Minutes

Greater Green Bay SustainableTask Force

Thursday, 3/19/2009, City Hall Room 604

3:00 PM

 

Members Present: Paul Linzmeyer, Mayor Schmitt, Andre Jacque, Kim Biedermann, John Miller, Mary Haupt, Mark Foht, Tom Lesperance, Douglas Meek, Karen Kohlbeck, Nancy Nabak, Nic Sparacio, Amanda Griggs, Renee Wery, Amy Kox, Lisa Evenson, Bill Seleen, Cathy Lefebvre

 

Others present: Andy Rosendahl, Neighborhood Development Specialist for City of Green Bay, Ned Dorff, Merlin Raab

 

1.    Call meeting to order

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by chairman, Paul Linzmeyer.

 

2.    Approve minutes of the February 19, 2009 meeting

Motion by A. Jacque, second by N. Nabak to approve the minutes of the Feb. 19, 2009 meeting.  Motion carried.

 

3.    Introductions

Introductions were made and new attendees, Ned Dorff, teacher with the Green Bay Public Schools and Merlin Raab, Wisconsin Public Service Corp. were welcomed.

 

Andre stated that in January he submitted an application for the Siemens Sustainable Community Awards through the US Chamber of Commerce.  He learned yesterday that we were selected as one of 5 finalists for the Midsize category.  As a finalist we will be highlighted for Sustainable Green Bay’s accomplishments as part of that conference, in a brochure.  The conference Awards reception will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago on May 4th and everyone is invited to attend.  The full conference is May 3-5. Andre explained that there is one winner in each of the five categories. Andre will forward a copy of the application to task force members and will coordinate with the US Chamber of Commerce for a press release regarding this recognition.

 

Mayor Schmitt addressed the Task Force and said we need to get the word out about this award and he will mention it at his State of the City address.  He would like to see Task Force members at the address on April 15th at the Meyer Theatre and said they will be recognized for their accomplishments.

 

Mayor Schmitt said two years ago the Mayors put together a request to then Pres. Bush’s team to give us money to focus on sustainability and educate surrounding communities.  The plan was based on population of communities 35,000 and above and payable over five years and said it was a $2 billion dollar program.  He said the plan was approved by President Bush but never funded by Congress.  Now, as part of the stimulus package, the money is in there as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.  He said the city receives neighborhood block grant money which comes directly from the federal government to the cities, which we like.  He indicated that Mayors prefer this to the money being given to the state and Mayors having to go to their Governor to request the funds.  Mayor Schmitt said the grant gave $51 million to the state of Wisconsin and said the Dept. of Energy who oversees this said part of this is going to be formula based, which is good because they are going to tell the state how to spend it.  He indicated to President Obama when the Mayors met with him that they like what he is doing but not how it’s being done and said the President said it’s easier to work with 50 Governors, rather than with all the Mayors.  The Mayor said with the EECBG, if it’s formula based Green Bay should be looking at a half a million dollars.  He indicated that this would allow us to get paid staff, better education to outreach to businesses and residents and to outreach to communities that are not included like Shawano and De Pere.  He said we should hear in another few weeks on this.

 

Mayor Schmitt said one of the requirements is that you have a committee and have goals and said information was sent on the accomplishments of this committee.  The Mayor said there is $55 million to the State Energy Program and $140 million for a Weatherization Assistance Program and said the whole package is $250 million. The Secretary of Energy talked to the Mayors and doesn’t believe people should have $500 heating bills and said the Weatherization Assistance Program should help with that.  Mayor Schmitt said Scott Matejov in his office is assigned to the stimulus package project and said he will email the committee if he gets any good news beforehand.

 

Mayor Schmitt addressed the bottled water issue and said the City received a National award at a conference in New Orleans for having great distribution and great water supply.  He added that we were in the top 10 for good tasting water. He credited Water Utility Manager, Bill Nabak for receiving the award.  He shared the suggestion of getting a tank to take to special events with a spigot for water to fill in re-usable water bottles, but added that it would be difficult to control the temperature of the water.  Mayor said Bill Nabak suggested putting three man hole covers or spigots, one in Baylake Bank parking lot, one in the CityDeck (which will be completed on 9/30) and one in Leicht Park.  He said a lady builds huts which could be put over the spigots and could be used to put information/brochures on educational/sustainable projects.  He said they would like to have this kicked off by August or September of this year.  Karen said they discussed this as part of their La Vida Local Festival in early October where citizens could purchase reusable mugs and fill them with water.  Mayor Schmitt said this would be a perfect place to kick off the water spigot idea.

 

Paul gave a simplistic explanation of what will happen with the stimulus money, stating that we’re going to pay for our carbon footprint and the cost of utilities is going to go up.  He said if we have this stimulus money to weatherize homes, it will offset the increase or even better, will make it even lower.  He added that there is going to be a lot of conversation about carbon, carbon footprints and greenhouse gases in general and what effect they are going to have on organizations and said people who start thinking about that today will be in a good position to lead the way.

