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Sedona Serious About Sustainability

Sedona AZ–What is the City of Sedona Sustainability Commission? The Sustainability Commission is a group of nine resident volunteers, chosen by the Sedona City Council, to serve as an advisory board on issues related to environmental sustainability for Sedona.

The Sustainability Commission, tasked with preserving Sedona’s beauty, was formed in 2010 and began holding monthly meetings in January 2011. The Commission’s mission is to advise City Council regarding policies, programs, regulations, and strategies that will increase public awareness, knowledge, and action through best practices in sustainability with measurable outcomes to enhance and enrich the community.

Over the past few months, the Commission has discussed core issues regarding local sustainability and, based on City Council direction, completed a Work Program to focus its efforts on increased awareness and action to promote eco-friendly and sustainable living practices. Some of the Commission’s current projects and proposals include:

1. Create additional community biking and hiking routes to SR 89A

2. Support the Sedona Parks and Recreation department in the creation of a Community Garden at Sunset Park.

3. Engage the community by building awareness of the Commission’s goals and mission, and by educating Sedona citizens as to why sustainability matters: Community-building events are essential to this process.

4. Assist in the update of the Community Plan to insure issues of sustainability and environmental significance are considered and included.

5. Develop Community Indicators (a set of measurable tools and metrics) that enable Sedona to measure sustainability progress. 

6. Assist the City of Sedona in attaining a Dark Skies City designation.

7. Help City Administration “walk the talk” by demonstrating its increase in environmentally-friendly and sustainable office and business practices.

8. Create a series of Green Building and Energy codes for Sedona, based on other Southwestern cities with similar codes, such as Santa Fe and Scottsdale.

9. Work towards Sedona’s goal of becoming a Zero Waste Community.

10. Work towards the adoption of a Pay-As-You-Throw program, in which waste management companies offer different sizes of garbage receptacles, and charge a corresponding fee based on receptacle size.

11. Support long-term goals of requiring recycling bins in all City parks and buildings, mandatory recycling at all community events, and creating a community compost center for Sedona businesses and residents.

12. The arid Sedona climate brings front and center the importance of water conservation and the need for Commission advocacy of broad educational programs to support grey water usage, rainwater harvesting, and water conservation educational programs.

13. Examine the feasibility of banning single-use plastic bags and polystyrene take-out packaging throughout the City of Sedona.

The City of Sedona Sustainability Commission is comprised of the following citizen volunteers: Brent Bitz, Jeff Heidt, Sarah Irani, Meghan Kincheloe, Marlene Rayner, Charlie Schudson, Ernie Strauch, Kristopher Spector, and Bill Welter.

The Sustainability Commission meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 9 to 11 AM in the Vultee Conference Room at City Hall. The public is invited to attend with time allocated each meeting for public comment. For information about the Sustainability Commission and its work program, visit the City’s web site at www.SedonaAZ.gov/sustain or contact Audree Juhlin, City of Sedona staff liaison to the Commission, at 928-204-7107 or email ajuhlin@SedonaAZ.gov.

Mark your calendars to vote in the City of Sedona Special election November 8, 2011

2 Comments

  1. City of Sedona says:

    The City of Sedona is currently seeking to fill three vacancies on the Sustainability Commission. The vacancies are for three-year terms, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015.

    The deadline to submit applications to be considered to serve on the Sustainability Commission is Monday, October 10, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

    This nine-member Commission makes recommendations regarding sustainable related practices and policies to the City Council. Specific responsibilities include: developing an outreach and education program that informs, engages and promotes sustainable practices; review and propose sustainability related policies; advice on policy matters related to sustainable practices including: energy, air, water, waste, green infrastructure, built environment, transportation, and sustainable products and businesses.

    The Sustainability Commission will also participate in assisting the City in updating its Community Plan over the next few years. For more specific information about the Sustainability Commission, visit the City’s web site at http://www.SedonaAZ.gov/sustain. The meetings are generally held the fourth Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

    Application packets are available from the City Clerk’s office at 102 Roadrunner Drive or by calling 928-282-3113. Return completed applications to the City of Sedona, City Clerk’s office at 102 Roadrunner Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336 For information contact Audree Juhlin at 928-204-7107 or email ajuhlin@SedonaAZ.gov.

  2. Audree Juhlin says:

    THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION NEEDS YOU -The City of Sedona is currently seeking to fill a vacancy on the Sustainability Commission. The vacancy is for an unexpired term ending on December 31, 2012. The deadline to submit applications to be considered to serve on the Sustainability Commission is Monday, November 28, 2011 at 5:00 pm.

    This nine-member Commission makes recommendations regarding sustainable related practices and policies to the City Council. Specific responsibilities include developing an outreach and education program that informs, engages and promotes sustainable practices; review and propose sustainability related policies; advice on policy matters related to sustainable practices including: energy, air, water, waste, green infrastructure, built environment, transportation, and sustainable products and businesses.

    The Sustainability Commission will also participate in assisting the City in updating its Community Plan over the next few years. For more specific information about the Sustainability Commission, visit the City’s web site http://www.SedonaAZ.gov/sustain. Application packets are available from the City Clerk’s office at 102 Roadrunner Drive or by calling 282-3113.

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