HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2019_12_11Dec 11, 2019, Sustainability council meeting
Present: Robert McGrath, Norma Nusz, Paul L Peterson, Betty L Beer, Nels Grandholm, Robin
Buterbaugh, Jane Hegland, Shelly brandenburger,Anna Barr. Representing the City: Jacob
Meshke, Representing the Public: Lawrence Novotny.
Absent: Stephanie Aure, Mike Lockrem
The Agenda and Minutes of the last meeting were approved by voice vote.
Report by Ashley Biggar, Director Downtown Brookings. The ”downtown” district
is tied to the Chamber—one must be a member of the Chamber to get benefits of
Downtown Brookings. There are 270 businesses in downtown, with 50%
Chamber membership. Approximately 1/3 are individually owned businesses.
She is working on the numbers of service vs. retail. We discussed questions about
developing a survey on plastics and how to make it user friendly with feedback.
Report by Jacob Meshke regarding recycling placement at the City/County
building. BSC recommended that the City place a recycling bin by the trash bins
outside and in the entryway.
Discussed Ideas for Initiatives at high school: food waste, single use plastic, drink
alternatives from local kitchen, invite High School advisor to come to develop
action plans
Plastic Bag Research: Jennifer reported that Hy-Vee sends its recycled plastic
bags to a hub in Iowa. It is a large company that deals only with plastic. The
plastic is recycled by Trex. It probably is converted to plastic pellets for reuse.
Paul is researching bag collection options for Brookings. Robin is researching
incentives for businesses to use for customers to avoid using plastic, also
possibilities for the City to provide. Jennifer if researching how to expand the
effort to other single use plastics.
Efforts to reduce use of plastic: Survey Monkey is available to the City and
Shelly will work on it for the January meeting.
Budget: See appendix for last year’s expenses. Jacob recommended that for
2020 that we set 3 categories with dollar figure: Sample: Conferences: $2,000,
Advertising, marketing and promotional materials: $2,000. Miscellaneous:
$1,000. Paul moved and Shelly seconded that this be adopted. Unanimously
passed.
Some speakers for next year were discussed: Jackie on the new parking
lot, update on No Mow program, Mike on ordinance updates, BMU on solar, Todd
Langland on “Citizens Campus” 24 hour composting drop off center, community
gardens.
A community read of the book “Falter” was discussed. The author is
coming to SDSU as a Harding Lecturer. Discussion could be part of Green Drinks.
Nels will contact the library to see if it could be part of the Library Book Clubs.
Discussion about who buys the books. Shelly asked that we spend $500 to buy
books. Jacob said we could possibly match and he will talk with Asia at the
Library.
Goals of the City for next year: Solar and training are high priorities. Jennifer will
send to the committee a list of her suggestions for Goals for our
Committee with continuing programs and subgroups
For next year, meetings will be held at same time and place.
Chair: Jennifer Vice Chair: Shelly Minutes: Betty
Committee reports:
Energy: Norma reported that we are moving forward with BMU. National
Building Code is moving forward. There is now software for determining the size
of optimum air conditioning in new houses. (Manual J)
Local Foods. Shelly had training for how to start a food co-op. They had
a soup fund raiser and can now incorporate and apply for grants. They held an
indoor farmers market at the Ag Heritage Museum and will repeat it in February.
Jacob led a discussion on how to engage youth.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Betty L Beer