Minutes
Thursday, 6/14/2007
City Hall, Room 604
2:00 PM
Members
Present: Gary Delveaux, Mayor Jim
Schmitt, Andre Jacque, Bill Lockery, Christine Fossen-Rades, Derek Lord, Jeff DeLaune,
Jessica Garrels, Rich Krieg, Mary Haupt
The
meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Co-Chair Gary Delveaux.
1.
Introduction of new members.
Peter Schleinz, Natural Resource Planner for Brown County was introduced and welcomed to the group. He stated that he is a member of the Transportation subcommittee.
2.
Progress report from subcommittee chairpersons.
Derek
Lord gave an update on the Water & Air subcommittee, stating that he has
received 10-15 emails inquiring about where to purchase rain barrels since the
report was released in April. As a
result of this interest Derek said their group is moving this issue up as a top
priority item. In order to facilitate
the process and move it along, they decided to work with private hardware
stores in Green Bay and the surrounding community to get them to be designated
suppliers. He said we will help them
market the rain barrels through brochures and the website, and direct people to
their stores to buy them. He said they
have met with DeBaker Hardware and they are in the process of trying to find a
supplier and will continue to work with other hardware stores as well. Derek said the three members of their group
are working on a brochure regarding rain barrels which will include contact
information where to purchase them.
Derek
reported that the storm drain marker program will be worked on after they are
successful in making rain barrels available, probably in fall. He stated that they are working with
Engineering on that program and since there is no funding available for the
markers they hope to have a plan in place by the end of the year. Next spring they can work with the schools
on this program. Derek said they are hoping
to have metal discs placed in the concrete in new construction and self-adhesive
discs on existing storm drains. Derek
said Andre talked about some possible grants for funding for storm water
discs. Peter Schleinz said the city has
an MS4 permit for storm water management and said they need to make certain it
is tied into an educational program, in order to get the credit when putting it
into the permit. Derek said he is
hoping to get some credit for the rain barrel program also.
Christine
Fossen-Rades reported on the pharmaceutical collection drive stating that they
are running into a few roadblocks. One is that since these are prescription
drugs, a law enforcement officer must be present at the time of the collection
and said the Sheriff’s Dept. is now on board.
The second issue is how to dispose of the drugs, adding that the best
way is through incineration and said WPS would be willing to allow use of their
boilers for large scale incineration.
Christine said now the problem lies with the air concerns with air
permits. They have been in contact with
the DNR regarding small traces of lead and mercury in some of the
pharmaceuticals. She said the plan is currently being reviewed by a gentleman
in Madison named Roger Fritz, the DNR air quality person and they are waiting
to hear from him. She said there are
three possible options: one option is they will get the go-ahead to proceed
with the collection and incineration; the levels will be low enough. The second
option is that the levels might be low enough that the DNR might give them an
exemption, which could be a one-time deal or ongoing approval. The third options would be that they do not
get the o.k. Christine said in this
case there are a couple of options still available and mentioned Reverse
Distributor Companies who charge for purchasing the drugs and then they dispose
of them. She said another option is
that there are cities who are already incinerating them, probably with
unlicensed and un-permitted incinerators.
Christine said members of the committee can contact Mr. Fritz at
608-266-1201 and said they are still hoping to hold this collection in fall.
Andre
reported on the Transportation subcommittee stating that since their last
meeting, the committee had a presentation from Brian with Midwest Truck,
presenting on diesel magnum as a potential environmentally friendly alternative
fuel source that would reduce emissions as well as increase fuel efficiency
better than bio diesel. Michael Vaughn
from Amerigas was also present at the presentation. Andre explained that diesel magnum is a propane injected system,
but said there are complete pure propane buses that are run in public transit
systems in the U.S. Chris Phelps,
Transit Director and Jerry Hendrickson, chief mechanic for Green Bay Metro were
present at this presentation as well.
Apparently there are no transit busses that have diesel magnum. Andre shared a memo from Chris Phelps in
which Mr. Phelps recommends that Transit intends to have a pilot bio diesel bus
in operation by the end of the year, adding that they want to go with the bio
diesel rather than propane or diesel magnum, which would have required a
retrofit. Bio diesel does not require a
retrofit. They plan to have substantial
signage on the bus when this is implemented, relating that this is a more
environmentally friendly bio diesel bus.
. Mayor Schmitt inquired why it will take so
long to implement a bio diesel bus?
Andre responded that Transit is working on re-routing a bus to get to a
fuel source or potentially locating a tank at Green Bay Metro. The closest source for the fuel is Progressive
Farmers in De Pere and Transit does have a bus that covers De Pere as part of
its route. Andre said some of the
maintenance concerns are being worked on and said Chris Phelps will be invited
back to the next subcommittee meeting.
Mayor Schmitt said he would like to get this pilot bus going by
September if possible, and would like to see the trolley run on this type of
fuel as well. Jeff DeLaune suggested
borrowing a truck from the Marine Reserve Unit in Ashwaubenon and parking it at
Metro with bio diesel fuel to accelerate this?
Andre said there was discussion in working something out with Schneider
National to donate or buy fuel from them. Jeff DeLaune distributed a brochure
about an Introduction to Biodiesel Fuel Workshop that NWTC is holding at their
Sturgeon Bay campus on July 10-12th
Andre
said the next transportation project is Safe Routes To School and a more
walkable/bikeable community. He stated
that they have already met their goal of doubling the number of neighborhood
association walks. Safe Routes to
School applications have not been decided upon for the stewardship
application. He said the City has
received preliminary authorization from the state for $876,000 for the trail
that the city is seeking to place on the west side of town, running from Bond
Street to the waterfront. This would
require purchasing the Wisconsin Central Railroad property. He indicated that this money would be enough
to have a bike trail diagonally across the west side of town and was one of the
committee’s priority projects. Andre
said he feels confident about the city getting funding for the Safe Routes To
School program and said the city participated in a joint application with the
School District for planning funding; they would provide a consultant that would
do a thorough analysis of the city and how we could encourage more walking or
biking to school. He hopes to hear
something by the end of the summer.
Regarding
the Anti-Idling policy, Andre was not able to get too much information from Chicago
in their vehicle management policy. He
indicated that it basically states no driver of a municipal vehicle shall allow
the vehicle to idle for more than 5 minutes in a 60 minute period. Exclusions
are below 40 degrees or above 85 degrees fahrenheit or if you are standing in a
traffic gridlock, and exception for emergency vehicles or that have hydraulics
that would cause more problems to get the hydraulics back up. Andre indicated that Chicago is not doing the
best job with enforcement. Discussion
ensued regarding this being more an awareness rather than enforcement issue,
and using stickers on a dashboard as a reminder to the driver. Mayor Schmitt suggested an internal memo. Bumper stickers on city vehicles for
awareness was also suggested. Andre may ask someone to put a communication to
the Personnel Committee.
Peter
Schleinz reported that the County has been working on trail maps for the past
six months, including a county-wide, on street/off street bicycle map
identifying all the lanes that exist.
He said the map will be interactive and will allow them to show proposed
routes if they wish. They will have a
paper map as well as an interactive, online version of the map which you could
open a layer identifying gravel versus paved surfaces, restroom and picnic
sites as well. Mayor Schmitt said in
2009 we should have a nice paper map available at the city welcome center;
Peter said their target date is spring of 2008 and said the information is
being filtered out right now, with the assistance of the Brown County Health
Dept., Brown County Planning Dept., Brown County Parks Dept., Bike Federation
of Wis., We Bike, Bayshore Bike Club, Chamber of Commerce and said St. Mary’s
will be a financial provider for some of the printing costs. Discussion ensued regarding indicating
proposed trails differently than existing on the map, which Peter said they
will make this decision as a group when the map is ready to print.
Jeff
DeLaune reported on the Energy Subcommittee stating that he and John Katers are
the only members remaining from the original group. As a result he stated that time has been spent getting new
members up to speed on what’s been done so far, and thus haven’t made progress
on projects. He said they realize that
they need to get some projects implemented pretty quick and some show pieces by
October. He indicated that fluorescent
lighting and renewable energy will be the things they will be working on early
on.
Rich
Krieg reported on the Land Use/Economic Development subcommittee stating that
they changed their thinking on submitting a resolution through the City Council
supporting the Sustainable Task Force efforts. He said instead of drafting a
resolution, they want to meet with Council members in an awareness effort, and
are trying to schedule a presentation before the July Council meeting. Andre said there has a change with the
thought that a better approach would be to ask Ald. Jeffreys to introduce the
topic as a communication and when it appears on the Council agenda, to have the
people there to speak during the Council meeting. Mayor Schmitt agreed that Celestine Jeffreys would be the person
to submit the communication. Rich Krieg
said he has met with Ald. Jeffreys and he will meet with some constituents and
with Ald. Theisen and Ald. Wiezbiskie.
Annette Weissbach will meet with Ald. Fradette.
Rich
said one of their top three goals was to work on a building downtown that has
LEED construction. He distributed a
draft of a letter to the Meyer Theatre Board and Paul Jadin regarding the Daily
Planet Building, which was announced last week. Mayor Schmitt said he would recommend sending this letter to
other downtown projects such as the building next to Agrilink, Vincent Urban,
and the Children’s Museum projects that are farther along. Discussion ensued regarding when RFP’s are
sent, asking if the people are capable of doing something greener, or when the
city is giving financial assistance to a building through TIF or whatever it
might be, adding that these are our standards.
The committee agreed to review Mr. Krieg’s letter and Rich will email
the letter to members not in attendance. Derek Lord will provide names and
addresses for Mr. Krieg to send letters to Vetter Denk, Children’s Museum,
etc. Rich inquired about having Sustainable
Green Bay letterhead? Jessica will work
with Adrienne Grun to create letterhead.
