HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2015_05_27Sustainability Council
May 27, 2015
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held on Wednesday, May 27, 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, Paul Peterson, Bob McGrath,
Mike Lockrem and Stephanie Aure (appeared by phone). Absent: Betty Beer, Jane Hegland and
Alvaro Garcia. Others present included: Shari Thornes, Laurie Carruthers, Jackie Lanning City
Engineer and Laurie Johnson.
Chair Jackson called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. A motion was made by McGrath,
seconded by Peterson to approve the amended agenda switching the order of forming the
nominating committee prior to the updates/final reports. All present voted yes; motion
carried. A motion was made by Tilton Byrne, seconded by Kleinjan, to approve the April 29,
2015 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Schedule next meeting. June 19, 2015 at 8:30 am.
Wellbeing Committee Presentation by Kay Cutler, Kate Trieber and Amy Ballou. The Well
Being Committee established in the fall of 2014 through an invitation from the SDSU Early
Childhood Education Department and began with a book study The Hundred Languages of
Children by Carolyn Edwards, Lella Gandini and George Forman Editors. It was initially
represented by SDSU College of Education and Human Sciences – Early Childhood Education,
Fishback Center, Teacher Education and Interior Design; Children’s Museum of South Dakota;
South Dakota Art Museum and Early Learning Center of Brookings. Now, they are inviting
others into the discussion regarding child and family wellbeing. Their interest piqued for the
Sustainability Council with the Brookings Benchmarks report and the indicators that affect
children. Their goals include developing a platform and engaging conversation regarding
Brookings’ youngest citizens; developing a rich, inclusive definition for the term wellbeing;
giving the Child and Family Wellbeing group a stronger identity; engaging in ongoing research
and gathering of resources tied to child and family wellbeing and developing a launch pad for
future citizen and city engagement. They will be utilizing the Delphi Technique for gathering
information. Possible ways the city could help: review city policies through the eyes of a child,
ongoing research for Brookings Benchmarks project, develop the current needs of the city. The
Sustainability Council members recommended the following to the Wellbeing Committee:
define ‘wellbeing’ first, develop own benchmarks project, contact the City Council for ways the
city can assist the project, utilize Engage Brookings questions to the public, provide updates to
the Sustainability Council, apply for openings on the Sustainability Council, have a liaison on
each committee and develop a solid mission statement.
Input on Brookings Small MS4 Storm Water Management Program. Thornes provided
examples of current programs in Portland, Oregon and Columbia, Missouri. Recommendations
on how to promote storm water knowledge and awareness include: the storm water art
project, storm drain educational kit, reduced price rain barrels, tree keeper classes, active on
Facebook and Twitter, informational booth at the annual home builders show and rain barrel
making class. Thornes will be in Columbia, Missouri at the end of June and will meet with their
planners and gather materials. A subcommittee consisting of McGrath, Peterson and Thornes
will gather education pieces together to pass along to Lanning.
Nominating Committee. Jackson will be stepping down as Chair. A nominating subcommittee
of Lockrem, Kleinjan and Aure will report their recommendation at the next meeting.
Updates/Final Reports:
Summer Student Intern Program. SDSU Intern Morgan Vetch begins on June 1 and will focus
on poverty, housing and possibly the urban ag scan. She will work 40 hours per week for 8‐10
weeks through a mentorship and work plan with the subcommittee (Nusz Chandler, Tilton
Byrne, Bacon, Heuton and Thornes) focusing on collecting data, comparables and anything that
was omitted.
Strategic Planning Session. There has been a struggle connecting with the potential facilitator
from Sioux Falls. The committee is still looking for possible facilitators for a November,
December or January strategic planning session.
Bike Friendly Designation. The Bicycle Friendly Community application determination report is
expected to be available in June. The committee will initially meet after receiving the report.
Outreach/Presentations. Wooden Legs Brewery is open to assisting the committee with
outreach. They prefer an alternate to trivia night and recommended open mic night (Thursdays
at 8pm). The committee could use the stage and equipment to record prior to 8pm. Wooden
Legs asked that the committee avoid the World Cup (ends July 5) and the committee agreed to
avoid Science at the Pub (3rd Thursday of each month). The talks will be 10 minutes in length
with question and answer and the first presentation will discuss the Brookings Benchmarks
project. Tilton Byrne will work with Wooden Legs to schedule a date.
Regarding the Farmer’s Market, Tilton Byrne reported they are just starting their season and
are looking for a new location. They welcome us to bring a table to the event.
Urban Ag Scan. The subcommittee (McGrath, Nusz Chandler, Tilton Byrne and Thornes) has
met and is brainstorming ideas for the gathering on September 16‐18 in Lawrence, Kansas.
Vetch will work on this project if she has time. The subcommittee is working on a definition for
Brookings urban ag.
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 McGrath, seconded by Tilton Byrne, to adjourn. All present
voted yes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers.