Minutes

Sustainable Green Bay Task Force

Thursday, 11/08/2007

City Hall, Room 604

3:00 PM

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Gary Delveaux, Andre Jacque, Annette Weissbach, Bill Lockery, Derek Lord, Jeff DeLaune, John Miller, Luann Rudolph, Peter Schleinz, Rich Krieg, Douglas Meek, Mark Foht, Erik Hoyer, Kim Biedermann, Debbie Lundgren, Mary Haupt

 

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by co-chair Gary Delveaux.

 

1.      Introduction of new members and choice of subcommittee.

New members were introduced and welcomed: Kim Biedermann, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters (replaced Jessica Garrels), Debbie Lundgren, Sun House Solar, Mark Foht, Robert E. Lee & Associates, Inc., Douglas Meek, Highland Building Consultants.

 

Mr. Delveaux asked new committee members to consider which subcommittee they would like to participate in, as the various subcommittee reports are given.

2.      Progress report from subcommittee chairpersons.

Reports were given on the various subcommittees as follows:

Land Use/Economic Development—Annette said the Land Use Committee discussed green buildings in a broader perspective and would like to find a way to highlight existing “green buildings”. She suggested having a subset of homes for sale that are more energy efficient, based on a point system, which would be more attractive to both realtors and home buyers.  She suggested combining Land Use and Energy subcommittees to look at green building from a joint perspective.  Another topic briefly discussed was eco-municipalities, and going the next step, which Door and Manitowoc Counties are in the process of doing.

 

Possible projects included putting on some kind of workshop, breakfast or lunch, or a half-day workshop.  Deb Lundgren offered assistance.  Discussion ensued regarding joining with another group for a workshop like the Sierra Club and Isaac Walton League, who recently held a workshop in Appleton. Luann gave an overview of the workshop, stating that it was very beneficial but said we should gear the material to this area if we choose to hold such an event. She indicated that it was quite broad with background information.  J. Miller said there has been some efforts by the Wis. Building Alliance to hold LEED training sessions in Green Bay but there has not been enough financial support or interest here, so they have migrated south to Appleton. This training is for anyone interested in finding out about LEED or getting accreditation.  Question regarding why members of the Sierra Club and other groups do not have a representative on this task force, with Deb responding that people do not know about the Sustainable Task Force.  Rich Krieg is a member of the Sierra Club and said their meetings are held in Appleton. Outagamie and Shawano County have educators specifically for the purpose of getting the word out. John Miller said the Isaac Walton League is interested as well as the Northeast Chapter of the Wisconsin AIA, and added that the Wis. Green Building Alliance will support any efforts that the Task Force takes on. B. Lockery said the city could step up when developers ask for TIF assistance and require that they use green building techniques.  Rich K. said he could see the potential of having a Co2 energy neutral neighborhood, like they’re doing in London.

 

G. Delveaux asked if the Land Use group wants to take on the project of getting a list of green rated homes? Annette said she didn’t know at this point.  Doug Meek said check boxes will be added to MLS sheets, but said it’s a checklist with no third party verification on the green build program, adding with no accountablility, he has a problem with it. He said with the Energy Star Program everything is tested and documented, and cautioned the group on using the term “rating”, which in the residential network, means a rated building is a computer model of a building with actual energy costs.  He said they are going to have green raters next year.  Derek said the rating system might be a good project for 2008.  He asked that subcommittees keep in mind that the Mayor would like to invite other community leaders to an event next spring for a mini conference to tell them what we are doing in Green Bay and to ask them to do the same.  Derek suggested a whole day event with a conference with community leaders in the morning, builders, contractors and architects for their educational seminar in the afternoon and in the evening open it up to the public and the Sierra Club and our group and talk about what individual residents can do.  He suggested setting a date and getting everyone together like the group did with the CFL challenge and making a big splash.  Suggestion to tie this event into Earth Week, with Derek adding that the city will have a home to showcase next spring, on city owned property.  Luann suggested kicking off Earth Week with an event like this.

 

Transportation – Andre reported that T.J. Sorensen has been implementing the anti-idling campaign at the west side garage and offered to have T.J. attend a future meeting to speak to the group about best practices. Andre is still hopeful to have bio diesel fuel in a metro bus by the end of the month, adding that finding a certified bio diesel supplier is still an issue. Andre will be receiving an update on the cost to go forward with using a non-certified provider.  The goal is to go fleet wide by the end of the year.

 

Andre reviewed the projects for the new members including, Hybrid vehicle parking signs, bike racks on city busses, state budget included trail money for a trail on the west side from Keller School to the waterfront and trail maps with bike lanes in Brown County, which Peter Schleinz reported are 50% completed.  He expects the maps to be completed by mid April.  Karen Kohlbeck has instigated reusable canvas bags for grocery shopping. Andre stated that increased neighborhood walks within the neighborhood associations have been going well.  He said there are some grants to restore the street grid at the downtown mall site and the Larsen site on the west side, as well as grant money for the CityDeck project.  Suggestion was made to look into a car sharing program like Madison has. Andre said he and the Mayor talked about this but weren’t sure how close we were to attracting some of the things needed to make that happen.  Rich Krieg suggested a trustle trail at the end of Porlier Street like Neenah/Menasha has done.  Gary Delveaux said this was mentioned at the Mayor’s Beautification Committee awards luncheon today.

