SANDPOINT SUSTAINABILITY MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017
4:00 PM CITY HALL DOWNSTAIRS CONFERENCE ROOM
1123 LAKE STREET
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: John Hastings, David Price-Williams, Katie Turner,
Karen Robinson, Rebecca Holland, Perky Smith-Hagadone, Cindy Peer, Bridget Koch
COUNCIL/STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilwoman Williamson, City Staff liaison
Ryan Shea
COUNCIL/COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Tate
Peer called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
Agenda Item 1: Approval of Minutes:
Robinson motioned and Smith-Hagadone seconded to approve the minutes of January 19, 2017.
Motion passes unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Hastings said that for the CFL (compact fluorescent bulbs) recycling the City could get its own
box. Williamson said that Kim Woodruff would be the best person to talk to regarding the
recycling box. Hastings said he would continue to look into it and check with Kim regarding the
logistics of getting a box at city hall.
NEW BUSINESS:
Agenda Item 2: Presentation on Farm Bill Principles by Mark Cochran:
Cochran said that he is introducing the Sandpoint Farm Bill Principles to the committee because
the single most critical factor when it comes to the health of communities is the availability of
whole, natural, unprocessed foods. Cochran explained that one of the main things that affects the
food supply of our nation is the national food bill. Cochran said that cities around the country
are weighing in and providing input to Congress. Cochran explained that the farm bill is a piece
of omnibus legislation meaning that it addresses multiple issues at once. Part of the farm bill is
nutritional assistance (SNAP). Another portion of the bill is farm subsidies. Cochran explained
that the subsidies are typically weighed heavily in favor of big ag. Cochran explained that the
current farm bill is a 489 billion dollar project. 1% of this is allocated to horticulture and organic
agriculture, which Cochran said healthy food is derived from. Who gets the most money? Corn
and wheat are two of the major recipients, much of which turns into junk food. Why does the
food bill matter to Sandpoint? Cochran said by taking on the farm bill as a local priority, cities
may soon challenge the USDA with a whole set of new priorities around urban agriculture.
Hagadone-smith said all elementary schools in the district will soon have a garden. SmithHagadone said that the goal is to use the gardens to utilize the food for the hot lunch program.
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Cochran said that there’s grant money available through the farm bill because of input from
advocacy organizations.
Cochran proposes that Sandpoint adopt a set of farm bill principles. These principles would then
be proposed to the federal government’s farm bill in 2018. Cochran proposes that the committee
form a working group to draft a set of our own farm bill principles which we could then send
forward to the national level. The product would be a resolution of farm bill principles.
Cochran suggested using the committee to publicize it and try and get adjacent communities
involved.
Hastings asked if there are any other cities in Idaho working on it now? Cochran said that
Moscow was the only community that came close with adopting a farm bill. Robinson asked
after adopting a set of principles what do we do? Williamson said that by passing resolutions it
puts the city in a better place to attain grants. Williamson said that it would give the city a better
chance in getting grants. Hastings said that it sounds like an excellent way to support local food
production and the general interest within the community. Peer said that there are a number of
organizations doing different things and the farm bill could be a way to pull those various parties
together. Smith-Hagadone said that the Backpack program could benefit from local foods being
introduced. Cochran said that a seventh principle could be added to the farm bill to promote the
education of healthy foods.
Hastings made a motion that the committee supports the farm bill principles with an emphasis on
both local and national levels and to put together a draft in order to recommend to the City
Council, seconded by Turner. Motions passes unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: Update on IgCC (International Green Construction Code) from City Liaison
Shea presented information about the IgCC to the committee. Shea explained what building
codes the city currently has adopted. Shea then explained what the IgCC is: a comprehensive
green code that establishes minimum regulations for building systems and site considerations
using prescriptive and performance related provisions. It is an overlay code – not a replacement
for existing building codes. Shea explained that the city can adopt stricter building codes as it
suits the city. Williamson suggested that the committee not focus on adding more regulation
because it may not have support of the council.
Meeting adjourned at 5:22 pm.
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