HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2023_10_11City of Brookings
Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday,October 11,2023 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,
Samantha Beckman Assistant to the City Manager.
1.Call to Order
Meeting called to order by A.Patin
2.Approval of the Agenda
Moved:A.Shanks Second:B.Pengra
Aye:All Opposed:None
3.Approval of the Minutes
Moved:S.Krueger Second:A.Shanks
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.
R.Buterbaugh:Presentation of current research.
5.Speaker:Solar Update -MRES/BMU
a.Tim Blodgett.Missouri river energy services
MRES /WMMPA:serving approximately 330,000 people.Formed in 1965.Supplying
55%of members power needs.45%renewable power supply 73%carbon-free power
supply.(average of the prior three years)creating a cleaner energy future.Currently in
Brookings energy supply is coming primarily from Solar and Hydro plants:31%is solar,32%
is hydro.
Property location
75 acres,north-east edge of town.
Siting study
Within a 2-mile radius of the distro substation,above the 100-year flood
evaluation.
Project summary
Going to be a 5MW AC solar project:estimated annual generation of 10,995
MWh,expected to be operational for 30+years,estimated cost $20M.
Current state:
a.Conceptual design
b.Site grading
c.Easement acquisition
d.Routing study
e.Grant funding
Next steps:
a.Permitting
b.Details
c.Project interconnection studies
d.Contracting
e.COD Q1 2025
Will be presenting to the city council Tuesday,October 24th.
Nick Fanning:project manager for the Brookings Solar Project
-G.Bolwerk asked a question about the potential for dual habitat use of solar
farmland.
-Fanning replied and explained that conversations about pollinator habitat,and
the potential for such an opportunity have been brought up,another option
would include possible grazing land for livestock,these ideas have been
explored and will continue to be explored as the project progresses.
As of now,the public support for the project has been substantial and the discussions
surrounding the project have been received in a positive manner.Always ready to
communicate with the community,and eager to address any questions or concerns,and the
project moves forward.
Russ Halgerson:Electric manager at BMU
A.Shanks asked how this might affect electric bills,and would that be
communicated to the public?
Nothing has been set in place,but the BMU is eager to explore marketing
options with the BSC as a way to create an effective campaign.
6.City Update
Samantha Beckman:
-7%of the city land that is currently mowed is under the No Mow
May ordinance
-Updates to fire department
-City council adopted the updated solid waste master plan.Currently focusing on route
optimization study,and fees.
-Running into complications with the BMU regarding the Urban Food Forest,and site
selection.
7.2023/2024 Strategic Plan -Accomplished/Future Objectives
E.Abele:1.2023 BSC Strategic Plan:Goals met /updates
Outreach and education:
Mayors awards have been submitted
Adds regarding No Mow May,Presentations,Garden Discovery festival,SDSU Earth
day event.(add in a note for 2024 to participate in community events to support the goals of
BSC)
Continue to promote No Mow May,Stormwater master plan,and pollinator habitat
incentives,and local plants planting initiatives
Foods
(Update)Participate /partner with the local Brookings Farmers Market a
minimum of once a year.
Energy
(Update)support for proposed Brookings solar energy plans.
Waste
Remove fabrics waste initiative.
8.Discussion on Budget Priority 2023
-Use excess from the 2023 budget to purchase tickets for the sustainability summit
conference in Iowa.(Early bird Price $255 per person)with hotel and transportation
expenses.Total:2,01
-Purchase updated event table items.Total:500
-Purchase promotional event giveaway items (Reusable Packable bags,seed
packets)Total:500
-Print more No Mow May signs for next spring:Total:650
Motion to approve rough draft of budgetary spending outlined above:
Moved:A.Patin Second:A.Shanks
Aye:All Opposed:None
9.Sustainability Chair Update
E.Abele is looking to step down from Chair at the end of the year.
10.Updates/Reports from Subcommittee
a.Marketing and Communication:N/A
b.Climate Action Plan:N/A
c.Waste:N/A
d.Energy:N/A
e.Local Foods:N/A
11.Updates from Liaisons
a.Parks Commission:N/A
b.Human Rights Commission:N/A
c.CLEAR:N/A
13.Call for Future Agenda Items
-Budget details
-Laura from SDSU
-Charly city engineer
4.Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn
Moved:A.Shanks Second:L.Hesler
Aye:All Opposed:None
Respectfully submitted,Samuel Krueger