Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Meeting Minutes 10/3/2014

10:00 – 11:45
Student Life Conference Room

Attendance
Governing Council Members present: Deanne Roquet, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein,
General Members present: Glenn Merrick, Jane Marynik, Melanie Kelson
Guest Present:

Announcements

Annual Minnesota Waste Wise meeting/Chamber of Commerce Business Conference will be held next Wednesday, October 8th at the Hilton Minneapolis. Attendance is $55 per person.
Fall open house is November 7th. We’ll have a table.
Duluth Solar tour and open house is October 4th, sponsored by Arrowhead Interfaith Power & Light, CERTS, Ecolibrium3, Sierra Club, and UMD Sustainability.
The Sustainability Council has 8 low energy heated footrests available from the Sustainability Council. Kristi asked Mat to put an announcement next week’s Newsplash.
Lake Superior Binational Forum’s Open Public Meeting is November 14, 2014 12:30-5:00, at Legendary Waters Resort and Casino in Red Cliff, WI. Complete agenda will be published on the Forum’s website by mid-October. Contact Kristi for more information.

New Business
AASHE annual membership dues are up and due November 1st. There was no quorum at today’s meeting, so Kristi will send an email vote request to pay the $280 dues. Deanne motioned to pay dues, Glenn secondedd.

At last meeting, the Council discussed including campus sustainability in the Integrated Planning documents. Kristi and Glenn will work on this document next week and email for Council review. It’s due to Mark M. by October 15th.

Ongoing Business
It’s time for Wildflower winterization in front of the S-building. The Council discussed best practice for doing this. It was agreed that the area should be mowed and bagged, black dirt and compost added, then cover with dried mowed material. Kristi will talk to maintenance about spreading black dirt for us.

Old Business
At last meeting, Kristi brought discussion to the group regarding metrics fatigue and the nature of multiple reporting formats and conflicting information. The Council discussed the value of the ACUPCC as a resource. After discussion and feedback from Al, the Council decided the best course of action would be to submit a recommendation to the Cabinet to un-file from the ACUPCC. Kristi drafted a recommendation to the President’s Cabinet, and the draft was reviewed at today’s meeting. Kristi will include those elements discussed, and email the draft to the Council for final review.

The Miller Greek Interpretive Trail re-opening ceremony received some great coverage. You can find the press release and news coverage on the Sustainability Council blog page.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association (Custer, WI) ran a Power Pack Program solar education hour called Power Hour at LSC on September 18th. It focused on residential PV evaluations. MREA approved installers discussed financing options and Minnesota Power discussed grant process. Attendance was good, with about 25 people. MREA hopes to hold another event in early winter.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports
Policy and Procedure: employee reminders, education, and training needs (printing, recycling, supplies, computers, small appliance)
*Carol, Kristi, Mel
No updates.

Master Facilities Plan
*Dick, Cliff, Glenn, Kristi, Theresa
No updates.
Sustainability Reporting/Benchmarking: GGI, ACUPCC, MnSCU Sustainability Reporting, Superior Compact, B3, publicizing info
*Kristi, Aaron, Deanne, Bruce
No updates.
Sustainability Kiosk: energy dashboard/demo, sustainability signage
*Duane, Rachel, Student Senate Rep
No updates.
Landscape Planning: annual flower planting, rainwater harvesting, no-mow areas, rooftop gardening
Theresa, Mike, Aaron, Kristi, Jane, maintenance rep
No updates.
Sustainability in Curriculum
*Theresa, Duane, Aaron, Kristi, Deanne, Glenn
No updates.
Other SE Updates
-update from Mel on composting project and Jane on landscape

Budget
FY1 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
BALANCE as of today: $2007.00

FY15 potential budget items
• Earth day costs
• Concourse lighting signage
• Ditch/swale 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

Motions
Motion to pay AASHE dues: Deanne, Glenn seconded

Next meeting
November 7th, 2014, 10:00 am, Student Life Conference Room

Notes submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting notes are also posted to LSC Employee Portal > Committees

Meeting Minutes 9/5/2014

10:00 – 11:45

E2028 Workforce Development Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Deanne Roquet, Kristi Heintz, Aaron McIntire, Theresa Hornstein, Heather Rantula, Wade Gordon

General Members present:  Dick Haney, Glenn Merrick, Carol Johnson, Al Finlayson, Jane Marynik, Melanie Kelson

Announcements

Kristi introduced of SC’s new student employees: Jane Marynik will be the student employee Groundskeeping Assistant and Melanie Kelson is the student lead on the campus composting pilot study.  Both gave an update on projects they’re working on.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association (Custer, WI) will offer a solar education hour called Power Hour at LSC on September 18^th in E2154 from 7:00-8:00.  It will focus on residential PV evaluations.  MREA approved installers will discuss finance. LSC agrees to help promote the event; Kristi is working with MREA’s representative on this and a campus announcement will be out soon.

