Avian Committee Meeting — Agenda Packet

May 12, 2026 Avian Committee Agenda 1 City of Lake Geneva, 626 Geneva St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-262.248.3673-www.cityoflakgeneva.gov Avian Committee Agenda Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - 6:00 PM Lake Geneva City Hall; Conference Room 2A (2nd Floor) Members: President: Sarah McConnell Beverly Leonard, Jill Rodriguez, Karen Gallo, Victoria Ross, Kelley Happ, and Alderperson Linda Frame 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of the minutes from April 14, 2026 4. Comments from the public limited to 5 minutes, limited to items on this agenda 5. Annual Election of Officers a. Chair b. Secretary 6. Review of City Ordinances pertaining to the Avian Committee 7. Review Financial Reports 8. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Policy and Ordinance Initiatives a. Exterior Lighting Standards/Dark Sky Ordinance b. Climate Related Topics 9. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Annual Events and Applications a. Swift Night Out b. Bird City Application c. World Migratory Bird Day 10. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Projects and Partnerships a. Hotel Birding Backpacks b. Purple Martin/Kestrel houses c. Native Plant Grant Project 11. Adjournment Page 1 of 21 May 12, 2026 Avian Committee Agenda 2 A quorum of the Council may be present; however, no official Council action will be taken. Requests from persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting should be made to the City Clerk’s office in advance so that the appropriate accommodations can be made. Page 2 of 21 City of Lake Geneva Avian Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 14, 2026 City Council Conference Room 2A 1. Call to Order: 6:04 PM by Sarah McConnell 2. Roll Call: The following members were present: Beverly Leonard, Sarah McConnell, Jill Rodriguez, Victoria Ross, and Alderperson JaNelle Powers. Members absent, but excused, were: Karen Gallo and Kelly Happ. Others present: David Winger. 3. Approval of Avian Committee Minutes from March 10, 2026: A motion to approve the minutes was made by Rodriguez, and seconded by McConnell. The motion was passed. 4. Comments from the Public: None. 5. Financial Report: McConnell will make sure our request for 2025 carry-over has been received and accepted. 6. Policy and Ordinance Initiatives: No Updates 7. Annual Events and Applications: a. The Swift Night Out Event has been posted on the Bird City Wisconsin website with a note of the date change to the 2nd Thursday of September. b. Bird City Application. No update from Bird City Wisconsin on our application status. c. World Migratory Bird Day. For the Tuesday @ 2 Program, McConnell has ordered two (2) brochures (“Every Bird Counts..” and “Shared Spaces”) from WorldMigratoryBirdDay.org, and Rodriguez will provide the birding maps from the Bird Watching Backup materials. Ross will provide flyers and kids’ activity materials to be used in the Bird Migration Display at LGPL. The Tuesday @ 2 Event has been posted to the Bird City Wisconsin website. 8. Projects and Partnerships a. Hotel Birding Backpacks. No updates. b. Purple Martin/Kestral Houses. Six new gourds were purchased, powder insecticide has been applied, and all houses were opened on Sunday, April 12. On the 12th, three (3) Purple Martins made an appearance, and by Tuesday, April 14, the Beach House was completely occupied. c. Native Plant Grant Project. McConnell & Betty Volquardsen met with two representatives from While Pelican Farm (WPF). WPF gave some great suggestions on plants, how to keep weeds out of the newly tilled area, and to keep deer at bay. 9. Adjournment: A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 PM was made by Rodriguez, and seconded by Leonard. The motion passed. Next Meeting Date & Time: The next Avian Committee Meeting will be on May 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the City Council Conference Room 2A. Respectfully submitted 04/17/2026 Victoria Ross Page 3 of 21 DIVISION 1.1 AVIAN (BIRD) COMMITTEE [Added 3-28-2011 by Ord. No. 11-12] Sec. 2-234. Composition; appointment; term; vacancy; salary. Sec. 2-235. Meetings; conduct; duties. (a) Composition. There shall be seven members on the Avian (Bird) Committee, comprised of six citizens and one Alderman. [Amended 11-12-2018 by Ord. No. 18-09] (b) Appointment. The members shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council at the organization meeting each April. (c) Term. Citizen members shall serve two-year terms, except that for initial appointments, two citizen members shall serve one-year terms and two citizen members shall serve two-year terms. The citizen members' terms shall be staggered so as to have two members' terms expire annually. (d) Vacancy. Any vacancy shall be filled through the appointment procedure described above for the remaining term of the vacancy. (e) Salary. Members of the Avian Committee shall serve without compensation. (a) Meeting. The Committee shall meet a minimum of four times per year and shall fix its meeting dates and time at the beginning of each calendar year or as soon as practical. Additional meetings may be called by the Chairman or by action of the members at a duly called meeting. All meetings shall be held at the City Hall unless otherwise designated by the Chairman. (b) Rules of Order. The Chairperson shall call the meeting to order, shall preserve order and decorum, decide all questions of order, and conduct the proceedings of the meeting in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, unless otherwise provided by statute or by the rules stated herein. (c) Quorum. A majority of the membership of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. (d) Organization. The members of the Avian Committee shall elect a Chairman from amongst its members. The Avian Committee may elect other officers necessary or appropriate to aid in the efficient running of the Committee. [Amended 12-10-2012 by Ord. No. 12-23] (e) Agenda. The Chairperson is responsible for the preparation of the agenda and shall provide a digital or electronic copy of such agenda to the City Clerk for posting and distribution to other Committee members and the public at least 48 hours prior to such meeting. Informational material for items identified on the agenda shall also be provided with the agenda when practical. (f) Committee action. Unless otherwise stated herein, the Avian Committee is advisory in its capacity and shall make recommendations to the City Council. City of Lake Geneva, WI Sec. 2-234 Sec. 2-235 Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/LA3000 on 2026-05-08 Page 4 of 21 Sec. 2-236. through Sec. 2-245. (Reserved) (g) Submittal of minutes. The acting Secretary shall submit in a timely fashion a digital copy of the meeting minutes to the City Clerk for posting and distribution. If action by the City Council is desired, such action shall be so noted in the minutes. (h) Duties. The Avian Committee shall: (1) Make recommendations to the City Council: a. To plan and celebrate International Migratory Bird Day annually on the second Saturday of May. b. To monitor and implement minimum criteria to achieve annual certification as a "Bird City" community. c. To apply for Bird City status annually. d. To promote the City of Lake Geneva as a tourist destination for bird enthusiasts. (2) Submit at least one bird-related article for the City website or media. (3) Review annually all City ordinances and policies/procedures related to birds and recommend changes or updates to the Common Council. City of Lake Geneva, WI Sec. 2-235 Sec. 2-236 Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/LA3000 on 2026-05-08 Page 5 of 21 CITY OF LAKE GENEVA Finance Worksheet - Budget vs. Actual - Avian Committee Page: 1 Period: 04/26 May 08, 2026 10:32AM 2026-26 2026-26 Variance % of Period Current year Current year Current year Budget Account Number Account Title Actual Actual Budget GENERAL FUND MISCELLANEOUS MISCELLANEOUS 11-70-00-47300 AVIAN DONATIONS .00 .00 250.00 250.00 .00 Total MISCELLANEOUS: .00 .00 250.00 250.00 .00 MISCELLANEOUS 11-70-00-57800 AVIAN COMMITTEE EXPENSES .00 1,290.00 3,500.00 2,210.00 36.86 Total MISCELLANEOUS: .00 1,290.00 3,500.00 2,210.00 36.86 Net Total GENERAL FUND: .00 1,290.00- 3,250.00- 1,960.00- 39.69 Net Grand Totals: .00 1,290.00- 3,250.00- 1,960.00- 39.69 Page 6 of 21 Page: 1Detail Ledger - Avian CommitteeCITY OF LAKE GENEVA Period 04/26 (04/30/2026) May 08, 2026 10:33AM Journal Reference Number Payee or Description Debit Amount Credit Amount Balance 11-70-00-47300 AVIAN DONATIONS 03/31/2026 (03/26) Balance .00 * .00 * .00 04/30/2026 (04/26) Period Totals and Balance .00 * .00 * .00 YTD Encumbrance .00 YTD