HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2014_09_26Sustainability Council
September 26, 2014
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2014 at
Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Norma Nusz
Chandler, Holly Tilton Byrne, Paul Peterson, Bob McGrath, Trisha Jackson, Betty Beer, Jane
Hegland and Mike Lockrem. Absent: Alvaro Garcia and Ben Kleinjan. Others present included:
Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers.
Chair Nusz Chandler called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. A motion was made by Jackson,
seconded by Peterson to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried. A motion
was made by McGrath, seconded by Jackson, to approve August 15, 2014 minutes. All present
voted yes; motion carried.
Schedule next meeting. October 31, 2014 at 8:30 am.
Brookings Benchmarks Indicator Project Action Plan. The Brookings Benchmarks Indicator
Project Action Plan is scheduled on the October 21 City Council Study Session. Kleinjan will
present the Action Plan. The council discussed opportunities and alternate avenues available in
Brookings including promotion of the Sustainability Guide. Beer presented a business card
design to use while promoting the Sustainability Council and Brookings Benchmarks Project.
Beer also suggested implementation of art and garden programs and participation in a Water
Summit.
A motion was made by Beer, seconded by Jackson to approve the Brookings Benchmarks
Indicator Project Action Plan with the suggested revisions. All present voted yes; motion
carried.
Follow-up re: Bicycle Friendly Community. Carruthers advised that Steve Clark sent the
Bicycle Friendly Community Report, but there was no score. In order to obtain a score, the City
needs to apply to be a Bicycle Friendly Community. One of the categories Brookings is lacking is
the major community cycling events. The members discussed the monthly critical mass ride and
Community Common Read – Tour de Gardens should qualify in this category. In order to
continue the Mayor’s Ride, a group needs to take on the project. Tilton Byrne advised Dakota
Rural Action could be a possibility. Carruthers will contact Steve Clark to obtain traffic count
numbers for implementing road diets.
2014 Community Common Read Project with Human Rights Committee. Tilton Byrne advised
that the Tour de Gardens was well attended (40-50 people) and the attendees had
refreshments along the way. The next event is the Compost Workshop at the Library on
October 18 from 10am-12pm, and volunteers are needed. They will be present on current city
practices, review proper composting, provide tips and tricks for creating black gold and
activities for children. October 19 is the Diversity Potluck & Food Drive and Tilton Byrne will be
presenting local SD foods.
Report on Plain Green Conference. Hegland reported the Plain Green Conference had
approximately 350 attendees, and there has been positive feedback. Jeff Speck presentation
on walkability and mixed use was well received. Hegland will have copies of his book for each
of the members.
Conference Attendance.
Growing Sustainable Communities – Nusz Chandler and Beer will be attending.
Announcements/Correspondence/Communications/Calendar
• October 7 & 8, 2014 – Growing Sustainable Communities Dubuque Conference
• October 27, 2014 – Presentation by Will Allen author of “The Good Food Revolution”
• November 14 & 15, 2014 – South Dakota Local Foods Conference, Sioux Falls
• 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.
Adjourn. A motion was made by Lockrem, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn. All present
voted yes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:43 a.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers.