HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2011_10_24Sustainability Council
October 24, 2011 (Amended)
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2011 in the
Brookings City Hall with the following members present: Norma Nusz Chandler, Laura Hennen, Donna
Hess, Brooke Sydow, Justin Fjeldos, Bob McGrath, Jane Hegland and Arika Sanders. Absent: Ryan Carda.
Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers were also present.
Carruthers called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.
A motion was made by Fjeldos, seconded by McGrath, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes;
motion carried. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Sydow, to approve the September 26,
2011 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Carruthers identified $1,641.49 remaining in the 2011 budget.
Sanders initiated a discussion to identify the 1, 3 and 5 year goals.
1 year goals include: prescription drive, educate the public about what items can be recycled,
guide similar to Sioux Falls, update website, domain for the Sustainability Council, campaign,
Brookings Municipal Utilities insert, supplement to phonebook, mobile phone application and
recycling containers.
3 year goal include: master plan, building advisory council.
5 year goals include: calculation of citizens and businesses that recycle, award for best business
(encourage shared practices, competition with 33 communities who use the Landfill, competition
with other cities (Mitchell or Watertown), SDSU v. USD), Green & Healthy Home initiative – 100
homes in Brookings, builder disclosure for new construction.
Subcommittees were formed:
Recycling & waste management committee – Fjeldos, McGrath, Hennen, Sydow
Sustainable building practices committee – Fjeldos, Hegland
Energy & atmosphere – Nusz Chandler, Hess
Additional committees discussed, but not established include: water and food.
McGrath presented his report on bylaws and provided an example for the Sustainability Council. Thornes
provided advantages and disadvantages of bylaws. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by
Fjeldos, to not adopt bylaws for the Sustainability Council. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Discussion was conducted regarding the website visibility. Sanders and Carruthers will review options
and report back to the Sustainability Council.
Sanders and Carruthers reported on the Dubuque, Iowa “Growing Sustainable Communities” conference.
Key points include: communication, community engagement, leadership, feedback, Lean Training and
the Green Housing Initiative.
Hegland, Sanders, Fjeldos, Hess, McGrath, Hennen, Thornes and Carruthers reported on the Sioux Falls
“Plain Green” conference. The following was suggested for next year’s conference: our elected officials
& South Dakota Municipal League attend, possible speaker co-sponsor from the Sustainability Council,
resource table from the Sustainability Council.
A motion was made by Fjeldos, seconded by Nusz Chandler, to adjourn. All present voted yes; motion
carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers