[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6115870,"mediaKeyId","2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d","parentId",2735683,"title","Committee updates: recycling partnerships, composting, vehicle inventory and storm-drain education","audioSeconds",555,"startMs",3169000,"endMs",3724000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d&start=3169&end=3724","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d/thumbnail_3169000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115870/Wisconsin/Committee-updates-recycling-partnerships-composting-vehicle-inventory-and-storm-drain-education","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115870-34d03bbeab18504e750b42f3751fab27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119611&Signature=QDQZEBo6tHtQxuauX14IIyDdsIs9Qbbae1mkh7brWfR15iI6~gdRgXU6J9zTGk1Nx4dVqnQfFSSiAAiEXaA4AZ8M7oEzTM3E24~DrZMbbZOJJP4l2Zgo5luJnp-XHndsGqiKjgyEgXWhL3sFzneJtgvynTlLZQzcB5RKqofrlaYcDov--bFdjdAMM4fbzWnsmH0SZWHCn5fzYcSNU9EbCkAeQ529yBRznuNPWDVtKWWNaFbEUcfl5KpUm18kQFb2YvrOXql2NCxOgu-ckkKXOLAgDJ6ls-sTM~-h4IMekZpImrqZ7hZIRgQLWdTwreEU9uDDpZef9EG5CyfCeyyL0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Cross Plains, WI","date","2025-03-21T20:32:45Z","article","The committee reviewed several standing items that did not require votes but will receive follow-up work.

Recycling and TerraCycle-style collection: Members said Middleton and Sun Prairie operate small-item recycling programs and collection boxes; the committee recommended staff contact Middleton's sustainability coordinator for details and consider placing collection boxes at village facilities or the library.

Composting: The committee concluded that village-run, curbside food composting is not currently feasible; members noted Dane County's new landfill plans may create future opportunities and that existing options include private subscription services or county programs.

Vehicle and facilities inventory: Michael Palmakowski reported he compiled meter-account data for the entire village and the committee asked staff and the incoming director of public facilities, Matt Cooley, to inventory village vehicles and major mechanicals so the village can build a replacement schedule and consider future electrification.

Storm-drain outreach and adopt-a-drain: Members reported a planned art project by Park Elementary to paint a storm-drain mural and noted Dane County's adopt-a-storm-drain volunteer program as an education option.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved the Feb. 12, 2025 meeting minutes by voice vote and later voted to adjourn; both motions passed by voice and no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03.12.2025 VOCP Sustainability Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Members discussed coordinating with neighboring municipalities on recycling programs, decided village-wide composting is unlikely now, agreed to inventory municipal vehicles, and noted upcoming storm-drain art/education projects.","taxTitle","Village of Cross Plains, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",74013,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115874,"Focus on Energy and architect working on Village Hall energy-audit bundles; committee to recommend options to board",345,2835000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d&start=2835&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d/thumbnail_2835000.jpg","/articles/6115874/Wisconsin/Focus-on-Energy-and-architect-working-on-Village-Hall-energy-audit-bundles-committee-to-recommend-options-to-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115874-c2f79cd940b78b116b142c0a1b21b03a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119611&Signature=Shuk3FJcuVwBpbAQu~BQcGDa00NIRiohid8s1K69sI67OfjtzDzYBxk5T9fc6nUSIZyLVIhyvrYi3tPlNrJc9-vxFzwlMEhVPKt37h5TG4dSqne4i4I9Ws35EKmPKBmx9bpFRWkgSGyYwxFfP3kO2WVZ9XNatrOmeUYQ2jOhJqVjhoNJ4XHlVNT~WsmvZv51jrDh0mtatJxyBj3hpUUyu53rOKLYgGAnEEspRZB2pKzVxJytgOXXi90PcNyGhaA0WIhCDG-HKr84F~lb0MJDoklWhav9PUq78Ci2aWI9HLPUaNg3OYYZAfyGQpuvUcY4AEZk9QIDasbSuk3ZRILtJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee received an update on the village hall energy-audit work: Focus on Energy is collaborating with the village hall architect to prepare multiple equipment \"bundles\" the village can choose from, including options that add geothermal systems.

Carly said the consultant and Plan Commission-style review are moving forward and that Focus on Energy will model options that show differing costs, efficiency levels and available rebates. \"If you go more efficient, you get a higher rebate to help offset the increased cost of the equipment,\" a committee member explained during discussion. The architect and a core planning group of village staff will review the bundles and return a recommendation to the village board for final approval.

Committee members discussed the likely decision process: after the bundles are prepared the core planning group (architect, village staff, and Jay) will evaluate options and then the village board and possibly the finance committee will review the recommended package for final approval. The committee asked staff to add the update to the sustainability-plan status notes and to report back when a recommended bundle is selected.

