Middleton sustainability committee votes to send sustainable purchasing plan to Common Council for consideration

The Middleton Sustainability Committee voted to recommend that the Sustainable Purchasing Policy (SPP) implementation plan be submitted to the Common Council "for consideration and referral to appropriate committees," following discussion about whether to send the plan directly to council or route it first through related committees.

Laura summarized the committee’s draft guidance sheets and five‑year plan and asked for feedback on next steps. Several members said they preferred presenting the plan to council for a first look so the council could provide direction about committee referrals; others argued that running the draft through committees such as Public Works would produce a more complete product.

Kelly, city staff, advised caution: asking for council approval could lead to immediate adoption or rejection. She suggested the safer route was to ask council to consider the plan and refer it to appropriate committees for detailed review. The committee adopted a motion with that wording.

A motion was made on the floor and amended to read that the committee recommends the SPP implementation plan be sent to the Common Council for consideration and referral to appropriate committees. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with ayes recorded.

Committee members emphasized the plan is not a finished, binding policy but a step toward council review and inter‑committee vetting. The committee asked staff to place the plan in the council packet so the council can review it and advise which committees should provide detailed input.