Green Tier Legacy Community Committee — Minutes

AD HOC GREEN TIER LEGACY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 1 WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026 2 (Approved) 3 4 5 1. Call to Order & Roll Call 6 The May 20, 2026 meeting of the Green Tier Legacy Community Committee was called to order by 7 Chair Louise Howson at 1:07 P.M. 8 9 Present: Jill Wiebe, Lisa O’Hearn, Mary Smythe, Paula Anschutz and Louise Howson. 10 11 Staff: Benjamin Andrews Village Administrator, Sarah Bertges Administrative Assistant 12 13 2. Approval of the Agenda 14 Motion by O’Hearn to approve the agenda as presented, second by Wiebe. Motion carried- all ayes. 15 16 3. Approval of the Minutes April 22, 2026 17 Two amendments identified; spelling corrections. Additionally, O'Hearn noted that line 27 18 incorrectly indicated she had committed to volunteering at the tree giveaway event, and requested 19 her name be removed. 20 Motion by Wiebe to accept the minutes as amended, second by O’Hearn. Motion carried-all ayes. 21 22 4. Comments, Correspondence, and Concerns from the Public 23 No correspondence was received. 24 25 5. Discussion/Action Items 26 27 a. Tree Giveaway - Recap 28 The committee reflected on the success of the tree giveaway held on Mother's Day Weekend at the 29 Piggly Wiggly. Smythe reported that all trees were distributed by approximately 2:40 PM, and that 30 the event was relocated outside due to high customer traffic for Mother's Day, despite forecasted 31 rain. The weather cooperated with only light sprinkling. Wiebe noted that the outdoor placement 32 provided excellent visibility, with attendees gravitating directly to the table. The committee noted 33 that balsam fir and white spruce were the most popular species, and that for future events, it would 34 be advisable to request more of those species and fewer red and white pine. It was also noted that 35 attendees asked more questions than anticipated regarding planting conditions, deer resistance, and 36 mature height, and that the existing informational handouts were well-received and could be further 37 refined. Howson noted she would personally deliver a thank-you to the Piggly Wiggly management 38 on behalf of the committee. The committee also acknowledged that $231 in voluntary donations 39 was collected, with donors understanding the funds would support the composting effort. 40 41 b. Schedule - Strategic Planning Framework For 2026 Green Tier Activities 42 The committee reached consensus to move the upcoming strategic planning meeting on May 27, 43 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The meeting will be held in the smaller meeting room at the fire 44 station. 45 46 c. Composting Program Implementation Status 47 Howson read aloud a recent email from Jess Reinke of the Climate Change Coalition (CCC) and 48 shared a linked project outline document. The CCC is launching a restaurant food scrap pilot 49 collection program in Sister Bay, running weekly from Memorial Day through the week following Fall 50 Fest (approximately 22 weeks). The CCC will manage weekly pickup and transportation of food 51 Minutes of the May 20, 2026 Meeting of the Green Tier Legacy Community Committee - Approved 2 scraps to the Mighty Wind compost site, distribute and exchange 5-gallon food-grade collection 1 buckets, and provide training and educational materials to participating restaurants. The total cost 2 of 100 buckets and lids, including shipping, is $1,700. The CCC originally anticipated splitting the cost 3 with the village at approximately $375 each. 4 O'Hearn noted that the CCC is also coordinating weekly compost pickup at the Sister Bay farmers 5 market through the historical society, beginning this season, and suggested coordinating signage 6 efforts across both programs. The committee discussed the value of window clings or similar 7 recognitions for participating restaurants. Howson expressed interest in attending a restaurant 8 training session, and Wiebe clarified that for the duration of the two-year pilot, the program 9 operates under CCC management, with the stated long-term goal of transitioning to a municipally 10 managed program eligible for grant funding, similar to the program in Egg Harbor. Andrews 11 confirmed that a proposal to the parks committee would be the appropriate pathway for eventual 12 municipal adoption. 13 14 d. Updated Budget Request Consideration for Bags and Composting Equipment 15 The committee discussed the financial implications of the updated bucket cost. Based on prior 16 minutes, approximately $1,500 remained in the 2026 budget after tree purchases, with $350–$400 17 previously estimated for composting buckets. Combined with the $231 in tree giveaway donations 18 designated for composting, the committee estimated approximately $600 in available funds toward 19 the $850 contribution request. The committee agreed in principle to contribute $850 toward the 20 bucket costs, splitting the total evenly with the CCC. 21 Regarding the previously submitted $3,500 supplemental budget request — intended primarily for 22 reusable bag procurement — Smythe suggested the amount be increased to $4,000 to 23 accommodate the higher-than-anticipated bucket costs. Andrews confirmed that since the item was 24 already on the finance committee agenda, a modest adjustment to $4,000 would be reasonable and 25 unlikely to raise concern given the overall budget context. 26 27 6. Matters to be Placed on Future Agenda, Referred to a Committee, Official or Employee 28 -The committee identified reusable bag procurement as a continuing discussion item, noting it 29 would be addressed at the upcoming strategic planning meeting. 30 -Smythe raised the need to begin preliminary budgeting for 2027. 31 -The committee agreed that the strategic planning session would serve as the appropriate forum for 32 identifying 2027 priorities and associated resource needs. 33 -Committee members were reminded to bring reusable bag samples to the strategic planning 34 meeting. 35 36 7. Adjournment 37 A motion was made by O’Hearn, second by Smythe to adjourn the May 20, 2026 meeting of the 38 Green Tier Legacy Community Committee at approximately 1:50 P.M. Motion carried – all ayes. 39 40 Respectfully submitted by Sarah Bertges, Administrative Assistant 41