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SAC 5-20-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 1 Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 MISSION: “To assure the common good through services essential for a safe, sustainable, engaged and healthy community.” DATE: May 20, 2026 TIME: 3:30 p.m. LOCATION: City Hall, North Conf. Rm. CHAIR: Lily Strehlow RECORDER: Kristina Kuzma, Assistant Planner Members Present: Nicholas Baumann, Felix Cisneros, Gail Halmstad, Mary Hedenstrom, Linsdey Hillesheim, Jennifer Peck, Jackson Schmidtke, Lily Strehlow, Andrew Werthmann Absent: Janis Tyler Staff in attendance: Ty Fadness, Ned Noel, Matt Steinbach, Blake Herbison, Kristina Kuzma Public in attendance: Yes AGENDA ITEM #1: Call to Order Chairperson Strehlow called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. AGENDA ITEM #2: Roll Call Chairperson Strehlow called for the roll, and a quorum was met. AGENDA ITEM #3: Open Public Comment Period Chairperson Strehlow opened the public comment period. Jane Mohler, Chippewa Valley Biodiversity Partnership, announced that her organization will be hosting the Bee Haven Biodiversity Celebration in August. She requested that SAC co-sponsor the event, as well as endorse the organization’s application for grant funding from the City’s biodiversity matching fund. Mohler also requested that these considerations be placed on SAC’s June agenda. Chairperson Strehlow clarified that SAC cannot act as an event partner, nor can the Committee endorse a specific application for a City grant. Sue Waits, JONAH Environmental Task Force (ETF), announced that her organization is hosting a sustainability series at the LE Phillips Library on the second Tuesday of each month. She also noted that ETF received a grant from the State Office of Sustainability to raise awareness surrounding the Plastic- Free Eau Claire initiative. No additional public comment was heard. AGENDA ITEM #4: Approval of April 15, 2026 Meeting Minutes Vice Chairperson Baumann moved to approve the April 15, 2026 meeting minutes, seconded by Member Hillesheim. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #5a: Compost Ordinance Updates Committee Member Werthmann introduced the proposed compost ordinance changes and explained the anticipated schedule for adoption. Chairperson Strehlow opened the item to public discussion. Sue Waits, JONAH Environmental Task Force (ETF), suggested the following changes: 1) add compostable containers to the items that may be composted, as well as a definition of compostable containers, 2) allow compost to cross property lines in small scale settings so homes may share compost piles, and 3) share the responsibility for public education between a variety of stakeholders, as the SAC 5-20-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 2 ordinance currently places it solely on the haulers. Waits noted that the ETF envisioned a phased approach to community composting, but this ordinance requires it to occur all at once. Kathy Campbell, JONAH Environmental Task Force (ETF), stated that the ETF is a strong advocate for reducing waste and supports mandatory residential composting as a waste reduction tool. She thanked the Committee for taking this issue on. Campbell suggested the following changes: 1) allow compost to be transported across property lines in Tier One, 2) provide regulations for the transport of compost, 3) ask the City / Health Department to select the type of compost container provided by haulers to ensure standardization, 4) ensure accepted materials are consistent throughout the ordinance, and 5) share the responsibility for resident education between the City, local environmental groups, and the haulers. Ty Fadness, Deputy Director of Community Services, stated that this endeavor will be a big undertaking for his staff. Community Services asks that expectations are managed at first because there will be a steep learning curve. Fadness expressed the following concerns with composting at the City’s brush site: 1) determining a process for separating plant waste from meat waste, 2) vectors and bugs, 3) spontaneous combustion, and 4) DNR regulations. The City will consider the facilitation of composting when selecting a new brush disposal site. No additional public comment was heard, and the Committee began its discussion. Ned Noel, Planning Manager, noted that the City has addressed composting in the Land Development Ordinance for things like setbacks, but additional LDO amendments will likely be required to accommodate the proposed changes. Matt Steinbach, Environmental Sciences Division Manager – Health Department, stated the City needs to ensure both haulers and disposal sites are informed of the proposed changes. The site manager at the local landfill has expressed concerns about compost contamination. Steinbach also noted that there needs to be clarification on the division of duties within the ordinance. Neighborhood Services typically deals with refuse, but the ordinance places many responsibilities on the Health Department. This may cause confusion. The Health Department has provided its concerns to Legal and is willing to participate in further discussions. Member Werthmann noted that the proposed changes do not mandate composting; rather, they provide residents with a chance to compost through their hauler. He explained that haulers will average