Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes 4/5/2019

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9:00 – 10:00

S-1913 Student Services Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Mike M., Mike F., randy, Nate, Cliff, Tammy, Deanne, Kurt, Theresa, Kristi, Dave, Glenn, Mary, Mark

General Members present:  

Guests:

Announcements

Duluth Power Dialog: Energy Comedy & Conversation for a 100% Clean & Equitable Energy Minnesota moderated by the Theater of Public Policy, Tuesday April 9th, 5-7:00 PM at Zeitgeist, free event (contact: Randy)

Green New Deal Duluth Action Summit, Saturday, April 27th, 9:30-3:30 at AICHO – Keynote by Winona LaDuke

Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (UMACS) annual conference is Sept 27-28 at Carleton College in Northfield. Call for presentation proposals ends April 5th

Theresa’s annual plant sale is May 10th 

2019 AASHE Conference “Co-Creating a Sustainable Economy” – October 27-30 in Spokane, WA

Spring Extravaganza, U of M Extension with keynote Mark Seeley at Coppertop on April 13th at 10:00 (contact: Mary)

Nobel Conference 55 – Climate Changed: Facing our Future, September 24 & 25 at Gustavus

Ike’s monthly meeting, featuring speaker Dennis Anderson May 1st at 7:00 at LSC

New Business

Kristi brought FY20 Work Plan goals to the Council for planning consideration.  FY18 goals were reviewed (FY19 were not readily available).  The Council agreed to consider 3 goals (draft):

  1. Plan and propose multi-use paths, considering appropriate surface for maximum utility, for the north trail,
  2. Solidify the role of Living Labs at LSC, including our urban forest management (develop a management plan) and integration of these projects in classrooms and Distinction
  3. Align state and system-wide sustainability goals with our campus’ goals following Board of Trustees adoption of new system policies, and update LSC Sustainability webpages related to these new goals

LSC’s April 18th Earth Day planning continued. 

  • All events will run from 11:00-1:00.
  • Kristi offered a preview of the posters that will go up next week, as well as the intended media plan and webpage.
  • Council members signed up for Earth Day duties:
    • RSPT table host (Tammy, Kristi will pick up the supplies)
    • Bag It, Duluth + Recycle Mania/campus recycling info  (Kurt)
    • Campus clean up supplies station host (Mike)
    • E-EP demo hosts (Randy and Mike)
    • Sustainability Distinction table host w/ Duluth Invaders (Kristi)
    • Seedlings and seeds table host (Mary)
    • Handmade hummus table host (Deanne)
    • Maple Syrup and willow walking sticks (Dave and Tom G.)
    • Veggie prep (Kristi) and serving (Students – Student Life)

Mike and Randy gave an Eco-Ent program update.  Accreditation is almost complete.  Mike and Randy met with advisors this week.  The field site is drying, and contractors will be back to expand the greenhouse footprint and contour the pad for drainage soon.  The greenhouses have been ordered and should be here in about a month, and some installation needs will be communicated in late May.  A better timeline will be available by next meeting.

The CLA2 Living Labs Coordinator candidate interviews are next week.

The Sustainability Distinction website is up and we are accepting applications now.

The main (S-building) pollinator garden and H-building edible garden (outside labs) needs some spring pruning.  Kristi will have student employees start in on it, but will send out a call for volunteers in the next couple of weeks.

Mark reported there are no new details to share for the S-building entrance renovation, but it is happening.  Kristi has asked Grant to simply put the black plastic back in place for now.

Theresa noted she does not have any active Garden Club members to utilize the existing garden.  Randy offered to adopt the garden for future use. Kristi noted the space should be covered to keep the weeds at bay if there isn’t intent to use it this year.

Dave shared the City of Duluth’s interest in developing a mountain bike spur trail from campus to the Duluth Traverse next summer, but they would like an agreement with LSC to maintain the trail.  The trail falls on City property, so Kristi suggested we have further conversation about how the plan is laid out and proposed.  HPER and the Mountain Bike Club has shown interest in supporting this effort as well as improvement of the north trail.  Dave will continue to work on this project with internal and external stakeholders.

Old Business

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

Budget

FY 19 original budget: $8,450 FY 19 original budget: $8,450

Encumbrances to date:

  • Earth Day supplies: $300
  • Food Farm (carrots): $60
  • Cub Foods (Earth Day): $100
  • RSPT Annual Campus Dues: $330
  • Prairie Restorations (tansy treatment): $300
  • Menards: $200
  • ShelDon: $140.52
  • 4 Seasons Outdoor Svcs: $ 179
  • AASHE annual dues: $280
  • Printing: $22.22
  • Amazon (Hanging scale for Recyclemania): $49.95

Balance to-date: $6,488.11

Meeting adjourned, 10:00

Next Meeting

Next regular monthly meeting: Friday May 17th, 9:00 am

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 4/5/2019.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

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