Sandpoint commission authorizes continued planning for street-lamp banner program and asks staff to pursue RFP with central services

The Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Preservation Commission voted to continue planning a downtown street-lamp banner program and to prepare a request for proposals through city central services.

Ellie Sesmus, chairwoman of the Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Preservation Commission, summarized preliminary cost estimates and logistics: “Banners run about $85 to a $100 each for an 18 by 30,” she said, and the commission discussed a design stipend of roughly $250 to $300. Sesmus described a program with about 50 lamp poles and said initial estimates put the cost for one season at about $5,000; commissioners had previously discussed running banners for two seasons.

Commissioners noted implementation costs for city staff to install and remove banners, and supported soliciting a formal procurement process through central services to ensure compliance with city contracting rules. Cammie (staff) and other commissioners discussed nonprofit involvement and possible sponsorship models.

Commissioner motion: The commission moved and seconded a motion “to continue with our planning, going to SURA and an RFP, being enrolled with central services to make sure everything’s on the app to continue developing this program.” The motion passed with no recorded opposition.

The commission directed staff to proceed with central-services procurement steps, continue outreach to potential nonprofit and sponsorship partners and return with a draft budget, proposed seasons and an implementation schedule.

Context: The motion authorizes further planning and use of city procurement channels; the commission did not appropriate new funds at this meeting.