HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustComMinutes_2020_02_12Brookings Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes
Feb. 12, 2020
Present: Mike Lockrem, Paul Peterson, Norma Nusz‐Chandler, Jennifer
McLaughlin, Robin Buterbaugh, Shelly Brandenburger, Anna Barr Nels Granholm. City Staff:
Jacob Meske
Absent: Jane Hegland, Betty Beer, Robert McGrath, and Stephanie Aure
Call to Order
● Motion: Robin
● Second: Paul
● In favor: All present
Single use plastic research update
● Has not been presented to city council.
● Look to approving on March 11 and present at March 18 City Council study session.
● Some minor edits in most up‐to‐date draft
● Recommendations: 1) BSC recommends that they should speak with and encourage
large retailers to display signage about plastic pollution, decreasing single use plastic
and promoting reusable bags. In addition, the chamber has presented interest in
distributing reusable bags. The BSC would collaborate with the Chamber to provide low
cost reusable bags to community members. 2) The BSC recommends moving forward
with speaking with retailers and encouraging them to only providing single use plastics,
such as straws, cutlery, plates, stir sticks, take‐home containers, Styrofoam, bottles, and
cups upon request at all food serving entities in Brookings. 3) continue education on
reducing plastic bag usage. In sum, education and communication.
● Discussion: Who should implement? May have more meaning if the city does it with BSC
behind it. Want to have a clear message to move forward. Can we put out a
position/goal for the city to adopt? Consider recommending an action item. From there,
BSC could step in to help reach the city goal. What is the long‐term goal behind it? Who
will be doing what in the effort? Work survey results into recommendation. The City and
BSC should work together towards goals.
● Hy‐Vee and Walmart both open to accepting plastic bags if we set‐up a collection
around the city and took to them to the store.
Business Survey
● Forwarding to waste subcommittee to send to Ashley
SB 54 Legislation Email Vote
● Motion to approve: Jennifer
● Second: Shelly
● In favor: Shelly, Betty, Anna, Robin, Jennifer
● Opposed: Mike, Paul, Normal, Bob
● Passes, will send to SD house.
Legislative Issues
● Discussion: The SB 54 bill came in a time crunch. What are the thoughts on handling
future legislation as a committee? Legislative session is short. We only meet 1‐2 times
per session which limits our time to evaluate/discuss and respond. Continue having
conversation. Consider joint‐city blanket statement of sustainability stance.
● Tabled.
Strategic Plan
● Discussion: Is “energy and climate” together or separate? Separate. In “strategic
initiative 5: city support” include a goal of researching a climate action plan.
● Add a 6th strategic initiative “Climate Action Plan” and add goal 6A “Research a climate
action plan”. Remove “climate” from sustainability initiative 3.
o Motion to approve with proposed changes: Mike
o Second: Robin
o In favor: All present
Common Read
● Library is in favor of doing common read with BSC but not before Bill McKibben is on
campus (April 13th).
● Discussion: Falter looks like a good option. Anna reached out to Dr. Carter Johnson and
he suggested “Demystifying sustainability”. His book will not be available for about a
year. Read Falter by Bill McKibben, use his talk as the launch, give about a month after
that to read the book. Consider making social media posts and start making
fliers/budgeting for advertisements.
● Move forward with sustainability common read with the book “Falter” by Bill McKibben.
o Motion: Nels
o Second: Paul
o In favor: All present
● For next meeting: set a budget for this event, look towards marketing and man‐power
for making this happen. Reach out to library to solidify collaboration.
Committee Composition
● Do we need an odd number of committee members? We currently have 12. Should we
add another member or not fill the next vacancy to allow for an odd number in the case
of a voting tie? We do not normally have all 12 present. An alternate could be appointed
but that would not fix the even number ties. Add a member rather than alternate to
increase membership to 13 (odd) and not change quorum (7). Not attending 3
consecutive meetings is current city code for considering the position vacant. Has not
typically been enforced. Revisit that next month. We want involved members. We
haven’t had a split vote yet but it could happen.
Adjourn
● Motion: Paul
● Second: Norma
● In favor: All present