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Waunakee adopts Sustainable Waunakee plan and joins state climate coalition
Summary
After an MSA presentation and public comment, the village board adopted the Sustainable Waunakee plan and approved joining the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition, citing community engagement and a six-element framework.
The Village of Waunakee adopted a nonbinding Sustainable Waunakee plan and voted to join the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition (WLGCC), a free peer network for local governments.
Vanessa Abuar, assistant planner and lead planner from MSA Professional Services, presented the plan’s goals and process, describing a whole-systems approach organized around six elements: energy, transportation, waste, water, land use and community well-being. MSA reported 130 survey responses and said pop-up engagement yielded 1,436 votes across events; staff stressed the plan is advisory, not regulatory, and recommended annual tracking with a full progress review every four to five years.
The plan sets performance indicators and targets (MSA said the plan follows national benchmarks and Dane County goals), and it includes short-, mid- and long-term actions the village could pursue. Vanessa told trustees that a greenhouse-gas inventory and adaptation planning are recommended next steps.
Board members praised the work but raised implementation questions: several trustees asked how the village’s energy goals interact with WPPI (the village’s power provider), whether targets such as 50% renewable energy by 2050 are achievable, and whether the plan would inappropriately require action from independent entities like the school district. Vanessa and staff said WPPI had been consulted and that options exist to purchase more renewable energy (with cost implications) and that the plan’s school-related indicators were aspirational and based on stakeholder input rather than mandates.
Trustee Nyla Frey, who chairs the ad hoc sustainability committee, cited active involvement by local students and a teacher and emphasized collaboration with departments and stakeholders. Trustee Jack Heinemann and others cautioned the board to weigh affordability and unintended consequences when translating aspirations into requirements.
Following discussion, Trustee Nyla Frey moved to adopt the proposed Sustainable Waunakee plan; the motion carried by voice vote. The board also approved a resolution to join the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition after trustees said the free peer network would provide training and resources.