 

Andre suggested having a large group meeting to see what projects subcommittees should focus on next.  It was agreed that each subcommittee come up with three small projects and a larger project for 2008.  The entire group can solidify the 2008 projects.  Kim B. and Mark F. will join the Transportation Committee.

 

Water & Air – Derek reported that the storm drain marker program and pharmaceutical drop are ongoing projects for next spring.  Luann indicated that they are still fighting the permit system so we do not have an illegal collection like other communities are doing.  There is a question of who will pay for the permits.  Derek said the group will come up with a few new projects and one joint large event.

 

Energy- Jeff DeLaune gave a recap on the CFL challenge and said they are in the process of getting the money to the retailers and ordering the bulbs.  He said they are focusing on getting the bulbs out and want to collect information for a case study while the information is fresh in everyone’s minds.  He said the Energy subcommittee needs  to be reformed and he asked for interested members to contact him.  Recapping the CFL challenge, he stated that 23,000 CFL’s were sold, 29 organizations participated; a huge success.  When the bulbs are delivered, the organizations will be shown the energy benefit from their participation.  He said it’s taking a little longer to get the bulbs since there are only six retailers.  People can continue to purchase the bulbs at the participating retailers.

 

The subcommittee will meet tomorrow and discuss new projects, as well as inquire if members wish to remain on the committee. The Task Force will have a booth at the Home Show in January and subcommittees need to decide what to have at the booth.

 

 Coalesce two similar priorities in land use and energy subcommittees: green building design/energy savings.

 

Annette proposed re-focusing the Energy and Land subcommittees to join efforts to address green building from the point of where folks are already doing green building, such as the Home Builders or architects.  She liked the idea of putting on a conference but said it takes a lot of work and at least the efforts of 12 people.  Discussion ensued about putting on a one-day conference in April, which would be the focus of the entire group beginning right now.  Jeff said they should not take this on without securing money for marketing, which they learned from the CFL challenge.  After further discussion, it was agreed that holding a conference in spring is a large undertaking and rather, should be proposed as a 2009 incentive.  John Miller suggested spending the next three months creating awareness of the group and recommended looking at a Leadership Council only.  He commended Annette for her draft of the brochure and said this is a necessary component for marketing the committee. He shared a pamphlet from the AIA, ten steps to a liveable community, 10 Steps to Green Development, adding that it’s eye catching and drives the point home that now is the time to start to do something. John shared a report from Columbus, Ohio regarding their green initiative, how it started and what they’re going to do. He said it would be easy to copy this for the Green Bay area and would increase the awareness in the community if we do something like this. He will send an electronic copy for distribution to all Task Force members.   Derek said we have access to marketing and design assistance which would be helpful to fine tune the brochure; we need to give them the information.  The brochure should be completed and available for the Home Show.  Luann suggested each subcommittee come up with one educational thing the group could do to create awareness for the group.  Rich Krieg shared information about a workshop dealing with How to Create a Food Co-op in Fond du Lac that he is planning to attend a week from Friday.  John Miller offered that Berners Schober will print any materials that the Task Force puts together.

 

Gary Delveaux recapped that we need to talk with the Mayor regarding his wishes about a Leadership Conference.  Rich Krieg will email the Mayor regarding hiring an Economic Development Specialist who has a sustainability background. In summary, it was agreed that the group will concentrate on awareness/outreach such as speaking to Optimist and Lions groups, and put the conference on the back burner for now. More thought needs to be put on the Home Show and what will be used for the booth. Jeff DeLaune said the Energy Group will talk about awareness, education, outreach and the booth for January at their meeting tomorrow. Bill Lockery said we could have a working rain barrel at the booth.  Comments for the brochure should be emailed to Annette.  Nancy Nabak, new member, has some good suggestions and will be invited to the meeting tomorrow.

 

Kim Biedermann distributed a notice about Conservation Lobby Day which will be held on January 30th at the State Capitol; task force members are invited to attend, or to contact their legislators.  Three topics will be the focus: Hunter Anger Trapper Bill of Rights, to pass the Great Lakes Compact and the Wis. State Climate Act.  Further information can be obtained through the website at: www.conservationvoters.org. Annette suggested contacting philanthropists who might be willing to donate funds for promotion.  Jeff DeLaune thanked Doug Meek for donating the plaques for the CFL Challenge, and reiterated the need for funds to assist with marketing for a future event.

 

3.      Date for next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at 3:00 in Room 604 of City Hall.  The focus of the December meeting will the focus/mission for 2008.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Haupt