 

4.    Introduction of Vice Chair

Paul L. introduced the new Vice Chair, Nic Sparacio, who will assist Paul with putting together agendas and will run the meetings when Paul is not present.  He thanked Nic for accepting the role and said he would like to have a closer relation with the subcommittee chairs.

 

5.    Discussion of mission driven task force and project driven sub-committees

·         Review Resolution and agree on mission

·         Review SWOT analysis

·         Military Avenue role for Task Force

·         Future Green Bay planning changes GGSTF more proactive

·         Advisory Role

Paul stated that this group has two functions: to handle projects and to be proactive in helping the city through education efforts and advocacy along this sustainability journey.  He cited the example of Military Avenue and said if this committee could have thought about the round abouts two years ago and put together an ad hoc committee, they could have helped the Mayor and Council with the tough decision.  The Mayor said the reconstruction of Military Ave. is a time sensitive project, which entered into the decision.  He stated that Velp Ave. is scheduled for reconstruction in 2012 and Monroe Ave. in 2014, adding that the city will have round abouts and the education of that needs to start with this committee.

 

Paul stated that he, Nic, Lisa and Peter met after the last meeting and produced a brochure about round abouts in less than 10 days and said if they could have come out with it a year earlier, they could have come up with a strategy and done something about it.  He wants to strategize with this committee how they can get those projects on the agenda, adding that if we had a full time staff person, that would be part of their role.  Paul drafted requirements for the role of a staff person, with the help of Lisa and Nic, for the Mayor to review.

 

Karen asked for help in getting the streets closed for the On Broadway Farmers Market from W. Walnut to Dousman. She indicated she has had conversations with the Mayors Office and On Broadway and they both are saying no. She stated that Kelly said she doesn’t have the staff and there would be some costs behind it and the Mayor’s Office will only support this if On Broadway is 100% behind this.  Karen said a couple of businesses are not in favor of this, adding that this is the only Farmers Market in the street that allows traffic. She said it’s an accident waiting to happen and said there are exhaust fumes while you do your shopping.  Nic said this is an example of an issue where there is a certain mind set and certain way of doing things and we get responses from departments or elected officials that are programmed in and said as the Mayor said, it has to start in this room with awareness and education and we need to get this out in the community more. Paul said this is one example of how we can come together as a group and said one issue is this is a truck route, which brings in things which are complex. He stated that Kelly’s plans for the On Broadway District includes the Farmers Market as a big part of that plan.  He said possibly this is a task for him and Nic to get with some community leaders and see how we can make some of this happen.

 

T. Lesperance commented that we need to model the direction that we want this to go; take the street that we want to develop and take it to the committee and enter into the discussion all the issues that we feel are going to be problematic, both pros and cons and development the argument how to deal with all those things.  Nic added that having a clear and functional definition of sustainability so that when we try to build a case for something we have a tool to help us get the debate to that level. Paul said we need to see how we can touch more people.

 

Nancy stated she is happy to hear this proactive message and seeing the committee as a bigger, stronger entity feels stronger to her. Paul said he will be addressing the City Council in a 15 min. overview of what this committee is about.  He said much of it is nicely articulated in the resolution passed by the Council and we need to use this as a tool.  Paul suggested doing a half-day in-service for Council and other city leaders on what sustainability is all about, adding that it’s about sensible business; doing things the right way.

 

Paul briefly reviewed the SWOT Analysis of the Task Force which talks well to the strengths and weaknesses. He said the documents would increase awareness for those members who have not seen these. Nancy commented that we need to clearly define if there is a top level and subgroups because members will want to decide where they are going to want to be, where they will serve best.  Paul said getting together with Nic and the committee chairs would best help him to define the differences, adding that he sees this group as an advisory group to the city and the Council. He agrees with Nancy that we need to clearly define the subgroups and what their relation is to the main group. He would like to craft a mission statement from the language in the resolution. Amanda said their subcommittees were based off of their mission and values that had been established.  She believes the subcommittees should continue to report and should be based on whatever the value statements are of the overall group.  Karen said the Food subcommittee has a mission statement.  Paul said the Mayor and he agree that this should be the new role of the committee, to have an advisory role.

 

6.    Committee reports

·         Communications – Lisa Evenson – Lisa reported that article four on the City of Green Bay and what they have done to become more sustainable will be in the Press-Gazette in the next two weeks.  Also she was contacted about the next Go Green insert.  Fox 11 contacted her regarding what the Task Force is doing and they need to discuss what they want to do and if someone would want to be on their program.  The Communication Plan was done last August by Lisa, Nancy, and John and said basically it’s a summary of the Task Force with their goal and objectives. Lisa read the goal and objectives and said it fits into the new focus of the Task Force with more concepts, not projects.  Lisa referred to the Campaign Strategy sections for each group and asked that the subcommittees contact her when they are ready, a month in advance to talk about education ideas and their project, to get the word out.

 

·         Improving City Hall – Derek Lord – No report on this item.

 

·         Food – Nancy Nabak – Karen reminded everyone that they are doing a tour of Growing Power in Milwaukee on March 23rd. This will cover urban agriculture, a holistic process in feeding fresh food to urban members.  They will rent a bus if they get 24 people to sign up, or otherwise will rent vans.  Karen distributed information where the Urban Frog Restaurant is looking at changing their business structure to a cooperative. 

 

·         Sustainable Building Practices – John Miller – No report

 

·         Update on festival – Amy Kox- Amy reported that they are keeping the name La Vida Local for the festival which will be held October 3 & 4th on the CityDeck, if all goes well. They want to do a press release the week before or week of Earth Day. Amanda mentioned the Healthy Kids event to be held at the Atrium during Earth Week. Amy said they are trying to identify participants and partners for the event and would like assistance from the Task Force regarding the educational part regarding suggestions for exhibitors and sponsors. She said they are brainstorming on having a main event with a focus on one area, such as planting trees or tap water, etc. Each year they would like to have one focus something that is giving back to the community.

 

7.    Special report, local food group – The Community Gardens committee is comprised of Karen, Nancy, Andy Rosendahl, Cathy, Renee, and Rich.  Karen said community gardens is not a new idea and said their goal is to bring urban gardening accessibility into the city. She stated that they started meeting with Andy in January and looked at up to 27 vacant properties on the east and west side, which are owned by the City RDA or City Parks Depts., vacant residential lots and open green space in the middle of city parks.  The group would like to have these properties loaned to them for about three years. Andy Rosendahl, Neighborhood Development Specialist, said they analyzed each property on a host of issues and showed a power point of the six properties that came out as the best sites for a community garden as follows: 1) Property on Lakeside Place in a park, 2) vacant residential lot at 827 Cherry Street owned by the RDA, 3) Property in Navarino Park 4) property at 604 N. Ashland Ave. 5) Property at Maple Ave.  6) Area inside Seymour Park.   Some of the challenges are testing the soil quality, getting neighbors to buy-in, assistance from the Neighborhood Associations, costs associated with costs for fencing and water. The group has talked with the Botanical Gardens and will ask for assistance from UW Extension Office in educating people regarding gardening.  Andy stated that the group has not talked with the City Parks Dept. or the Redevelopment Authority regarding any of these properties.  The property in Navarino Park was suggested by a mother who lives in the area and would like to see a community garden there. Andy commented that the benefit with that is to have a resident coordinator who would be there 24/7. The site is being relocated to the area of Stuart Street between Van Buren and Jackson but in the meantime they hope to plant the land.  Andy stated that if you can show the success and get 15 plots leased up for three years and there is potential for when that does become a park, it becomes a permanent fixture.  Karen said they are starting small with 3 parcels and possibly a passive park.  The idea of tying storytime in the park to a children’s container garden was suggested for the Navarino Park site. Karen Early from the Extension is including this idea in a grant she is writing for the Boys & Girls Club.

 

Suggestion for a butterfly garden/passive garden with some wildlife habitat was mentioned for the Ashland Ave. site, which has high visibility. The site across from Seymour Park or an area in the park is being discussed. The group will have conversation in mid-April with the immediate neighbors of this site, adding that they would need strong buy-in from the neighbors since there is not an active neighborhood association in this area. The Navarino NHA will have a newsletter in April and the community garden idea will be included. Suggestion to include residents of the Downtown NHA with Navarino and to work with the schools. The committee welcomed ideas from Ned Dorff regarding involving the schools, who said he and Amanda have received approval from Franklin and Edison Middle Schools for 2,000 sq. feet to garden. Nancy said they put together a fact sheet with pros and cons of a community garden.  Mark suggested using soil from the Bayport Dredge facility who received permission to sell the soil, adding that this soil has been tested and would be good to upgrade the soil in these proposed gardens. He indicated they could contact Dean Haen, Port Manager. 

 

8.    High speed rail update

Paul reported that Frank Ingram held an event at Titletown Brewing a few weeks ago, with over a hundred people in attendance.  Paul said the Mayor would like this committee to take a more positive position on this than the Chamber President took in the article in the Press-Gazette.  Paul said we need to get people to start thinking about high speed rail to Milwaukee and Chicago. He indicated that the Regional Planning Authority and Bay Lakes Regional Planning Commission have already mapped this out.  Paul said if Chicago gets to host the Olympics, this is going to define whether we are part of the Olympics or not. Bill mentioned that Spain’s economy has received a huge boost with high speed rail. Merlin shared that he attended a conference in Madison where Pres. Obama’s representative indicated that they were pushing for 30 years and all the discussion was Minneapolis to Chicago. He said the efforts that got Hwy. 29 and 43 were basically coalitions that were formed over 20 years, adding that the Regional Planning Commissions were key in that. 

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on April 16, 2009 at 3:00 pm in Room 604 of City Hall.