[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6485794,"mediaKeyId","5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3","parentId",5564524,"title","Commission approves working definition of \"heritage tree,\" will forward definition to Urban Forestry Commission","audioSeconds",1504,"startMs",1367440,"endMs",2871790,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3&start=1367&end=2871","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3/thumbnail_1367440.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485794/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Commission-approves-working-definition-of-heritage-tree-will-forward-definition-to-Urban-Forestry-Commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485794-0312210349246fb89e0e2ac18f2b80bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014357&Signature=aBkWfqpf~YShBUIiB2QL8vYitiRtfXeQaOzw~5S-RRRTK5s2CpRaEIuJACaCSmVCx5tvIItqstdboPLqlBGdxMVgkHgu6CzajLjZ68wKTYt-fyknypZl38he~NHfoLWw-UmQx3fVWNkG5pBGY02ih0KKVfmTpPxkev-hZ8bpr-zfj~JP7-iNwQSJnEnJDfQJ3aivh7wGC2TxHseKVsAk1s1Z8I5x70rLBe8Jf7SjvsCetmTH4Ay3XqmFuxcPWUk3rP~uQNh13SIiGarSYDFutDRCINDBVIiYpI-x1keYZhEAokoo~1lP-bxhAPRGIatXQB8p27FCFD73~o6iVdeqag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sandpoint","date","2025-08-12T17:28:08Z","article","The Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Preservation Commission approved a working definition of “heritage tree” and agreed to forward that definition to the Urban Forestry Commission for its consideration.

Eric Bush, the City of Sandpoint project manager and city forester, described five proposed categories for heritage trees: specimen, rare, significant grove, ecological and historical. Bush told the commission the Urban Forestry Commission had already adopted the four nonhistorical categories and that the historical category remained a working definition the Arts Commission was being asked to review.

The approved working wording — as read aloud by Bush and adopted by the commission — describes a historical category as “a tree which, by virtue of its association with or contribution to a historical structure or district or its association with a historical event.” The commission discussed and agreed to remove language referencing a “noted citizen,” with commissioners saying such a phrase could be subjective and difficult to define.

Commissioners and staff clarified that the designation is, at present, a recognition mechanism rather than an automatic legal protection. Bush told the commission that Sandpoint city code “does have mention and note of heritage trees” but that specific protection mechanisms have not yet been vetted; whether a designation would restrict actions on private property would depend on future code changes and legal advice. The commission discussed the possibility of public nomination, plaques for publicly owned trees and the role of education and advocacy in encouraging preservation.

Motion and vote: The commission moved to approve the historical-category definition and forward the five-category proposal to the Urban Forestry Commission; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Next steps: The Arts Commission will forward the approved wording to the Urban Forestry Commission for its vote later this month, and staff will return with proposed nomination procedures, potential plaque ideas and any legal or code implications for further commission review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sandpoint | Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission Meeting | 08/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission voted to adopt a working definition for \"heritage tree\" — one of five categories developed with the Urban Forestry Commission — and will send the definition to the Urban Forestry Commission for its vote; protections and nomination procedures remain to be developed.","taxTitle","Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",52019,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485798,"Commission approves plan to commission large Cedar Street sculpture, cites SURA sunset as spending driver",266,918760,1184940,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3&start=918&end=1184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3/thumbnail_918760.jpg","/articles/6485798/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Commission-approves-plan-to-commission-large-Cedar-Street-sculpture-cites-SURA-sunset-as-spending-driver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485798-78f419cca825b48c8a88add697b20cef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014357&Signature=ZN0A6ZWMuwMmqWtdi0EGwvcKlKde3iDZddg2suP8rC7S9qrymGXgOumyyJn-Gb4N~KjbPsVVgBt~i4UW~vDRpwPSTO8lR2XKwVm~Y3msTXmC8NwGoe7rdBOr~F3Ofen4d63uwT5eniqVT81Z3aqRp1ohs6xpvqq6uWrgB36zqQk2cD02kRI8oBOtP4MnNwFvMdyzaR8qn294tsgWgBfq4v3q6crARne8mSq2b79CQTvx44oSnWxg8FZyQ~fgtgc1w-~aTBuLZN93ZMjxSEf3j1sROuPCqFb~3HKgkq8Mk8F8fC-KMyiKXSJXmKUNqMlwUkcLwUCBNA1jsmkBLawJGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Preservation Commission voted to move forward with commissioning a large sculpture for Cedar Street and to use Urban Renewal Agency funds, including a Gretchen Heller memorial donation, to begin the project.

Ellie Sesmus, chairwoman of the Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Preservation Commission, told the commission that the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency — SURA — will “sundown in 2029,” and that the commission should spend available redevelopment art funds before the agency’s termination date. Sesmus described three reinforced-concrete locations on Cedar Street suitable for a large sculpture: at Second and Cedar; at Third and Cedar on the hospital side; and on the Cedar Street Inn’s west-facing wall.

Sesmus proposed a commission-led process to jump-start a large piece on Cedar Street and told members the commission need not run a public call if it instead purchases or commissions directly. During discussion she proposed funding the work using the commission’s Cedar funds and said “we’re thinking probably $1,520,000. 2,500 of that being the memorial donation that we still have from the Gretchen Heller Trust,” as the available figures. Commissioners acknowledged the figures as planning-level and agreed to assemble a work team to develop the project.

Motion and vote: A commissioner moved that the commission “put a sculpture at the corner of Second and Cedar and use funds from the CERDA money” and explicitly referenced adding the Gretchen Heller Memorial Fund to the financing. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The commission directed staff to convene a work team to refine site selection, scope, procurement options and a funding plan and to bring specific design and procurement recommendations to a future meeting.

Context: Commissioners said urgency to spend Urban Renewal art funds is driven by the agency’s planned sunset in 2029. No final contract or artist was selected at the meeting.","The commission approved a motion to commission a large sculpture for Cedar Street, identify three reinforced-concrete mounting sites and use Urban Renewal funds; the motion referenced existing memorial funds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485802,"Sandpoint commission authorizes continued planning for street-lamp banner program and asks staff to pursue RFP with central services",299,600220,899470,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3&start=600&end=899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3/thumbnail_600220.jpg","/articles/6485802/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-commission-authorizes-continued-planning-for-street-lamp-banner-program-and-asks-staff-to-pursue-RFP-with-central-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485802-4ecc8eb93645f70344c8eb42097a1e47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014357&Signature=dzLkYNrHrHXzaImsfN3igHLnUZGa6d34FWKL8iXAKgsARUeWtz8RdIyB7E1b4roAYMGlz0khO5vvqGExu75Ue2j3D6zZ6r0txv~BAAFeRh1sa6YeXZdg92~66UqOJm2JGtipK6c~e333Nsjxdy08QHIFGKKguiCHR4esUJUv3Ag6jzqWQx9~A~eZQeaKNAn1K5w03007JSHrcVzGCFA1C29iVhc1a8uHhWLY5qXSMcWqoVvy7p1aq6HWbA7qY1m53eDEbdNcOqBI~mBfZJPJCgjCheKb-yGiV6p2qspojb7uTn~SumWwQ7m5LV~3l9F4wHrHoNeWwFYWLzPmDBCBmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","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.","The commission voted to continue developing a downtown street-lamp banner program, approve an RFP with central services, and explored costs and seasons for banners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485808,"Sandpoint commission reviews spring 2025 utility-box art installs; staff to refine process",160,145820,305820,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3&start=145&end=305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564524-7b145b6a55dfecdd8254afbdf125d1c3/thumbnail_145820.jpg","/articles/6485808/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-commission-reviews-spring-2025-utility-box-art-installs-staff-to-refine-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485808-d758b8f4895df2339d273985444bc2ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014357&Signature=PEhMDY6UAP908ZfH~CFhoYSuMx8vzLXKB0IgVmexOYTtN8LB3HRDndP9rVt6ZlX79H-B4PqrfF3zz3Q1ABHODKOiNZCOuODirv8zb~ZIXBTgwoDIRe-G1dr5tUJheNAyWcacxIezOM-AfKqoCBnV0CWHCv4EO1FAxFKBntWy3yQKA-Kg14lCUL8eGgsfR5Wxf6OZecnUxDm1YDzP2Uy4q3kXf7Z1xgAXb18Cz8Sx7qfRsz12xTV8gG~0qcrm840CF6q5vd1PQR3UpM6mxP-XeQH3jGEP79scNv2MtsbdFMhRPZ5ESs1asuHS44YLgJd0K9ylDlHeYVRASrOwrfBzBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Preservation Commission reported that a set of utility/solar-box murals commissioned for spring 2025 were installed in June and July and drew local media coverage.

Ellie Sesmus, chairwoman of the Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Preservation Commission, told the commission that Lee Harris’s “Kingfishers” was installed near Oak and Smith in June, and that works by Denny Henson and Dave Gonzo were placed in July after scheduling delays. “We almost made a goal of July 4, but due to, you know, meetings being postponed and things like that, it’s still been darn good,” Sesmus said.

The commission noted positive feedback from the artists about logistics, contracts and city support. “I’ve got good feedback from the artist on the logistics of the call and the contract,” Sesmus said, and she thanked city staff for their help. The commission also cited local coverage: Sesmus said a DailyVee article highlighted one artist and the Reader ran a spread showing all the pieces.

Commissioners discussed tightening the timeline for next year so installations are not delayed. Sesmus said the group plans to begin planning in January for the next spring installation and to aim for a June install date, adding that earlier planning should reduce scheduling conflicts with meetings and contractor availability.

No formal action was taken at the meeting beyond the update. Commissioners asked staff to continue collecting artist feedback and to bring a recommended timeline and any contract changes to a future meeting.

Context: The discussion occurred during the commission’s mission/business agenda item on public art. The commission did not adopt new rules at this meeting; it discussed scheduling and outreach improvements for future utility/solar-box mural projects.","The Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Preservation Commission said artist-painted utility/solar-box pieces were installed in June and July and received press attention; staff and commissioners agreed to start planning earlier for the next cycle.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves working definition of "heritage tree," will forward definition to Urban Forestry Commission

Commission approves plan to commission large Cedar Street sculpture, cites SURA sunset as spending driver

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

Sandpoint commission reviews spring 2025 utility-box art installs; staff to refine process