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Contact Information

Emma Struss

Sustainability Commission Liaison

952-563-4862

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Title

Sustainability Commission

Sections

Sustainability Commission

Purpose

The Sustainability Commission advises the Bloomington City Council, Bloomington City staff, and the Bloomington community on policies, practices, procedures and proposals that relate to the sustainable use and management of environmental resources that include air, water, energy, land and ecological resources, and waste. The Commission helps to ensure that such resources will be sustained and continue to provide for a high quality of life for present and future generations.

Members

The Sustainability Commission shall have no more than eleven members appointed by the City Council, with staggered terms of up to three years, and with an opportunity for appointment for a maximum of six years.

Of these eleven members, the majority shall be technical experts in one or more of the areas of sustainability as stated in the scope. One seat shall be reserved for a City Council member.

Of the remaining members, efforts should be made to select members so that the diverse interests of the Bloomington community are represented including geographic diversity, education, student or youth, residents, businesses, faith-based and nongovernment organizations.

March 2024- February 2025 Roster

Adult Commissioners (8)

Commissioner	Bio
Binaya Acharya	Binaya Acharya is driven to leave the world in better shape for his two kids and the next generation. With a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Maine and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, his professional career spans over twenty years in engineering and marketing. Binaya works at the local electric utility company educating customers on electric vehicle charging programs, clean energy, and other energy efficiency related programs. Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Binaya has been a Bloomington resident for the past twelve years and is looking forward to contributing his experiences to the commission and serving the community.
Angie Begosh	Angie Begosh has a Ph.D. in zoology from Oklahoma State University, where she researched how land use affects pollinator communities. Her career includes work as an extension educator in Kentucky, Iowa, Idaho, and New Mexico focusing on natural resources and agriculture education, a salmon habitat restoration grants coordinator in Washington state, and a field technician and contract ecologist in Minnesota. Her volunteer work in Bloomington involves monitoring a bluebird trail, surveying invasive weeds for Three Rivers Park District, and starting prairie plant seeds for Dakota County parks. She is passionate about preserving and enhancing green space in Bloomington and making quality urban habitats accessible to everybody.
Alex Brand	Alex Brand graduated from Dunwoody College of Technology’s HVAC/R Service program and works in Bloomington as a Building Automation Engineer. His work focuses on tracking and reducing energy usage. He has a personal interest in environmentally-conscious construction, efficient and reliable infrastructure, and safe and robust public transportation. He moved to Bloomington in 2021 with his spouse and two cats. They have since added their first dog and their first baby to their family. As a newer resident of Bloomington, Alex is looking forward to learning more about the city and its residents while helping to form a more sustainable, and equitable, living space for all.
Sarah Cobb	After graduating from the School of Environmental Studies and earning a degree from the University of Minnesota, Sarah extended her study abroad experience to a regular residence in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, the most biologically diverse zone in the world. Now living in Bloomington with her husband, three kids, some ducks, and her giant yellow jeep, she hopes her award-winning non-profit roles foster a welcoming space for sustainability conversations and action, accessible to everyone. Sarah is especially passionate about preserving the remaining trout stream just south of MOA, protecting keystone species, and promoting the use of sedges and native species to improve Bloomington's playlots from the ground up, east to west.
David Drummond	Dave Drummond has a Ph.D. (Environmental Health) from the U of M School of Public Health. He performed the first campus-wide sustainability study for the UW-Madison including a facilities-based carbon footprint. He also served as their Director of Environment, Health and Safety. As member of the Commission, he continues to learn and participate in its activities and hopes to share his expertise where it will be helpful.
Sean McFarling	Sean McFarling is a Civil Engineer whose career has focused on helping communities and campuses reduce carbon emissions while improving energy reliability and sustainability for over the last decade. Using natural resources responsibly and efficiently is a driving motivation for Sean. After moving to Minnesota in college, Sean has lived in Bloomington for over 20 years with his wife Jill, and enjoys being outside, travel, and learning new things.
Andy Scott	Andy Scott grew up in Richfield and has been a Bloomington resident for 10 years. He has a degree in Design from MCAD and has been working as a landscape designer since 2017. He is the proprietor of a small landscape company that specializes in native plant communities, habitat gardening, pollinator-friendly practices and residential stormwater management. As an engaged member of the South Loop community Andy is passionate about continuing to improve Bloomington’s natural areas/resources by supporting efforts from the City and its residents.
Beth Stegora	Beth Stegora received her Doctorate in the medical field from the University of Southern California. She is interested in the effects of climate change on the physical and mental health of humans and all living creatures. She is also a trained Climate for Health Ambassador. Beth joined the Sustainability Commission to help protect the precious natural resources that Bloomington has to offer so many generations to come may be able to experience clean air and water.

