Maine Association of Planners
Executive Board Committee Meeting
April 2, 2004
State Planning Office- Augusta
Executive Board Committee members present: Jim Fisher, Hugh Coxe, Rich Roedner, Maureen O'Meara, Doug Webster
President Fisher opened the meeting at 10:45 A.M. He reported that e-mails had been received from the following Board members indicating that they could not attend; Fred Marshall, Matt Nazar, Noel Musson, and David Galbraith (see item 6B below).
Item 1: Annual Meeting
Item 1A: Awards.
The deadline for nominations is 4/9/04. Possible nominees include;
Professional Planner: Kittery planner, Caroline Allan (GPCOG), Natalie (GPCOG), Westbrook planner (Brooks Moore), Eric Carson (Westbrook), Eric Gallant (Midcoast), and Sandra Lie (OOB).
Project: ME Bike Plan (John Ballici- MDOT), Casino analysis (SMRPC), Topsham Crossing- Lower Village Plan, Bath-Brunswick bike extension, Duck Trap River Coalition- land acquisition.
Student: Jereme (MAP Newsletter work). Jim will contact Jack Kartez.
Item 1B: Promotion
The Board has used the Newsletter, e-mails to various planners, and the list-serve to ensure that the planning community is aware of the upcoming annual meeting and awards.
Item 1C: Conference Agenda
The speaker details need to be finalized. It was expected that the speaker would be the AM focus with a possible local tie-in perhaps by Charlie Colgan.
Item 1D: Speaker/ Topic
Noel/ Jim have had some initial discussions with Anne Muecke from a Halifax consulting firm. They are trying to resolve transportation costs for her. There is still a possibility that Charlie may be willing to play a minor role.
Item 1E: Conference Budget
Resolution of the speaker and associated costs is needed. Parameters were discussed at the Board's 3/5/04 meeting. Jim has prepared a draft that needs to be formalized when more specifics are known.
Item 1F: Sponsorships
Board members listed possible additional contacts for sponsors;
DeLorme
Pinkham & Greer
Delucca-Hoffman
BH2M
Tylin
Terry Dewan
Woodlot Alternatives
John O'Donnell
SMRT
Item 1G: MAP Business Meeting
Fred has drafted a budget for FY 05 for inclusion in the next newsletter so that the membership can review it prior to the annual meeting.
Regarding the Executive Board of FY 05, present Board members should keep looking for members. A reminder could be added in the next newsletter.
Item 2: Legislative and Policy Committee
Board members reported that some planners expressed some concerns regarding the direction of the MAP process that occurred with LD 1900. The passage of this law would have formalized the process of local control through consistent comprehensive plans and ordinances. The "and all other land use ordinances" clause makes it appear that all other ordinances must be consistent with the comprehensive plan. MAP Board members did not have sufficient information to be able to make an informed decision on LD 1900.
The consensus of the Board for future MAP positions on future issues/ LD's is that there should be one well-publicized organizational face-to-face meeting for a particular matter. Those that attend the face-to-face meeting need to have sufficient information to be able to take a position. If there is not a consensus at the meeting, then details can be addressed by e-mail by those that attended the face-to-face meeting.
The consensus of the Board was that, in the future, MAP should not be testifying or taking a position on a particular issue or LD if there is not a consensus.
Item 3: Membership
President Fisher reported that he is receiving copies of the new membership forms from Fred. The Newsletter continues to include reminders and forms.
Item 4: Meetings and Workshops
A sustainable community conference will be held on April 8th at USM. Other upcoming workshops include creative Maine economies. There appear to be several conferences this coming fall.
Item 5: Newsletter
Maureen reminded the Board that articles are due today for the next Newsletter. The upcoming edition will have articles form Hugh and Rodney. It will include information regarding recent court cases. Fred's proposed FY 05 budget will also be included. A reminder regarding membership renewal was suggested.
Item 6: New, Old, Unfinished and Other Business
Item 6A: March 5, 2004 Minutes
Hugh moved to accept the 3/5/04 minutes as written with the exception of correcting the spelling of "Oest" as a possible sponsor. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 6B: Executive Board Committee attendance
Board members expressed their desire to have Executive Board Committee member commit to either attending or notifying the President by noon on the Thursday just prior to the Friday meeting. It is difficult to have Board members cancel at the last minute sometimes resulting in not being able to obtain a quorum. The consensus of the Board members present was that this should be an informal policy that Executive Board Committee members agree to follow for the benefit of the organization.
Item 6C: Next Meeting
The next Executive Board Committee Meeting was set for 10:30 on Friday, May 7th at State Planning Office.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25.