Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Meeting Minutes 3/2/2018

9:00 – 10:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Deanne Roquet, Tim Leudke, Kristi Heintz, Marissa Berger, Danielle Wood, Mike Francisco, Connie Moore, Nate Bronk, Theresa Hornstein, Heather Grillo

General Members present:

Guest Present: Chris Whaley

Announcements

The Twin Ports-Campus Sustainability Network (TP-CSN) is hosting a collaborative student gathering: S’Mores and Sustainability Social @ Bagley today from 2:00-4:00.  Kristi has shared the meeting via ours and LSC’s facebook page and Chris hung posters.

Weed Em Out: Invasives Workshop an invasive plants early detection workshop– March 27^th, 9am-3:00, EPA

Duluth CISMA Stewardship Network – introductory conversation for local colleges and universities (March 7^th from 11:00-noon and 14^th from 10:00-11) at the City of Duluth.  Glenn and Kristi are tag-teaming this effort.

New Business

Theresa provided her insight on last week’s discussion with Dan Schutte from Shorview Natives regarding our S-building landscape discussion.  Theresa’s remarks were very positive and supportive of Dan’s vision and plan for the area.  Danielle also attended the discussion and agreed with Theresa’s sentiment.  Kristi shared the Shoreview project area on the map, noting this planting would replace the 2 main areas in front of the S-building that are now “wildflower” and where manual weeding has become almost impossible over the last 2 growing seasons.  Kristi received a work estimate  and shared that Dan suggested we split our transition of the area into 2 seasons, and also noted the cost of project install could be reduced by $700 if we can muster volunteer labor for planting in late spring/summer.  Based on the estimate (for half of our overall designated transition space), Deanne motioned we move ahead with the plan (based on Dan’s estimate of about $2,900) and work to get volunteers involved in planting.  Connie second the motion, all favored.

Kristi gave an update on this year’s LSC Earth Day (April 19^th) presentation with Shawna Weaver from Ethical Choices Program.  Kristi and Jenna worked out a theme: “Food for Thought: The ecological and ethical impact of your everyday decisions”.

• Deanne, Danielle, Kristi and Connie have been working on some food options. Deanne brought an Evol burrito to sample, and noted we need to be careful to offer ecologically healthy food options.  Kristi thought perhaps this could mean offering only vegetarian food options and asking student to provide feedback on what they’d like to see in the Café.  Connie liked this idea, as they are working to increase offerings in the fall, and this could help inform that decision.  Kristi will work with the Upper Lakes Rep and find some meat-free options (frozen burritos, hummus…).  Student Life (per Heather) is willing to pay for snacks, sides for the burrito, tortilla chips, popcorn, trail mix and cuties.   The Café (per Connie) will donate lemonade and water, the Council will provide compostable cups.  The Council agreed if Upper Lakes did not want to donate samples, the Council would cover up to $500 of main food and eatware.  Mike motioned on the amount, Theresa seconded, motion passed without disagreement.
• Heather suggested we create a separate poster for campus clean-up if we want it to get more attention. The Council discussed “incentive” and Heather noted we could maybe offer prizes for best clean-up effort.  Heather has all of the supplies, Mike and Tim agreed to help direct the clean-up efforts on the 19^th.

Garden/Grounds planning

• The south hillside tree sapling planting is scheduled for May 4^th. Mike suggested we offer a couple of days, perhaps the 3^rd as well.  There will also be opportunity to help with site prep.  Kristi asked ERTC if they’d be willing to try to burn the site before May 4^th; she hasn’t received a response from Joe Tribby.  Kristi asked if we might use coffee sacks to surround the saplings after planting, Nate will check with Duluth Coffee Company to see if they might donate used burlap sacks.
• Theresa and Kristi shared a new Garden Club/Sustainability Council partnership they have been discussing. Noting the oscillating student interest in summer garden maintenance, Kristi wondered if an employee/student mentorship might be a way to keep interest and accountability going.  Danielle did a lot of work in the fall to clear the overgrowth inside the garden area.  The Council agreed it’s worth a try.  Kristi will put together a blog post and share via the Newsplash and offer 3 raised beds on a first request basis.  Tim Larson and a student have shown interest in the hugal bed area, so they may take that area on this season.
• Boreal Natives provided an estimate for site maintenance (and prescribed burn). $700 would cover the 3 areas that have been seeded since 2014.  The map below was provided by Boreal, and Kristi will work with them to correct the misrepresented area along the southern-most roadway.  Kristi asked ERTC if they might be able to burn these areas this fall, she has not received a response from Joe.  Noting this, Mike motioned we go ahead with the prescribed maintence per Borea’s quote and Kristi’s changes, Nate seconded, unopposed.

We are hiring a summer groundskeeping and trails manger student employee, as Danielle’s availability may be limited.  The position is posted on the LSC employment page.

Old Business

Nate gave an update on the LSC to Piedmont bikeways discussion we had with James Gittemeier from Met Interstate Council.  Brain Bich, Dave Israel, Jeremy Roseth, Joshua Tesch, Nate, Chris, and Kristi all attended this meeting.  James was very appreciative of our input and will get back in touch with us after he’s had a chance to review the suggestions we had.  Brian and Dave both offered to give James a tour of those prospective connections any time.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update:

• Chris gave an update on the three types of power strips we purchased.  Tim has also been using a few and will expand the “test” scenario next week.  Kristi has been using the Belkin brand strip with a timer and desktop button, and this one seems the most appropriate for workspaces.  Anyone that has completed the Green Office survey can request a strip to use from Chris and offer their feedback.  We’ll share all of the information we gather with IT.
• Chris again request that each Council member to urge their department to participate in the Green Office Challenge if they haven’t already.

Budget      

FY 18 budget balance: $6,771.00

Encumbrances to date:

• Amazon (smart strips): $275
• Amazon (pruners, compost bags for campus): $87.67
• RSPT annual membership: $330
• Menards: -300
  • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
• Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
• Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
• B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
• AASHE annual membership: -280
• Print/postage: -36.47

Review/revise FY18 potential budget items

• Smart strips
• Energy-related requests/ideas?
• Bottle filling station for Atrium?
• Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
• Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
• Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
• workshops?

Next Meeting

Friday, April 6^th, 9:00

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 3/5/2018.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

Meeting Minutes 2/2/2018

9:00 – 10:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Tim Leudke, Kristi Heintz, Marissa Berger, Danielle Wood, Mike Francisco, Theresa Hornstein, Eric Brandt, Deanne Roquet, Nate Bronk, Glenn Merrick, Jenna Trenberth

General Members present:

Guest Present: Chris Whaley

Announcements

Introductions and welcoming of potential new members, Tim and Jenna!

LSC to Piedmont bikeways discussion with James Gittemeier (Met Interstate Council) will happen Tues Feb 6^th, from 10:30-11:30 in S2920.  Anyone interested is welcome to join.

The Twin Ports-Campus Sustainability Network (TP-CSN) is hosting a collaborative student gathering: S’Mores and Sustainability Social @ Bagley on Mar 2 from 2:00-4:00.  This is the Friday just before spring break, so no idea how many students might be interested.  Eric suggested we maybe offer an on-campus rendezvous point prior, and everyone is on their own for transport.

New Business

Kristi gave an update on the first week of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) PV Development for Institutions Course.  Each week’s module includes an assignment.  Kristi asked if the Sustainability Council would like to provide feedback on those assignments.  Some were interested, so Kristi will share the working OneDrive folder with the Council and request feedback each Wednesday before assignments are submitted.  Glenn asked what the goal of this course was.  Kristi offered that it’s an opportunity for us to be guided through content that will help us weigh a number of options for solar deployment and hopefully quantify some of the educational benefits an installation would bring.  Our NREL assessment showed a 19 kW array would be marginally cost effective, and would supply 1% of our load.

Kristi gave an update on this year’s LSC Earth Day (April 19^th) presentation with Shawna Weaver from Ethical Choices Program.  Shawna is available and would like to run 2 45-minute presentations, and the Council thought an 11 and noon session would work well.  The first session focus on food, the second on conventional farming.  The group agreed we should offer some healthy and ethical food options, Kristi will ask Shawna if she has any ideas, perhaps we can collaborate with the Café?  Deanne will ask Connie if she has any ideas.  Danielle suggested maybe the Co-op can do some healthy eating demos.  Kristi will ask Heather/Roxanne if they want to incorporate that too. Jenna mentioned Open House is the following day, and it would be great to put more focus on campus clean-up for our event on the 19^th.  Maybe we can ask if Student Life would provide financial incentive to clubs to help with this effort.  Glenn suggested we invite the Ikes to table, Deanne suggested we invite Julie from DNR to maybe represent the Twin Ports Climate Coalition.  Kristi will send tale invites in a couple of weeks.  If anyone has a snappy theme idea, message Kristi.

The annual Regional Stormwater Protection Team (RSPT) dues are now due.  The dues were increased this year from $300 to $330.  The group discussed the value of our membership.  Glenn motioned to pay the dues, Deanne seconded, notion carried unopposed.

Kristi shared the Climate Committee’s request for outdoor gathering spaces.  Related, Glenn wants to plant 1,000 trees on the H-building hillside this spring.  This will require a pretty immense amount of prep and planting work.  Ideally, tree sapling planting will occur on May 4^th to involve students.  Trees have been ordered from the DNR.  Perhaps we can use Earth Day to drum up interest in helping with the planting?

Kristi also asked if anyone had ideas for the front wildflower area, as the weed population has grown in recent years, almost making it unmanageable with our current manual and herbicide-free practice.  Tim and Danielle suggested reaching out to some local contractors for advice and get an idea of what it might cost to take on a project like this.  Danielle suggested more perennials like milkweed.  Kristi will hold off on our usual seed order until more planning happens.

Old Business

The Climate Leadership Network official withdrawal letter has been sent; no feedback from the CLN thus far.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update:

• Chris gave an update on his energy use analysis (employee work stations and kitchenette appliance, both normal use and phantom load) and offered some suggestions for new smart strips.  Tim noted that IT would like to test run one of each to make sure they are work for their needs.  Deanne suggested we buy 3 of each kind, Mike seconded.
• Chris noted 4 office have completed the Green Office Challenge, and we’ve received some great feedback and offered some pretty easy change suggestions.  Kristi asked each Council member to urge their department to participate if they haven’t already.

Danielle reported the grounds are still frozen.

Budget      

FY 18 total budget: $7,399.26

Encumbrances to date:

• Menards: -300
  • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
• Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
• Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
• B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
• AASHE annual membership: -280
• Print/postage: -18.04

Review/revise FY17potential budget items

• Trees for H-hillside (Glenn)
• Energy-related requests (smart strips?)
• Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
• Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
• Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
• workshops?

Meeting adjourned 10:45

Next Meeting

Friday, March 2^nd, 9:00

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 2/2/2018.  Posted to LSC

Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

Meeting Minutes 1/12/2018

9:00 – 10:45

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Kristi Heintz, Marissa Berger, Danielle Wood, Mike Francisco, Eric Brandt, Cliff Koski, Deanne Roquet, Dave Israel, Eric Brandt, Wade Gordon

General Members present:

Guest Present: Chris Whaley

Announcements

New Business

Following December’s meeting and conversation with Al, Kristi drafted an official withdrawal notice for the Climate Leadership Network/ACUPCC, on behalf of President Johns.  The Council took time during the meeting to review the draft and edit for content and typos.  The Council agreed the letter adequately represented the group and campus’ position on membership.  Kristi will send the draft to Debbie/Pat for his consideration and ask him to forward to the Climate Leadership Network.

This summer, Janet Blixt asked Kristi to update the review the LSC Wikipedia page to include additional information regarding our more recent sustainability efforts.  Kristi has edited and asked for Sustainability Council review.  All agreed it was an accurate representation, and like that it links to our campus’s sustainability webpage, but felt it needed a brief reference to our MS4/stormwater efforts and local affiliation.  There may even be an appropriate place to put this info in the “facilities” section of the Wikipedia page.

While updating the Wikipedia page, Kristi thought it might be a good time to revisit the LSC Sustainability mission statement.  The Council will maybe take this on another time.

Kristi sat in on a webinar for the Green Ribbon Schools award.  This is an annual application/award program for both higher education and K-12 institutions.  Each state accepts and scores applicants and forwards their top candidates to the U.S. Department of Education for national pool review.  Kristi asked the Council if anyone if this is something we should pursue.  All agreed it might be good if anyone has time.  Perhaps we would seek support from our PR department.  LSC has never applied for this award. Pre-application (a simple “intent to apply” is due Feb 1 and the full application is due Mar 7.  Kristi will work through this if time allows.

Emily Ziring from the Minnesota State System Office shared that the “APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities” is seeking campus sustainability case studies for their annual publication.  Kristi thought it might be cool to share a story about our collaborative project with WLSSD’s community compost drop site.  The Council agreed it would be nice to submit, time allowing. The application deadline is only a couple of weeks away.