No final construction decisions were made at the committee meeting; members emphasized interest in cost differentials, rebate levels, and return-on-investment data before recommending a bundle to the board.","The sustainability committee was briefed that Focus on Energy is working with the village hall architect to produce several retrofit/bundle options (including geothermal) and that the village will review and choose among the bundles before the Board considers approval.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115879,"Sustainability committee pushes to protect residents' rights to gardens, clotheslines and rooftop solar in new developments",935,1413000,2348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d&start=1413&end=2348","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d/thumbnail_1413000.jpg","/articles/6115879/Wisconsin/Sustainability-committee-pushes-to-protect-residents-rights-to-gardens-clotheslines-and-rooftop-solar-in-new-developments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115879-26189a910ab538e878bd9a5b65e1fb7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119611&Signature=g~AW2~8-lVlQUF0KtPlwyk8LlXuq4p-cuRQ0RjXxua9wmIhV0~whduUQb4DEtVfI9MLNvbN4SPtNmt~q1621Y5vfu3vHJOUWrDNPyTAv7j9VAtWnI8wCJwKcjEZZb4zC0dSyZgFeAcTurHHBoAyP4wohwYgUnMEVoYXykeYrAiwhjX5buDJMOnbZaPGBOv6sv-XFynL7dg-DLCCfy83al8JXo9Bw5fXIldSDAF1o5SIpXxiPR3NryzU7rDBBj1GRW6YIAllc-ZUhzY2oa-i1qFrELRChI1RO5uFCj430oK~B5h2Gw2UoDlj1akDvcoFOOhe~XYg-DRznVuetU3LVeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Cross Plains Sustainability Committee discussed several ways to ensure new developments allow or encourage resident gardens, outdoor clotheslines and rooftop solar.

Members said the primary avenues are (1) advising the Plan Commission when preliminary plats and developer agreements are reviewed and (2) pursuing ordinance changes to make certain uses permitted by right so developers or homeowners associations cannot prohibit them.

\"We want people to be allowed to have garden space, like, not disallowed,\" said Melissa Gavin. Members noted that some homeowners associations include restrictive covenants that prohibit gardens, clotheslines or solar. The committee debated which recommendation is feasible: an advisory communication to the Plan Commission, or an amendment to the village ordinances (land division or zoning chapters) to explicitly permit gardens, clotheslines and rooftop solar as accessory uses.

Committee members cited precedent: they previously removed rooftop solar from needing a conditional-use permit and made it a permitted accessory use village-wide. That change, members said, is an example of how code amendments can create consistent rights across zoning districts. Members asked staff to check relevant code sections (chapters cited in discussion: land division and accessory-use rules) and to consult village planner and counsel about drafting ordinance text.

The committee also discussed encouraging garden spaces in multiunit developments (for example, requiring or recommending a minimum amount of shared garden space for projects over 10 units). Speakers noted that some requirements tied to subdivisions (such as developer agreements and preliminary-plat conditions) are decided during plan-review and developer-agreement negotiations.

Next steps: staff and the committee will (1) draft a short letter to the Plan Commission stating the committee's priorities, (2) ask village planning staff whether ordinance amendments are feasible and what chapters to amend, and (3) request sample language from other municipalities for clothesline and garden-permitting provisions.","Committee members want the village to encourage garden spaces in new residential subdivisions and to prevent developers or HOAs from restricting clotheslines, gardens and solar panels. They discussed options ranging from Plan Commission advocacy to ordinance amendments.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115884,"Cross Plains committee discusses using $1,000 Focus on Energy grant to compensate focus-group participants",117,386000,503000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d&start=386&end=503","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d/thumbnail_386000.jpg","/articles/6115884/Wisconsin/Cross-Plains-committee-discusses-using-1000-Focus-on-Energy-grant-to-compensate-focus-group-participants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115884-59e80344a939fa86e4e831e7b6b0ba39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119611&Signature=PBuiSzKP5WUxvt6H-Q2auj0Ry1rSXB763EBOlePnxmmrlLhAm96JGOtZ0JeKwaEbK7Ln9uXpUXbMkz0Fp3Se8hIC2bgdcROfZfyT0YyTFJobWRiKtWMF5SGi6nJnKUrKK9pJ9KYszkaaLa1kgt0BshyduN6LNoEFvqobFkkvovMBrgfgWTf8Hzgr2ldsQZ-o9RMVt8iU0Q6HhympU99G~Pzz81X0~uXp-Xqqaaoh965ieOv3Hp7eRKqeLWojYLlhnIFsifO0Waeo161ThZFS6wKyA59vGwPeswkYJOU3DQfDiE9G~Q11O0dO35vA-Q4z3Kug4qhoVmmZP4SWReGBDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Cross Plains Sustainability Committee reported it has $1,000 available from a Focus on Energy grant intended to support local energy-audit follow-up and engagement.

\"We have a thousand dollars that we can allot to wherever we want to. We just don't know what to do with it,\" committee member Steve Douglas said during the meeting. Committee members discussed using the money to compensate participants in public focus groups to boost attendance while weighing the difference between stipends and gift cards.

