Sandpoint September 17-19, 2013
The Association of Idaho Cities can assist in the development of policies and procedures related to fiscal sustainability. Go to www.idahocities.org.
Municipal Research and Services Association in Washington State provides a wealth of information and resources related to municipal budgeting, finance, strategic planning, and developing levels of service. For their financial resources, go to http://www.mrsc.org/subjects/finance/finance.aspx and also http://www.mrsc.org/subjects/governance/participation/comdollar.aspx#Budget2 for useful information and models for engaging citizens in the budgeting process. To download MRSC’s publication Levels of Service: Measures for Maintain the Quality of Community Life, go to http://www.mrsc.org/publications/levelservstandard.pdf.
Boise City Strategic Plan provides an example of one Idaho city’s strategic plan. Go to http://strategicplan.cityofboise.org/. This plan represents an outline of Boise’s effort to align strategy with action. For further information contact Jade Riley, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor, 208-384-4405, jriley@cityofboise.org.
Strategic Planning: A Guide for Public Managers by John F. Luthy, International City/County Management Association, 2002. This report examines what tends to go wrong, clarifies the differences between and relationship among mission and vision statements and goals and objectives, offers concrete examples of each, and describes a practical new approach to strategic planning that provides a framework for success.
Based at Boise State University, the Environmental Finance Center offers training assistance to help assess sustainability of utility rates and establishment of reserve funds. Go to http://efc.boisestate.edu/. Dave Eberle, Executive Director, 208-426-4110, weberle@boisestate.edu.
Latah Sanitation/Moscow Recycling in Moscow, ID does an excellent job with communication, education, and program development. Go to http://www.moscowrecycling.com/index.php. Contact Andy Boyd, 208-882-5724, moscowrecycling@turbonet.com.
The City of Moscow has a green building program that offers local contractors and owner/builders the option of certifying their residential projects as "Green". Projects are assessed and certified using National Association of Home Builders and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria. Go to http://www.ci.moscow.id.us/building/Pages/green-building.aspx.
The City of Cheney, Washington has a closed loop solid waste/recycling system in which all waste is either recycled or biodegraded in a non-polluting manner. Such a system may be a model for Sandpoint. Go to http://www.cityofcheney.org/index.php?section=solid-waste-department.
“Fostering Sustainable Behavior: An Introduction to Community –Based Social Marketing” by Doug McKenzie-Mohr and William Smith, 1999, New Society Publishers. www.cbsm.com is a related website with a large amount of information, best practices, and networking opportunities related to reducing waste. Consulting and training services are available through the book’s authors.
Second Chance Building Materials Center is a store in Boise that reclaims and sells excess building materials. It is operated by Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnerships, a non-profit organization providing support to people in long-term recovery. http://www.shipinc.org/store/index.html. Melanie Curtis, Director, 208-331-0900.
Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho’s ReStore is similar to the Second Chance Building Materials Center above, generating funds for North Idaho Habitat for Humanity. Go to http://northidahohabitat.org/restore. Contact Renee’ Taylor, ReStore Manager, 208-762-4352, ReStore@northidahohabitat.org.
The Building Material Thrift Store in Hailey is run by the Wood River Land Trust. http://www.buildingmaterialthriftstore.org/Site/Welcome.html, 208-788-0014.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality publishes (at least) two publications that might be helpful: “Recycling in Idaho: Profiles of Community Recycling Programs” (http://www.deq.idaho.gov/waste/recycling/community_recycling_study_0903.pdf) and the Idaho Recycling and Waste Management Directory, (http://www.deq.idaho.gov/waste/recycling/recycle_directory_2004.pdf).
The USDA Rural Development Solid Waste Management Program provides technical assistance and/or training to help communities reduce the solid waste stream. Go to: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/SWMG.htm. Contact LaVonda Pernell, Loan Specialist, 202-720-9635, lavonda.pernell@wdc.usda.gov.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has a point person who can address community questions regarding recycling and other waste prevention measures. Go to http://www.deq.idaho.gov/waste/recycling/recycling.cfm. Contact Joanna Pierce, Pollution Prevention Coordinator, 208-373-0146, joanna.pierce@deq.idaho.gov.
