HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2021_09_08City of Brookings
Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, September 8, 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.
Guests: Eric Witt, Lawrence Novotony
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda: E. Abele move, A. Patin Second
3. Approval of the Minutes: Motion R. Buterbaugh, A. Patin Second
4. Open Forum
Announcements: (also sent by email) for electric car event, and another local event
5. Water and Wastewater Systems, Brookings Municipal Utilities
Eric Witt: Engineering manager for BMU.
• Treated water from east well field (4 wells) and on well field on north side of town (5
active wells).
• Lime softening water treatment plant (Class 3 plant).
• Moved to monochloramine (chorine with ammonia) recently instead of free chorine to
decrease disinfectant byproducts, and lasts longer in systems.
• New water tower on 4th street; 6th street tower will be taken down once cellular
antennae can be moved.
• Water project coming: New water plant going in on north east across from Bel
Brands.
• Well field on north end of time will continue to stay in service, but will eliminate water
plant
• New lead and copper regulations coming in 2024. Service lines (from mains into
residences) only around 45 lead lines left. Looking for grant to switch out any lead
service lines
• With drought this year, have seen a little less reserve in our aquafers.
• Water restrictions this summer have been in place for lawn watering; some
pushback from residents and lawn irrigation system.
• There is a drive by program for seeing water use monthly – eventually moving to no
longer drive by and be on a more frequent monitoring.
• There is a premium on water use 3x above basic domestic use (2x price) – assumes
is lawn watering.
• Wastewater treatment plant is south of town. Class 4 Mechanical plant built in 1980
with recent update finishing 2015. Nitrifying treatment plant. Use activated sludge to
break down organic waste. Tertiary filtration, chlorination and dechlorinating.
Discharges to Big Sioux River. Eventually will have to denitrify (Phase 2 of
upgrade).
• Possible strategizing for decreasing water usage – less water dependent plants
6. Discussion and Action on Mayor’s Awards Applications
• Friends of the Community Garden: Sustainability Leadership/Innovative Best
Practices Award
• Parks and Recreation Department: Social/Quality of Life Award
• Move by B. Beer to award the above awards to the organizations above. A. Patin
second. Aye: all, Opposed: None
7. City Update
• Growing Sustainability Conference cancelled.
• Rain garden at the city office coming along
• Fast charging stations through grant – will be rescinding that request. Electrify
America is going to put in faster charging stations in South Dakota. Will be lobbying
for getting one – expected in 2022.
• New city engineer has started
• Will be presenting city budget at next meeting.
8. IPCC Report Discussion
• Climate change is unequivocally human caused
• Climate change scale and breadth is immense
• Climate change will affect Brookings
• Quick action is imperative to mitigating damage
• What can we do?
o Possibility of Vulnerability Assessment – E. Abele will check into expense
9. Updates/Reports from Subcommittees (abbreviated)
a. Marketing and Communication
b. Waste
c. Energy – Looking into meeting with BMU before next meeting to look at timeline on solar array, and
time of use.
d. Local Foods
10. Updates from Liaisons
a. Bicycle Committee
b. Human Rights Commission
c. CLEAR
11. Call for Future Agenda Items
12. Adjourn
Respectfully submitted: Emily Abele