Title

Sustainability Commission

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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.

Work Plan

March 2025- February 2026 Member 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.
Claudia Althoen	Claudia Althoen is a Bloomington resident passionate about building a more sustainable community. With a B.S. in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management from the University of Minnesota, along with graduate-level research on the effects of climate change on glaciers and water systems, Claudia brings expertise in climate change impacts and resource management to the Sustainability Commission. She is eager to actively contribute to local initiatives that protect Bloomington's natural resources and enhance community well-being.
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.
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.
Aaron Smith	Aaron Smith is the CEO of the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) which represents a community of over 50,000 builders and their stakeholders across North America that are truly the early adopters and innovators in driving sustainable transformation of the homebuilding industry. Aaron has over 25 years of experience in home construction, building products, sustainability and non-profit board leadership. He has worked for companies including Kohler, Uponor and ASSA ABLOY as well as startups in Silicon Valley and his own building and remodeling company. Aaron previously served on non-profit Boards for Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC), CT Sustainable Business Council, and co-founded the CT Collaborative - Living Building Challenge. Aaron completed his undergraduate studies at West Point and St. Cloud State University and is a 2016 graduate of the Yale University MBA program with a focus on Sustainability. He loves green building and sustainability as well as hockey, hiking, skiing, gardening and spending time with his wife, Jennifer, 3 boys and 4 cats and chickens at their home in Bloomington.

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.

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.”

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.

Staff Appointed Secretary

The Commission's staff appointed secretary is Kim Larson.

Members & Term Limits

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.

Sustainability Commission Term Limits

Rules of Procedure