Actual .00 Total .00 YTD Budget 250.00- Unearned 250.00 11-70-00-57800 AVIAN COMMITTEE EXPENSES 03/31/2026 (03/26) Balance .00 * .00 * 1,290.00 04/30/2026 (04/26) Period Totals and Balance .00 * .00 * 1,290.00 YTD Encumbrance .00 YTD Actual 1,290.00 Total 1,290.00 YTD Budget 3,500.00 Unexpended 2,210.00 11-70-00-57810 AVIAN COMMITTEE DONATION EXP 03/31/2026 (03/26) Balance .00 * .00 * .00 04/30/2026 (04/26) Period Totals and Balance .00 * .00 * .00 YTD Encumbrance .00 YTD Actual .00 Total .00 YTD Budget .00 Unexpended .00 Number of transactions: 0 Number of accounts: 3 ProofCreditDebit .00 .00 .00 Grand Totals: Report Criteria: Actual amounts All accounts Account.Account number = "11700047300","11700057800","11700057810" Page 7 of 21 MEMORANDUM TO: Avian Committee Members FROM: Victoria Ross DATE: May 8, 2026 RE: Exterior Lighting Standards Revisions Report On May 5, 2026, the Committee received the attached staff comments regarding our proposed revisions to Sec 98-707 Exterior Lighting Standards. The staff’s recommendation is to not approve the revisions as submitted. The decision before the Committee at this time is whether to proceed with the Public Hearing scheduled for May 18, 2026, or request a continuance. My recommendation is the Committee request a continuance to allow for a thorough review of staff comments. Page 8 of 21 Proposed Text Amendment Section 98-707 Exterior Lighting Standards Text Amendment Application PC-49 Current Zoning Ordinance 98-707 Planning Staff Notes 1.1 Purpose This Section establishes the purpose of the Exterior Lighting Standards. References The Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting as a “guide” . The current Ordinance has a very similar purpose statement. (1) The Five Principals for responsible Outdoor Lighting must be properly referenced and added as an addendum to the Zoning Ordinance if it is to be used as a guide for decision making. What is the source of this material? 1.2 Applicability A. Requires full compliance with this section for all new or replacement fixtures throughout the city. B. This section provides for legal nonconforming lighting to be maintained like the existing Ordinance. The Text Amendment goes further in providing an end to the legal nonconforming status when “A determination by the Building & Zoning Director that an outdoor light source constitutes a hazard to public safety or constitutes a nuisance.” The current Ordinance very specifically excludes public properties from these standards. (2) The current Ordinance provides for legal nonconforming fixtures to be maintained. The Ordinance encourages them to be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. and makes clear that all replacement fixtures must comply with the Ordinance standards. (4)(h) A.Staff would like to make clear an exception for public properties from these standards. B.Staff has a concern with the applicability of this requirement. The ordinance must provide some guidance to the Director in making that decision. This language gives very broad discretion to the Director. 1.3 Exemptions A. This section allows exceptions where federal or state law takes precedent over local law. B. Allows exceptions for “security lighting” as determined necessary by the Chief of Police. The definition section defines “Security Lighting: Illumination used specifically to protect people, property, and infrastructure from criminal threat” . C. Historic lighting fixtures H. Decorative Lighting B.The current Ordinance provides an exemption for “Security Lighting” but does not provide a definition. ((5)(a) C.The current Ordinance does not provide an exception for Historic lighting. B.Both the current Ordinance and the Text Amendment are overly broad with respect to “Security Lighting” . The Text Amendment goes further than the current Ordinance in giving the Chief of Police unspecified latitude in determining “Security Lighting” As stated above, Staff find giving broad descetion to a city official without providing them guidance to base their decisions on is problematic. Page 9 of 21 C.An historic lighting fixture exception should be included an any lighting ordinance. H. ”Decorative Lighting” is not defined in the Text Amendment. Is any lighting that meets the CCT and lumen output listed considered “Decorative Lighting” . This is vague and needs definition otherwise enforcement is very discretionary. 1.4 Prohibitions C. Rope Lighting C. The current Ordinance allows Rope Lighting by CUP (6)(c) C.Staff prefers the Text Amendment provision which does not complicate the issue with a CUP provision. 2.0 Outdoor Lighting Requirements 2.1 General B. Light Level. Text Amendment provides that lighting shall not exceed 25% more than the Light Level recommended by the applicable ANSI/IES Lighting Standards, or state approved alternate, as published by? C. Distribution. Requires any light above 1,000 lumens to be fully shielded with exception of festoon lighting and façade lighting. Text Amendment further regulates the amount of light as a percentage above a specific angle. F . Spectrum: The Text Amendment sets a maximum CCT of 3000K but provides the following” Exemption: CCT exemptions are allowed if a public safety need is documented” B. The current Zoning Ordinance has a straight forward calculation for determining the maximum light output on a property. It provides all the direction one needs to make the determination. (4)(c) C.The current Ordinance requires shielded lighting where the proposed Ordinance required fully shielded lighting. The difference, according to ordinance definitions, is light may emit up to a 15-degree angle from the light source by current Ordinance standard. The current Ordinance requires shielding at 1600 lumens where the proposed Text Amendment drops that to 1000 lumens. F. The current Ordinance does not regulate Correlated Color Temperature. B.The source material for establishing lighting standards must be provided, correctly sited in the ordinance and attached as an addendum to the Zoning Ordinance. Staff is not familiar with the document referenced here and would like to know why a 25% overage is added to this standard. Not being familiar with the source material, staff is not able to compare the different maximum light levels required of the two Ordinances. C. Staff would need training on how to enforce the requirements of this section. Calculating 5% of light emitted at 80 degrees from Nadir is not an expertise anyone on the current staff has. F . Staff has the same concern as above where an expectation for “public safety” is left open-ended with no guidance for making the decision to allow an exception. Page 10 of 21 2.2 Residential Use A. This Text Amendment provides a chart to calculate the PER DWELLING UNIT allowance for light output and color temperature in residential developments. B. The Text Amendment provides that light trespass from residential properties do not exceed 1 Lux. C. The Text Amendment makes clear that recreation areas not intended for organized athletic competitions shall comply with the general requirement of the Ordinance. A.As stated above, the current Ordinance provides a Maximum light output calculation for both residential and nonresidential uses. (4)(c) B. The current Ordinance provides for a maximum light trespass of .50 footcandles measured at the property line for all uses. C.The current Ordinance exempts public parks from the lighting standards. A.Staff anticipates that this section may cause undue stress on staff resources. It puts staff in the position of negotiating light output between neighbors. The current staffing level of the department could not absorb this potential demand. Bigger question is: How are these calculations different to the standards set forth in 2.1.B. of the Text Amendment. B.Staff believes that the Text Amendment needs to specify the measurement be taken from the property line when calculating light trespass. C.Staff is concerned that although the Text Amendment does provide for safety lighting exceptions this puts the chief of police in the position of having to declare park lighting as safety lighting. Staff would be more comfortable with all public properties being exempt from these lighting regulations. 