Sustainability Commission — Minutes

CITY OF STEVENS POINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES September 3, 2026 - 5:30 PM Community Room 933 Michigan Avenue, Stevens Point, WI Opening Section: 1. Roll Call. PRESENT Robert Michitsch, Sam Lang – District 9, Greg Knight, Allison Birr - District 5, and Erin Redman. Heather Phelps was absent. OTHERS PRESENT Speakers: There were no invited speakers. Members of the Public: Bill Fisher, resident. 2. Persons who wish to address the Sustainability Commission on specific agenda items must register their request at this time. There were no people who wished to address the Commission on specific agenda items. 3. Persons who wish to address the Sustainability Commission on specific non-agenda items must register their request at this time. There were no people who wished to address the Commission on non-agenda items. Discussion and Possible Action on: 4. To approve the Minutes of August 6, 2026, Sustainability Commission meeting. Erin Redman moved, Alderperson Lang seconded, to approve the meeting Minutes of August 6, 2026. Call for the Vote: Ayes: Greg Knight, Alderperson Birr, Alderperson Lang, Erin Redman. Abstain: Robert Michitsch (was not at the August meeting) Nays: None; Motion Carried 5. Alderperson Birr update on the Sustainability Commission public engagement survey questions available August 11, 2026. The Commission discussed the Sustainability Commission public engagement survey, which became available on August 11, 2026. Members noted that the survey had been distributed through city communication channels, including text notification and the city website. The survey was expected to remain open until approximately September 23. At the time of this meeting, 290 responses were received, with a goal of reaching 500 responses. Members discussed additional survey outreach, including sharing the survey through personal social media and asking Recycling Connections to help distribute the survey link. Survey results are expected to be compiled for inclusion in the October agenda packet, with materials anticipated around September 25. 6. Report on meeting with Portage County Executive Eric Olson. Greg Knight reported on a meeting with Portage County Executive Eric Olson regarding county sustainability and resilience efforts and possible collaboration with the city. The County is creating an Energy Management and Sustainability Specialist position, initially supported by Focus on Energy grant funding, with interest in keeping the position long term. The discussion included county priorities related to solar panels, battery storage, energy inventories for county buildings, vehicle fleet review, hybrid or electric vehicle options, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and increasing community resilience to mitigate climate change impacts. Commission members noted alignment between county priorities and city sustainability and resilience recommendations previously discussed by the Commission. The Commission discussed opportunities for collaboration among the city, County, University, and other institutions. Potential areas included microgrids, solar power development, power and climate resilience planning, shared learning among staff, and future Earth Day participation in 2027. The Commission discussed the email distribution-list access for Commission members and the need to confirm city email account access for commission members who had not received Commission communications. 7. Commission discussion on the Sustainability Commission report and recommendations presentation to the Mayor and City Council meeting November 16, 2026. The Commission discussed its planned report and recommendations presentation to the Mayor and Common Council scheduled for November 16, 2026. The Commission expects to have approximately 20 minutes on the agenda for a presentation and time for questions and discussion. Members discussed preparing both a briefing paper for inclusion in the Council packet and a 20- minute presentation highlighting key points. Proposed topics included the Commission’s mission and objectives, accomplishments and lessons from the first two years, best practices and possible green purchasing policies, survey results, the need for a city sustainability coordinator role, and a future vision for sustainability planning. Members emphasized that the presentation should highlight purpose of the commission, existing work by city departments, summarize resident survey priorities, and identify potential low-cost or readily achievable sustainability actions. The Commission also discussed the importance of community buy-in and using prior sustainability planning work as a foundation for an updated action plan. Commission Chair Greg Knight will prepare draft briefing paper and 20-minute presentation to send out to commission members for review and edits. Commission will discuss and edit presentation and briefing documents at the October 8 sustainability commission meeting. 8. Discussion of Sustainability Commission 2026 meeting Calendar updates. The Commission reviewed upcoming meeting dates and agenda topics. The October meeting will focus on survey results and continued discussion of the commission report and recommendations for presentation to the Mayor and Common Council. The November 5 sustainability commission meeting remains on the schedule. The Common Council meeting presentation is scheduled for November 16, 2026. Members discussed moving the October 1 meeting to October 8 at 5:30 p.m. because multiple members would be unavailable on October 1. Greg Knight will check with city staff regarding meeting-room availability (meeting was later confirmed for October 8 @ 5:30 pm in the community room). The Commission discussed keeping the December 3 meeting on the calendar as a possible debrief following the Common Council presentation and discussion of the 3 commission member terms that will expire in December and the plan for filling vacancies on the commission. Members noted that the December meeting could be canceled if not needed. Closing Section: 1. The next meeting that is scheduled for October TBD, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at 933 Michigan Avenue, Stevens Point, WI. Discussion on the commission report presentation and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council members. Discussion on the community survey tools and results if available. 2. Adjournment. Robert Michitsch moved, Erin Redman Seconded, to adjourn the Sustainability Commission Meeting at 6:15 p.m. Call for the Vote: Ayes: All Nays: None; Motion Carried