The Parks and Recreation Committee met 03/10/2025. One of the items they took up was the request to approve the renewal of Appleton’s Bird City Designation.
Alderperson Katie Van Zeeland (District 5) took the opportunity to remember former Alderperson Joe Martin who passed away on 03/08/2025 saying of him, “He was passionately devoted to this committee and spearheaded the Bird City movement. I hope that his friends and family know that they are in our thoughts and our prayers, and I hope that they find comfort knowing the positive impact that he had on this community.”
The committee voted unanimously to recommend the request for approval.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
Alderperson Martyn Smith (District 4) asked if there was a fee that was associated with the Bird City designation. The resolution the committee was being asked to vote on did not say. Alderperson Van Zeeland thought there was a small fee of $200 or less. Alderperson Alex Schultz (District 9) said that there were small fees associated with other similar designations ranging from $50 to $400. He thought the funds for those had been included in the budget for the Mayor’s Office. Alderperson Van Zeeland asked that, ahead of the Common Council meeting on 03/19/2025, city staff provide information on what if any cost there was for the city to renew this designation.
Ron Jones, a member of the Appleton Sustainability Advisory Panel, supported renewing the Bird City designation, telling the committee that the Sustainability Advisory Panel was working on “a sustainable ecosystem initiative that takes into account the 2021 Climate Action Plan, the natural areas. All those goals, and the goal are of this initiative is to develop a healthy, safe, and functioning, biologically diverse ecosystem through Appleton that supports a healthy population of pollinators and birds.”
The committee voted 5-0 to recommend the item for approval.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1281727&GUID=B1FCE7A0-8CED-4EE7-9157-42647F377CB4
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