Based in Lewiston, the North Idaho Community Action Partnership offers weatherization assistance and low-income energy assistance programs. Go to http://www.idahocommunityaction.org/partnerships/partnershipscap/. Contact Hans Berg, Energy Programs Coordinator, 208-375-7382, hberg@capai.org.
The City of Boise’s Sustainable Boise program offers information and resources on a variety of issues and opportunities related to sustainability. Go to http://publicworks.cityofboise.org/environmental-resource-center/sustainable-boise/. The City also has its Enviroguard Sustainability Awards program that recognizes Boise businesses, organizations, and individuals who are reducing their environmental footprint through sustainable practices. http://publicworks.cityofboise.org/environmental-resource-center/enviroguard-sustainability-awards/. Contact Megan Durrell or Angela Deckers, 208-384-3901, SustainabilityAwards@cityofboise.org.
The Yellowstone Business Partnership uses training, research, and other forms of support to help businesses and communities in the Greater Yellowstone Area achieve the following goals: (1) promote green building and development, (2)
encourage responsible business practices, (3) advance new options for regional mobility, and (4) support four-season economies for gateway communities.
Go to http://www.yellowstonebusiness.org/. Contact Jan Brown, jbrown@yellowstonebusiness.org, 208-406-522-7809.
The U.S. Green Building Council Idaho Chapter promotes the principles of sustainable design, construction and operation in buildings to create a better quality of life in Idaho. The organization fulfills its mission by offering resources, events, and networking opportunities to builders, architects, and communities. Go to http://www.usgbcidaho.org/. Contact Executive Director Charlie Woodruff (208-871-4601, charlie@usgbcidaho.org).
Published by the Idaho Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, the 2013 Idaho Green Building Report summarizes LEED green building trends and policies in Idaho and maps out where LEED certified green building is happening across the state. To download the report, go to http://www.usgbcidaho.org/resources/2013report/.
The nonprofit American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. ACEEE’s thorough and peer-reviewed technical work is widely relied on by policymakers, business and industry decision makers, consumers, media, and other energy professionals. Go to http://aceee.org/. A new report by ACEEE ranking 34 of America's largest cities on their efforts to cut energy use and costs puts Portland #2 and Seattle #5. Best practices are highlighted throughout the report, including Portland’s climate action plan, commitment to increase transportation choices, and support for transit-oriented development. Best practices by Seattle include its community-based energy retrofit program, Community Power Works, and its innovative building energy benchmarking program. Download the report here: http://aceee.org/local-policy/city-scorecard.
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 100 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of more than 12 million energy consumers. NEEA leverages its strong regional partnerships to effect market transformation by accelerating the adoption of energy efficient products, services and practices. Go to http://neea.org/home to gain a complete understanding of the organization’s programs and resources.
Locavesting: The Revolution in Local Investing is a book and associated website written by author and journalist Amy Cortese. The book explores the extraordinary experiment in citizen finance taking place across in cities and towns across the country as they take back control of their financial destinies while revitalizing the communities they call home. Go to http://locavesting.com/Locavesting_homepage.html.
Idaho Smart Growth is a statewide nonprofit organization that helps planners, elected officials, developers, engineers, bike/pedestrian advocates, health care professionals, teachers, and parents to use planning tools to create safe, healthy, and more sustainable communities. Go to www.idahosmartgrowth.org. Contact Scot Oliver, Elaine Clegg, or Deanna Smith, 208-333-8066.
Avista offers a variety of energy efficiency programs available to the City of Sandpoint, its businesses, and its residents. Go to http://www.avistautilities.com/savings/Pages/default.aspx. Contact Bruce Folsom, Director of Energy Efficiency, 509-495-8706, Bruce.folsom@avista.corp.
EnergySmart is a good example of a countywide energy efficiency program (Boulder County, Colorado). Go to http://www.energysmartyes.com.
Frederick, Maryland has a lot of County-level programs that may be of interest to Sandpoint’s local food stakeholders. To learn about the Frederick County, Maryland Virtual Farmers Market, go to http://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/farmersmarket/. Colby Ferguson is the Business Development Specialist for local agriculture; go to:
http://frederickcountymd.gov/index.aspx?NID=3900. Frederick County land preservation programs; go to: http://frederickcountymd.gov/index.aspx?NID=103. The County has an innovative program to match older farmers wanting to retire with young farmers looking for land.
