HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2022_04_13City of Brookings
Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 4:00 PM Virtual
Sustainability Council Members: Emily Abele, VACANT, Cynthia Kunkel, Louis Hesler, Albert Patin, Bruce Pengra,
Robin Buterbaugh, Betty Beer, Samuel Krueger, Ben Vukovich, SDSU Student Representative Vacant.
City Staff: Jacob Meshke, Assistant City Manager, Paul Briseno.
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order by E. Abele.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved for approval: B. Beer Second: R. Buterbaugh
Aye: All Opposed: None
3. Approval of the Minutes
Moved: A. Patin Second: B. Beer
Aye: All Opposed: None
4.Read into Record Vote on expanding Sustainability council membership
E. Abele makes a motion to expand sustainability council membership from 11 to 12 members.
Second: S.Krueger
Ayes:B. Beer, A. Patin, B. Pengra, S. Krueger, E. Abele Opposed: Louis Hesler
No vote: Cynthia Kunkel, Robin Buterbaugh
5. Open Forum
No additional items.
6. Guest Speaker - Russell Halgerson, BMU Electric Service Manager
- BMU is looking to partner with Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) to create a
solar energy project located in Brookings.
- BMU would like to express their commitment to continual support of promoting
electric vehicle education and awareness.
- Discussed the possibility of partnering with BSC to create a ride and drive
event.
Comments by BSC members:
- Possibly look into partnering with industrial land owners in Brookings.
- Consider using grazing land as a potential site.
- How would community investment play into this project?
- Is there an incentive to get residents to purchase solar roof panels?
- Integrating pollinator habitats within solar fields.
- Available webinar on pertinent information available through
monarchjointventure.org
- This could be a good way for the sustainability council to begin to be involved
in the success of the project.
7. Sunrise Movement: Trisha Sharan, Blake Huska, and Naya Dwomoh.
- Presentation by Brookings High School student local leaders.
- Recent projects include:
- Community trash clean-up events.
- Upcycling and reuse DIY projects: tote bags, and art projects.
- Currently partnering with the BHS Environmental club.
- Looking to expand their reach beyond BHS.
- Discussion on a possible project related to electric transportation from Brookings to Sioux
Falls.
- Would like to be included in the mailing list for future meeting notifications.
8. City Update - J. Meshke, Assistant City Manager
-GIS spring cleanup tracker is up and running.
-Free dumping continues for city residents through April 30th.
-Strong Towns presentation by Charles Marohn was a success. The recorded
presentation is available on youtube.
-Brookings urban forestry initiative starts April 20th.
-Stormwater master plan community presentation will take place April 21st at
5:30-7:30 p.m. located at the city council chambers.
-20th street interchange project has started back up and is expected to be open mid
year 2023
-Municipal elections were a success and are complete.
Comment by R. Buterbaugh:
-Lawns to Legumes in MN is a similar project to the Brookings forestry initiative.
9. Discussion and Possible Action on 2022 Strategic Plan
-Comment and discussion on how the BSC can support the Brookings Food Co-op.
Motion to approve the 2022 Strategic Plan
Moved: B. Beer Second:R. Buterbaugh
Ayes: All Opposed: None
10. Discussion and Possible Action on sustainable materials purchase
-Discussion on table top brochures to promote sustainable practices within local
restaurants.
-$42 for 25 trifold color printed brochures 100 for $168
Motion to approve the use of ut to $200 for printing of trifold brochures.
Moved: R. Buterbaugh Second: B. Pengra
Aye: All Opposed: None
11. Review Climate Action Plan Research Findings and Possible Action
-Northfield report by R. Buterbaugh: The plan contained good benchmarks to follow.
-Dubuque report by B. Beer: Consider creating a city action plan along with a
community and business action plan.
Comments on the importance of including third party involvement e.g. consultants, and
community involvement within the action plan.
-What are the steps in moving towards getting a consultant?
-$100,000 baseline example (Dubuque)
-possibly use Dubuque as an example, and vote at a later meeting on
recommending that an action plan be added to the city budget.
12. Fabric Recycling Presentation
Agenda Item postponed due to lack of time.
13. Updates/Reports from Subcommittee
(Held off on Reports due to lack of time)
a.Marketing and Communication
b.Waste
c.Energy
d.Local Foods
12. Updates/Reports from Liaisons
(Held off on Reports due to lack of time)
a.Bicycle Committee
b.Human Rights Commission
c.CLEAR
13. Call for Future Agenda Items
-Consider meeting in person for future meetings.
-Talk about summer trips.
-June meeting: tour for wastewater treatment plant has been scheduled.
14. Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn
Moved: A. Patin Second: L. Hesler
Aye: All Opposed: None
Respectfully submitted, Samuel Krueger