HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2023_05_10City of Brookings
Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday,May 10,2023 4:00 PM City &County Government Hall Room 300
Sustainability Council Members:Bruce Pengra,Cynthia Kunkel,Kyle Jamison,Louis Hesler,Albert
Patin,Samuel Krueger,Anthony Shanks,Robin Buterbaugh,Betty Beer,Emily Abele,Kiley Rath,and
SDSU Student Representative Gabrielle Bolwerk.City Staff:Jacob Meshke Deputy City Manager.
1.Call to Order
Meeting called to order by E.Abele
2.Approval of the Agenda
Moved:L.Hesler
Second:B.Pengra
Aye:All Opposed:None
3.Approval of the Minutes
Moved:G.Bolwerk Second:B.Pengra
Aye:All Opposed:None
4.Open Forum
At this time,any member of the public may request time on the agenda for an item
not listed.Items are not typically scheduled for the end of the meeting;however,very
brief announcements of invitations will be allowed at this time.
5.Prairie Seeding Planting Kits –Mia Werger
-A small-scale approach to habitat restoration:Gardening with
Native plants -tall grass prairie:within our region it is located
primarily in the eastern side of the dakotas.Most of this land has
been turned into agricultural and farmland.
-Benefits of Prairie Gardens:habitat,soil,water,climate,saves
money by eliminating the need for pesticides,and creates a
sense of place.
-Tactic:DIY Prairie Restoration Kit
-Signs,seed packets,brochures
-Partnered with the Sioux Falls Sustainability coordinator to
provide kits for purchase (currently covers roughly a 10’x10’plot)
-Looking to introduce this concept into Brookings.
6.City Update
J.Meshke:
-Renewed charging station for addition three years
-Road work and construction continues in Brookings -check the
Brookings city website for details and updates.
-Arbor day event went well,handed out 500 trees,and two
donated trees were planted in pioneer park.The Urban Forest
Initiative is underway (vouchers are currently out)
-Spring cleanup is complete and went well.
-The city is looking into creating a plan for recycling batteries.
A.Patin
-Ongoing work to update the solid waste master plan.
-Next open session will be June 1st
7.Read No Mow May Sign Purchase Email Vote into the Record
E.Abele made a motion to print 50 more signs for the No Mow May Initiative,seconded by
A.Patin.
Ayes:S.Krueger,B.Pengra,G.Bolwerk,R.Buterbaugh,A.Shanks,C.Kunkel,K.Rath,B.
Beer
Opposed:None
Abstained:L.Hesler
8.Discussion and Possible Action on Mayor’s Awards Application
E.Abele:no applications were received last year.
-Updated new application form,broken down into three
categories with a simple format designed for applicants to select
options and fill in answers.
-Current emphasis is on environmental and energy sustainability.
-Will be made available on the city website,and promoted via a
press release
Motion to approve the new and updated sustainability awards
nomination format.
Moved:S.Krueger Second:G.Bolwerk
Aye:All Opposed:None
9.Discussion and Possible Action on Virtual Meeting Option
E.Abele:looking into creating the option for virtual meetings.Due to summer plans
hindering current members from attending all the meetings.
Feedback from the BSC members:Do not want this to be a primary means to conduct the
future meetings,rather it would be used only as an alternative option available upon request
by BSC members who are not otherwise able to attend.
Moved:B.Pengra Second:A.Patin
Aye:All Opposed:None
10.Garden Discovery Event
R.Buterbaugh
-May 21st at McCrory gardens from 1:00 -5:00 (set up 12:00)
-Seed packets and banner are ready
-Will send out an email reminder
-Will bring a No Mow May sign to display
11.Earth Day Event
E.Abele
-Earth Day Event went successful at the SDSU campus Union
12.Growing Sustainable Communities Conference Update
Growing sustainability conference:moved from October to April.The BSC will not be
sending anyone this year
13.Budget Update
-The BSC has spent roughly $1,265 on the signs for No Mow May
-Looking for recommendations on how to spend the remaining budget
-Still have roughly $4,000
-Are there other conferences /training to replace the Growing Sustainability
Conference for this year?
14.Updates/Reports from Subcommittee
a.Marketing and Communication
G.Bolwerk:Continued excitement from the community regarding No Mow May
Initiative.
b.Climate Action Plan
A.Shanks:Looking to secure funding
B.Pengra:Looking into grants
c.Waste:Open forum will take place on June 1st,addressing e-waste questions
d.Energy:No updates
e.Local Foods:R.Buterbaugh:Good news for the Community food forest:soil tests
returned and look good:suitable for planting.Initial site analysis done,amenities,
access,etc.potential design underway,enough room for 45-50 trees,areas for
mulch,and understory plantings,looking into creating design charrettes and public
engagement on design input and planting suggestions.Looking at precedents that
also incorporate art,and native context.Looking into signage,GIS maps,plant
identification and information resources.Potential for natural playground
incorporation:would require additional grants and planning.Initial paths for the food
forest would be mowed grass,but could be improved upon over time.Next steps will
be to get together with partners to get input and ideas going forward.Will be looking
into grants for trees,however may wait till next spring to plant.
15.Updates from Liaisons
a.Parks and Recreation Board:No Updates
b.Human Rights Commission:No Updates
16.Call for Future Agenda Items
-Nominations for sustainability awards
-Budget discussion
17.Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn
Moved:B.Pengra Second:E.Abele
Aye:All Opposed:None
Respectfully submitted,Samuel Krueger