HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2013_11_22Sustainability Council
November 22, 2013
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2013 at
Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Norma Nusz
Chandler, Brooke Sydow, Paul Peterson, Donna Hess, Bob McGrath, Jane Hegland, Ryan Carda,
Betty Beer and Alvaro Garcia. Absent: Ben Kleinjan and Arika Sanders. Others present
included: Shelly Brandenburger from the SDSU Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
Committee, Robb Rasmussen, Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers.
Nusz Chandler called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. A motion was made by McGrath,
seconded by Peterson to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried. Beer
noted two changes to the minutes. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Garcia, to
approve the amended October 4, 2013 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Meeting Schedule. Next meeting will be Friday, December 13, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.
Introductions. Shelly Brandenburger from the SDSU Environmental Stewardship and
Sustainability Committee introduced herself as the liaison from the ESSC. She will be
collaborating with the Sustainability Council on future projects and Earth Day 2014.
Earth Day 2014. Due to the Easter holiday being the weekend preceding Earth Day, the
Sustainability Council decided to celebrate Earth Day activities in conjunction with the Bob Yapp
seminars being conducted by the Historic Preservation Commission and hold GreenFest on May
4, 2014. Thornes advised that Bob Yapp has been booked for May 1-4, 2014, which will be in
conjunction with the History & Garden Festival on May 2 & 3, 2014. Yapp’s three 1 day
workshops include wood repair, window restoration and masonry. The 4th day will be an in-
house seminar. Nusz Chandler suggested one of her students who worked on the State Capitol
Building window restoration be a teaching assistant for Mr. Yapp. An Earth Day subcommittee
was formed with Sydow, Carruthers and Brandenburger. The Dakota Nature Park and McCrory
Gardens Visitor Center are currently available on May 4, 2014. The location was not
determined.
Nomination Committee. Carda and Peterson volunteered to be on the Nomination Committee.
They will contact the nominations and present to the Council at the next meeting and hold
elections.
Annual Report Subcommittee. McGrath and Hess volunteered to be on the Annual Report
Subcommittee. They will prepare a draft and present it at the next meeting.
2014 Goals & Objectives Discussion. The Sustainability Council’s overall goal is to sustain
Brookings and educate its citizens. Specific goals include:
• Encourage bike path/lane expansion throughout Brookings
• Expand the Public Education Campaign
• Reach a broader spectrum to educate the public and promote Earth Day events
• Encourage sustainable building practices for the new school, public buildings and the
rental community
• Identify policy issues from the Indicator Project
• Continued resource for the City Council regarding proposed policies and
recommendations
Indicator Project. Nusz Chandler provided an update on the indicator project. A SDSU class
project will provide surveying for the carbon content. Brandenburger advised that she has an
honors Food/People/Environment course next semester. Their last section focuses on
sustainability, and they could be available to assist.
Bike rental proposal. Garcia advised that he was unable to reach B-cycle. However, he did
receive information from Social Bicycle. Robb Rasmussen from Sioux River Bicycles and Fitness
advised that he had been in contact with Lee Jones from B-cycle, and he is willing to visit
Brookings to introduce B-cycle. Rasmussen informed the Council about the Bike Summit in
Washington DC in March 2014. If Brookings applies for a Bike Friendly Community from the
League of American Bicyclists, he could present our case at the Bike Summit. The League of
American Bicyclists evaluates your community and provides a plan and possible funding for
making your city a Bike Friendly Community. Rasmussen advised that a bicycle course is taught
in the Brookings grade schools. This is very rare, and a wonderful benefit for Brookings.
Rasmussen said the next step would be to draft a request for proposals for a bike sharing
program. The City could partner with a donor to purchase the bikes. The next step would be to
meet with the City departments affected (Park & Recreation/Community Development/
Engineering) to inform and advise regarding the Sustainability Council’s intent.
Electric Car Charging Station. Beer is preparing a report regarding the expenses of charging
stations. Suggested locations include the Government Center and Brookings Activity Center.
Public Education Campaign. Carruthers presented the tagline statement and potential facts for
two posters. The Council provided input and Carruthers will finalize the facts.
Announcements Correspondence/Communications/Calendar
• December 5th – Mayor’s Holiday Party from 5-7pm at the McCrory Gardens Visitor Center
• 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 December Agenda: Earth Day 2014, nominating committee/elections, annual report,
electric car charging station sub-committee, bike rental proposal, Indicator Project update,
public education initiative, and year-to-date financials.
Meeting adjourned at 10:08 a.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers