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SAC 2-18-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 1 Meeting Minutes February 18, 2026 MISSION: “To assure the common good through services essential for a safe, sustainable, engaged and healthy community.” DATE: February 18, 2026 TIME: 3:30 p.m. LOCATION: City Hall, North Conf. Rm. CHAIR: Lily Strehlow RECORDER: Kristina Kuzma, Assistant Planner Members Present: Gail Halmstad, Lindsey Hillesheim, Jennifer Peck, Jackson Schmidtke, Lily Strehlow, Janis Tyler, Andrew Werthmann Absent: Mary Hedenstrom Staff in attendance: Dave Solberg, Janiece Ruhling, Kristina Kuzma Public in attendance: Yes AGENDA ITEM #1: Call to Order Chairperson Strehlow called the meeting to order at 3:30 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 No members of the public wished to speak. AGENDA ITEM #4: Approval of January 21, 2026 Meeting Minutes Member Schmidtke moved to approve the January 21, 2026 meeting minutes, seconded by Member Werthmann. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #5: Xcel Energy Future Collaborative Workplan Staff person Kuzma stated the Xcel Energy Future Collaborative Workplan is still under review by Xcel staff and not ready for Committee approval. Member Werthmann moved to postpone the agenda item, seconded by Member Schmidtke. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Members Halmstad, Hillesheim, Peck, Schmidtke, Strehlow, and Werthmann. Abstain: Member Tyler. AGENDA ITEM #6: Compost Ordinance Updates Chairperson Strehlow introduced Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg who briefly addressed the Committee on the future of the City’s trash and compost systems, including the potential options for collection. Member Werthmann then presented the potential updates to the City’s composting ordinance, explaining the tiered changes impacting individual properties, the brush disposal site, and trash haulers. He stated that a draft of the ordinance will likely be completed in late March or April, and SAC will have a chance to review at that point. Chairperson Strehlow then opened the item up for public input. Ashley, an employee with GFL, questioned where haulers would take materials to be composted, if it becomes required for them to provide compost service. Jamie Pappas, Earthbound Environmental Solutions, supports the idea of making composting more accessible, but wonders how it would be regulated. She also questioned if other local haulers could handle mandatory composting, particularly if residents aren’t required to participate. SAC 2-18-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 2 Sue Waits, JONAH Environmental Task Force, stated there is an education gap surrounding composting and that composting should be required at City events. Kathy Campbell, Seven Mile Creek Neighborhood, distributed a Wisconsin Food Waste Evaluation study commissioned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. She stated there should be an agreement as to what services will be provided. No additional public comment was heard. Chairperson Strehlow then asked for Committee input. Committee Members discussed the item, including the feasibility of mandatory composting, the methane emissions of composting, and if composting would be available to apartment residents. There was also discussion about how the brush disposal site would facilitate the service. AGENDA ITEM #7: 2026 SAC Workplan Staff person Kuzma introduced the 2026 SAC Workplan and noted that the item is back before the Committee after previous review on December 17, 2025 and January 21, 2016. Chairperson Strehlow then opened the agenda item for public input. No public comment was heard and the item moved to Committee discussion. After a brief discussion of the wording contained in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Center Policy Development row, Member Werthmann moved to send the 2026 SAC Workplan to City Council with a recommendation for approval, seconded by Member Tyler. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #8: Strategic Plan Review and Feedback Staff person Kuzma explained the City Manager is seeking SAC feedback on the City’s draft Strategic Plan, as well as the associated Work Activities. Member Werthmann explained the value of the Strategic Plan and the importance of SAC being included in the process. Chairperson Strehlow then opened the agenda item for public input. No public comment was heard and the item moved to Committee discussion. Members discussed the draft Strategic Plan and provided feedback pertaining to the Community Value of Environmental Sustainability. Numerous alterations and additions were suggested. The Committee requested more time for review and feedback, particularly related to the Work Activities. Chairperson Strehlow directed Kuzma to assemble a summary of the feedback provided at today’s meeting, email it out to Committee Members, and give Committee Members until early next week to submit additional feedback via email. After feedback is received, it will be compiled and sent to the City Manager. Member Strehlow motioned to amend the agenda by moving agenda item number ten ahead of agenda item number nine. Member Halmstad seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Discussion and Direction AGENDA ITEM #10: Announcements • Chairperson Strehlow announced the resignation of Member O’Brien and read a statement from O’Brien to the Committee. • Member Tyler announced the library will be hosting a sustainability series beginning on April 21st. • Staff person Kuzma noted the following: o Member Hillesheim and Member Tyler’s terms on SAC will expire in April and they should inform staff if they’d like to seek another term. SAC 2-18-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 3 o Staff has reserved a table for SAC at EarthFest. It will be used as an opportunity to gather feedback for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan. o SAC elected officers last year in May. With the Vice Chair and Secretary positions now vacant, elections will likely be held in April. o Three nominations have been received for the Sustainable Eau Claire Awards. Committee Members are encouraged to help with promotion. o The Amazing Eau Claire Clean Up will take place on April 25th. Registration is now open. o Members should save the date for an Appreciation Party on April 21st honoring the incoming Council President, BCC members, Council Members, and staff who support the BCCs. AGENDA ITEM #9: Data Center Presentation Member Hillesheim gave a presentation to the Committee on the basics of data centers, including components and types of data centers, and associated energy use. Upon conclusion of the presentation, Committee Members engaged in a Question-and-Answer session with Member Hillesheim. AGENDA ITEM #11: Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kristina Kuzma, Assistant Planner