HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2017_02_08Sustainability Council
February 8, 2017
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held on Wednesday, February 8, 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, Nels Granholm, Mike Lockrem, Riley Larson, Stephanie Aure, Paul
Peterson, Bob McGrath and Betty Beer. Absent: Jane Hegland. Others present: Jennifer McLaughlin -
ESSC, Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers.
Chair Tilton Byrne called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. A motion was made by Larson, seconded by
McGrath, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried.
A motion was made by Larson, seconded by McGrath, to approve the January 11, 2017 meeting
minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Schedule next meeting. 2017 meeting schedule the Sustainability Council will meet on the second
Wednesday of each month at 4pm. May 3 will be an alternate date due to a conflict.
3:07 Beer and Peterson arrived.
A motion was made by Larson, seconded by McGrath, to approve the 2017 meeting schedule. All
present voted yes; motion carried.
Nominating Committee Report and Election of 2017 Officer. A motion was made by McGrath,
seconded by Beer, to nominate Tilton Byrne as Chair and Nusz Chandler as Vice Chair and cease
nominations. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Discussion regarding 2017 Goals & Objectives. The 2017 Goals & Objectives should represent what the
Sustainability Council wants to accomplish. Once adopted, an action plan calendar will be drafted per
month. The Council needs to set goals initially, which can be adjusted. However, it is a full list and a new
policy cannot be added mid-year. Chair Tilton Byrne advised members that the 2017 Goals & Objectives
are very lofty and challenged members to remove a goal if one is added. Beer proposed adding a goal
under smart energy – solar/wind turbine ordinance. Beer will conduct the research. A motion was made
by Beer, seconded by Larson to add a wind turbine energy policy to smart energy. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
Promotions for the Kite & Bike Festival will be postponed until the Bicycle Master Plan has been
adopted. Larson proposed Brookings Municipal Utilities only accept electronic payments or there be an
opt-in for paper payments. Carruthers advised there are laws regulating payment methods. Peterson
advised the website for air quality measurements to complete that goal.
A plan to diversify the city and campus tree plan was suggested. Larson advised that he helped with the
student tree-planting project and they currently need funding. Larson will speak at the September Green
Drinks to promote this project and provide a report at a future Sustainability Council Meeting.
Larson requested a policy recommendation on net metering be added. Chair Tilton Byrne advised that
this issue was brought before the Sustainability Council and the City Council in the past. Brookings
Municipal Utilities General Manager Steve Meyer presented a forthright and honest conversation about
the billing logistics and costs. It was suggested that Steve Meyer present again on this topic.
A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Larson, to remove healthy air goal. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
A motion was made by Beer, seconded by Aure, to approve the 2017 Goals & Objectives as amended. All
present voted yes; motion carried.
Updates/Reports.
Subcommittees.
Earth Day 2017. The subcommittee consists of Beer, Tilton Byrne, Aure, McLaughlin and Thornes. An
Earth Day event with Parks Department at the Dakota Nature Park will be on Saturday, April 22. Planning
continues with rain barrel and pollinator workshops and possibly a passive house.
Urban Ag. Meeting was held with Parks Department regarding the pollinator initiative and pollinator
zones at the Dakota Nature Park and Pioneer Park by the log cabin. Staff will assist with the sign design
for the pollinator zones, home gardens and native habitat near city buildings. The Council can suggest a
pesticide usage for such pollinator zones. Beer contacted Martin Maca regarding students designing
pollinator gardens. The cost would be $300-500 for a design fundraiser project.
Storm water. Thornes will incorporate the storm water project into action plan. Bowes Construction has
a permeable asphalt product.
Green Drinks. The schedule is complete with the September tree planting presentation being filled.
Liaisons.
Brookings Bicycle Advisory Committee. After 10 months of planning, the Bicycle Master Plan will be
presented on February 28 to the City Council. Tilton Byrne will be the Sustainability Council’s
representative at the meeting.
Comprehensive Master Plan Steering Committee. RDG has drafted a tentative schedule to be adopted at
a March City Council Meeting. On April 18 at 6pm, there will be a public engagement workshop.
Big Sioux River Board. Granholm has a meeting scheduled with Dana Loseke in late January and is
looking to become a member of the Friends of the Big Sioux River Board.
Legislative Updates. Tilton Byrne advised the Governor introduced a bill regarding buffer strips. There
may be bills related to pollinators/native grasses in state owned areas and a fracking ban. The Executive
Committee can act on legislation.
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
Granholm added that before presentations, workshops and the Earth Day events, the Sustainability
Council should provide a short script about why the Sustainability Council exists, the purpose of the
event, a statement that we are not just recycling and growing vegetables, and all three sustainable
pillars must exist (economic prosperity/social & cultural vibrancy/environmental & ecological integrity).
He also advised about the chuck of Antarctica that is breaking off due to global warming.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:43 pm.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers