HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2015_12_01Sustainability Council
December 1, 2015
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at
Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Holly Tilton Byrne,
Betty Beer, Ben Kleinjan, Nels Granholm, Jane Hegland, Bob McGrath, Norma Nusz Chandler, Paul
Peterson, Stephanie Aure and Mike Lockrem. Absent: Alvaro Garcia. Others present included: Shari
Thornes and Laurie Carruthers.
Chair Tilton Byrne called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by
Nusz Chandler, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried. A motion was made by
Lockrem, seconded by McGrath, to approve the October 15, 2015 minutes. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
Schedule next meeting. Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 3:00 pm.
Draft Report on Poverty and Housing. The council discussed how the report would be distributed and
how it would be interpreted. It was noted that Vetch needs to add sources and footnotes. Carruthers
will verify resources are included in the 211 resource guide. Chair Tilton Bryne will prepare a cover
letter and the final report will be emailed to the City Council. It will be on the January 19, 2016 City
Council Study Session Agenda. The report will be mailed to the resources after it has been presented to
the City Council. Other avenues to distribute include Dr. Dennis Willert’s radio show and Dr. Holm’s On
Call television show. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Kleinjan, to approve the Poverty and
Housing Report with the addition of footnotes/sources. All present voted yes; motion carried. A motion
was made by Lockrem, seconded by Beer, to present the report to the City Council at the January 19,
2016 meeting, and distribute it to the resources after the presentation. All present voted yes; motion
carried.
Bike Committee Liaison Report. Lockrem reported SDSU did not receive a Bicycle Friendly University
designation on their first application. The Committee is preparing bicycle rack standards and a
recommendation on the 6th Street project to the City Council.
Sustainability Council Ordinance Amendment. The Ordinance Amendment adding a post-secondary
student to the Sustainability Council was approved at the November 24, 2015 City Council Meeting.
Kleinjan will work on recruitment. Due to the holidays, the City Clerk will likely readvertise for the
position in January.
Proposed Chicken Ordinance. The first reading of the revised chicken ordinance was at the November
24, 2015 City Council Meeting. The Council discussed the prior recommendation and agreed their
opinion had not changed. A motion was made by Beer, seconded by Peterson, for Chair Tilton Byrne to
sign a letter to the City Council advising the Sustainability Council discussed the proposed ordinance and
are in support of it. All present voted yes; motion carried. Lockrem will be at the December 8, 2015
City Council Meeting to represent the Sustainability Council on this matter.
Green Drinks Presentation Planning. The Green Drinks Presentation is scheduled for January 28, 2016
at 5:00 pm at Wooden Legs. Promotions will include: Chamber newsletter, SDSU website (Hegland),
posters (Lockrem), 1 Million Cups (Tilton Byrne), press release, newspaper article (Granholm), Harding
Lecture Series (Lockrem) and partnering with SDSU student group (Lockrem).
Brookings Register Column. Granholm met with Jill Fier from the Brookings Register. Fier is excited
about a column from the Sustainability Council. She requested a monthly article with 600 words. Topics
may include: poverty & housing report, Green Drinks, bicycles, chickens, affordable housing,
Sustainability 101, Indicator Report, climate talks and world news. Granholm will draft the columns and
send to the editorial review board (Lockrem, Hegland and Nusz Chandler). The review board will make
any necessary revisions and send out to the full Council with a response deadline.
Combine Fundraising Event. The Brookings Historic Preservation Commission has been approached
about co-hosting a local fundraising event with the State Historical Society Foundation Board.
Proceeds would be split between the State and the local organizations. One of the ideas under
consideration involves historic sites, sustainable urban and biking. A meeting will be scheduled in
December with the leadership of the Historic Preservation Commission, Sustainability Council and
Bicycle Advisory Committee to discuss the concept and make recommendations back to all groups
whether to proceed or not with the event. Chair Tilton Byrne and Vice-Chair Kleinjan will represent the
Sustainability Council at this meeting.
Dubuque Sustainability Conference Report. Thornes reported the conference was valuable experience.
Key highlights include: Davenport stormwater, alternative planting areas/zoning, bioswale, codifying
sustainability, placemaking and smart growth.
Goal Review & Setting. The Council reviewed the 2015 goals and discussed ideas for 2016:
• Policies, not projects!
• Develop overall plan, but be flexible. Allow provisions of the plan to change. It shouldn’t limit or
restrict opportunities. Look for and seize opportunities on any hot button issues. Build early
victories, momentum and credibility. Develop relationships. Look for partners; others to ‘bring
under the tent.’
• Actively seek grant sources for sustainability initiatives
• Evaluate “Star” rating system
• City as a leader in sustainability - implement “Changing Culture” campaign:
o Draft policy for green building design & practices
o Storm water
Develop and implement public education campaign
Draft action plan on storm water initiatives (green roofs, permeable pavement,
low-mow, rain collection/barrel systems, etc.)
o Inclusion of sustainability practices and principles into new Master Comp Plan
o Pursue endorsement of Wisconsin ‘codifying sustainability’ program
o Encourage city staff to attend sustainability conferences and other training
opportunities
o Conduct sustainability ‘orientations’ with new department heads and city officials
o Increase communication with Brookings Municipal Utilities
o Each department identify their sustainability goals for the year & list their achievements
for previous year
• Urban Ag:
o Completed assessment of current Ag Practices & potential challenges to implementation
o Thorough review of zoning policies and ordinances to identify barriers
o Recommend ordinance changes, if needed
o Develop Action Plan
o Possible initiatives:
Expansion of personal garden options
Neighborhood and collective gardens on private and city land
Incubator gardens/farms
Improve access to water
Include a community/collective gardens in any affordable housing projects
• Storm Water
o Implement educational/information materials
• Affordable Housing
o Involvement in task force
• Support Smart Growth (urban planning and transportation that promotes walkable and bikeable
communities)
o Inclusion of sustainability into new Comp Plan (inclusive process and assistance from
senior planner from Kansas City)
o Increased involvement with Planning Commission
• Support Bike Committee leisure and transportation biking initiatives
• Encourage formalizing the bike committee
• Codify sustainability
City Affordable Housing Task Force. The City Council approved an Affordable Housing Task Force at the
November 24, 2015 City Council Meeting. Membership may include a Sustainability Council member.
The Chair will make an appointment recommendation. Lockrem is interested in the appointment.
Form Nominating Committee. Lockrem volunteered to be on the committee and recommended Chair
Tilton Byrne keep the position for another year since she was appointed mid-year. The Council
concurred. Lockrem will contact Tilton Byrne to discuss.
Form Annual Report Committee. Kleinjan and Granholm volunteered to be on the Annual Report
Committee. Carruthers will send the minutes for 2015 and the 2014 Annual Report to the committee. A
draft of the 2015 Annual Report will be presented at the January meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers