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Home My WebLink AboutSCMinutes_2024_05_08City of Brookings Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday,May 8,2024 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,Emily Abele,Kiley Rath,and SDSU Student Representative Valentyna Stopul.City Staff:Samantha Beckman Assistant to the City Manager. 1.Call to Order Meeting called to order by A.Shanks 2.Approval of the Agenda Moved:B.Pengra Second:E.Abele Aye:All Opposed:None 3.Approval of the Minutes Moved:L.Hesler Second:K.Rath 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 No Mow May:Sufficient signs in storage and entryways. ●Storm Shelter:City/County Building designated for severe weather. ●Spring Bulky Item Pickup:Collected 756,000 lbs,13%less than last year. ●Public Works: ●Asphalt Maintenance:Bids 17%below estimate,focusing on improved specifications. ●32nd Ave Detention Basin:Hydrodynamic separator installed for stormwater quality. ●Six-Mile Creek Study:Public engagement on May 20th for mitigation options and grants. ●Stormwater Incentives:53 barrels sold,12 vouchers remaining. ●Parks: ●Golf Course Water Sourcing ongoing. ●$500k Grant:State visit for potential playground funding. ●McCrory Gardens:Considering future food forest. ●Urban Forest Initiative:$30k investment;check fund availability. ●Turf Tank:Arrived for efficient field painting. ●McClemans Park:Cleanup completed,plans for pollinator area with Pheasants Forever. 6.Brookings High School Composting Presentation The presentation "Sustainable Food -Food Waste"by Yuki Z and Lada Senchanka highlights the massive issue of food waste in the United States,which discards nearly 120 billion pounds of food annually.This waste produces significant methane emissions, equivalent to the output of 32.6 million cars,exacerbating climate change.Remarkably, recovering just half of this wasted food could provide three daily meals to every hungry person in the country. Financially,the U.S.loses over $444 billion worth of food each year,equating to almost 40%of all food produced.Greenhouse gas emissions from food waste have surged by over 300%in the last 50 years and are projected to increase another 400%by mid-century if current trends continue.Food waste occurs in various settings,including schools,homes, and hospitals,where substantial amounts of food are discarded daily. The project partnered with local organizations and schools to combat food waste by promoting composting.This initiative aimed to educate younger kids and teens,providing practical steps to start composting.Composting reduces landfill waste,enhances soil quality,and conserves landfill space,offering a valuable environmental protection tool. Key achievements include educating 50 students on composting and engaging with different audiences: ●April 9:Presented to 25 third graders at Hillcrest Elementary School,who showed great enthusiasm for composting activities. ●April 11:Addressed 15 members of the school's environmental club,inspiring them to star t their own food waste reduction projects. ●April 12:Engaged 20 high school students,with over 90%expressing a strong interest in composting. The project successfully reached its goals,with 95%of participants learning about composting and 80%likely to start composting at home.Over 90%of participants expressed a desire to continue supporting food waste reduction efforts beyond the project's duration,demonstrating the initiative's positive impact and potential for long-term change 7.Sustainability Conference presentation -Kiley/Samuel The Growing Sustainable Communities Conference in Dubuque,Iowa, highlighted crucial strategies and initiatives for fostering sustainable communities.Key takeaways include: 1.Engagement and Enthusiasm:Merely engaging the community isn't enough;it's essential to foster enthusiasm to drive meaningful participation and action. 2.Climate Ambassador Program:The introduction of the "Climate Resilience Corps" showcases the importance of having dedicated volunteers year-round to support climate initiatives and community resilience. 3.Community and Art:Incorporating local artists into community projects can enhance the aesthetic appeal of spaces and make them more inviting for residents. 4.Participation and Mascots:The addition of a mascot significantly increased participation,highlighting the effectiveness of creative approaches in community engagement.A bee mascot was suggested to align with environmental initiatives like "No Mow May"and Bee City. 5.Marketing Tools:Various tools such as web banners,stickers,and water bill inserts were recommended for promoting sustainability initiatives.Stickers were particularly popular giveaways. 6.Sign-Up Platforms:Utilizing online platforms like SignUpGenius or Google Forms simplifies the process of organizing and managing community participation. 7.Climate Action Plan:Referring to established climate action plans can provide valuable guidance for local communities.Meredith Herr's plan,accessible through Climate Access,is a notable resource. 8.Incentives and Promotional Materials:Offering incentives like good food and monetary rewards can attract more participants.Vibrant colors in promotional materials help capture attention. 9.Communication Strategies:Clear and simple messaging is crucial for effectively conveying sustainability concepts to the general public. 10.Mowing to Monarchs (M2M)Program:This initiative,led by local organizations,aims to educate homeowners on incorporating native plants into their yards to support pollinators.It offers workshops,coaching,and funding for native plantings,aligning with broader community sustainability goals. 11.Affordable Housing,ADUs,and Sustainable Communities:Promoting accessory dwelling units (ADUs)as a means to address affordable housing issues while fostering sustainability and community building.ADUs offer various benefits, including efficient land use,reduced environmental impact,enhanced affordability, strengthened communities,resource sharing,and community resilience. 8.Garden Discovery Planning (May 19) McCrory Gardens 1:30-4:30,inside on the west wall.Rain barrel presentation will also take place at the festival.Roster will be sent out to volunteers. 9.Downtown at Sundown Planning (August 29 ) Parks and Rec.Department will be heading up this event and the BSC will be helping with seed-balls.Sustainability will be the theme for the children's area.Still open to more and new ideas for the event. 10.Grant Projects Discussion Solar bench project 11.Discussion &Action on Mission Statement Update a.Proposed Language:To champion sustainability in the heart of Brookings,our council unites volunteers,businesses,and residents.We're committed to creating a resilient and ecologically-conscious community,fostering environmental,social,and economic well-being.Through education,innovation,and collaborative action,we strive for a greener, healthier,and more equitable future.Join us in building a legacy of sustainability that reflects our pride in the City of Brookings and inspires communities far beyond. 12.Updates/Reports from Subcommittees a.Marketing and Communication:Sent email about recapping B.Beers report on the last 10 years of the BSC.will be posted at the end of May. b.Climate Action Plan:No Updates c.Waste:A.Patin is looking at taking on a project to do some follow up with local waste and recycling facilities to get more information on the percentage of waste actually being recycled and what that process looks like at the local level.Finding statistics and getting more public visibility on the statistics of recycling within the city. d.Energy:No Updates e.Local Foods:Timeline:This Fall the BSC is looking to apply for grants,with planting to take place in the spring.The amount of plants for planting will depend on the funding that becomes available.Signage right off of the Hwy-14 bypass.Clear separation from the community gardens and food forest.Looking into regulations of DOT for potential signage.Look at improving the south entrance off of Hwy-14 bypass.Additional signage along the garden roads to point people in the right direction as well as a small kiosk for educational /promotional material.Is fencing necessary?Or perhaps a planted hedge? Picnic Shelter?Rough estimates for signage would be over $1,000 for a nice sign of adequate size.Additional plant ID signs would be included throughout the Food Forest. Looking to plan a public engagement meeting to get community engagement and feedback as a way to align with the city goals,needs,and desires.Collect initial thoughts,and later on present some concept designs and continue to get public comments and feedback. 14.Updates from Liaisons a.Parks and Recreation Board:No Updates b.Human Rights Commission Liaison:No Updates Possibly add new Liaisons from the Historic Preservation Commission,and the Planning Commission.S.Krueger and K.Jamison. 12.Call for Future Agenda Items -Bee City -Review subcommittee and liaison positions. 13.Adjourn Motion to Adjourn Moved:E.Abele Second:B.Pengra Aye:All Opposed:None Respectfully submitted,Samuel Krueger