HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2016_06_15Sustainability Council
June 15, 2016
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at
Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Holly Tilton
Byrne, Nels Granholm, Norma Nusz Chandler, Mike Lockrem, Paul Peterson, Bob McGrath, Betty
Beer and Stephanie Aure. Absent: Ben Kleinjan, Jane Hegland, Alvaro Garcia and Riley Larson.
Others present included: Shari Thornes, Laurie Carruthers and SDSU Sustainability Intern
Jennifer McLaughlin.
Chair Tilton Byrne called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m. A motion was made by Lockrem,
seconded by Peterson, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried.
A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Granholm, to approve the May 18, 2016 meeting
minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Schedule Next Meeting. Carruthers will check with absent members and advise council.
STARS Report. Jennifer McLaughlin, SDSU Sustainability Intern, presented the SDSU STARS
Report (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System). Over 700 higher education
schools have been rated using the STARS System using the categories: academics, engagement,
operations and planning/administration. Four STARS ratings are available (bronze, silver, gold
and platinum). SDSU received a bronze rating. The area that presented the most opportunity is
engagement. Schools can reapply every year. SDSU plans to reapply in three years and attempt
for a silver rating with a key focus on improving engagement. The Council asked McLaughlin to
provide ideas for community partnerships to assist with furthering the engagement connection.
Ideas discussed include: community gardens, green jobs in economically disadvantaged
neighborhoods, Camelot gardens and Brookings High School greenhouse. McLaughlin will be in
communication with the Council regard engagement connections.
Beer arrived at 3:27 pm.
Earth Day 2017. Earth Day 2017 falls on a Saturday. The Council discussed collaboration with
SDSU and Habitat. Possible events include: panel discussion with Dr. Lundgren (bees), Adee
Honey Farm, wind energy, aquaponics and dairies; rain barrel giveaway; promote pollinators;
measure water quality; nature scavenger hunt; park cleaning day; birding watching and ice
cream. Parking could be an issue at the Nature Park, but BATA Bus could shuttle people from the
softball fields. An Earth Day subcommittee was formed with Tilton Byrne, Beer and Aure. Tilton
Byrne will check if Jennifer McLaughlin would like to join the subcommittee.
Big Sioux River Membership. Granholm will check on membership qualifications and report back
at the next meeting.
Discussion Regarding Draft Bylaws. McGrath is concerned that the terms of the bylaws do not
equal the members’ terms and the long-term commitment of vice chair to chair. Lockrem
prefers the continuity of leadership. Thornes cautioned that recruitment and commitment could
become an issue. If the expectation is for a three-year commitment, it will be hard to keep
members. Additionally, members could not be reappointed and fluctuation may change in the
Mayor/Council. A motion was made by Beer, seconded by Nusz Chandler, to delete Section 2.C.
(Vice Chair shall succeed to the Chairperson position after two years of service as Vice Chair) and
change Section 1 to a one-year term. All present voted yes; motion carried. The revised bylaws
will be reviewed in final form at the July meeting.
Booth at Farmer’s Market. A one-day table was discussed for the Farmer’s Market. The date
would need to be event specific and decisions would need to be made regarding materials
distributed. Possible events include Mayor’s Ride, distribution of milkweed seeds, farm to table
block dinner and open streets for walking/biking.
Beer left at 4:35 pm.
Subcommittees.
Green Drinks – Attendees have advised difficulty with the 5:30 pm start time. The Council agreed
to move it to 6:00 pm if it works with Wooden Legs’ schedule. Since Downtown at Sundown will
be occurring the last Thursday in July, the Council agreed to skip that month, but attempt to
provide a presence at the event and possibly distribute ice cream.
Heartland Conference – Thornes attended the conference in June in Lincoln, NE. She was
impressed with the presentation from the High Plains Regional Climate Center on forecasting
data. They encouraged establishing relationships with local climatologists and attending elected
officials’ conferences. Lincoln has received three-100 year rainfalls in one year and presented on
the impact this has made on the city. Additional presentations covered: first dedicated bike lanes
in NE (Lincoln), solar fields, renewable energy utility plant that powers a research park, Lincoln
School System has a Sustainability Coordinator and one Lincoln high school has installed a
geothermal heating/cooling system and it has cut the utility bills in half.
Announcements/Correspondence/Communications/Calendar.
Budget – Thornes reported the Sustainability Council budget has moved from the City Council to
the City Clerk. The 2017 funding request is $5,000, plus funding for an intern. In addition, the
Landfill has funds for 2016 and 2017 in the amount of $1,000 the Sustainability Council may
utilize for public education.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:58 pm.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers