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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2015_04_29Sustainability Council April 29, 2015 A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 3:00 pm at Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Trisha Jackson, Norma Nusz Chandler, Ben Kleinjan, Holly Tilton Byrne, Betty Beer and Stephanie Aure (appeared by phone). Absent: Bob McGrath, Jane Hegland, Mike Lockrem, Alvaro Garcia and Paul Peterson. Others present included: Shari Thornes, Laurie Carruthers, Jackie Lanning City Engineer and Laurie Johnson. Chair Jackson called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. A motion was made by Beer, seconded by Nusz Chandler to approve the amended agenda with the removal of the Well Being Committee presentation. All present voted yes; motion carried. A motion was made by Nusz Chandler, seconded by Beer, to approve the March 25, 2015 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried. Schedule next meeting. May 27, 2015 at 3:00 pm. Brookings Small MS4 Storm Water Management Program Presentation. City Engineer Jackie Lanning advised there are six measures of the program: public education and outreach on storm water impacts; public involvement/participation; illicit discharge detection and elimination; construction site storm water runoff control; post-construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment; and pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations. Some of the steps Brookings has taken to increase awareness include a mailing to industries/businesses and a handout with building permits. Currently, there are no standards for cities with our population. However, Lanning advised that the city does track detention ponds. The Council suggested tracking implementations of sustainable efforts including pervious surfaces, landscaping, rain barrels, storm sewer art and shared parking. Brookings High School teacher Laura Quail, SDSU Director for Enhancement of Teaching & Learning Kevin Sackreiter and SDSU Health & Nutritional Sciences Instructor Shelly Brandenburger (also chair of the SDSU faculty sustainability council) were suggested contacts for service based learning. Lanning will be at the May meeting for additional feedback and suggestions. Engage Brookings Questions. The city is looking for input on the crowd sourcing site Engage Brookings. Tilton Byrne has been active in Engage Brookings. She suggested the city advise on the site how the responses are making an impact in the community. Members also suggested the city obtain questions from BEDC, Connect 2140, etc. and present at a 1 Million Cups. Suggested questions include: How do you participate in sustainability? How do you want to learn about sustainability? What are you doing in your own homes to promote urban agriculture? The first question they would like to support is: If it were possible to plant and cultivate a community garden in your neighborhood, would you take advantage of the opportunity? Why or why not? Updates/Final Reports: Summer Student Intern Program. Through the SDSU College of Education & Human Services the Council has secured a summer intern, Morgan Vetch a dietetics major at SDSU. Vetch will work 10 weeks during the summer out of SDSU Communication Center building with a start date to be determined. Her work plan is being drafted by the subcommittee, and she will meet weekly with representatives of the subcommittee. Vetch is very enthusiastic and will be at the May meeting to introduce herself. Beer reported that the one candidate who applied for the Oberlin program did not qualify, so his application was withdrawn. Beer will be in Oberlin and will check in with the professors about a possible opportunity next year. Final Report on GreenFest at Habitat ReStore Booth. Nusz Chandler, McGrath, Lockrem and Tilton Byrne volunteered for the booth at GreenFest. Tilton Byrne reported the event was long (10am – 4pm) and many of the vendors packed up early as there was little traffic past 2pm. The ice cream was a tremendous draw for the Sustainability Council table. Members suggested ways to engage the participants next year including a white board to post sustainable ideas; printed table banner; beach balls, kite, bubbles, tote or t-shirt bags with logo. Strategic Planning Session. None of the proposed dates worked with a majority of the members. The new date will be in late October, November or January. Mayor’s Volunteer Coffee. Each year the Mayor has a volunteer coffee for the Chair and Vice- Chairs to attend. He presents on the current city projects and asks for input about concerns or questions from each board. This year he is asking each board provide a 5 minute report regarding the 2014 projects and accomplishments and what is planned for 2015. Some of the suggestions for the Sustainability Council to report on included: Benchmarks project, action plan, bike friendly city application, summer intern and town/gown relationships. Adjourn. A motion was made by Beer, seconded by Nusz Chandler, to adjourn. All present voted yes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m. Submitted by Laurie Carruthers.