HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2021_10_13City of Brookings Sustainability Council
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 13, 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.
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda
Motion: N. Nusz Chandler Second: E. Abele
3. Approval of the Minutes
Motion: A. Patin Second: B. Vukovich
4. Open Forum
5. Guest Speaker – David O’Hara
Augustana Sustainability:
- Employing students
- Water on campus
- Outdoor classroom project
- Environmental Studies major: students “own the landscape”, apple orchard, prairie,
vegetable garden (30-40k meals per year), beehives between the 3 gardens
- Using UN sustainability goals
Off campus partnerships:
- Butterfly house: Coral propagation and butterflies
- Local businesses: eg. Working with Smithfield to help with partial bioremediation of
Big Sioux River
- Itzah people in Guatemala: business development for those people through Rotary
Clubs in New York and Denver
Sioux Falls Sustainability Council
- Holly Meyer: Head of sustainability council.
- Working on sustainability and climate action plan.
6. City Update
- Wrapping up budget project
- Adding 2 dispatchers for 911 responders
- Food pantry project: Got grant, so will be building new one
- Yard waste collection will end of November
- Household hazardous waste collection: 250 cars participated in first annual
(maybe semi-annual) event
- Rain garden finishing up in mid-late October
7. Membership Update
- B. Kratz resigns due to moving out of Brookings. Will be looking to fill her position
- N. Nusz-Chandler and J. McLaughlin stepping away at the end of the year
8. Discussion and Possible Action on 2021 Budget
- Sponsorship of water event ($300-400): Moved: A. Patin Second: B. Vukovich
- Reduce waste signs/drink placards for community: A. Patin getting quote
- Ads for Brookings Register ($1599): Moved: B. Vukovich Second: N. Nusz-
Chandler
- Considered survey assessing community engagement will defer until after talking
with Sioux Falls sustainability council
9. Mayor’s Awards Event Update
- Event postponed to December 2 5-8pm at Swiftel Center
10. Updates/Reports from Subcommittees
a. Marketing and Communication: Nothing to report; need ideas for social media posts (maybe energy
related)
b. Waste: Nothing to report
c. Energy: Planning meeting for next week hopefully with BMU
d. Local Foods: Nothing to report
11. Updates from Liaisons
a. Bicycle Committee: Nothing to report
b. Human Rights Commission: Water panel tonight at 6:30.
c. CLEAR: N/A
12. Call for Future Agenda Items
- Possible guest speaker/topics for conversation from Sioux Falls Sustainability
Council Head
- High School students starting Sunrise Movement in Brookings
13. Adjourn
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Abele