Kristi was excited to share details of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) PV Development for Institutions Course she applied for and was accepted to participate in.  The course will run from January 29 – March 25.  The intent of the course is to lead a team of 5 members within an institution through all the steps of planning and deploying PV on a campus.  There are a number of “teams” participating in the course.  Modules are completed weekly, for 8-weeks, at our own pace but we have an opportunity to attend weekly webinars with PV industry professionals and ask questions.  The LSC includes Kristi (team lead), Al Finlayson, Wade Gordon, Jon Lintula, Steve Oberstar and Alan Ahlberg.  Right now, some team members are participating in the PV 101 optional “pre-req” course.  Kristi will provide monthly updates to the Council as the course proceeds.  Related, Wade reported PV course work (certificate or other track) development is being discussed amongst deans and Workforce Development.

Related to our PV course Kristi asked Emily Ziring for additional guidance on Minnesota State’s position on solar PV deployment and also asked for a list of campuses that have deployed PV to date.  Most campuses have installed systems <10kW, and may have been program or education driven, as opposed to primarily driven to generate/save campus electricity.  Emily will be providing campus guidance via PowerPoint, sometime in February.  Great timing.

Kristi shared that we are about half-way through our Trex soft plastics recycling drive and about 50% to our goal.  At the December meeting, Danielle through a “plastic bag drive” might be a good idea to get a final push on plastics collection and also promote more recycling.  It’s a great idea, and Kristi thought we might tie it to our March 22^nd annual recognition of World Water Day.  We can maybe showcase the project in March and use the day as a celebration and outreach effort.  Danielle and Kristi will work on that project.  Anyone else can join in planning if they’d like to.

The Council decided our Earth Day could be celebrated on April 19^th.  Last week, the Biology Department faculty received an offer from Shawna Mullen about her willingness to present to classes on the Ethical Choices Program.   Many of the Program’s themes focus on food and healthy decision-making, and there are 4 pre-designed interactive talks to choose from.  The Council reviewed the programs, narrowed it down to their two favorites, and would like to hear Shawna’s opinion of the most appropriate message for the audience.  Shawna also teaches at St. Scholastica, so would have a very good idea of demographic messaging.  Kristi will follow up with Shawna and ask if she is available, and go from there.  The Council will also invite Heather to the February Council meeting to continue Earth Day planning.

Kristi and Chris will do another energy walk-though over break, replicating results from 2009 and 2011, to quantify costs (energy and dollar) of small appliances and heaters.  This information will be useful in out Green Office roll-out.

Old Business

Kristi has heard feedback from maintenance and the nighttime supervisor, Craig, about their wanting some training for employees about proper recycling practice in offices.  In response, Kristi used the Duty Day gallery walk table to “Talk Trash” with faculty and staff.  Kristi also invited Sarah Lehrol from WLSSD to promote the LSC Community Compost drop site and offer home composting tips and bins for those that wanted them.  People were very receptive to the information.
Chris also tabled and kicked off the Green Office Challenge. He provided ¼ page cards to interested employees, with Kristi’s Trash Talking/recycling info on the back.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update:

• Kristi and Chris had stickers and maps designed for the Green Office Challenge, and Chris kicked it off at the January 4^th Duty Day. Kristi has a blog post available with the link to the google GO Challenge survey and information went out in the Newsplash this Monday.  Chris reported there have been 2 “teams” that have completed the survey and asked for additional resources. Win!
  • Marissa asked if there is a hard-copy version available for the survey, if anyone were to want to print and work through the survey over time with their team. Chris will look at this and maybe create .pdf that we can post on the blog.  Great idea.
• Chris gave an update on his small appliance and technology audit. He is almost done and talked about some of the high level findings.  Largely, some computer settings or steps on how to most efficiently set personal laptops would be a nice resource that he could develop.  He’ll quantify more results on appliance use in the coming weeks.

Budget      

FY 18 total budget: $7,399.26

Encumbrances to date:

• Menards: -300
  • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
• Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
• Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
• B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
• AASHE annual membership: -280
• Print/postage: -18.04

Review/revise FY17potential budget items

• Trees for H-hillside (Glenn)
• Energy-related requests (smart strips?)
• Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
• Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
• Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
• workshops?

Meeting adjourned 10:45

Next Meeting

Friday, February 2^nd, 9:00

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 1/16/2018.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.