Council backs Park City Foundation food‑waste compact and proclaims International Dark Sky Week

The Summit County Council on April 3 adopted two proclamations addressing local sustainability: a proclamation endorsing the Park City Community Foundation’s 0 Food Waste Compact (Proclamation 2024‑02) and a proclamation declaring International Dark Sky Week (Proclamation 2024‑03).

Andy Hecht, Climate Fund Manager for the Park City Community Foundation, asked the council to sign the 0 Food Waste Compact and called attention to a figure included in his presentation, saying it could yield potential savings of "$1,470,000 per year." Hecht described the compact’s ambition to divert food waste from the county landfill and noted a community‑wide target referenced in the presentation as "02/1930." A county staff member and a council member noted that food waste constitutes a large portion of landfill content and that third‑party partners are stepping forward to organize collection and diversion.

On the dark‑sky item, staff outlined that Summit County and Park City adopted dark‑sky regulations in 2019 (transcript references to ordinance numbers and code sections were read into the record) and reminded the public that the county’s lighting code requires fully shielded, down‑directed fixtures and bulbs at 3,000 Kelvin or lower. Council members emphasized public education and suggested using the week to remind residents of compliance timelines; one council member recommended reviewing the ordinance’s enforcement mechanisms and definitions for landscape uplighting that currently generate common complaints.

Both proclamations were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting. Council members asked staff to coordinate outreach and to return with any necessary implementation or enforcement proposals in coming months.