the cost of this service across all Eau Claire customers. The goal is for these changes to go into effect in 2027. Member Schmidtke questioned the required setbacks and containment methods for compost piles in Tiers One and Two. He stated that the requirements in these sections should be enhanced. Schmidtke noted the City has budget constraints and the amount of time/effort required by staff should be considered prior to adoption. Member Hillesheim stated that many costs will be upfront and decrease over time. However, there is a cost to inaction as well. Member Halmstad suggested networking with other municipalities that run successful composting programs. Member Hedenstrom and Member Cisneros advocated for a public education campaign. Member Strehlow noted that the draft ordinance will come back to SAC once any necessary changes and updates are made. SAC 5-20-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 3 AGENDA ITEM #5b: Policy Considerations for Data Center Development Chairperson Strehlow introduced the agenda item and opened it for public discussion. Blaine Halverson, Great Lakes Neighbors United, stated he is grateful to the Committee for having this conversation and being proactive. He noted that on June 13th and 14th there will be an event in the Chippewa Valley to bring local government officials together, with action groups and residents. It’s called Uniting West Wisconsin – a Regional Response to Data Centers. Halverson also proposed a data center moratorium to allow time for collaboration. No additional public comment was heard, and the Committee began its discussion. Chairperson Strehlow read a statement from Member Tyler which noted the environmental impacts of data centers and the importance of regulation. Member Tyler also expressed that data center development should be prohibited within City limits. Chairperson Strehlow introduced a document titled Considerations on Data Centers for Eau Claire City Council and noted that the Committee will vote on this document next month, following changes based on staff comments and tonight’s discussion. Member Hillesheim noted that she disagrees with staff comments stating SAC cannot provide input on the fiscal issues surrounding data center development. SAC should consider the balance between environmental impacts and economic benefits. Vice Chairperson Baumann and Member Schmidtke reiterated that SAC should be allowed to consider fiscal issues. Member Schmidtke noted that the Committee should be able to advocate for sustainability dollars within Community Benefit Agreements. He stated that the Committee has an obligation to do due diligence on this issue, and saying no to data centers on principle removes any leverage the City has in shaping how their development occurs. Member Werthmann stated the through development agreements, a certain percentage of renewable energy could be mandated. He expressed support for a moratorium on data center development. Member Hillesheim questioned the purpose of requiring escrow dollars. Chairperson Strehlow stated that these funds could be used to fund upfront due diligence efforts. A decommissioning plan and bond could help with cleanup if the company fails to do so. Member Hedenstrom stated that some communities require data centers to bring in their own water. Members Strehlow and Baumann noted the environmental and infrastructure impacts of shipping in water. Chairperson Strehlow stated that heavy water users should be required to replenish the water supply/aquifer. Member Hillesheim noted that closed loop systems don’t require constant water draws and noted that these facilities should be compared to other industrial users when evaluating water use. However, the energy source used to power the facility can be a heavy water user. Certain design standards should be incentivized. Member Schmidtke suggested the Committee recommend banning open loop systems. SAC 5-20-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 4 Member Hillesheim summarized an article stating that while moratoriums are popular at the local level, they are failing at the state level. A good long-term approach is appropriate regulation. The takeaway is if you do a moratorium, it has to be short, just long enough to line up regulatory requirements. Member Halmstad suggested working with an environmental lawyer to development regulations. Chairperson Strehlow stated that she may update the policy considerations document to recommend a short moratorium to allow time for policy development. She will work with City staff to determine what recommendations can and cannot be made. In June, the Committee will discuss and make changes to an official letter which recommends a list of policy considerations, not a policy itself. AGENDA ITEM #6a: Definition of Sustainability Presentation Vice Chairperson Baumann moved to postpone the Definition of Sustainability presentation to the June 17th meeting, seconded by Member Hillesheim. The motion passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #7: Future Agenda Items & Announcements Committee Members noted the following future agenda items: • Compost Ordinance Updates, continued. • Policy Considerations for Data Center Development, continued. • Definition of Sustainability Presentation, postponed from May. AGENDA ITEM #8: Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Jennifer Peck, Secretary