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Village of Shorewood Conservation Committee August 6, 2026 Members Present: C h a ir E rin P o va k, M e m b e rs C h a rle s H a g n e r, M a rissa M e ye r, Ju lia E la , K la irissa N e lso n , C ysta l D ie tz, E rin S yve rso n , S h a ro n M cW a d e , G e li G o lo p o l, Jo A n n M a cke n , Ja m ie H a rris, a n d S tu d e n t A p p o in tm e n t D ie g o M u rp h y Excused: M e m b e r M a ria e le n a C a lh o u n a n d S tu d e n t V o lu n te e r D a n ie la P rice Others Present: As sistant Village Manager N ic o le Berzin 1. Call to Order Povak called the meeting to order at 7:01pm 2. Consider approval of m eeting m inutes – May 11, 2026, and June 4 , 2026  Hagner approves. Dietz seconds. Motion carries 12-0. 3. C itizens to be Heard – this item is for matters not on the agenda. Discussion may follow comment on non-agenda items or discussion and action may come at future meetings. 4. 202 6 Initiative – Continue to post in the Manager ’s Memo a. Report progress to date o Povak expresses that the group can post as much or as little they would like. Workgroup leads should communicate that with Tony McCoy, Payroll Specialist. o Harris asked for the process of posting. Povak explained sticking to what the working group focuses on is best, send to the Village, and copy Povak and Kae DonLevy on the email. b. Action items 5. Reducing Plastic a. Report Progress to date o No progress to date 6. Shorewood Waters Project a. River Cleanup  Event and volunteer details  Povak requests volunteers from the committee. b. Fresh Coast Beach Party  Event details  Consider SCC having a booth  Student appointment Price and Dietz will be volunteering. 7. 202 6 Initiative – Participate in Fish and Feather Festival a. Report progress to date  No progress to date b. Action items 8. Workgroup Reports a. Biodiversity  Syverson walked through gardens (around the Library ) to install sign identification markers and plant tags.  Hagner participated in the Greenway Days walk and stated participants were noticing the plant tags and signs.  Hagner suggests if the plan goes through, down the road look into having people “adopt a traffic circle ” to plant native plants and maintain them. b. Waste Reduction  El a stated they submitted a grant for the rebate program through the Shorewood Foundation  Fall: leaf blowers  Spring: lawn mowers  Golopol questioned if there could be an ordinance regarding gas powered tools  The committee might put this as an initiative for future years.  Harris asked if DPW would ever move to electric  Povak explained when the new DPW facility is built, they will have charging stations for this.  Povak heard from Colectivo that WM stated cups are now recyclable. Colectivo will supply bins and signage. The pilot program will be rolled out in the Shorewood location. c. Energy  Dietz stated the group met in June and went over goals and action items.  Internal combustion, EV charging stations, Plug in solar systems 9. Beekeeping Permit Fees  Hagner stated most bees kept in colonies like this are non-native honey bees . Since the committee encourages native gardens, it would contradict the work they have done for the gardens.  Committee has agreed to decline working on this item. 10. Milwaukee Keeper Mural  Berzin explained the project to the committee and explained we will need someone from the committee to be on the review team.  Golopol expressed interest. 11. Review of EAB tree removal plan/the letter/reminder of best practices when speaking about Village policy  Povak explains that a community member ’s ash tree is set for removal through the EAB tree removal policy. The Village explained they will be keeping to the timeline set.  Povak requests the committee represents the Village fairly and sends questions or concerns to the DPW regarding this topic.  Hagner states he appreciates the diversity of trees being put in by the Village 12. SHS Rain Garden  Povak explains that the school needs assistance maintain  Ela stated she would be happy to help  Berzin to send email to Ela and Donlevy to get the project rolling. 13. 202 6 initiative – (3) film screenings of environment-themed movies  Ela will come with a proposal to the next meeting, hoping to set dates. 14. 202 6 Initiative – Consider possible ordinance actions, Electrify Shorewood – no progress to date 15. 202 6 Initiative – Educate community on native garden practices and invasive species control, including more flexible ordinance for land management plan requirement and turf grass standard, Chapter 220 Brush, Grass and Weeds – no progress to date 16. Policy 49 Workplans, Village Initiatives and Task Assignments a. January 31 , Volunteer Boards and Committees identify prior year accomplishments in the 2025 annual report  Deadline December 23 - noon; final project will be compiled and reviewed and considered by the Committee on January 8, prior to submission. d. March 1, Volunteer Boards and Committees submit proposed initiatives to the Village Manager for consideration in the next fiscal year (2027)  Deadline January 26 – noon; proposed initiatives will be compiled and considered by the Committee on February 5 prior to submission 17. Staff Liaison Report a. Deadline for proposed Shorewood Today articles – ideas should be submitted to the Village Manager ’s Office before these dates: 3/16/26 for summer issue, 7/6/26 for fall issue, 10/5/26 for winter issue.  Ela requested to get film fest dates in the next issue. 18. Adjournment Syverson motions. Hagner seconds. Motion carries 12-0. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Berzin, Assistant Village Manager