Maine Association of Planners
Executive Board Committee Meeting
March 5, 2004 - 187 State Street, Augusta
Executive Board Committee Members Present: Jean Marshall, Matt Nazar, Noel Musson, Jim Fisher, Hugh Coxe, Fred Marshall, Maureen O'Meara, Doug Webster, David Galbraith
President Fisher opened the meeting at 10:40 A.M.
Item 1: Minutes from 1/30/04 meeting
Corrections noted: Page 1, spelling, Hogan to Colgan. Page 3, item 11, change MDI to Mount Desert Community Trust (MDCT).
Matt moved to pass the minutes as corrected. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 2: Presidents Report
President Fisher commented that the 1/30/04 TIF workshop was helpful. Although there was marginal information regarding housing TIF's, it is in its formative stages. The consensus was that MAP should consider pursuing future workshops on housing TIF's. MAP could sponsor (possibly with others) a workshop at the fall MMA conference on this subject. The timing would work well.
Jim commented that the informal format used by MCDA was effective and the consensus of the Board was that MAP should consider future collaborations with MCDA.
The new SPO director, Martha Freeman, introduced herself to the Board. Board members outlined the various functions of MAP and it's present involvements such as workshops and the legislative and policy subcommittee. The Board left an open invitation with her to have input at MAP meetings and/ or submit articles for the newsletter. She thanked the Board for inviting her to the meeting and indicated that SPO will be focusing on regionalism.
Item 3: Annual Meeting
Jim commented that he has contacted Spruce Point and informed them that MAP will not be needing their facilities this year.
3A: Speaker(s): Noel is working with Mark Lapping at USM to identify speakers. Charlie Colgan has recently published a book on Canadian Regionalism and he might provide the connection with Maine for the meeting if he is willing to participate. If MAP is able to secure a speaker from Canada, it would probably be appropriate to maximize the speakers time at the meeting.
3B: Awards: Awards need to be received by 4/15/. The front page of the forthcoming Newsletter contains an announcement for this. Ron Beard of MDI tomorrow might be considered as a nominee for citizen planner of the year.
3C: Sponsors: Sponsors played a key role is balancing the budget for the annual meeting in past years. Board members identified several possible sources including;
Woodard & Curran, Topsham- Noel
Wright-Pierce- Noel
Woodlot Alternatives
USM- Hugh to see if $ available
Planning Decisions- Mark Eyerman- Maureen
Land Use Consultants
Mitchell & Associates- Maureen
Spatial Alternatives- Hugh
John O'Donnell Associates- New Gloucester
SMRT- Portland
Oust- S. Portland
JW Sewall- Jim
CES
LL Bean
Photoscience
The consensus was that it is probably best to focus on the flat $250 sponsorship which would include a poster at the conference (exposure to 50+ planners), a business card for the upcoming year in the Newsletter, and one person from the organization to attend the annual meeting with having to pay the registration fee.
Item 3D: Budget: Costs are $20-22 per person for food. Estimated known costs presently are about $1700. Cost per person in past years has been $40. More detail is needed regarding speaker expenses and possible sponsors before determining the cost per person. The consensus was that it should not be more than the annual dues and should be in the $40 range.
Item 3E: Business meeting agenda items:
1. Presidents Report
2. Treasurers Report
3. Update on Amincus Brief
4. Proposed slate of Executive Board
5. Proposed FY 04-05 budget
Item 3F: Recreation: Donna Larson is looking at various options in the area that could be offered to meeting attendees. At this point it appears unlikely that MAP will offer to coordinate any afternoon recreation but will ensure that attendees are aware of opportunities and will encourage the informal organization of recreation.
Item 4: Legislative and Policy Committee
Matt discussed the importance of LD 1900 (CPAC Bill) for planners. The bill will be heard on 3/11 and there are some proposed changes. Dan Fleisman may be willing to play a role with this bill. Ann Krieg reported that the last meeting was held on 2/27. Very few bills for this session were planning oriented.
The consensus of the Board was that MAP has made significant progress during the past few years in the organizational structure of this subcommittee. MAP has been added as a sponsor/ supporter of the Maine Land Bond. The question at this point is the amount of funding that may be appropriated by the legislature.
Item 5: Meetings and workshops
Jim will be contacting MCDA for possible future collaboration for workshops and other functions. MCDA produces "Education Briefs" that may be useful to some Towns. These are short, electronically available informational handouts.
There is an upcoming workshop in Lewiston regarding the future of Maine's economy. It may be appropriate for MAP to be a sponsor of this event.
Item 6: Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Marshall handed out a three page summary of present MAP balances. The total liabilities and equity presently stands at $18,323.15. The newsletter and the annual meeting always constitute the most significant MAP expenses. The newsletter is running slightly under budget for the year to date.
Fred expects to be able to prepare a budget for FY 04-05 for the next Board meeting so that it can be reviewed for possible inclusion in the next newsletter. It would be ideal for the membership to review the proposed budget prior to the annual meeting so that any comments could be received.
Item 7: Newsletter
Maureen reported that the present newsletter is being printed and will be sent within a few days. The newsletter always contains a membership form. The next newsletter is slated to be sent on 4/23. Materials to be included need to be received by 4/2. The next newsletter should include 1) A registration form for the annual meeting, and 2) a proposed FY 05 budget. It may be appropriate to consider an excerpt from Charlie Colgan's book or other articles on Canadian regionalism.
Item 8: Other Business
Jean Marshall reported that Mt. Desert Community Trust (MDCT) has appointed a chair and that they are in the process of raising private funds to buy land upon which to construct housing.
The next meeting has been set for Friday, April 2nd @ 10:30 at SPO Augusta.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 P.M.