Deanne presented an opportunity to attend the Recycling Association of Minnesota’s October 8^th conference in Bloomington.  She also identified free resources available through their website; some may be helpful in promoting the composting pilot study and other waste sorting initiatives.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

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

*Carol, Kristi, Mel

Carol brought the recycling/trash in office space issue to the table.  Discussion followed about maintenance best practice.  The Council’s discussion ultimately lead to an opt-in scenario where employees take responsibility for getting rid of their own garbage cans to use a centrally located trash and recycling can.  Kristi will work with Mel on past progress of this project, and re-convene the work group.

Master Facilities Plan

*Dick, Cliff, Glenn, Kristi, Theresa

No updates.

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

*Kristi, Aaron, Deanne, Bruce

Discussion about GGI and ACUPCC in New Business.

Sustainability Kiosk: energy dashboard/demo, sustainability signage

*Duane, Rachel, Student Senate Rep

No updates.

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

Theresa, Mike, Aaron, Kristi, Jane, maintenance rep

Kristi gave a brief update on the Boreal Natives project and potential spring projects with Janice.  Jane updated the Council on the work she and Janice did over the past month.  Further landscape and budget discussion took place in Ongoing Business.

Sustainability in Curriculum

*Theresa, Duane, Aaron, Kristi, Deanne, Glenn

No updates.

Other SE Updates

Kristi shared interested Garden Club members with Aaron.  He and/or Neldon will follow-up with those individuals.

New Business

Kristi shared that she and Glenn have been working on an updated Interpretive Trail Guide.  Designed by Jean Kirwan, the Guide follows the same format as the trail signs.  We’ve also asked Janet to include some history of the trial and 2012 flood as well.  The Guide will be housed on the LSC Sustainability and Biology Department webpages as well as DuluthStreams.org.

The group showed interest in a re-opening of the trail event to showcase the new interpretive signs and bridges.  October 1^st (student success day) was suggested, and Deanne suggested we invite the mayor.  Kristi will work with Gary K on this.

The FY13 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was completed and submitted to ACUPCC in July.  Kristi brought discussion to the group regarding metrics fatigue and the nature of multiple reporting formats and conflicting information.  The Council discussed the value of the ACUPCC as a resource.  After discussion and feedback from Al, the Council decided the best course of action would be to submit a recommendation to the Cabinet to un-file from the ACUPCC.  Kristi and Glenn will draft a letter before the October meeting.

Theo forwarded a message pertaining to the Green Ribbon Schools new Post-Secondary Award opportunity.

As our Committee structure indicates, our Committee Structure Document is to be updated this meeting, the first of fall semester.  Membership was updated, our meeting minutes will now be posted to the employee portal as well as the SC blog, and new co-chairs were voted in for the 2014-2015 year.  Kristi and Glenn were nominated, and motions passed unanimously.

Aaron shared that Chad Johnson has extended an opportunity to anyone at LSC that might want to visit and tour Spirit Mountain Farm.  A Saturday in September would likely be the best time.  Kristi will send an email next week to gauge interest.

The Council would like to include campus sustainability in the Integrated Planning documents that both faculty and staff have been tasked with developing.  It’s due to Mark M. by October 15^th.  Kristi will send an email, and ask for volunteers to complete this document, next week.

Ongoing Business

As the Sustainability Council becomes more involved in campus landscaping projects, and has now funded two major projects, Kristi suggested the Council discuss landscaping budget responsibility.  Kristi has been careful to note purchase orders that pertain to campus landscaping versus other sustainability related projects.  After lengthy discussion involving budget allocations, Al suggested we take a look at spending from this year and anticipated projects for next year, and work some initiatives into our budget proposal for FY16.  He also cautioned against proposing expenditures for any budget outside our own.  Going forward, the Council will continue to approve purchases through voting, as it sees necessary, to move landscaping projects forward.

Old Business

Budget                                                         

FY1 Budget: $8,500 

Encumbrances to date:

MN Waste Wise membership 2014-2015: -$150

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

Dan’s Feedbin: -$200

Menards: -$200

BALANCE as of today: $2415

FY15 potential budget items

• Concourse lighting signage
• Ditch/swale 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

Motions

Deanne motioned to adjourn at 11:45, Glenn seconded.

Next meeting

October 3^rd, 2014, 10:00 am, Student Life Conference Room

Notes submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 4/8/2014

1:00 – 2:00

Small Administrative Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Deanne Roquet, Kristi Heintz, Mike Francisco, Heather Grillo, Aaron McIntire, Heather Rantula, Wade Gordon

General Members present:  Bruce Wallis

Guest Present: Deanna Keller (PTK), Alyssa Heim

Announcements

The Intercultural Center is sponsoring its annual Sugar Bushing trip on April 24^th, group leaves LSC at 2:00 pm and will return at about 6:00.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

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

                *Rachel, Carol, Kristi, Chad

No updates

Master Facilities Plan

                *Dick, Cliff, Glenn, Kristi, Theresa

No updates.

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

                *Kristi, Aaron, Deanne, Bruce

No updates.

