Decorah Sustainability Commission Reacts to City Council's Approval of Sustainability Plan

It's your town. Your lives. Your stories. Make sure someone's telling them—donate to Decorah News now. DECORAH — The Decorah Sustainability Commission on Wednesday welcomed the City Council's recent approval of the revised Sustainability Plan, while acknowledging points of contention raised during council debate. City Council Member Emily Neal told the commission that the plan passed on a 6-1 vote. She praised the revisions as a "good plan" that reflected prior discussions. "It's ambitious. I think we've got our work cut out for us, but I'm excited," Neal said. The commission discussed the need to adjust the ordinance that currently requires a full revision of the plan every five years. Neal said council members supported a shift to treating the document as a "living" plan that can be updated as needed rather than overhauled on a strict schedule. Commissioner Jim Tripp noted that ordinance prescribes a five-year revision cycle, but said that this "ties [the commission's] hands" and suggested recommending that revisions happen "periodically upon the recommendation of the Sustainability Commission or the City Council" instead. Members debated whether to set a new maximum timeframe, suggesting seven or ten years as a backstop, while still allowing for ongoing updates as needed. No formal action was taken, but the commission agreed it would recommend revising the ordinance to replace the five-year mandate with a more flexible approach. Commission members also noted Council Member Randy Schissel's objections and dissenting vote, though the concerns he raised were not included in the final plan. Knowledge is power! Stay empowered by subscribing to the free newsletter, packed with valuable insights, stories of local newsmakers and ideas to get your weekend started.