HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2021_12_08Brookings Sustainability Council Minutes
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 4:00 PM Virtual
Sustainability Council Members: Darcy Green, VACANT, Ben Vukovich, Louis Hesler, Albert Patin, Norma Nusz
Chandler, Jennifer McLaughlin, Robin Buterbaugh, Betty Beer, Emily Abele, and SDSU Student Representative
Samuel Krueger. City Staff: Jacob Meshke, Assistant City Manager.
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda
Add fabric and textile recycling to agenda
Moved for approval: L. Hesler Second: A. Patin
Aye: All Opposed: None
3. Approval of the Minutes –
Moved: R. Butterbaugh Second: A. Patin
Aye: All Opposed: None
4. Open Forum – no additions
5. Guest Speaker – Jeremy Linstad, Street Manager
Street department now a part of department of works
13 full time staff in department
Teams up with solid waste division and parks and rec
Will be tracking all vehicles for safety and decreased vehicle idle time (Verizon connect
system)
Getting new road sensor technology (6th st, and Main St) to help use salt/sand – typically
use premixed salt and sand 65/35% respectively. Considering wetting the salt/sand on
application. Ideally will do a little higher salt.
Use of predictive models to better use salt vs. sand
Stormwater collaboration with storm division: Doing sweeping operations more – adding
plug in hybrid version
Manages drainage ponds – to keep clean. Clean all inlets after any storms.
Mosquito control: Did not need last year due to drought. Determine when to use by trap
counts. Target the adults when pollinators not as active.
6. City Update
- Charging station at City hall: Since January 1, 2021: 188 different users, use for about
490 hours
- Brookings Municipal Utilities exploring options for Level 3 charging near interstate.
- Meeting with Sioux Falls Sustainability Chair: Discussed climate action plan. Mostly doing
in house. Did not have consulting help. Have option of touring electronics recycling
location. Sioux Falls working on switching over to electric vehicles. They are working on
getting some greenhouse gas targets. Working on converting facilities to electric from fossil
fuel based.
- Storm water master plan is getting underway. Will be having open houses going forward.
Working on floodplain development standards.
- Working on taking on housing studies in the near future to explore the middle options
(condos, triplex, townhouses, etc.). Challenging to grow our city with the floodplain.
- Interchange project going well – going with a local company.
7. Mayor’s Awards Recap: J. McLaughlin reviewed
8. Election of Officers
Chair: E. Abele volunteered. Nomination by: R. Buterbaugh Second: A. Patin
Ayes: All Opposed: None
Vice-Chair: A. Patin volunteered. Nomination by: R. Buterbaugh Second: A. Patin
Ayes: All Opposed: None
Minutes taker: S. Krueger volunteered. Nomination by: R. Buterbaugh Second: A.
Patin
Ayes: All Opposed: None
Liaison discussion deferred to 2022.
9. Rain Garden Signage
- Estimate from a couple places local ~$200 – looking into a couple other options. Non-
local option about $2000.
- Will defer official budget decision until 2022 when final cost is determined.
10. 2021 Budget Review
- Have most of budget accounted for.
- $1600 Brookings Register Ads
- $1500 Waste reduction
- $250 Water event
11. 2022 Initiatives
Brainstorming for coming year initiatives:
- Education on climate change/Talking about reducing stigmas from talking about
environmental topics
- Working on strategies for and actual climate action plan as a large group and in
subcommittees
- Tours for electronic recycling in Sioux Falls for ideas on how to implement similar
- Ongoing communication via social media, etc.
- Sustainability awards – put out earlier to help have more incentive for receiving award
- Work with parks board about other community garden options
- Continue to work with BMU on ways to support the city on renewable energy
- Charging station infrastructure in our city; supporting EVs and hybrids to city fleet.
- EV event: test drive and ask questions of owners
- Think about waste restaurant oil disposal
- Think about plan for composting (state does not have regulations, so cannot do
otherwise); maybe use of grocery store waste (appropriate)
- Provide recommendations for city buildings for sustainability purposes – N. Nusz-Chandler
states that utilizing LEED building practices are desirable, but getting actual LEED
certification is extra expense.
12. Fabric and textile recycling
- Report from a place in Wisconsin. Reach out to Goodwill to see if they use any sources
for fabric recycling.
- Put together a quick report for the City. A. Patin (Waste subcommittee) will take on
13. Updates/Reports from Subcommittees
a. Marketing and Communication: Ads coming soon.
b. Waste
c. Energy: Ad coming soon.
d. Local Foods
14. Updates from Liaisons
a. Bicycle Committee
b. Human Rights Commission: Purchasing diversity signs soon. Library hosting Black History Month
celebration upcoming.
c. CLEAR
15. Call for Future Agenda Items
16. Adjourn
Respectfully submitted: E. Abele