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Sustainability Commission
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Sustainability Commission, July 2024
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Sustainability Commission
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.
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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Sam Porter | Sam Porter is a lifelong resident of Bloomington. He is a senior at John F. Kennedy High School where he serves as president of the Green Club. He has spent his past two summers working for the City of Bloomington as a seasonal employee in the Public Works department. In college Sam wants to major in Environmental Engineering, and plans to attend the University of St. Thomas next year. |
| Amelia Wenisch | As a recent graduate from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Environmental Studies, Amelia is eager to apply her knowledge to benefit both the community she grew up in and resides in today. Throughout her academic career, she concentrated on conservation and biodiversity and developed a strong interest in sustainability. Amelia understands that these areas are deeply interconnected and recognizes that sustainability is crucial for maintaining the health and balance of Earth’s ecosystems. She is excited to collaborate with like-minded individuals to ensure a more equitable, safe and resilient future for Bloomington. |
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.” |
Staff liaison
The commission’s staff liaison is Emma Struss.
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