Sandpoint sustainability committee narrows scope, sets July deadline to prioritize comprehensive‑plan checklist

Members of the Sandpoint Sustainability Committee on June 24 focused the group’s next steps on prioritizing a consolidated matrix of questions drawn from the city’s comprehensive plan and converting that material into a usable checklist for reviewing city projects.

Committee members and staff said the matrix currently contains roughly 90 individual questions; organizers and facilitators suggested those could be reduced by identifying overlaps and prioritizing a short “A” list of items to guide project reviews. A staff facilitator advised a structured approach: committee members should pick a short list of top items by topic area, then the group would roll up overlapping selections into a prioritized checklist the committee could use when advising on individual projects.

Committee discussion produced a simple process and deadlines. Members agreed to mark and submit prioritized items in the matrix — a recommended cap of five top items per topic area — and to use color coding (green/yellow/red) to signal priorities. Participants tentatively selected July 29 as a personal deadline to finalize their shortlists so staff can compile and prepare materials for the committee’s August review; staff later described the city’s next regular sustainability meeting as the fourth Tuesday in August (August 26) and asked members to supply materials to staff at least a week earlier so they could be posted with the agenda.

The group also discussed practical limits imposed by open‑meetings rules and city practice: the mayor has expressed reluctance to create formal subcommittees; staff confirmed members may work individually to review and prioritize the matrix but cannot hold deliberative meetings outside public notice. Members discussed dividing the work by topic areas (mobility, utilities, parks/urban forestry, etc.) and returning with shortlists to the next public meeting.

At the meeting members also discussed a narrower initial topic set recommended by the mayor and staff — energy use, water use, waste reduction (including e‑waste and food waste), transportation/mobility and air quality — and agreed housing should be included as a cross‑cutting issue. Staff offered to act as a resource and to prepare a consolidated view of overlapping selections for the committee’s next agenda.

The committee also raised member recruitment and participation: the mayor indicated he would allow one non‑city resident to serve if the candidate is a good fit, but members noted the committee currently needs more active participants and consistent commitment to the review work. Minutes and staff follow‑up materials will be posted after the meeting; staff estimated minutes would be available within a day or two.