HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2021_02_10Sustainability Council meeting February 10, 2021 4:00 p.m.
Present: Jacob Meshke, staff liaison, Darcy Green, Norma Nusz-Chandler, Jennifer McLaughlin,
chair, Louis Hesler, Robin Butterbaugh, Stepahnie Aure, Ben Vokovich, Brianna Kratz, Anna Barr,
Todd Langland from Solid Waste Department of the City, visitor: Lawrence Novotny
Absent: Paul Peterson
The minutes were approved as sent by unanimous vote
Open Forum: none
Jacob reported on following:
the electric charging station: From June 22 to the end of the year there have been 45
uses, averaging each one hour. The City earned $125. Jacob is tracking legislation updates.
Most of those adversely affecting the city have failed. The issue of a fee on electric vehicles
might have more momentum as part of the green energy standards for the state.
There will be city council elections in April, with the Mayor and 2 city council positions
open.
There is an “engage Brookings” app and a street light app has been added.
The Master Plan for parks in continuing until June 2021 and the city is collecting surveys.
There was an attendance protocol update
Strategic Plan was approved last meeting. Each subcommittee should meet by next month and
start to develop goals and a plan to meet their goals. Also, each committee should look to
training opportunities in each sub category.
Discussed which subcommittee should work on the climate action plan. Maybe Energy
Committee or the Waste Committee?
Annual Report Review: Approval moved by Louis, seconded by Darcy. Passed unanimously
Community Liaisons:
Results from poll for which committees BSC should have a liaison to. Will look for
liaisons from the top results. Can get updates from other committees, too.
HRC— Jennifer McLaughlin
Bike—Ben Vukovich
Park and Rec—Did not have a volunteer due to time commitments. As an alternative to
a liaison, we decided to ask them to send updates and also to come and report during a slow
time.
CLEAR Partners and SD Resilient Communities—Betty
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Todd Langland gave a report on the landfill.
There was a small drop in tonnage and in revenue because there were fewer big
constructions projects in 2019. The collection report was good—more new homes meant more
garbage and more compliance. Compost is up a lot and with the cart system that will grow.
Recycling is down about 3 tons from 2019. Don’t know why, but recycling should grow in 2021.
Gross revenue in 2019 was $1,169,418 compared to 2020 $1,185,290.
Plastic bag use is down a lot, which is a good sign, although there still is concern with
multi house and commercial entities.
The Sioux Falls recycling facility that we send our recycling to likes our residential
recycling and has commented that our material comes in clean.
Brookings Solid Waste now accepts glass and we could educate better on this.
Update on the Citizen Campus for yard waste recycling: It opened the end of August
and went well. Todd didn’t see illegal dumping and said people were respectful. It has been
used heavily. It shut down in December and will open again March 20, 2021.
Marketing and Communication Committee: no report
Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty L Beer, substitute Secretary