HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2013_02_14Sustainability Council
February 14, 2013
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at
Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Norma Nusz
Chandler, Brooke Sydow, Donna Hess, Arika Sanders, Bob McGrath, Jane Hegland, Paul
Peterson and Betty Beer. Absent: Ryan Carda. Others present included: Penny Hauffe from
Habitat ReStore, Linda Wilson from Dakota Rural Action, Nicole Boone from the SDSU Ecology
Club, Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers.
Nusz Chandler called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. A motion was made by McGrath,
seconded by Sydow to approve the amended agenda to include a report by Bowes Construction
regarding the sustainability of asphalt concrete. All present voted yes; motion carried. A
motion was made by Hess, seconded by Sanders, to approve the January 10, 2013 minutes. All
present voted yes; motion carried.
Meeting Schedule. Next meeting will be Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.
Landfill Recycling Cart Flyer. Carruthers reported the flyer had been finalized and sent to the
printer. The flyers should be here on February 26, and the recycling containers are scheduled
to begin distribution on March 1. Hauffe offered to distribute flyers from Habitat ReStore and
Beer offered to distribute them from the Brookings Regional Humane Society.
Brookings Sustainability Indicators. Nusz Chandler advised the indicator population is going
very well. She has received good response from SDSU and a SDSU GIS staff has volunteered to
assist.
Beer asked if methane gas could be added to the indicators. McGrath mentioned the 2012
discussion of a possible compressed natural gas filling station related to this subject. However,
to our understanding, no action has been taken to build a CNG filling station. At this time, there
is nothing to compare, but the Sustainability Council will monitor this for future studies.
Thornes mentioned the Sustainability Indicator Project was discussed at the 2013 Management
Goal Setting Sessions, but it was not included in the strategic plan. The Management will wait
for a full report.
Earth Day Updates. The date has been set for Sunday, April 21, 2013. Hegland reported that
speaker Lisa Taylor is finalizing her presentation and will have a title upon completion. Taylor
could possibly have a book signing if there were books available at the GreenFest. Hegland
would check on possible bookstores to purchase books to sell at the event. Sydow will check on
a writer for the Register/Collegian article, a contribution from the Provost, and ice
cream/coffee donation. Beer will contact companies to provide electric car demonstrations.
Sanders will contact Quiet Cat regarding possible demonstrations and design the poster.
Carruthers will check with President Chicoine for a joint welcome with Mayor Reed and collect
logos for the poster. ACTION – The sub-committee will meet to discuss further details and
report back to the Council.
Plain Green Update. Hegland advised the 6th Annual Plain Green conference will be September
13, 2013 in Sioux Falls with a theme of change makers / action plans. In order to move the
location to Brookings, there would need to be leadership support and a facility to house the
conference. Hegland advised speakers are needed and to email her possible names and details
on why they should be considered. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Peterson, to
appropriate $500 toward co-sponsoring a speaker for the Plain Green Conference. All present
voted yes; motion carried.
Public Education Initiative Update. Categories have been drafted and forwarded to Mike
Lockrem and his staff. ACTION - Thornes and Carruthers will meet with Lockrem and his staff
on Wednesday, February 20 and report back to the Council.
Electric Car Charging Stations. Beer reported on her research of Normal, Illinois and their
process with Mitsubishi. Many factors need to be considered to motivate the public. A
taskforce needs to be set up and consider the following factors: public education,
infrastructure development, and incentives to purchase cars and install electric charging
stations. Next meeting will discuss further about taskforce and who should be represented.
Council Membership Update. Applications for the 2 positions are due on February 22, 2013.
Announcements Correspondence/Communications/Calendar
• April 20 & 21, 2013 – Green Fest weekend to celebrate Earth Day
• September 13, 2013 – Plain Green in Sioux Falls
• Membership: Members’ terms were staggered with one, two and three terms when the
Council was created on September 15, 2011. Terms for Beer, Hess and Sanders expire on
12/31/13. All are eligible for a full three year term.
• Financial Report: Council’s remaining balance is $5,000.00. City fiscal year ends on
12/31/13.
Draft March Agenda: Brookings Sustainability Indicator Project, Earth Day, Plain Green, public
education campaign, electric car charging stations, and year-to-date financials.
Meeting adjourned at 10:01 a.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers