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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2014_08_15Sustainability Council August 15, 2014 A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2014 at Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Norma Nusz Chandler, Holly Tilton Byrne, Bob McGrath, Trisha Jackson, Betty Beer, Mike Lockrem and Alvaro Garcia. Absent: Jane Hegland, Paul Peterson and Ben Kleinjan. Others present included: Shelly Brandenburger from the SDSU Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee, Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers. Chair Nusz Chandler called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Jackson to approve the amended agenda adding Bicycle Friendly Community follow-up visit. All present voted yes; motion carried. A motion was made by Jackson, seconded by Garcia, to approve July 11, 2014 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried. Schedule next meeting. September 26, 2014 at 8:30 am. Brookings Benchmarks Indicator Project Presentation Follow-up. There were several members of the Sustainability Council present at the presentation to the City Council on July 15. The Brookings Benchmarks project was well accepted by the City Council, and they were excited to proceed with a one year plan of action. They would also like to see sustainability incorporated into the long range plans for the city. The Sustainability Council discussed education and collaboration on the project. The plan of action needs to include tracking information for the indicators with no data. Poverty was a surprising indicator at the July 15 presentation. The Sustainability Council discussed clarifying this indicator by researching income, census data, demographics and current programs Brookings offers. Brandenburger will research qualifications for programs in Brookings. The clean water principle was discussed and how the City could improve these indicators. Discussion included tiling diversion, education, awareness and connecting with the Sioux Falls Water Summit. Tilton Byrne was contacted by the United Church of Christ and is working with them on a presentation in December. Nusz Chandler is presenting to the Million Cups of Coffee on September 3 and at Science at the Pub on September 18. Tilton Byrne and McGrath will be presenting to the City Department Heads and follow up with Brookings Municipal Utilities. McGrath, Nusz Chandler and Tilton Byrne formed the Brookings Benchmarks Action Plan Subcommittee. They are tasked with responding to City Manager Jeff Weldon’s comments and developing a 2015 and long term action plan. Conference Attendance. Plain Green Conference – Lockrem, Jackson, Hegland and Carruthers will be attending. Growing Sustainable Communities – Nusz Chandler and Beer will be attending. 2014 Community Common Read Project with the Human Rights Committee. Tilton Byrne provided a report of the activities for the Community Common Read. Public Education Campaign Poster Reveal/Advertising Plan. Lockrem advised that five posters will be printed and they are scheduled for the September insert for Brookings Municipal Utilities bills. Mayor Reed jumping out of the recycling container is scheduled for the inserts. Bicycle Friendly Community Visit (8/13/14) Follow-up. Carruthers reported the Bicycle Friendly Community Visit was successful. Attendees included: Bicycle Friendly Community Specialist with the League of American Bicyclists Steve Clark, City Manager Jeff Weldon, City Engineer Jackie Lanning, Community Development Director Mike Struck, Director of Parks/Recreation/Forestry Pete Colson, City Clerk Shari Thornes, Patrol Officer Damian Weets, SDSU Student Association President Caleb Finck, Norma Nusz Chandler, Robb Rasmussen and Laurie Carruthers. The recommendations included: developing a bike master plan, designating a bike coordinator, marking bike lanes, starting a bike advisory committee and counting users. Announcements/Correspondence/Communications/Calendar • September 12, 2014 – Plain Green Conference • October 7 & 8, 2014 – Growing Sustainable Communities Dubuque Conference – • October 27, 2014 – Presentation by Will Allen author of “The Good Food Revolution” • November 2-3, 2014 – South Dakota Local Foods Conference, Fort Pierre • Membership: Members’ terms were staggered with one, two and three terms when the Council was created on September 15, 2011. Terms for Hegland and McGrath expire on 12/31/14. All are eligible for a full three year term. • Future topics: Bike racks for BATA buses, bike patrol, East Brookings industry traffic concerns, Plain Green 2015, legislative issues. Draft September Agenda: Plain Green conference attendee reports, Brookings Benchmarks Action Plan Adjourn. A motion was made by Lockrem, seconded by Jackson, to adjourn. All present voted yes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. Submitted by Laurie Carruthers.