Sustainability Council meeting minutes 12/13/19

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S111 Student Services Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Mike M, Jenna, Theresa, Mark, Connie, Kevin, Nate, Tim, Mike F, Cliff, Glenn, Deanne, Kristi

General Members present:

Guests:

 

Announcements

The next Isaak Walton League meeting, Wednesday December 18th at 7:00, “A Window to the Wild” will Showcase Ryan Pennesi, a trained wildlife biologist and educator now professional photographer.  He’ll discuss his use of trail cameras to study wildlife in remote areas.  Monthly Ikes meetings are at LSC in S260.

 

New Business

A Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) grant for Lawns to Legumes community demonstration sites is now open and offers $20-$40K reimbursement for plantings.  There is also a residential opportunity for a $350 cost-share; information on the Blue Thumb website.  Randy and Kristi are exploring opportunities and potential partnership for the community grant.

 

Connie offered an update on the Food service RFP process and timeline.  Vendor proposals are due January 10th, a tour for interested vendors will be December 20th and proposal reviews and vendor meetings will happen January 21-24.  Anyone is welcome to join those tours or meetings, contact Connie if you have not already.  Mike also shared that we have already received interest from four vendors.

 

Kristi brought the food service survey results to the Council for broad review and first feedback.  Kristi will send that information to the group and has already shared it with Student Senate.  The survey information will be used to guide priorities, talking points and scoring rubric for potential vendors.

 

Related to our food service space, Kristi shared that she and Randy are working through a USDA Technical Facilities Design Assistance request.  This design assistance is available to commercial spaces that would serve community needs.  Our proposal will include exploration of options for utilization of the existing footprint, including improved food service preparation and retail space, food processing and value add related to our Eco program, teaching/learning space, and opportunities for community benefit in the form of a food hub.  If our proposal is chosen, it will enable free architect assistance and experience in commercial kitchen space design.

 

Mike and Kevin shared the Eco-Ent farmsite is officially dormant, but snow removal is in full force!  So far, both structures have stood up to wind and snow with diligent clearing by the Eco crew.

 

City of Duluth single use bag ordinance will take effect April 2020.  The Council discussed any areas this may potentially impact.  Connie shared that she has been using cloth bags for several years, Nate shared that Admissions use drawstring bags, but there still may be some plastic bags in circulation.  We’ll continue to be on the lookout for replacement options, particularly when the Farmer’s Market picks up again.

Old Business

Glenn shared a recap and lessons from our inaugural buckthorn removal effort.  Overall, it was a great effort, covering 3 acres with about 80% removal from the area.  In future, we will likely choose an area with a denser stand of buckthorn and focus on complete clearing.  This will enable a more concentrated replanting effort in the spring. We are looking at the U of M’s “Cover it Up” research to guide our replanting efforts.

FY20 Workplan Goals (no updates)

  1. Develop proposal for north trail as pedestrian path 
    • Desired Outcomes: 
      1. consider appropriate surface for maximum usability, 
      2. estimate total costs, development and ongoing maintenance (add: Dave suggests planning signs), 
      3. account for the trail’s potential use as an access from lower main parking lots to Living Labs field site
  1. Articulate the role of “Living Labs” at LSC (Randy will lead this group along with Deanne and Nate)
    • Desired Outcomes: 
      1. draft potential interdisciplinary collaboration/learning opportunities at new Farm Site (add: collaboration/consult with Student Senate)
      2. develop a forest management plan for Miller Creek corridor – identifying terrestrial invasive species threats and management goals 
      3. align goals as potential course-related field experience, both through curriculum and Sustainability Distinction
  2. Update campus’ sustainability and energy goals (Kristi will lead this group along with Glenn, Jenna and Griffin)
    • Desired Outcomes:
      1. align with state and system-wide sustainability goals, following Board of Trustees approval of new system sustainability policies, 
      2. update LSC Sustainability webpages to reflect these new goals

Budget

FY 20 original budget: $8,450 – current balance $6,546.05

Encumbrances to date:

  • Menards: -$300
  • Dan’s Feedbin: -$150
  • P-Card (Amazon): -$167.95 (Compost bags)
  • AASHE dues: -$295
  • P-Card (Amazon – 10 sets loppers, saws) (Landscape Restoration – 10 buckthorn dobbers and dye): -$600
  • Bee-line spur trail Limestone: -$225.50
  • P-card (Amazon – Cornerstone $92.95)

 

Next Meetings

Tbd – potentially January 10th.

 

Meeting adjourned, 10:00

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 12/13/2019.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

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