Treasure Valley Food Coalition is a nonprofit organization in support of a vibrant local food economy in the Treasure Valley Food Shed of Southwestern Idaho and Eastern Oregon. TVFC operates as a small group of volunteers collaborating with other organizations to increase the amount of food grown and consumed locally. Go to http://treasurevalleyfoodcoalition.org/.
Santa Fe, New Mexico Food Policy Council is an example of a city-sponsored food policy council that Sandpoint may want to replicate. This council and the umbrella non-profit, Farm to Table, are good contacts. They can offer Sandpoint some good examples of structure as well as ways to develop programs to expand their local food market to include institutions like schools, etc. Go to http://www.farmtotablenm.org/programs/policy-civic-engagement/santa-fe-food-policy-council/ and http://www.farmtotablenm.org/programs/.
Ken Meter of Crossroads Resource Center in Minneapolis, MN has completed community and regional food assessments around the county (including in Southwest Idaho and Eastern Oregon). Go to www.crcworks.org. Contact Ken Meter, 612-869-8664, kmeter@crcworks.org.
The University of Idaho Sustainability Center and Office of Community Partnerships both provide resources for students and interns to work on the type of projects discussed in this report. The University of Idaho also has resources for organics assessments, designing composting operations, and assessment of biofuels options. Senior engineering student group projects can design and optimize waste stream operations as part of yearlong student projects. UI Environmental Science senior projects are a resource for assessment activities. Contacts include: Debbie Gray (208-885-4017), Community Engagement Coordinator at Office of Community Partnerships for intern and student engagement; Chris Dixon or Jan Boll at the UI Environmental Sciences Program (208-885-5145) for Environmental Science senior project recruitment; Darin Saul (208-885-0124), Office of Community Partnerships will direct to other available resource for other needs related to waste.
Cinda Williams, Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator at the University of Idaho’s Office of Community Partnerships can help organize and assist with funding and completing a community food assessment (among other things). Go to http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/sustag/meetcinda.htm. Contact Cinda Williams, 208-883-2267, cindaw@uidaho.edu.
The Office of Community Partnerships is engaged in assessment, planning, and research on a variety of food systems strategies around the state, a number of which are relevant to Sandpoint. OCP is also currently organizing a number of large grant proposals, which could include Sandpoint groups and efforts. If interested, the Sandpoint Farmers Market should contact visiting team member Darin Saul, who can bring up a couple other people to meet with the board to work through possible collaborations. Contact Darin Saul, dsaul@uidaho.edu, 208-885-0124.
For information about completing “rapid market assessments”, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/khq26dx and http://tinyurl.com/lakshso.
Direct Local Food is a Boise-based start-up that provides an online wholesale marketplace for local food. Their customers are local farmers and wholesale buyers – specifically grocers and restaurant managers. Plans are in the works to expand to other cities. Go to http://www.directlocalfood.com/.
The Freshest Cargo is a mobile farmers market in the San Francisco Bay Area. Go to http://freshapproach.org/mobile-farmers-market/
Idaho Tech Help has a team devoted exclusively to food processing and food marketing. Go to http://www.techhelp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=services.food. Jeff Kronenberg, Food Processing Specialist, jkron@uidaho.edu, 208-364-4937.
USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise Grants can be used for feasibility studies and other projects that result in job creation, including those associated with food production and processing. Go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ID. Jeff Beeman, USDA Area Director (Jeff.Beeman@id.usda.gov, 208-762-4939 ext. 118) was a member of the Sandpoint Community Review visiting team.
College of Southern Idaho’s Culinary Arts Program. Go to https://www.csi.edu/ge/Culinaryarts.
Wood River High School Culinary Arts Professional Technical Education Program. Go to http://blaineschools.org/Schools/WRHS/Academy/Culinary_Arts.aspx.
Life’s Kitchen is a Boise-based nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk young adults by building self-sufficiency and independence through comprehensive food service and life skills training, and placement in the food service industry. Go to http://www.lifeskitchen.org/.
The Legal Guide for Direct Farm Marketing covers everything from licenses and inspections to zoning and buying clubs. It can be downloaded at http://directmarketersforum.org/idaho/.
Harvest Hosts is a network of farmers, winemakers, and attractions that invites self-contained RVers to visit their vineyards and farms and stay overnight for free. Food producers in the Sandpoint area can join this network. Go to www.HarvestHosts.com.