2.3 Non-Residential Use A. Exemption if no light exceeds 3,000 lumens B. Light Trespass for nonresidential uses shall not exceed 3 Lux measured 20 feet beyond the property line onto public rights of way. A. The current Ordinance does not provide an exception to the total light output in exchange for no one (1) fixture exceeding 3,000 lumens. The current Ordinance has a calculation for nonresidential use maximum output that does not waiver. B.The current Ordinance prohibits light trespass greater than .5 Fc at the property line no matter the use of the property. (4)(b) A. Staff do not understand the relevance of exchanging the total light output amount for all lights being below 3,000 lumens. Does this mean the nonresidential uses would not have an overall limit on light output? B.Staff recommend that the light trespass standard for nonresidential properties include light trespass onto any adjacent property and not limited to public rights of way. Page 11 of 21 2.4 Organized Sports Lighting The Text Amendment provides specific requirements for Sport Courts. 2.4The current Ordinance also provides for lighting of Sports Courts. 2.4Staff is not versed enough in the sources cited by the Text Amendment to make a comparison between the current Sports Court lighting standards and what is being proposed. If the Plan Commission shares Staff’s curiosity it is suggested that the applicant provide an example of the differences using an existing facility for comparison. 3.0 Administrative Requirements 3.1 A. The Text Amendment names the Zoning Board of Appeals as the Administrative Authority A.The current Ordinance gives administrative authority to the Director of Building and Zoning. The zoning Ordinance provides for variances heard by the ZBA for waivers. 3.1 A.Staff recommends that the Administrative Authority be given to the Building and Zoning Director to remain consistent with all Zoning Administration. Staff further believe that the Zoning Ordinance variance process is applicable to this section without need of language here to that end. Page 12 of 21 MEMORANDUM TO: Avian Committee Members FROM: Victoria Ross DATE: May 7, 2026 RE: Bird City Application Report Attached is a summary of actions the Committee has taken in 2026 for completion of our 2027 Bird City Application. I will provide these reports on a quarterly basis to include any new activity. As of today, no response on our 2026 application has been received. Page 13 of 21 Habitat 1.6.2 – (2 Points) Document the establishment of a program to promote the conservation of Purple Martins through research, state-of-the-art management techniques, or public education. UPDATE 2026. Two members of the LG Avian Committee met with a group in Delavan that was interested in starting and maintaining a PM Colony in Delavan along the shore of Lake Como in the Paul Lange Arboretum. Our members will continue to reach out to the group to offer support and any guidance as requested. The Delavan group will be hosting the 2026 Purple Martin Fest on 06.27.26. LG PM Colony: The PM Houses & gourds were opened on 04.12.26, with three (3) PMs making an appearance. By 04.14.26 one house (the “Beach House”) was completely occupied. Since that time, for the 2nd year, a number of dead PMs have been reported. In discussing with the Wisconsin PM Association, it appears the fluctuations in temperature causing the food supply to be scarce, and a possible wing entrapment at the entrance to the houses, could be the reasons. Threats to Birds 2.2.1 – (1 Point) Demonstrate that your community provides property owners with information on how to protect birds from window strikes (e.g. online links, brochures). UPDATE 2026: Two members attended the BCN & FF Glass Collision Prevention Support Zoom Meeting on 05.06.26 The Committee also added links to its Webpage on the City of Lake Geneva’s website to the American Bird Conservancy’s "Preventing Glass Collisions". In addition to displaying brochures at the LG Public Library. Education 3.1.1 – (1 Point) Document and describe your event that incorporates the annual WMBD theme in some fashion. If the event has not yet occurred, please share your detailed plans. UPDATE 2026: In cooperation with the LG Public Library, a display of books about birds & migration, puppets, and children’s activities was set-up at the entrance of the library. Flyers included a DarkSky Home Outdoor Lighting Assessment, how to prevent bird collisions, assembly directions for a “Light Pollution Catcher,” and a list of other resources on WMBD. Page 14 of 21 WMBD Display at Lake Geneva Public Library Page 15 of 21 World Migratory Bird Day May 9, 2026 Scan the QR Codes below to learn more about World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) and what you can do to help migrating birds. What is WMBD? Follow Bird Migration across the US LIVE Take a Home Outdoor Lighting Assessment Help Stop Glass Collisions More about Lake Geneva ’s Avian C ommittee And don ’t forget to visit Lake Geneva ’s Purple Martin Houses along the lake shore. Page 16 of 21 Page 17 of 21 Page 18 of 21 Page 19 of 21 For more information contact Dr. Christine Sheppard, Director, Glass Collisions Program, csheppard@abcbirds.org Even small windows can be dangerous, as many birds fly into small spaces. ABC has identified solutions that work. Most birds will avoid patterns on glass with vertical stripes four inches apart or less, or horizontal stripes spaced two inches or less apart. Stripes should be at least 1/8” wide and readily visible. Irregular patterns that follow these guidelines will work too. See other side for specific solutions and where to find them. Windows with screens should already be safe for birds. YOU CAN SAVE BIRDS from flying into windows! Millions of birds die every year, because they can’t tell reflections from reality. Almost half hit home windows. Never had a bird hit your window? More likely, you haven’t been there when it happened. But the odds are that sooner or later, your windows will kill a bird. This Barn Swallow dove through the small space shown at top flight speed —over 30 miles per hour! Photo by Keith Ringland Solyx Bird Safety film covers the entire glass surface of this building at the Bronx Zoo. Photo: Chris Sheppard ABC Birdtape, shown here on a window at the Estero Llano Grande State Park, Texas, can be applied in strips or blocks. Photo: Kate Sheppard Black-and-white Warbler by Laura Erickson Page 20 of 21 1. Apply Tempera paint (available at most art supply and craft stores) freehand with brush or sponge, or use a stencil as a template. Tempera is long-lasting, even in rain, and non-toxic, but comes right off with a damp rag or sponge. Find stencils at michaels.com, amazon.com, or download stencils for free at spraypaintstencils.com. 2. Use tape to create patterns. Any opaque tape can work, but translucent ABC BirdTape transmits light and is made to last outdoors. Visit birdsmartglass.org for more information. 3. Most window films designed for external use are not patterned and will not deter birds. However, there are good options. White CollidEscape is see- through from the inside, opaque from the outside. Solyx Bird Safety Film has narrow horizontal or vertical stripes. With Feather Friendly’s ‘do it yourself’ tape, the backing is pulled off, leaving just the pattern. Find links at birdsmartglass.org. 4. If you don’t want to alter the glass itself, Acopian Bird Savers and Bird Crash Preventers are unobtrusive, as well as highly effective. See birdsavers.com and stores.santarosanational.com/ for more information. 5. You can protect birds with lightweight netting over the window or removable screens. Several companies,(birdscreen.com, birdsavers.com, easyupshades. com ) sell screens or other barriers that can be attached with suction cups or eye hooks. Or use a motorized solar shade (sunsetter.com/order_easy- shades) to make glass safe when you’re not there. These options must be several inches in front of the window, so birds don’t hit the glass after hitting the net.. 6. What about prefabricated decals? Birds see decals shaped like raptors as obstacles but not as predators. To be effective, any type of decal must be spaced as described on page 1, more closely than recommended by most manufacturers (windowdressingetc.com, windowalert.com, duncraft.com). Here are some quick and affordable ways to protect birds from your windows. These should be applied to the outside of the glass. All photos on this page by Christine Sheppard (unless noted) Tempera paint is a washable, long-lasting, and non-toxic solution to preventing bird/window collisions. You can make a Zen wind curtain with cord, or anything that will hang in front of the glass at 4” intervals. Photo by Lisa Welch P.O. Box 249, 4249 Loudoun Avenue The Plains, VA 20198 www.abcbirds.org • abc@abcbirds.org 540-253-5780 • 888-247-3624 For more information, contact: To donate to ABC’s Collisions program, visit Any tape can be used to make a window safe. White chart tape was used in this example. Shade moves with a solar motor operated from inside with a remote control. Feather Friendly Residential is applied as a tape, but the backing is removed, leaving a pattern of dots. Photo by Chris Early Bird decals designed by artist Lynne Parks. Page 21 of 21