Comment was made that the Redevelopment Authority and Council would need
to approve criteria for development and it would be challenging because there
is a perception that it is difficult to get development to come to the city and
not allowing funding because they won’t provide standards will make it more
difficult. Derek Lord suggested a more
gentle approach would be expediting the development process, waiving the permit
fees or little things as a bonus and tie this in with TIF. Bill Lockery said it
would be nice if the state would require it in the TIF law then all
municipalities would have the same standards, or at least doing it regionally
if we cannot get the state to do it. New North was suggested as a possible
group to look at this, or placing this on the RDA Agenda. Jeff DeLaune said there are tie-ins to the
Energy committee and offered assistance.
Rich
Krieg distributed a copy of an article on the NFL team the Eagles going green.
Jeff DeLaune said the Eagles did this several years ago, when they decided that
they were going to buy part of the energy for their stadium through renewable
energy. He said the Jacksonville
Jaguars and the new Jets Stadium also purchased renewable energy. He said if anyone has a pull with the
Packers to tie in the green with Green Bay, it would be a good time. Rich said the Eagles are also buying some
carbon offsets.
3.
Discussion regarding new member recruitment efforts.
Jeff
DeLaune said they have two new members on the Energy subcommittee: Doug Meek,
from the Brown County Homebuilders Association and Lori Jori, a
mechanical/electrical engineer and owner of a small business in Appleton. Derek said he receives emails from time to
time about people wanting to volunteer on the Task Force, and asked the
committee what their wishes are. After
brief discussion, it was agreed that Derek would inquire what area of interest
the volunteers have, and will forward their information to the chair of the
appropriate subcommittee. The new
members will be added to the email grouping, until such time as the group
becomes too large. Transportation and Communication/Land
Use indicated that they would welcome more members. Derek has a contact from Somerville Architects who could help
design a sticker, brochure, letterhead, etc.
Discussion ensued regarding recruitment from friends and acquaintances.
4.
Brainstorm new tasks for 2008.
Jeff
shared the energy audit done on City Hall by Focus on Energy. He proposed looking at one of the energy
services companies like Johnson Controls, who would come in and would look at
all city facilities, bring a proposal package and bring the financing to the
table. He said the efficiency improvements
would be paid for with the energy savings.
Andre said they have made energy improvements to City Hall with
Honeywell. Derek said he is working with someone at Johnson Controls and just
learned that the city has been working with Honeywell for five years on various
projects. Andre said Honeywell did an
audit and the city received a grant for $7500 through Focus on Energy which the
city may use for Nature Wise or other projects. Gary questioned the city
purchasing 5% renewable energy for city hall.
Andre said he believes we are getting close. Jeff DeLaune and Derek will work together and talk with Chad
Weininger about Honeywell and Johnson Controls.
Rich
Krieg shared the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement and said Mayor
Schmitt said he would be willing to sign this document, which commits your city
to reduce Co2 emissions 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. Andre said they do not keep this list current and still show
names of individuals who are no longer mayors.
Jeff DeLaune would like this to be a catalyst for change. Andre said the Mayor of Chicago signed on
and didn’t follow through with this, adding that Mayor Schmitt does not want to
do this.
Jessica
Garrels shared a Water Conservation program that Waukesha is starting in
November where whomever conserves the most water in a year will win a $500 cash
prize and free water for a year; a neat contest and an educational tool that we
need to keep our eye on. Discussion
that it would be good to have our Water Utility on board if we were to have such
a contest. Derek said Waukesha is
giving 10 different awards for the most creative ways to save water and are
sending out information with their water bills. He believes people would have
to register for this program and water bills would need to be checked. This
would be a neat tie in to follow the rain barrel program. Jeff said we could do
the same with energy efficiency and would need WPS to sign on.
Other
suggestions:
-give away free trees
-partner with Botanical Garden to provide a list of
native plants and trees and create a brochure
-place water sensors on the urinals at City Hall
-rain gardens, an education campaign, municipal
example at a park
-promote bio soils, work to do some type of catch and
release
-plant trees that are going to be
needed 40 years from now
5.
Discuss ways to keep the website up-to-date and relevant.
Suggestions:
-update the member listing
-email Adrienne Grun with tips,
events and to correct errors if you notice something
-rotate schedule with someone in
each subcommittee to update Adrienne, Jessica Garrels offered to contact
committee chairs for monthly updates and will communicate with Adrienne and
will include digital photos
-link on the web page for meeting
minutes
Jeff
D. said the energy subcommittee is doing some outreach with NWTC and New North.
Christine
Fossen-Rades shared information on a sister city in Sweden and talked about a
student exchange program. Her group is
organizing an environmental forum and would like to use this Task Force as a
tie-in.
The
signs for hybrid parking will be up in the City parking garages and surface
lots, by next week; a total of 10 signs. Derek asked that Andre do a press
release on this issue. Jessica said there is a bill in the State Senate which
would give a $1,000 rebate on the purchase of a hybrid vehicle.
The
next quarterly meetings of the full Task Force will be held on September 6th
and December 6th at 3:00 p.m. in Room 604 of City Hall.
Respectfully
submitted,
Mary Haupt