Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Meeting Minutes 2/6/2015

10:00 – 11:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Glenn Merrick, Kristi Heintz, Mike Francisco, Theresa Hornstein, Deanne Roquet, Wade Gordon, Jane Marynik

General Members present:

Guest Present:

Announcements

New Business

Heather attended to discuss 2015 Earth Day plans. We’ll hold the LSC Earth Day Celebration on April 22^nd with a focus on Climate Change and its impact on food. Theresa and Deanne shared EPA’s willingness to send a representative to speak and also provide assistance at career themed events. They will check on EPA’s ability to speak to the Climate Change theme on April 22^nd. Kristi will talk with Bruce about possibly offering a special “Earth Day menu”, focused on meatless options. We could also show the documentary series, Years of Living Dangerously in the Student Lounge.

A working committee will meet in mid-February to discuss planning further; Kristi will send a calendar request to everyone for that meeting.

Kristi gave a brief Composting Pilot update. Mel is weighing the compostable in the bin daily. Kristi will meet with Susie from WLSSD next week Wednesday. Wade requested that we discuss responsibility for unwanted dumping and ask how the program has been received in different neighborhoods.

Bruce requested larger compost bags for the Café, Mike motioned to spend about $30 on a box of compost bags, Deanne seconded, motion carried unopposed.

The RFP for 2015 UMACS Regional Conference in Bemidji is out and due February 13^th. This year’s these should focus on “healthy planet = healthy people, campuses, and community”.   Kristi will send the email from UMACS to meeting attendees. Send suggestions to Kristi asap.

Kristi has posted a position on the LSC student employment page for an additional Student Employee for design of informational/educational signage related to our landscape and raingardens, student senate legacy garden liaison and spring outside work. This person may also work on the SWCD stormwater BMP project.

Glenn contacted SWCD to find out if they had any stormwater-related grant monies available. They do, and we’ll receive an $8,000 Clean Water Partnership grant, which the Council and groundskeeping team will use to install a new rain garden at the lower parking lot exit.

The Council discussed a need to bring in some fresh ideas and representation from other divisions. The Council will hold and advertise an open meeting, with a focus on introducing the Sustainability Council’s role on campus, during times of “hands-on” project needs a couple of times per year. We’ll hold an afternoon meeting, the first in Feb-March for Earth Day planning and landscape input and then perhaps at the beginning of fall semester. All current members are encouraged to bring a friend to that meeting!

Ongoing Business

Sustainability related purchasing and use policies and procedures will be discussed at the March meeting.

Old Business

The Council discussed the third draft of the= purchasing and use policies and related procedures . Kristi will meet with James to see if he agrees with changes we made. Next step may include a mid-winter duty day break out session, where anyone interested can provide feedback. From there, the policies/procedures will be forwarded to the LSC Policy Committee in April for larger campus review.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

Policy and Procedure: employee reminders, education, and training needs (printing, recycling, supplies, computers, small appliance)

Carol, Kristi, Mel, Wade

Sustainability Reporting/Benchmarking: GGI, ACUPCC, MnSCU Sustainability Reporting, Superior Compact, B3, publicizing info

*Kristi, Aaron, Deanne, Bruce

Grants and Awards: Pre-grant drafts and collaboration with grant office on potential opportunities

                *Deanne, Kristi, Wade

Landscape Planning: annual flower planting, rainwater harvesting, no-mow areas, rooftop gardening

*Kristi, Mike, Aaron, Theresa, maintenance rep, Wade

Sustainability in Curriculum

*Theresa, Aaron, Kristi, Deanne, Glenn, Dick

-updates from Mel and Jane

-Garden Club update (Neldon, Aaron)

Budget                                                                                                                                                                    

FY15 Budget: $8,500

Encumbrances to date:

MN Waste Wise membership 2014-2015: -$150

Boreal Natives-Swale/Ditch project: -$5,735

Airpark Disability Services (plastic bag recycling): -$208

Dan’s Feedbin: -$200

Menards: -$200

AASHE: -$280

IOS (footrests): -$263.20

Amazon (footrests): -$123

Eden Brothers (S-bldg wildflower seed): -$300

SWCD for RSPT annual dues: -$300

Anticipated Travel for UW Madison Earth Day conference: -$400

BALANCE as of today: $340.47

FY14-15 potential budget items

• LSC Earth Day costs
• Concourse lighting signage
• Ditch/swale/raingarden info signs
• Additional bike rack for main entrance
• Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
• Parking lot/rain garden info signs
• Sustainability kiosk
• MnSCU Sustainability Across Curriculum workshop host costs

Next Meeting

Next regular meeting March 6^th at 10:00 in Student Life Conference Room.

Notes submitted to SC blog and LSC Employee Portal>Committees by Kristi Heintz