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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2017_09_13 Sustainability Council September 13, 2017 A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Norma Nusz Chandler, Nels Granholm, Stephanie Aure, Shelly Brandenburger, Ben Kleinjan, Bob McGrath, Mike Lockrem, Jane Hegland, Betty Beer, and Jennifer McLaughlin. Paul Peterson and Caleb Vukovich were absent. Others present: Guest Lawrence Novotny, Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers. Chair Nusz Chandler called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. A motion was made by McLaughlin, seconded by Hegland, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried. Introduction by Brandenburger. A motion was made by McLaughlin, seconded by McGrath, to approve the March 8 and July 12, 2017 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried. Thank you from Mayor Corbett. Updates / Reports: Committees Urban Ag/Local Foods. A draft of the Curbside Composting Report was presented by Solid Waste Director Todd Langland and Bob McGrath to the City Council on August 8, 2017. McGrath reported the topic is complex and the Council had more questions and points of consideration. Letter from SC to DENR related to organic composting. If all food scrapes are allowed (including meats, dairy products, contaminated paper products) it currently becomes municipal solid waste, which requires the same liner as a leachate system. Current yard waste can include vegetables and plant material before they get to your plate. McGrath recommends the SC promote home composting. However, these can become a problem if not maintained. Turning compost bins are recommended. Kleinjan arrived at 4:15pm. Some states have redesigned their regulations, including Minnesota in 2015, to add a third category – source separated organics (SSO). SSO requires a liner, but no density checking and is reasonably compact. McGrath’s personal recommendation is to request the DENR created a 3rd category and private businesses could it take over. This would not be a good option for the city to maintain as it would give up landfill space and not have a good return for the cost. does not recommend ROI low for city. Giving up landfill space. Hauling to sites is an issue if more than 30 miles away. Rebate on composting. Beer agrees with the idea of developing entrepreneural opportunities as well as education on home composting. Adding the middle 3rd category would not be curbside collection as this does not pay out. The 3rd category would be for businesses, grocery stores, restaurants, campus, schools, etc. There is a misbelief that households generate a lot food waste. Thornes advised that the SC will return to this discussion in October or November and prepare a recommendation to the City Council about how to proceed. The subcommittee will regroup. Brandenburger has developed education materials on these topics and can help. It was suggested to have composting as the Earth Day topic and give away a composting bin. Local Food Promotion Committee (Beer, McGrath, Thornes) – Thornes advised the timing critical regarding front yard vegetation and hedges with the Comprehensive Master Plan being developed. Brandenburger will join the subcommittee. Poster series – 2017/18 promotional campaign. Thornes questioned if the Council would like to proceed with the promotional campaign in 2018. The Council agree the poster images are strong, but a call to action needs to take place. Lockrem advised that many SDSU staff are involved in the process and the calendar needs to be concise. If there are any changes, there needs to be adequate notice. At the October meeting this item will be revisted. Green Drinks. Thornes advised the September Green Drinks has been cancelled unless someone can fill in. Brandenburger suggested Good Roots Farm on eco-tourism and Carter Johnson (writing a book on South Dakota grasslands) and will check their availability. Nusz Chandler confirmed the move to east room of Wooden Legs starting January 2018. Affordable Housing Task Force Lockrem advised a draft report on best practices will be presented to the City Council in October. Bicycle Advisory Committee Lockrem, Lopez-Murphy, Braun and Carruthers will be presenting on the Bicycle Master Plan at the Dubuque Growing Sustainable Communities Conference. McLaughlin reported a campus bicycle count logged over 2000 bikes over 3 hours in the last 2 days with borrowed DOT road counters. This will assist with the educational and enforcement campaign. SDSU is drafting a policy on bicycle regulations. They are working to grow the Mayor’s Ride by partnering with an organization, making family-friendly, carefully scheduling the time of year. A corridor study is being conducted along 22nd Avenue. The city is also applying for a TAP grant out of the DOT for a shared use path at Lefevre Drive and along the hotels. They are requesting a letter of support from Council and SDSU. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded by Lockrem, to authorize the chair to write a letter of support for the TAP Grant. All present voted yes; motion carried. Aure, Lockrem and Beer left at 5:05 pm. Comprehensive Master Plan Advisory Committee Kleinjan advised the consultants have drafted a new zoning map incorporating the intensity based urban zoning system, which connects zones and does not create urban sprawl. There is specific zoning recommendations for corridors including 6th Street and Main Avenue. Kleinjan advises there may be an opportunity for sustainability intensity zoning areas, where if a resident meets certain sustainability requirements, they could be exempt from the code. Brandenburger left at 5:10 pm. Friends of the Big Sioux Board Granholm will be attending Water Summit in Watertown on September 20 where Steve Dahlmeyer will present and provide an update on the satellite imaging/ground assessment of the Big Sioux River. He also advised about the buffer zone project in the heart of Sioux Falls and legislation for water quality issues. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Submitted by Laurie Carruthers