Cross Plains sustainability panel elects co‑chair, votes to ask board for 80% renewables target by 2035

The Village of Cross Plains Sustainability Committee on an evening meeting moved to press the village board for a measurable renewable‑energy goal for village operations and elected a new co‑chair.

The committee voted to request that the village board consider adopting a target that 80% of the village’s operational electricity needs be met with renewable energy by 2035. Members said the focus is intended to cover electricity for municipal buildings rather than broader community energy use or vehicle electrification. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote; the chair announced the board counted six votes in favor.

Why it matters: Committee members said a clear operational target would align village policy with earlier sustainability planning and with goals the local school district has discussed, provide a tangible direction for future work, and create a record the board can accept or reject. Members emphasized that the village’s small inventory of municipal buildings — village hall, library, maintenance facility and a water/wastewater plant — makes an operations‑focused goal more tractable than a community‑wide mandate.

Discussion and context: The committee reviewed language in the village sustainability plan referencing an earlier goal — discussed previously as 100% of village operations by 2035 — and noted several years have passed since that ambition was first proposed. Members proposed recalibrating to 80% by 2035 to reflect elapsed time while retaining a near‑term target for action. The group also discussed energy‑efficiency measures and procurement guidance as complementary steps, and noted rooftop constraints at the new village hall that reduced potential panel capacity (committee members reported the project lost about 10 panels because of roof‑edge setbacks). Members agreed the committee needs to work out cost estimates, implementation steps, and staff responsibilities before a board presentation.

Leadership and next steps: The committee elected Melissa Gavin as co‑chair to help run meetings when the regular chair is unavailable; members asked staff to verify whether a village board member must be present for a committee co‑chair to act in certain circumstances. The committee assigned leads to draft the board request and to prepare supporting language: a member volunteered to draft or update prior ordinance language so staff can advise on any necessary edits before submission. The committee expects to deliver a draft to staff and seek placement on the village board agenda once members and staff have reviewed it.

Outreach and demonstration project: Members committed to expanded public engagement to support the goal, including newsletter summaries, educational materials at the library, and a small demonstration or "solar tour" to connect residents with local examples of rooftop solar and heat‑pump technology. The committee discussed partnering with Focus on Energy to provide technical assistance and rebates and suggested aiming for a fall event — ideally tied to the new village hall opening — with a short, three‑hour format and several volunteer households open to visitors.

Comprehensive plan incorporation: Committee members reported they have split the comprehensive plan chapters among themselves and are compiling sustainability recommendations to submit to the plan commission; they discussed a tentative internal timeline to have a consolidated draft ready for review by August for possible plan commission consideration in September.

What the committee did not decide: Members did not finalize a municipal procurement policy or specific budget allocations at this meeting. The group also did not resolve the procedural question about whether a village board member must be present for certain committee actions; staff follow‑up was requested.

The committee scheduled further work on drafting the board request and returned with outreach planning; the meeting adjourned after routine wrap‑up.