Michael Palmakowski, who ran the energy-audit data entry, summarized the grant and previous Focus on Energy work: the program required municipal staff to collect meter data and participate in an audit, and Focus on Energy provided the grant and an educational presentation. \"Because we completed all of that, Focus on Energy gave basically, the sustainability (committee) a thousand dollars,\" he said.

Members noted different practices: one attendee said nonprofit groups commonly stipend participants, while village staff observed gift cards are often disallowed but direct check payments to individuals can be possible. The committee did not adopt a final decision; members said they would consult village staff and the village president about whether the funds can be used to pay individuals and whether payment should be by check rather than gift cards.

The committee also discussed alternate uses if stipends are not permitted, including directing the funds to other energy-saving projects or village priorities connected to the sustainability plan.

Next steps: staff will verify permissible uses of the Focus on Energy grant funds with village administration and report back at a future meeting before the committee finalizes how to allocate the $1,000.","Committee members reviewed a $1,000 grant from Focus on Energy that the sustainability committee can allocate and debated whether to use funds to compensate people who participate in focus groups; members agreed to check legal and administrative constraints before deciding.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115889,"Cross Plains sustainability committee makes comprehensive-plan updates a standing agenda item",967,548000,1515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d&start=548&end=1515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2735683-28f79083a093f311b0cb7dddb79d123d/thumbnail_548000.jpg","/articles/6115889/Wisconsin/Cross-Plains-sustainability-committee-makes-comprehensive-plan-updates-a-standing-agenda-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115889-8e38783ac1a5f51e9a18ce9271cb3f9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119611&Signature=I3JYzcZonISv8UX-6cbIZUae6vzFofnw01F93J3YASBjxQa5xhciLjYpXVB2Gz1SztjXJWiQwJLwxlzEy2-1IWEPgA2a~Jjkp0u~rH1CPVWL1LXebMLjZBtTgL4jgpUw451MMerZioQrvZ3Jg9HMAdcLoo6eXlH8ftdFgDduR3czLRxEqkT36fjhWj6-G0Jm3p6NjMcqbKxDI8XWYJIsMXsNwnHQTjDmPBBvZWa6AGACGAAfEI~xjS-sNkJH8ht~uojkV~kL9D5juO1yD6MQOGwfkVT3p0YSs8jSBAxsRqu4MXu3r-~pJGncafYvhqjNf05ymsZ7zpmQMBuIXx9ukg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Cross Plains Sustainability Committee agreed Wednesday to make tracking the comprehensive-plan revision a standing agenda item so members can provide timely input.

Committee Chair Steve Douglas and members discussed how the plan commission has already reviewed draft chapters and proposed edits. Carly, a Plan Commission member and ex officio attendee, told the committee the commission has completed a chapter-by-chapter review and plans public engagement steps including a community survey and focus groups facilitated by their consultant.

\"I want to make sure that at every sustainability committee, we're hearing where we are in the process so that we can be as ready as possible to provide useful input,\" said Melissa Gavin, a sustainability committee member. The committee voted informally during discussion to move the comp-plan status update to appear early on future agendas so the group will not be blindsided when public comment or formal hearings approach.

Members discussed goals for the committee's role: providing repeated status updates, advising where sustainability concepts could be integrated (transportation, stormwater, energy), and preparing several months of focused discussion rather than a single evening of input. Carly said Vandewal, the village planner consultant, will likely facilitate public-survey and focus-group work as part of the plan revision timeline.

Committee members asked that one member be identified as the contact who will compile and report comp-plan status at meetings. Carly agreed to provide updates for the next one or two meetings and to hand off the role before she leaves. Kevin Dusi, identified as a Plan Commission member, was noted as a resource because he helped write the original sustainability priorities.

The committee said it prefers that sustainability be represented in the comprehensive plan both as a short set of principles for quick reference and woven into relevant chapters (transportation, development, utilities) where appropriate. Members discussed options ranging from a one-page summary in the comp plan to broader integration, and agreed to continue refining their recommendations before proposing specific ordinance or code changes.

Looking ahead, the committee asked staff to (1) add a standing comp-plan status item early on future sustainability-agenda packets, (2) name a recurring contact to provide meeting-to-meeting updates, and (3) prepare a short memo outlining where the committee thinks sustainability principles could be inserted into the draft comp plan so the committee can review and prioritize.","The Village of Cross Plains Sustainability Committee agreed to request regular updates on the village comprehensive-plan revision so committee members can provide timely input and influence sustainability language as the Plan Commission completes its review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee updates: recycling partnerships, composting, vehicle inventory and storm-drain education

Focus on Energy and architect working on Village Hall energy-audit bundles; committee to recommend options to board

Sustainability committee pushes to protect residents' rights to gardens, clotheslines and rooftop solar in new developments

Cross Plains committee discusses using $1,000 Focus on Energy grant to compensate focus-group participants

Cross Plains sustainability committee makes comprehensive-plan updates a standing agenda item