HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCMinutes_2023_12_13City of Brookings
Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday,December 13,2023 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:L.Hesler Second:A.Shanks
Aye:All Opposed:None
3.Approval of the Minutes
Moved:A.Shanks Second:B.Beer
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.City Update
-Winter operations will kick off soon,training is ongoing.Updated winter plan to make
things more efficient.
-The BSC Mayors awards were given to Milbourne Seeds,Dakota Prairie Elementary,
and Kirsten Gjesdal.
-Kicking off downtown master plan with a public engagement meeting planned toward
the end of March.
-Prairie Hills trail phase one is complete:Medary to Sweet Grass,looking to
eventually connect to the Dakota nature park.
-Stormwater master plan was brought to the city for final approval.The city session
went well.Expecting approval in Jan.to approve the plan.New cost system -one
household equivalent to ERU.typically based on square footage -now moving
towards a model that accounts for the difference in permeability of surfaces.
6.2023/2024 Strategic Plan
(Additions to strategic plan)
Goal 1B:Collaborate with the city by attending community events
which support the goals of the BSC.
Goal 1C:Continue to support “No Mow May”by expanding the
reach and effectiveness of the program.Methods could include adding
the support of native plants to the program.
Goal 1E:Explore additional collaboration activities with
community partners.
Goal 2C:Host an educational booth at brookings farmers market
and other community markets.
Goal 3A:provide support to the cities local renewable energy
efforts,including support to the planned local solar energy project.
Goal 4C:identify and promote the methods which support the
city’s stormwater best practice manual.
7.Updates on the 2023/2024 Budget
-Seeds have been purchased.
-Registration for the sustainability conference is underway
(Reservations for 3 members from the BSC)
-Tote bags have been designed (K.Rath)150 quantities or up to
$200 dollars worth.
-Ordering 150 Now Mow May signs or up to $1,000 worth.
-Remaining budget is under $1,000
8.Presentation:Sustainability Council Reflection,Betty Beer
Early days of the BSC included figuring out what the council wanted to work on,one early
initiative was the benchmark projects -details can be found on the city website.Two big
things that came from early research showed that about 20%of the brookings population
was in poverty.The cheese factory was a key factor that brought up the wages.Affordable
housing is another issue that arose.Patty Bacon was one of the individuals who took up the
challenges of addressing this problem.Early on the BSC challenged the community to city
departments to think of ways to become more sustainable.Convince people that the BSC
was more than “tree huggers”:focused on energy,green building,but not necessarily LEED
certified,Norma Chandler was very influential in spearheading these efforts.Encouraged
biking and supported the creation of new bike trails within the city.Activity with the brookings
landfill has always been active and beneficial for all parties involved.Various activities with
the city have included art contests,booths and the Brookings Arts Festival,rain barrel
giveaways,collaborated with the ReStore,McCrory Gardens,SDSU and other local efforts
within the city to support sustainability.Supported BMU.Recent initiatives have included but
are not limited to a change in the city ordinances to allow beekeeping within city limits.No
Mow May has been a great success,the creation of a city rain garden,and the ongoing Food
Forest Project.For a more detailed report,please reach out to Betty Beer.
9.Discussion &Action on 2024 Leadership Positions
E.Abele will not be returning as the chair for 2024.A.Patin is happy to stay on as vice chair.
Motion to appoint A.Shanks as the new Chair for BSC,and appoint A.Patin as the vice
chair,and S.Krueger as the minutes-taker with K.Rath as backup.
Moved:G.Bolwerk Second:A.Shanks
Aye:All Opposed:None
10.Updates/Reports from Subcommittee
a.Marketing and Communication:Motion to approve the spending of up to $1000 for
150 tote bags.
Moved:K.Rath Second:A.Patin
Aye:All Opposed:None
b.Climate Action Plan:As the new chair A.Shanks is requesting that B.Pengra would
take the lead on the further initiatives regarding the climate action plan.
c.Waste:A.Patin.
d.Energy:Looking to implement energy efficient brochures for appliances in places of
business related to BMU rebates.
e.Local Foods:No Updates
11.Updates from Liaisons
a.Parks and Recreation Board:No Updates
b.Human Rights Commission:Lawrence Novotny is stepping down from his position
on the Human Rights Commission after 20 years of serving on the board.
12.Call for Future Agenda Items
-None
13.Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn
Moved:G.Bolwerk Second:B.Beer
Aye:All Opposed:None
Respectfully submitted,Samuel Krueger