The Sammamish Sustainability Commission met in person and by Zoom to review the first draft of the 2025 Sustainable Sammamish guide and to set deadlines for public and commissioner feedback. The commission and staff agreed to a two-stage review process with a hard deadline for edits before the guide is finalized for print.

The guide is intended as a mailed, 12‑page primer distributed to every household in Sammamish; staff asked commissioners to return comments by July 16 at 4 p.m. and said a second draft would be available July 24–August 4 before the file goes to print mid‑August. "We'd like all feedback and comments provided by July 16 at 4PM," Rose (Sustainability Coordinator) told the commission. Christy Santadomingo noted the guide is mailed to every home: "It's sent to every home in Sammamish."

Commissioners focused their discussion on how to make the printed guide more accessible and actionable for families and youth while keeping a concise, 12‑page format. Major, recurring recommendations the commission asked staff to pursue for the supplemental pages were:
- Buildings & energy: a short heat‑pump diagram and an explanatory caption that the recommended replacement can be timed with equipment end‑of‑life; a money‑savings example or pocket calculator to show estimated lifetime savings; simple draft‑sealing instructions (windows/doors/insulation) suitable for homeowners and renters; and a short eco‑labels gallery for appliances.
- Transportation: a city map overlaying existing bus routes, key Metro connections and near‑term light‑rail links, plus a child‑friendly "bus bingo" or scavenger activity and a callout about the ORCA youth fare program.
- Natural resources & landscaping: a short native‑plant starter list or QR link to a native plant finder, an invitation to certify backyards as wildlife habitat, and nonchemical pest‑control tips.
- Water: a how‑to for rain barrels and a short "water‑wise" quiz or challenge for households.
- Waste: a one‑page, visual "what goes where" guide that staff suggested could be printed as a removable tear‑off.

Several commissioners pressed for clearer framing of the guide's limits. Commissioner Steve Christensen argued electrification should be emphasized early, saying in the discussion, "electrify, electrify, electrify." Staff replied that the city is subject to the state's building and energy codes and cannot mandate certain private building upgrades; Rose said she would follow up with a Q&A clarifying what the city can and cannot require.

Commissioners volunteered short testimonials and photos for use as callouts in the guide. Staff said they will consolidate submitted text and graphics, set up a SharePoint editing link, and circulate a second draft for review. Staff also confirmed that the PDF version will carry links to expanded resources (for example, the Climate Action Plan and EnergySmart Eastside materials) while the mailed copy will be the compact, print version.

Votes at a glance
The meeting recorded three procedural motions passed by common consent: approval of the agenda, approval of the previous meeting minutes, and adjournment. (No ordinances, resolutions or formal budget votes were taken during this session.)

What happens next
Staff will send a SharePoint link and collect edits through July 16, consolidate changes, and publish draft 2 for review July 24–August 4. The final print file will be prepared for printing by mid‑August for fall mailing to all Sammamish households.

Why it matters
The Sustainable Sammamish guide is the city’s primary annual resident outreach on household actions tied to the Climate Action Plan. Because the printed guide will be mailed citywide, the commission prioritized short, actionable materials that can reach families and youth as well as more detailed online links for residents seeking deeper guidance.