[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6300335,"mediaKeyId","2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7","parentId",2493218,"title","Board hears updates on comprehensive energy and sustainability plans; stakeholder interviews to start","audioSeconds",326,"startMs",3083315,"endMs",3409386,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7&start=3083&end=3409","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7/thumbnail_3083315.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6300335/Oshkosh-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Board-hears-updates-on-comprehensive-energy-and-sustainability-plans-stakeholder-interviews-to-start","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300335-66aac16297a41b8d6560e1c701a425a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776321967&Signature=gqWLGgi7DqYjs4Ihf2OpkulpI07TUlUZ3dwRfhaSjRl6K-U6YoStqSdl9KSzCBIDFuS-g8dVRxtf4DWp~fmNJqHNjcj8npBVp1P0qO3E6UrBDO24H9QyVcTC4pczhSSY9Z5F9hQNTNjpIiewEKQRm~EnhYwrGh7uc-RvaDjMwFDEFn7e0l7r-BIa0DCBmJJmDorE2kV1veO6n-Kj5X1eymCfZLcIxZ44hoPIFzxXnqq3HboDfdEJWo6Qo3nB57Gd67IOu9dRFPOawFU7woijD5ZLxG6dYIEYP9ZSGKKgrS7TGvwE5ImtVtCRgoMi6QCZd~uAuvzMm-9haqi~QcybMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oshkosh, WI","date","2025-03-04T01:28:56Z","article","Staff told the Sustainability Advisory Board that consultants on the city’s comprehensive energy plan and sustainability plan are reviewing materials and coordinating interviews. The comprehensive energy-plan consultant is analyzing municipal energy use for higher-energy “hot” buildings such as city hall and the library; the sustainability-plan consultant (funded with ARPA) is preparing a community-wide update intended to include all city departments and external stakeholders.

Staff said department-head interviews are scheduled in mid-March after mandatory staff training so content will be fresh; public stakeholder interviews are expected in April or May. Board members were invited to participate in stakeholder interviews once a schedule is available.

A board member highlighted Sun Prairie as a recent example: Sun Prairie achieved 100% renewable electricity for municipal buildings, using a combination of solar and heat-pump strategies; the member suggested Oshkosh could study Sun Prairie’s approach for municipal energy strategies.

Ending: Staff will continue biweekly check-ins with consultants and circulate schedules for department and stakeholder interviews; staff offered to meet with new board member Paul Trader to brief him on board history and recent projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oshkosh Sustanability Board 3/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported consultants are processing municipal energy and sustainability-plan materials; staff and consultants will conduct department and stakeholder interviews in March–May and expect further updates next month.","taxTitle","Oshkosh City, Winnebago County, Wisconsin","taxId",5129,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300339,"Board hears Baldwin Basin maintenance update; neighbors urged to be notified before herbicide treatments",900,2183125,3083371,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7&start=2183&end=3083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7/thumbnail_2183125.jpg","/articles/6300339/Oshkosh-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Board-hears-Baldwin-Basin-maintenance-update-neighbors-urged-to-be-notified-before-herbicide-treatments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300339-d35d68a333c1f86119b0d6f0aea9b865/orig.mp4?Expires=1776321967&Signature=PdzYa4QJM3nokU7pU~tCYDoO4-KGm06sBLMq0GmOPEnbeYmyYj~BIZGjw-0awnUnnD05noCz~xHqGVAmHEmsXvVe5Ik3QLh4Lk3Xp3hQANx4k2BT9OjYhBrvf48CkMiR2RUqMXZvNHI3EG1cyc8IQ6gGeV0W106bdpS5QdQFbz1PNbtfpTjizl5NhqCgwP08toBkywQp2ob8T0nQKydvMMC6Q4v4ZiTkvi43PDf9MMzqHz1NaAM2niYvVyKn6R4JcGXLD2uF3meqUa~VH8jHpYApDWORfEyfC1HS-W96uiiCOujEmi2ZZZw9Zz-oZ5aGy3SeewJF2IiTL7Y4~kMucw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Sustainability Advisory Board on March 3 that the Department of Public Works (DPW) had investigated concerns raised by a neighbor about maintenance of the Baldwin Basin and provided photographic comparison showing substantial vegetation change between an October 2017 photo and a September 2024 photo.

Emma (community development staff) reported that DPW had shared maintenance fact sheets on prairie restoration, prescribed burns, and Wisconsin DNR–approved herbicide and pesticide treatment records. The DPW consultant provided an overview of herbicides used and confirmed that chemical applications at Baldwin Basin have been reported to and approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Staff said some herbicide applications targeted phragmites, an invasive species that city staff said typically requires herbicide treatment when it occupies a large area and cannot be managed by prescribed burns or simple mechanical removal.