Young Adult Commissioners (2)

Commissioner	Bio
Abby Childs	Abby Childs is a junior at Jefferson High School. In the summer of 2022, she attended an international camp (Camp Rising Sun), where she learned about the importance of sustainability through leaders from other countries. In the Sustainability Commission, Abby hopes to learn from experts in the community and to do her part by supporting and contributing to the commission as well as the City of Bloomington. Abby is passionate about creating a world that is sustainable for future generations and taking steps towards preserving the environment. In the future, she hopes to use her passions in STEM and sustainability and is looking into becoming an environmental engineer as a possible career.
Owen Loken	Owen Loken is a recent graduate of Jefferson High School and now attends the University of Minnesota. Owen is studying environmental science with strong interests in energy and transportation. Owen was sent in early summer of 2022 to take part in the 73rd session of Minnesota Boys State. Owen is thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Commission and will work tirelessly to make the most of this position. Owen will take the saying that his parents say often “Think globally, act locally” to heart when serving on Bloomington’s Sustainability Commission.

Commissioner

Bio

Abby Childs

Abby Childs is a junior at Jefferson High School. In the summer of 2022, she attended an international camp (Camp Rising Sun), where she learned about the importance of sustainability through leaders from other countries. In the Sustainability Commission, Abby hopes to learn from experts in the community and to do her part by supporting and contributing to the commission as well as the City of Bloomington. Abby is passionate about creating a world that is sustainable for future generations and taking steps towards preserving the environment. In the future, she hopes to use her passions in STEM and sustainability and is looking into becoming an environmental engineer as a possible career.

Owen Loken

Owen Loken is a recent graduate of Jefferson High School and now attends the University of Minnesota. Owen is studying environmental science with strong interests in energy and transportation. Owen was sent in early summer of 2022 to take part in the 73rd session of Minnesota Boys State. Owen is thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Commission and will work tirelessly to make the most of this position. Owen will take the saying that his parents say often “Think globally, act locally” to heart when serving on Bloomington’s Sustainability Commission.

City Council Liaison (1)

Commissioner	Bio
Councilmember Dwayne Lowman	Dwayne Lowman was born and raised in Bloomington near Effa play lot. He and his wife Kellie enjoy camping up north and walking the parks and trials. Dwayne has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Urban Studies, concentrating in Public Administration and Community Economic Development from Augsburg University. When reflecting on why he joined the Sustainability Commission he said: “There are many reasons why I am committed to Bloomington's long term ecological, social, and economic resilience. Chief among those many reasons has to be those voices that are marginalized or drowned out by obstacles seen and unseen. I trust that I will have the humility to pass on a better Bloomington than what I have found.”

Commissioner

Bio

Councilmember Dwayne Lowman

Dwayne Lowman was born and raised in Bloomington near Effa play lot. He and his wife Kellie enjoy camping up north and walking the parks and trials. Dwayne has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Urban Studies, concentrating in Public Administration and Community Economic Development from Augsburg University. When reflecting on why he joined the Sustainability Commission he said: “There are many reasons why I am committed to Bloomington's long term ecological, social, and economic resilience. Chief among those many reasons has to be those voices that are marginalized or drowned out by obstacles seen and unseen. I trust that I will have the humility to pass on a better Bloomington than what I have found.”