HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2022_11_09City of Brookings
Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 4:00 PM City/County Government Center; Room 300
Sustainability Council Members: Bruce Pengra, Cynthia Kunkel, Louis Hesler, Albert Patin, Samuel Krueger, Anthony
Shanks, Robin Buterbaugh, Betty Beer, Emily Abele, Kiley Rath, Kyle Jamison, and SDSU Student Representative
Gabrielle Bolwerk. City Staff: Paul Briseno City Manager.
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order by A. Patin
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved for approval: B. Pengra Second: B. Beer
Aye: All Opposed: None
3. Approval of the Minutes
Moved: R. Buterbaugh Second: G. Bolwerk
Aye: All Opposed: None
4. Open Forum
At this time, any member of the public may request time on the agenda for an item
not listed. Items are not typically scheduled for the end of the meeting; however, very
brief announcements of invitations will be allowed at this time.
G. Bolwerk brought to attention the Sioux River Sustainability Conference taking place in
Sioux Falls, Dec. 8th at the Sioux Falls COnvention center from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
5. Growing Sustainable Communities Conference – Albert Patin and Bruce
Pengra
B. Pengra: Compiling a list of contacts and resources for potential
Consultant organization for climate action plan, along with potential sources for
grant money. Getting people on board with planning and community engagement
early on. Getting the community involved with making informed decisions and
researching plenty of other climate action plans before even getting started on
our own - no need to reinvent the wheel.
A. Patin: Possibly going to share the presentation notes to the BSC as a
whole. Definitely worth the effort in sending individuals to attend the event. There
was a good range from small to large communities represented. Leadership
participation within the city and the community is vital for the success of climate
action plans. City energy disclosure report. Avoiding words that have been
weaponized politically. Talk about things in terms of money savings and not only
long term effects but also the immediate effects of sustainable practices within the
community.
J. Meshke: Disincentivize Land Speculation, facts and data don’t change
minds. Change how people feel. Dubuque has converted 200 alleys to permeable
pavers. 1 out of every 3 bites of food credited to bees. Be a pollinator champion.
Success for marketing is consistency. Rule of 7/11, 7 times to remember, 11 times
to take action. Do 1 or 2 social platforms well. 80% of EV charging happens at
home (5% in public) Iowa city program to subsidize EV charging stations at multi
family residences. Key takeaway GM will provide 10 level 2 chargers for free to a
dealership, can be located throughout the community, mixed use - ground level
retail spaces.
6. City Update
-Mayor holiday party, all BSC members invited along with Brookings
residents. Dec 1st 5-8 pm Swiftel Center
-Landfill staff trained in refrigerators freon removal.
-Potential to bring back ‘Downtown Brookings Inc.’ in addition to the current
Chamber of Commerce. Downtown enthusiasts interested in bringing back
downtown Brookings Inc. as a separate entity. Looking into exploratory
ideas. More autonomy and ability to guide downtown businesses to
accomplish some of the initiatives they are after.
-Parks and forestry interim director looking for full time hire.
-2023 budget adopted by city council. Added a parks technician staff
position.
-Assistant to city manager position added.
-Electronic message display board ordinance adopted by the city council,
restriction apply.
7. No Mow May Update
G. Bolwerk: Planning a meeting with city employees, dates TBD. Reached out to the
sustainability coordinator at SDSU, looking into setting aside a portion of campus to
participate in No Mow May. No Mow May sign adjusted to include QR code.
Possibly vote on a sign ( Public Engagement?) $3.63 Cents per sign at 150 signs.
PR campaign details, look into setting milestones, goals and key dates. School district
sustainability engagement. Informational and educational web page, why we're doing this
and the benefits. Look into ordinance amendment and timing. Carefully balance of cheapest
signage printing, along with supporting local businesses. December meeting, have a cost
estimate and final design for. Budget for the signs proposal.
8. 2022 Budget Review
-$1,200 to Brookings register ads
-$300 to bio retention rain garden
-$310 growing sustainability conference
-$2,190 available (subtract cost of hotel stays and gas for the conference) leaving
$1,390 left for the year.
-Upcoming expenses include table toppers, and no mow may signs, and clothing flier
prints.
-Take action on these items during the December meeting.
9. 2023 Strategic Plan/Initiatives
-Discussion notes taken by E. Abele, and included in the working 2023 Strategic Plan
/ Initiatives.
-Look at any final revisions during the December meeting and hopefully adopt by
January 2023.
10. Election of Officers Preparation
Every December chair, vice chair, and minutes taker are voted on. Look into interest in
these positions for next meetings agenda items.
11. Updates/Reports from Subcommittee
a.Marketing and Communication
Continuing with the Brookings Register ads.
b.Climate Action Plan
Organizing meetings and identifying key individuals who would like to take charge of
this.
c.Waste
No Updates
d.Energy
Working to compile a list for Dec. meeting
e.Local Foods
Interviewed by brookings register and communicating with the city regarding
ordinance compliance with the Food Forest project. City ordinances that
might apply to the maintenance, at this time there are not any major issues.
Similar to community gardens - food distributed in good faith and free of
charge. Update language in strategic plan to include insight on maintenance
and ordinance adherence. Should be accomplished by spring before any
trees are planted. should develop a PR campaign similar to no mow may.
Posts, pictures, ad updates made available to the public. A Facebook page
would be beneficial.
12. Updates/Reports from Liaisons
(J. Meshke look at revising liaisons for the upcoming year)
a.Human Rights Commission
No updates
b.CLEAR
No updates
13. Call for Future Agenda Items
Election of officers for December meeting
14. Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn
Moved: R. Buterbaugh Second: G. Bolwerk
Aye: All Opposed: None
Respectfully submitted, Samuel Krueger