Neighbors’ primary concern, as described in public comments relayed to the board, was potential human and animal health impacts of herbicide applications. Staff confirmed that treatment records and chemical names were provided to the concerned property owner and that DNR-approved chemicals had been used. Board members recommended stronger earlier communication to adjacent property owners (for example, a notice several days to weeks before any herbicide application or prescribed burn) so residents know why treatments are happening and when to avoid entering the area.

Board members discussed alternatives and the practical limits of nonchemical control. Several members noted that phragmites are difficult to eradicate by physical removal and that, where phragmites has become dense, herbicide treatment may be the only practical option. Others raised long-term ideas for integrating stormwater basins into park design and noted trade-offs: stormwater basins collect road runoff and contaminants and serve a water-quality function that can limit how those sites are used recreationally.

Ending: The board recommended that DPW continue to maintain stormwater basins and asked staff to request stronger notifications to adjoining property owners and neighborhood associations before herbicide or prescribed-burn maintenance activities; staff will follow up with DPW and the basin’s consultant and report back to the board.","Staff told the Sustainability Advisory Board that Baldwin Basin has been treated for invasive phragmites with Wisconsin DNR–approved herbicides; the board recommended stronger communication to adjoining property owners before herbicide or prescribed-burn treatments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300344,"Board discusses LOMO/No Mow outreach, encourages early public communications and grass-height guidance",538,227620,766061,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7&start=227&end=766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7/thumbnail_227620.jpg","/articles/6300344/Oshkosh-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Board-discusses-LOMONo-Mow-outreach-encourages-early-public-communications-and-grass-height-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300344-7477e3bbc88c3100515e1911b87d0a46/orig.mp4?Expires=1776321967&Signature=BzzX0k4nQhQ5utnkEotZ3kxJisRgjDWRd00iuCCsYM6ayhgKoqYtWIqJVqe7CqTvX45ZveuiFJrnU0~azi-o-SlfbGLEyYPHl9DexfJeKRYDHpa-5~82mv7F9kXTy4y819~YOrjK3MQHqBDKR5K-sURHQqAQkxo78meDD5P4pV8pNGJqDCbEEy5tgwZHxMtrOGUlg5aioFcSCZ0EUxva8zt6dHSJU-aGeBgZqR5ePWpgpMuMJRpRp4cHGXwbeDozMxIn4N6~FZtVBk3GieRLhveyJE3uksZwln2zbbW4S7f-QnWE5Cw3TSraa~gKlEOz9AHZlRgdrr3u8UddSroF9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oshkosh’s Sustainability Advisory Board spent part of its March 3 meeting reviewing plans for the board’s spring–summer outreach, referred to in materials as “LOMO” and discussed in the context of the No Mow May initiative. Staff said materials from the previous year are available and can be reused or updated; board members asked that messaging be clearer and suggested multiple channels including social media, press releases, the local paper and public-access TV.

Board members noted the value of voluntary registration to collect contact information for participants, while stressing registration should not be mandatory. The board discussed pros and cons of asking people to register (advantages: ability to email participants; disadvantages: possible discouragement of participants who don’t want to register). Members suggested using the existing No Mow May contact list from prior years to reach returning participants and offering an email blast for sign-ups.

Practical lawn-care tips were raised for public guidance. Members discussed mower height limitations (some mowers top out at 3–4½ inches while the ordinance’s upper limit discussed in the meeting is 8 inches) and recommended messaging such as setting mowers to the highest setting and avoiding cutting more than half the grass height at once. Members suggested including concise “one-liners” for Facebook and short FAQ language explaining the benefits of taller grass for pollinators and water conservation.

The board agreed staff would check the timing used last year and set a deadline for material finalization; a staff member said she would check when materials went out last year and send a follow-up email with a deadline. Members also discussed coordinating with UW Extension for educational content and local media to widen reach.

Ending: Staff will compile last year’s materials and send a scheduling deadline; board members recommended clear, practical guidance (highest mower setting, avoid cutting more than half the height) and multiple outreach channels to inform residents, especially previous registrants.","Members discussed the board’s LOMO spring–summer outreach (No Mow May / living lawn promotion), plans for public messaging and registration, and practical tips for residents and lawn care to support conservation aims.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300349,"Sustainability board recommends adding 50 native species, boosting native-plant incentive to 20% in Chapter 30",1416,765995,2182798,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7&start=765&end=2182","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493218-fa3438a9f576180c1f93496bfd1bb2a7/thumbnail_765995.jpg","/articles/6300349/Oshkosh-City/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Sustainability-board-recommends-adding-50-native-species-boosting-native-plant-incentive-to-20-in-Chapter-30","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300349-56bde1a8ad5151ea4dcd47d370f6cc32/orig.mp4?Expires=1776321967&Signature=dW5Sw2-30hxhIY~3KTKH-M5HZ9yvXJzXrtZKBvjLuYlq~2xrrU96efaE5XNJOU3jJfqElMDH-5NDYIXkJyFO38Fkc0Ze-UfLqJcafkfZDWcRmdis4DXkbnBZiTjLZXMtuQvFIDD5uSkT3xBROiwXdyGz7ka5AtWV3IGClmOms971ZqzNBY4I4Ufrk~~cD-gTLCkg4iapw2jK2cZ2Et7Dogx5nj-YhcJQu5a91EqvDISx2KvwTFfmOESXioZe82os4v~6MD6IL~-D4m1tq~zX1Yy3Q-mzPxym5Q95wt47BIBwjDD4W9FqzSJq75Iui5hqFDbd~udIb3KrUsXqmuAo-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oshkosh City Sustainability Advisory Board on March 3 voted to recommend changes to Chapter 30 of the city’s zoning code that would add a 50-species list of Wisconsin native plants, increase the native-species landscaping bonus from 10% to 20%, remove species UW Extension advised should be deleted from the existing list, and allow a mix-and-match method for perennial plant point calculations.

Board members said the changes are intended to make native plants more attractive to developers by increasing their landscaping point value and to encourage greater planting diversity. Emma (staff member) read an update on the existing and proposed species lists and explained that any change to point values would require Plan Commission review and a formal zoning ordinance amendment.

The nut graff for developers: Chapter 30 currently assigns landscaping points by plant size and category; the board’s recommendations would (1) add the additional Wisconsin native species to the code with listed resilience weights, (2) raise the existing 10% bonus for using Wisconsin native plants to 20%, (3) remove several species identified by UW Extension and board member recommendations, and (4) change perennial point accounting so developers can mix species rather than be restricted to block groupings.

Board members described why they backed the measures. A presenter who compiled the additional species list summarized that most of the proposed plants are native and have higher resilience weights. Members discussed how the code currently awards whole-number points (for example, for tall trees) and how planners and the city forester would need to map resilience weights to the existing landscaping-point buckets. Several members suggested a simple, administrable approach such as applying a flat percentage bonus for items on the native list rather than assigning marginal fractional values to each species.

The board made and approved four formal recommendations by voice vote: (1) increase the 10% point bonus for use of Wisconsin native plant species to 20%; (2) adopt the additional species list into the code along with the resilience weights shown in the meeting packet; (3) remove the plant species recommended by Jacob Claymeier (and UW Extension) from the existing species list; and (4) allow landscaping point accounting for perennial plantings to permit a mix of different species rather than block-group-only counting. The board chair called voice votes; members answered “aye” and no opposition was recorded on the audio. The board also approved the February meeting minutes earlier in the meeting.

Board members and staff agreed that the next steps are: staff and planning to review how to map resilience weights to existing point categories, consult the city forester, and bring a red-lined code recommendation to the Plan Commission if appropriate. Several members proposed a small subcommittee of board members to work with planning staff and the forester to prepare the ordinance language and point mappings.

The board emphasized implementation details that would follow: any change to landscaping point values in Chapter 30 would need Plan Commission and ordinance amendment steps; staff noted that existing language already provides a 10% increase for Wisconsin native plants and that the board was proposing to raise that to 20% as a policy recommendation. The board recorded its recommendations for staff to advance through formal municipal review.

Ending: Staff will check procedural questions (whether perennial plantings are already mix-and-match, how resilience weights translate to point buckets) and report back; several board members volunteered to help prepare draft language or redlines for the code and to work with planning and the city forester on technical mapping and implementation.","Oshkosh City Sustainability Advisory Board voted to recommend adding an expanded list of Wisconsin native plants to the city’s Chapter 30 landscaping code, raise the current 10% native-plant bonus to 20%, remove several species recommended by UW Extension, and allow mixed perennial plantings for landscaping point calculations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears updates on comprehensive energy and sustainability plans; stakeholder interviews to start

Board hears Baldwin Basin maintenance update; neighbors urged to be notified before herbicide treatments

Board discusses LOMO/No Mow outreach, encourages early public communications and grass-height guidance

Sustainability board recommends adding 50 native species, boosting native-plant incentive to 20% in Chapter 30