6:00 pm at the Oshkosh Convention Center between the Advisory Parks Board, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Sustainability Advisory Board. This would allow boards to provide input as part of the planning process. Mr. Wiley mentioned the proposed Plan Commission meeting(September or October) and Council (October, 2019). Chair Davey asked if the Parks Board allowed public comment. Mr. Wiley stated that he would check with Mr. Maurer. Mr. Blassingame asked when the SAB would see the three conceptual design alternatives. Mr. Wiley stated that August 121h when the alternatives were set to be presented would probably be the earliest. Chair Davey asked if parks could share the three alternatives with the SAB. Mr. Wiley stated that he would verify this. VIII. Alternate Member Discussion-Action Chair Davey explained that the Mayor had asked for staff to place on the agenda discussion on the creation of potential alternate spaces for boards that did not have them. Chair Davey supported the idea. Ms. Oliver asked how the alternates would be selected. Chair Davey replied that the Mayor nominated board members including alternates and the Council would vote on approval of the nominations. Ms. Bogden Muetzel supported the idea because it could help prevent possible quorum issues with a couple extra potential members available. Mr. Blassingame asked if alternate members fill in when a regular member could not attend a meeting. Chair Davey replied affirmatively. Mr. Blassingame supported the idea of alternate members. Ms. Bogden Muetzel asked how many alternates the board had in mind. Chair Davey proposed recommending the addition of two alternates to the board. The board voted 9-0 to recommend the creation of two alternate spaces for the SAB (Bogden Muetzel/Turner). IX. Rain Barrel Workshop-Update Ms. Oliver provided an update on the proposed rain barrel workshop. She stated that the workshop was to occur on July 16th at the Masonic Center and that it would have a cost associated. Chair Davey stated that she had received a donation to help with the workshop. She stated that there were 25 barrels and asked how few attendees would be too few to warrant holding the event. Ms. Oliver stated that she would see 10 people as the minimum number necessary to host the event. Mr. DeGroot stated that he also had a source of rain barrels and that the barrels would be up-cycled and donated from a farm where they were previously used for feed. X. Environmental Leadership Award -Update Mr. Wiley stated that the Rotary wanted a joint selection committee of Rotary and SAB representatives to provide direction for the award for the upcoming year. The Rotary was also interested in creating award plaques for display at City Hall in addition to the certificates presented to awardees. Mr. Blassingame mentioned that he was willing to serve again. Mr. Wiley stated that two or three members of the SAB could serve on the committee. XI. Menominee Shoreland Restoration-Update Ms. Bogden Muetzel provided an update. She stated that she had worked with Target and that five volunteers had helped clean up the trails at the project site. The Friends of Menominee Shoreland intended to have a workday on Saturday,June 1st,but weather prevented it. Ms. Bogden Muetzel stated that June 81h from 9 am to 11 am was another potential workday she had in mind. XII. 2019 Oshkosh Farmers Market-Update Chair Davey stated that she and Mr. Turner attended the Farmers Market on Saturday,June 1st. Mr. Turner asked if someone could put together a poster for rain barrels. Chair Davey stated that this was possible and that the next date for the SAB at the Farmers Market was July 131h. Chair Davey mentioned that additional dates were August 171h and September 141h. XIII. Social Media-Discussion/Action Ms. Oliver explained that she was working on posts for June and that she was planning to focus on a chapter of the sustainability plan. Ms. Bogden Muetzel suggested examining local food for June. Ms. Oliver stated that she could focus on local food and that she would send material to Mr. Wiley for posting. XIV.Agenda Items for Future Meeting Ms. Bogden Muetzel asked that the Menominee Shoreland update remain on the agenda as a future item. The Environmental Leadership Award would stay on so the SAB could continue having discussion on the award and selection committee for the future. Chair Davey asked that the Lakeshore master planning efforts remain on the agenda but that staff place the item on as a workshop. The water bill proposed by Senator Tammy Baldwin would also come back as an item on the next SAB agenda. XV. Next Meeting, Monday,July 1,2019-City Hall Room 404 Chair Davey reminded the board of the next meeting. The board voted 9-0 to adjourn at 7:04 pm (Blassingame/Turner). Recorded by: Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner