HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2023_11_08City of Brookings
Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday,November 8,2023 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 E.Abele
2.Approval of the Agenda
Moved:B.Pengra Second:B.Beer
Aye:All Opposed:None
3.Approval of the Minutes
Moved:A.Patin Second:R.Buterbaugh
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.
-Introductions and welcome to Valentyna Stopul who has been nominated by the BSC as
the SDSU Student Representative,but has not yet been confirmed by the City Council.
-B.Beer talked about an app “Too Good To Go”in 17 countries to help eliminate food
waste.The Pheasant in Brookings is interested in participating,and might be able to
expand to other restaurants.
5.City Update
-Mayors Awards:Wednesday 6,5:00-8:00 pm.Dacotah Bank Center.Please get
RSVPs in ASAP.
-Food Forest -no updates.
-New cameras up around the city for snow removal maintenance.
-SDSU Landscape Architecture department is looking at partnering with the city Parks
dept.on projects but nothing has been solidified at this point.
6.Stormwater Best Practices Program Discussion -Lora Perkins &
Charlie Richter
As of now the focus is on rain barrels and native plants.Cost of rain
barrels could potentially be reduced by %50.Look into the SDSU
extension project on rain barrels.Consider bringing in BMU as it would
include water conservation.
A.Shanks:Feedback from the community indicated a misperception
that rain barrels are prohibited by the city,this could be addressed
through community education:PR campaign.
R.Buterbaugh:The Native Plants Initiative (NPI)can’t compete with
local greenhouses.Look at creating an initiative similar to the current
tree planting initiative within the city.The NPI is currently partnering with
a couple local greenhouses at this time,and there is potential to
increase that partnership as a way to get more native plants in the
community greenhouses.
A Patin:precedent studies to look at emailed to Samantha Beckamn for
distro.
Final thoughts:budget money for quality rain barrels (minimum 55
gallons),think about PR campaigns outside of social media.Look at
small yard signs,set up a meeting with Laura (R.Buterbaugh)
7.Updates on chair position for the BSC.
-Will vote next meeting on the chair position.(A.Shanks has
shown interest in the position)
-B.Beer and G.Bolwerk last meeting next month.Warm send-off
for her long commitment to the BSC.
8.Budget Priority 2023
E.Abele:
Seeds were ordered off of amazon $20/20 packs.$2.25 per pack for customized packs -250
minimum order.
Table skirt can be altered to fit the table better,table clips are another option.
Sustainability conference,April 23-24,Dubuque IA.Determine individuals who will be going.
(Interested individuals:E.Abele,K.Rath,S.Krueger)
-Budget:$3,709 to spend this year
-Purchase 150 No Mow May signs ($1,000 rounded up)
-$0.84 per pack for 500 seed packets ($420)
-200 reusable bags customized ($800)
-Registration for three people to attend conference ($770)
-Remaining balance:$719
Motion to pass budgetary spending up to the amounts listed.
Moved:B.Pengra Second:G.Bolwerk
Aye:All Opposed:None
9.Updates/Reports from Subcommittee
a.Marketing and Communication:N/A
b.Climate Action Plan:N/A
c.Waste:A.Patin.Solid waste master plan has been implemented regarding fencing.
Landfill waste could be updated in the future.
d.Energy:A.Shanks look at promoting solar energy project.
e.Local Foods:R.Buterbaugh:look at the site north of the community gardens for a
potential site for the Food Forest.B.Beer:wondering about any updates on Food
Co-op.Still in the works.
10.Updates from Liaisons
a.Parks and Recreation Board:N/A
b.Human Rights Commission:N/A
11.Call for Future Agenda Items
-Finalize Budget
-Finalize strategic plan
-Going-away celebration for b.Beer and G.Bolwerk.
-Vote for BSC chair
-B.Beer short review on the BSC
12.Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn
Moved:A.Shanks Second:B.Beer
Aye:All Opposed:None
Respectfully submitted,Samuel Krueger