Sustainability Kiosk: energy dashboard/demo, sustainability signage

                *Duane, Rachel, Student Senate Rep

Steve Fudally and Kristi talked a bit about options.  Steve thinks it can be done in-house, he will arrange a meeting with Wade and Kristi soon.

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

                Theresa, Mike, Aaron, Kristi, maintenance rep

The group met with Gary Chick on April 2^nd so discuss the LSC Landscaping Map and plans.  They identified some additional problem areas and made a plan for the spring and summer. 

Kristi has been in contact with Paula Castleman, and the DNR/DFD will allow a burn on the H-hillside, but it will need to happen on very short notice when conditions are just right.  Kristi will continue to work with Paula and will talk with Gary Adams as well.  We are looking for suggestions on planting the hillside this summer.  Kristi will reach out to Jeff West to do a site visit for ditch sedges as well as hillside suggestions. 

Kristi is working with maintenance to keep the muddy annual garden in front of the S-building as bearable as possible.  Stakes and rope will need to be placed around the perimeter to keep mud off sidewalks and out of buildings.  Motion to purchase items later in the meeting.

Sustainability in Curriculum

                *Theresa, Duane, Aaron, Kristi, Deanne, Glenn

The curriculum committee met on March 20^th, along with Jenni Swenson, Theo from the grants office and 2 PTK members.  The PTK members were set on putting together a greenhouse proposal, but Aaron met with Al yesterday and the outlook for a greenhouse on campus looks bleak.   More discussion on this topic at the May meeting.

Other SE Updates

Aaron is continuing to work on the café benchmarking project.  Kristi suggested PTK, shift their attention to helping Aaron with this project and expand it to utilizize the Real Food Challenge and the Real Food Challenge Calculator.  Additionally, Institute for a Sustainable Future put together this: ISF Lake Superior Local Food Purchasing Toolkit.  Both tools could be helpful to give our benchmarking project momentum.  Bruce was supportive of expanding our “local” purchasing beyond the compact area.  Kristi, Aaron, and Bruce will meet about this.

New Business

The Earth Day planning committee met on March 3^rd to continue discussions for Earth Day planning.  Kristi will ask Jean to create a poster for the meal, featuring vendors and where to buy.  The poster or another will feature the day’s schedule. Schedule below:

World Water Week is being recognized locally on March 24-25; collaborative events from CSS, UMD, UWS, and LSC are being organized by the League of Women Voters.  LSC will gather plastic bottles and create a garland chain on March 25^th in the Atrium.  Garden Club will make popcorn, we will show the movie Tapped or similar water focused documentary, and invite all students (through posters on the vending machines and facebook) to connect their bottles to the chain where images of the destructive nature of plastic in ecosystems will also be hung.  The garland will hang in the concourse until Earth Day. 

Ongoing Business

Old Business

Budget                                 

Motions

Considerable conversation occurred with most motions, all motions passed unopposed

Request for heated foot rest for the Administrative Assistant to the VP.  Wade suggested we purchase 3 at $52.64 each.  Deanne motioned, Mike seconded.

The bus to Silver Bay to tour Victus Farms.  Bruce motioned to pay for the $300 bus, Deanne seconded.

Bruce motioned to purchase compostable plates, cups, and napkins for 300 people Earth Day, up to $100, Deanne seconded.

Heather R. motioned to purchase 200 compostable hot cups and small plates for employee Development Day breakfast, Heather G seconded.

Deanne motioned to pay $75 for our Earth Day speaker, Chad Johnson, Mike seconded.  Kristi will work on his contact for services.

Deanne motioned to purchase posts and rope for S-bldg seeded area, up to $320, Kristi seconded.

Heather G. motioned to purchase the Interpretive Trailhead sign from ShelDon for $132, Deanne seconded.

Deanne motioned to put remaining Council funding toward bottle filling stations for the Student Services building and ERTC, Heather R. seconded.

FY14 Budget: $9,000 

Encumbrances to date:

MN Waste Wise membership 2013-2014: -$150

Open PO for Menards (landscaping supplies: azalea mulch, planter flowers): -$200

Open PO for Menards (Interpretive trail supplies) – $200

AASHE membership: -$280

Airpark plastic bag recycling program: -$208

Rene Fall (Int Trail GIS mapping): -$320

UMACS Kristi travel and registration: -$758.39

ACUPCC annual 2013-2014 membership: -$750

Eden Brothers (seed mix for S-bldg): -143.96

Grainger for faucet aerators: -$85

BALANCE as of 3/7/2014: $5918.65

FY14 potential budget items

·         Concourse lighting signage

·         Bottle filling station for ERTC (did this happen in FY13?) and downtown campus

·         Additional bike rack for main entrance

·         Outdoor recycling cans

·         Interpretive Trailhead sign

·         Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans

·         Parking lot info signs

·         Legacy: fencing for exclosures

·         Sustainability kiosk

·         MnSCU Sustainability Across Curriculum workshop host costs

Next meeting

May 2^nd, 2014, 9:00 am, Student Life Conference Room

Notes submitted by Kristi Heintz