HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2018_07_11Sustainability Council
July 11, 2018 (unapproved)
A meeting of the Sustainability Council was held on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Brookings
City & County Government Center with the following members present: Norma Nusz Chandler, Nels
Granholm, Shelly Brandenburger, Bob McGrath, Mike Lockrem, Jane Hegland, Betty Beer, Jennifer
McLaughlin and Paul Peterson. Stephanie Aure and Caleb Vukovich were absent. Others present: City
Engineer Jackie Lanning, Shari Thornes and Laurie Carruthers.
Chair Nusz Chandler called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. A motion was made by McGrath, seconded
by McLaughlin, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried.
A motion was made by McLaughlin, seconded by Brandenburger, to approve the May 23, 2018 minutes.
All present voted yes; motion carried.
Input on the City Storm Water Plan
City Engineer Jackie Lanning advised about the Storm Water Plan, which is a requirement of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The EPA developed the Phase II Storm Water Plan,
which has the following six areas that need to be addressed by a city’s plan for water quality: public
education and outreach on storm water impacts; public involvement/participation; illicit discharge
detection and elimination; construction site storm water runoff control; post‐construction storm water
management in new development and redevelopment; and pollution prevention/good housekeeping
for municipal operations. Since the Sustainability Council has similar interests, it is a good collaboration
to have the SC review the plan. A sub‐committee assisted with the storm water brochure, fact sheet and
glossary of terms. The City is working with Brookings Municipal Utilities to clean out the pipes and inlets
with BMU’s vacuum truck. Additionally, the Street Department with assistance from the Landfill has
purchased a leaf vacuum truck.
Thornes stated if there are any areas Lanning needs assistance with, please advise the Sustainability
Council. The City Council did not have any specific storm water ideas/suggestions for 2019. The Public
Arts Commission is looking at the storm water art project and will contact the Sustainability Council for
collaboration. Thornes suggested a social media campaign for storm water management. McLaughlin
suggested less dramatic illustrations and connections to wildlife and people. Lanning is attempting to
track volunteer hours through the SDDOT. The Parks Department tracks who is cleaning in city parks.
Church and volunteer groups are harder to track. A suggestion was made to utilize the 211 Helpline and
educational exhibits at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Peterson asked if there are any more
large city projects. Lanning advised a current project with Main Avenue S & 15th Street S, pond and flood
control. Nusz asked if there are any challenges with ponds. Lanning advised mowing, thistles, and
preference on cattails are common concerns. Landscape architects are always involved with design on
detention ponds. Briseno commented videos are good public service announcements on why detention
ponds are needed. He has also seen models showing the effect of storm water, which are good
educational projects for children and would be a good collaboration with the Children’s Museum.
Granholm asked if there are any problematic places. Lanning advised the flooding on south end of town
has historically been more prevalent, but there are also problems throughout the city. 2010 was a large
storm year.
Introduction of City Manager Paul Briseno – the new City Manager Paul Briseno introduced himself and
introductions were made from the Sustainability Council Members.
Selection on Mayor’s Sustainability Awards
Thornes advised the current nominations and welcomed additional nominations. The next steps are to
have volunteers write the press releases and the combined awards event is August 30.
A motion was made by Brandenburger, second by McGrath, to nominate 3M for Environmental
Resilience. All present voted yes, motion carried. Peterson & McGrath volunteered to write the press
release.
A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by McLaughlin, to nominate the Passive House as
Sustainability Leadership/Innovative Best Practices. All present voted yes, motion carried. Nusz Chandler
volunteered to write the press release.
A motion was made by Brandenburger, seconded by McLaughlin, to nominate Kool Beans for Triple
Bottom Line. All present voted yes, motion carried. Brandenburger volunteered to write the press
release.
A motion was made by Brandenburger, seconded by Beer, to nominate the Pheasant Restaurant &
Lounge for Social/Quality of Life. All present voted yes, motion carried. Beer volunteered to write the
press release.
Lockrem left at 5:01pm.
Nusz Chandler will present at the Mayor’s Awards Reception, McLaughlin will be the backup.
2018 South Dakota Local Foods Conference
Thornes advised she received a letter from Holly Tilton Byrne about the 8th Annual South Dakota Local
Foods Conference will be in Brookings November 1‐3, 2018 at the Swiftel Center and 150‐200 attendees
are expected at the event. There will be a local foods social featuring local chefs. Tilton Byrne was asking
for representation of the Sustainability Council at the Conference. The fee for informational booths is
$150, and Thornes reminded the Council that booths require a lot of work with setup, staffing and take
down. She recommended a decision be made at the next meeting after reviewing the goals and
weighing the value the Council will receive back.
Green Drinks Fall 2018/Spring 2019 Plan
Nusz advised the June Green Drinks was not publicized, but had 14 attendees. Is there a better way or
method to organize the program? McLaughlin suggested one of the members be the coordinator for
Green Drinks, which requires obtaining a headshot, title of presentation, article and coordinating with
SDSU Marketing for the poster two weeks prior to the presentation. McLaughlin volunteered to
coordinate the remainder of the year. Solar panels and the Passive House have had large audiences.
Would it be valuable to gather input from the community about what they want to hear about? This will
be solicited at next Green Drinks. Should the Council have a Facebook page? Several other committees
have pages, but this requires a volunteer coordinator. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
Additionally, tours of dairies and the swine facility are possible alternatives.
Committee reports:
Earth Day
Thornes reported the Brookings Bonanza will be on August 25, which will include: Earth Day Take 2, 10‐
mile bike ride, Historic Preservation walking tours, and helmet and composting bin give‐a‐ways.
Everything starts at the Farmer’s Market and ends at Pioneer Park with the Brookings Police
Foundations Pig Roast. A community brunch of local food is a possibility if there are donors. Sideline
Productions will video the event to use for promotions throughout the city. This is a collaborated effort
between the Sustainability Council, Historic Preservation Commission, Disability Committee, Brookings
Bicycle Advisory Committee, Farmers Market and Brookings Police Foundation. Clean Slate is drafting
the poster. Grant funds through the State Historic Preservation Office have become available for
expenses. The Sustainability Council needs to assist with the combined volunteer table at the Farmers
Market from 9‐12 and any additional needs.
Brandenburger left at 5:35pm.
Liaison reports:
Friends of the Big Sioux River
Granholm advised that Art Cullens, winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, will be in Sioux Falls in September
to discuss the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit about excessive nitrates in the Raccoon River. The
Friends are also discussing how to get agricultural producers to initiate buffers. The Friends of the Big
Sioux River website has additional information about a community uniting mechanism, water quality in
North Dakota and the continued water testing.
Affordable Housing
The City requested letters of interest on the 15th Street S & 7th Avenue S project.
Bicycle Advisory Committee
Thornes advised the Committee is working on the Brookings Bonanza, current laws relating to biking,
and a social media campaign.
Announcements:
Current vacancy
Dubuque conference – Council Member Bacon will be speaking on affordable housing
Brookings Historic Preservation Commission is winning a national award on their public policy
and collaborative efforts
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Carruthers