HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2021_08_11City of Brookings
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, August 11, 2021 4:00 PM Virtual
Sustainability Council Members: Darcy Green, Brianna Kratz, Ben Vukovich, Albert Patin,
Norma Nusz Chandler, Robin Buterbaugh, Jennifer McLaughlin, Betty L Beer, Louis Hesler, Emily Abele,
and
SDSU Student Representative-VACANT. City Staff: Jacob Meshke, Assistant City Manager, Katie
Stiegelmeier, Kirsten Gjesdal (guest from Coop)
1. Call To Order
- Introduction of new member, Albert Patin
2. Approval of the Agenda - Abele motion, Nusz-Chandler second
3. Approval of the Minutes – R. Buterbaugh motion, J. McLaughlin second
Vote over email prior to meeting
- J. McLaughlin motions that Robin Buterbaugh and Emily Abele will attend the Growing
Sustainable Communities Conference in October representing BSC. R. Buterbaugh seconds. Aye:
E. Abele, L. Hesler, B. Beer, N. Nusz-Chandler, B. Kratz, D. Green. Nay: None. Motion passes.
- Jennifer motions that Brookings Sustainability Council will collaborate with the Human Rights
Commission to host a common read event this fall. Robin seconds. Aye: E. Abele, L. Hesler, B. Beer,
N. Nusz-Chandler, B. Kratz, D. Green. Nay: None. Motion passes.
4. Reading Action into Official Record
5. Open Forum
6. Food Co-Op update
Kirsten Gjesdal from Co-op steering committee giving update: working with Food Coop Initiative
to get started – on 1b of 3 steps. Have around 111 members so far. October first meeting. At Step 2
(around 300 members), will start doing more specific planning here in Brookings with feasibility study.
General capital investment around $3 million. Promoting at Farmers Market, at local events, on
Facebook. Likely going to have variety of types of foods (not all organic, not all gluten free), but aiming
for all ethically sourced. Website: dakotacommunitymarket.com
7. City Update
The City received a grant to build a 2.25 acre dog park at Sexauer Park.
The Hillcrest Aquatic Center is closing on August 15 with the Soggy Doggy event happening at 6pm.
The City’s annual street overlay project is occurring over the next three weeks.
Staff will be presenting the 2022 City Budget to City Council and the public in September.
There will be a study session on August 17 on marijuana zoning, licensing, and facilities.
Park master plan final coming soon
8. Discussion and Action on Membership
Consideration of decreasing membership from 12 members to 11 members – easier to achieve quorum,
and no specific projects coming up. N. Nusz-Chandler motions to not seek more membership; A. Patin
second, all support, measure passes.
Discussion on when new membership needed, interview process. Plan to keep interview size small.
9. Updates/Reports from Subcommittees
a. Marketing and Communication: Mayors award for sustainability open for nominations. Discussion on
some of the nominations.
b. Waste: Working on arranging meeting
c. Energy: Going to work on next meeting soon.
d. Local Foods: Plan to have Nick from Framer’s Market, but not able to today. Might be able to connect
with him or the president of the Farmer’s market at the next meeting.
May do a survey to see if people would be interested in another location for Community Gardens. Call
for questions that could be on survey (transportation, size, location), maybe businesses could donate a
little property for this?
10. Updates from Liaisons
a. Bicycle Committee: last meeting talked about parks master plan and bike path master plan – planning
to go through Prairie Hills subdivision.
Major obstacle to getting bike racks is businesses being able to buy, but not install, because this is city
controlled.
b. Human Rights Commission: Planning Diversity potluck in October. Planning Common read Oct 13
6:30-8pm about science of drinking water treatment (What the Eyes Don’t See).
c. CLEAR:
11. Call for Future Agenda Items
E. Abele called for reading International Panel on Climate Change report, AR6. Will plan to all read and
discuss at next meeting – report to be sent out after this meeting.
Think about speakers for future meetings: A. Patin suggests Dr. David O’Hara from Augustana University
in Sioux Falls who is head of Sustainability Efforts at the university.
Thoughts on in person vs. Zoom vs hybrid. Will continue with Zoom at this time.
12. Adjourn