HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2013_06_14Sustainability Council
June 14, 2013
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2013 at
Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Norma Nusz
Chandler, Brooke Sydow, Donna Hess, Bob McGrath, Betty Beer, Ben Kleinjan and Alvaro
Garcia. Absent: Arika Sanders, Jane Hegland, Paul Peterson and Ryan Carda. Others present
included: Gary Anderson from the SDSU Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
Committee, Carl Kline, Phyllis Cole-Dai, Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers.
Nusz Chandler called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. Information on the Keystone XL pipeline
project to each member. A motion was made by Sydow, seconded by Hess to approve the
amended agenda adding a discussion about a letter of support for the Phase 1 – SDSU Bike Trail
Extension project. All present voted yes; motion carried. A motion was made by Sydow,
seconded by Beer, to approve the May 20, 2013 minutes. All present voted yes; motion
carried.
Meeting Schedule. Next meeting will be Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.
Electric car charging stations discussion. Steve Meyer, Executive Vice President/General
Manager of Brookings Municipal Utilities explained the sources for Brookings electricity from
2012 data. 47.91% of our power sources are renewable. Of that percentage, 35.073% comes
from the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) hydro power; 6.165% from Missouri
River Energy Sources (MRES) wind power; and 6.674% from MRES market wind hydro power.
Betty Beer informed the Council that all makes of electric cars are compatible with level 2
charging stations (220-240 volts which charge in 4-6 hours). However, level 3 charging stations
(charges in 15-30 minutes) are not fully compatible with each car. Mr. Meyer advised that
Brookings Municipal Utilities is not concerned about an overburden on the power system due
to electric car charging. Many cities are implementing a permit process and fee for home
charging stations. Brookings considers a home electric car charging station as any other major
appliance. There may be grant opportunities for charging stations at hotels and motels. WAPA
and MRES power cannot be resold, so may need to verify before proceeding.
A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Beer to gather more information from the
Brookings indicator project and grant resources about electric car charging stations and develop
a 4 year implementation schedule for the 2014 Capital Improvement Plan. All present voted
yes; motion carried. At the July meeting a sub-committee will be developed.
Letter of Support for the Phase 1 – SDSU Bike Trail Extension Project. A motion was made by
Sydow, seconded by Garcia to approve the letter of support. All present voted yes; motion
carried.
Sustainability Indicators – Brookings Benchmark Project. Nusz-Chandler reported that 31
indicators have not been started. It has taken more time to collect the data than expected.
Nusz-Chandler introduced Consultant Tami Mishra who is populating the GIS indicators which is
a mapping tool. Mishra provided a sample of the documentation she is collecting and examples
of the reporting techniques. A motion was made by Beer, seconded by Garcia to remove #26
which required the percent of residential buildings with geothermal, solar, etc. due to the lack
of data. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Nusz-Chandler assigned indicators to each Council member to research with a goal of
completing the project by the end of the summer and presenting to the City Council. Sydow
will format the document. Carruthers advised the Council that the Mayor mentioned the
Brookings Benchmark Project in his State of the City Address and is eager to analyze the results.
Review of Goals and Remaining 2013 Budget Plans. Members reviewed the remaining 2013
budget. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Sydow to not renew ICLEI membership
due to financial reasons, leaving the option to renew in the future. All present voted yes;
motion carried. A motion was made by Sydow, seconded by Beer to not attend the Dubuque
conference in October and to put those funds towards the Brookings Benchmarks project up to
the amount of $2,900. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Public Education Initiative Update. Carruthers reminded the Council of their fact finding
assignments and advised that Steve Meyer from Brookings Municipal Utilities confirmed his
participation. The following members agreed to contact participants for their agreement to be
included in the initiative: Garcia – Bel Brands, Kleinjan – Jack the Mascot, Nusz-Chandler –
President Chicoine.
Volunteer Coffee with the Mayor Update. Nusz-Chandler attended the Volunteer Leadership
Coffee with the Mayor on May 30, 2013. She reminded the Council of the Volunteer Code of
Ethics each member signed and the importance of their role and participation.
Announcements Correspondence/Communications/Calendar
• 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.
Draft June Agenda: Trisha Jackson-Coal Pile, Brookings Benchmarks update, urban chicken
coops, Plain Green, public education initiative, electric car charging station sub-committee,
recycling container update and year-to-date financials.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers