HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2017_01_11Sustainability Council
January 11, 2017
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at
Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Holly Tilton Byrne,
Norma Nusz Chandler, Ben Kleinjan, Alvaro Garcia, Stephanie Aure, Paul Peterson, Bob McGrath and
Betty Beer. Absent: Jane Hegland, Nels Granholm, Mike Lockrem, and Riley Larson. Others present
included: Jennifer McLaughlin - ESSC, Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers.
Chair Tilton Byrne called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. A motion was made by Beer, seconded by
Garcia, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried.
A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Garcia, to approve the December 5, 2016 meeting
minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Schedule next meeting. February 8, 2017 at 3pm. Thornes will send a schedule for the remainder of the
year for members to review.
Discussion regarding 2017 Goals & Objectives. The Sustainability Council reviewed the 2016 goals and
noted the progress. A new incorporation of the city department annual reports is addressing each
department’s sustainability efforts. Some city department heads have showed interest in attending the
Dubuque conference in October. McLaughlin mentioned Penn State documents how sustainability fits
into each department. McLaughlin will send Thornes a link. Thornes will send the city’s report to the
Sustainability Council. For 2017, a recycling policy for city buildings and public spaces will be a priority.
Additionally, the benchmark and poverty reports need to be shared with the Comprehensive Master
Plan Advisory Committee. Chair Tilton Byrne and Thornes will meet to fine tune goals, which will be
finalized at the next meeting.
Updates/Reports.
Subcommittees.
Earth Day 2017. The subcommittee consists of Beer, Tilton Byrne, Aure, McLaughlin and Thornes. An
employee of the Parks Department will be invited to the meetings. The subcommittee will meet in the
near future.
Urban Ag. Dakota Rural Action is working on the pollinator project. The Parks Department is planting
native plants in city parks. Dakota Rural Action is conducting spring workshops for farmers, the ag
industry and the general public. Greenhouses should be encouraged to promote native plants. Gardens
could be incorporated into the jail expansion project. The subcommittee will meet in the near future.
Green Drinks. Council Member Bacon’s affordable housing presentation will be repeated at the Library
on February 7. Titon Byrne confirmed with Wooden Legs the last Thursday of each month at 6pm for
Green Drinks. The schedule should not conflict with the Downtown at Sundown activities. Coordination
with Wooden Legs is needed. Jon Lundgren from Blue Dasher Farms is penciled in for the January
speaker. The Green Drinks calendar must be manageable and articles/speakers should be scheduled in
advance. Possible topics: discussion re: Rockafeller and Exxon, City Manager’s institutionalization of
sustainability practices October 2017; and SDSU passive house.
Green Building Policy. The draft policy needs to be reviewed with the city building official and
Engineering Department, then it will be reviewed with architects.
Liaisons.
Affordable Housing Task Force. Lockrem was not present. Patty Bacon will repeat the Green Drinks
Affordable Housing Presentation at the Library on February 7 at 7pm. Volunteers are needed for set up
and tear down. Beer, Aure and Tilton Byrne to assist.
Brookings Bicycle Advisory Committee. The draft Bicycle Master Plan is being assembled. The
Community Workshop is scheduled on January 25 at McCrory Gardens from 5-7pm. The survey will be
open until February 5. On February 28 it will be presented to the City Council.
Comprehensive Master Plan Steering Committee. RDG out of Omaha was hired at the January 10th City
Council Meeting.
Legislative Updates. If a bill comes up that pertains to the Sustainability Council, the Council will be
notified. With agreement from the executive committee, a letter may be sent to our local
representatives’ to encourage their support.
Staff.
Annual Report. Staff will work with Chair Tilton Byrne to complete a draft of the annual report. Due by
February 17.
Announcements/Correspondence/Communications/Calendar.
2/7 at 7pm – Council Member Patty Bacon’s Affordable Housing Presentation, Brookings Public Library
2/17 Annual Report Deadline
4/22 Earth Day
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:39 pm.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers