lanners ontana - Ravalli County

Please Thank Our Sponsors
M ONTANA
ASSOCIATION
PLANNERS
OF
Planning in a Natural Resources State
Conference Program
2014 MAP Conference
September 15th -17th
Hamilton, Montana
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Notes
Welcome to Ravalli County!
Ravalli County is a beautiful valley sandwiched
between the Sapphire Mountains to the East
and the Bitterroot Mountains to the West. It is
referred to as the Bitterroot Valley.
Ravalli County was created by the Montana Legislature in 1893 and named after Antony Ravalli,
a priest who arrived in the valley in 1845 and
started the St. Mary’s Mission. The Mission,
near the town of Stevensville, was the first permanent white settlement in Montana.
The town of Hamilton was founded by Marcus
Daly, one of the “Copper Kings” and founder of
the Anaconda Copper Company. Hamilton was
named after his employee James Hamilton, who
platted the town in 1890.
The Bitterroot Valley has been predominately
an agricultural and timber economy with retirement and tourism becoming prominent in recent years. It is also home to The Rocky Mountain Lab. The Lab is a Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory which was constructed in 1928 as a result
of research begun around 1900 to study Rocky
Mountain spotted fever.
The Ravalli County Planning Staff wants to welcome you to our beautiful valley and hope you
have a wonderful time exploring our county
while at the conference.
2014-2015 Montana Association of
Planners Board Members
Charity Fechter
Madison County Planning Dept Chair
Wyeth Friday
Billings-Yellowstone County Planning Dept.
Janet Cornish
Community Development Services
of Montana, Butte - Treasurer
Brian Bender
Powell County Planning Dept - Secretary
Christopher Scott
Gallatin County Planning Dept
Allison Mouch
Planning Bureau Chief, MT Dept of
Commerce
Andrew Hagemeier
Community Planner, Land Solutions
Dave DeGrandpre
Land Solutions, Charlo
Rene Lemon
Great West Engineering
Kevin Waller
Ravalli County Planning
Many activities at this event have been
submitted to AICP for Certification
Maintenance credit approval. More
information will be available at the
conference.
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Marcy Hamburg
Richland County Planning Dept
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Renee Lemon, Planner Great West Engineering
Renee has 14 years of experience in land use planning and mapping in Montana. Renee started her career working
for a Geographic Information System (GIS) consulting firm in Bozeman and developed an interest in using GIS for
land use planning. She spent four years working for the Ravalli County Planning Department managing subdivision
review, promoting long range planning projects, and providing GIS support. While living in the Madison Valley,
Renee worked as a consultant for Madison County, the Town of Ennis, and local non-profit organizations. Renee
now works for Great West Engineering in Helena combining her skills to help communities across Montana plan
for the future.
Technology Track - Using GIS in Public Health – Lewis and Clark County Septic Maintenance Program
Abstract: This one hour presentation is designed to explain how essential the use of GIS is for the daily operations
and functions of the Lewis and Clark County Septic System Maintenance Program. The program was adopted in
2011 by the Board of Health and is the first program of its kind in the state of Montana. The programs serves to
protect public health and valuable ground and surface water resources in Lewis and Clark County. The use of GIS is
an essential component of the program as staff works to identify properties and septic systems in the county that
are required to report maintenance activities. Beth will explain past, present and future use of GIS in the program
and how it is effectively working to help meet the goals of the program, which is to identify failed or malfunctioning septic systems.
component of the program as staff works to identify properties and septic systems in the county that are required
to report maintenance activities. Beth will explain past, present and future use of GIS in the program and how it is
effectively working to help meet the goals of the program, which is to identify failed or malfunctioning septic systems.
Speaker Bio: Beth Norberg is a Registered Sanitarian for the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department and
has a degree from Montana State University in Community Health Education. Beth has worked in the field of Environmental Health for over 10 years. Her area of concentration and expertise is in the onsite wastewater industry,
particularly within the septic system operation and maintenance program.
Monday All Day
Planning 101
The Planning 101 Seminar consists of four separate sessions, each 1.5 hours in length as follows:
9 to 10:30 A.M.
Introduction and Value of Planning/Constitution 101 The rationale and basis for planning with a focus of the
rights and responsibilities that a government must balance in land use regulation; including notice, due process,
good of the whole, and restraint of rights. The session will also include a review of the statutory rules and responsibilities of a planning board, including creating work plans, budgets, staffing, public hearings, and general
discussion on the legal concepts of planning.
10:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.
Growth Policies & State Law This session will provide information and overview of growth policy preparation
and implementation in Montana. This critical element of community planning provides the context and enabling
language for creating local land use laws and development programs for assisting communities in achieving
goals and objectives.
1:30 to 3:00 P.M.
Subdivision Regulation & Review A overview of the basic purposes of subdivision review, the state statutory
requirements, local regulations and review procedures, and the affects of recent legislation.
3:30 to 5:00 P.M.
A big thank you to the 2014 Conference Committee for all their work
on putting on this conference.
Terry Nelson
Ravalli County Planning, Chair
Charity Fechter
Madison County Planning Director
and President of MAP
Ravalli County Planning
Chris Taggart
Ravalli County Planning
Janet Cornish
CDS of Montana
Kevin Waller
Lanette Windemaker
AICP
Julie Foster
Ravalli County Economic Development
Authority
Wyeth Friday
Zoning An overview of the purpose of zoning, various types of zoning, state statutory requirements, implementation, enforcement, variances and boards of adjustments.
Speaker Bios for Planning 101 Presenters:
Introduction and Value of Planning/Constitution - Robert Horne, Jr., AICP. is a native of Florida and received his Master of Science in Planning from Florida State University. Following stints with a regional planning
commission in Alabama and a water management district in Florida, he moved out west in 1980 and worked in
Colorado Springs for 9 years (4 ½ with the City, and 4 ½ in private practice). He was Planning Director in Jackson, WY for 8 years and was the lead planner for the Town of Jackson on the Jackson-Teton County Comprehensive Plan. From 1997 to 2003 he was City-County Planning Director in Great Falls, where he once again directed
and wrote a comprehensive plan, and revised it to meet Growth Policy standards before leaving that position. In
2005 he was hired by the City of Whitefish to set up their first local planning program and to----you guessed it----write a growth policy. After two years in Whitefish, he reentered private practice with Applied Communications LLC, a firm founded by his wife, Kate McMahon, over 16 years ago. AppCom is now a two-person planning
firm whose client base is primarily small communities and rural counties. At this time they are working on several projects around Montana. He has been presenter for the Planning 101 Seminar for four years.
Many activities at this event have been submitted to AICP for Certification
Maintenance credit approval. More information will be available at the
conference.
Growth Policies - Janet Cornish is the owner and principal of Community Development Services of Montana.
She holds a B.A. Degree from the University of Wisconsin in Political Science and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. She has 35 years of experience in community planning, downtown redevelopment, historic preservation, capital improvements and transportation planning, heritage tourism, housing,
and municipal finance, particularly in the area of tax increment financing. Janet recently completed growth policies for the town of East Helena and Butte-Silver Bow. Janet is a past president of the Montana Association of
Planners and currently serves as the organization’s treasurer. She has been presenter for the Planning 101
Seminar for seven years.
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Subdivision – Wyeth Friday
Wyeth Friday is the Manager for the Billings-Yellowstone County City-County Planning Division. He manages a
staff of six planners and administrative staff. Wyeth has worked for the Planning Division for almost 11 years,
serving as Manager for the past six years. During his tenure, he has worked on current and long range planning
projects, including management of a grant and project administration for an update of the County Pre-Disaster
Mitigation Plan and West Billings Flood Mitigation and Groundwater Recharge Study, organization of a regional,
two-day Infill Development Workshop that moved Billings toward development of an Infill Policy, and ongoing
leadership of the City’s Annexation Committee through updates and amendments to the City’s Annexation Policy
in coordination with the City’s annual review of its Capital Improvement Program. Wyeth has been a member of
the American Planning Association since 2001 and of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2006. He
was President of the Montana Association of Planners for 2011-2013. Covering land use issues as a journalist in
Wyoming sparked his interest in planning and he completed a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning at
Cornell University.
Zoning - Chris Saunders, AICP is Policy and Planning Manager for the City of Bozeman Department of Planning
and Community Development. He has been with the City for over 14 years and has been lead or co-lead planner
for several of Bozeman’s most significant recent planning processes including a new Unified Development Ordinance, Transportation Plan Update, and growth policy. Mr. Saunders received his Masters degree in Town and
Regional Planning in 1993 from Utah State University. He has been presenter for the Planning 101 Seminar for
seven years.
Monday, September 15th, Lunch
Key Note: Planning for an Aging Population
Susan Kohler, CEO, Missoula Aging Services
Abstract:
This plenary session speaker will address the challenges of implementing services for older adults living in a
rural state. She will describe her work to advance the field of aging. In addition, she will address how Missoula
Aging Services works in partnership with many local, regional and national organizations to accomplish the
agency’s mission of promoting the independence, dignity and health of older adults and those who care for them.
Technology Track: Wetland and Riparian Mapping Resources
Abstract: The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) is creating maps of wetlands and riparian areas across
Montana following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory mapping standards. This ongoing effort
has resulted in the most comprehensive, up-to-date mapping database for wetlands and riparian areas in Montana.
These computer-based maps are an excellent resource for any agency or organization, including planners, that does
work in/near streams, wetlands, or riparian areas in Montana. This session will show you how to easily access the
mapping, including viewing the mapping in the MTNHP online Map Viewer, accessing it through an online map service,
and downloading the mapping for use in a GIS. It will also present potential uses, as well as limitations of the mapping.
Speaker Bio: Levia Shoutis is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist with Environmental Resources Management,
(ERM) Inc., based in Livingston, MT. At ERM Levia provides environmental assessment with a focus on wetland, riparian, and stream habitats, for government and private clients. She routinely uses National Wetlands Inventory
(NWI) maps as part of her work, including for GIS-based watershed scale environmental assessment, and as the base
layer for more focused project-scale assessments such as wetland delineation and functional assessment,
which require field-based groundtruthing of the NWI maps. Levia worked closely with Karen Newlon at the MT Natural
Heritage Program Wetland and Riparian Mapping Center, and Lynda Saul at the DEQ/MT Wetland Council to develop the training.
Wednesday, September 17th 10:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.
21Rural Planning Track – Planning and Grant Writing: A Winning Combination
Abstract: Many smaller, rural communities in Montana are dealing with aging infrastructure, such as roads; stormwater drainage facilities; water systems; and wastewater systems. These communities also lack certain infrastructure,
such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Limited staff and financial resources make it challenging for these communities to plan for and construct needed improvements.
There are state and federal funding sources available, but the process of preparing a grant application can be overwhelming. Even if a community can pull together the resources to write a grant application, there is no guarantee the
funding will be approved. Great West Engineering will share tips on preparing a winning grant application, including
the importance of land use planning documents. The following recent projects will be used as case studies to describe
how smaller, rural towns have improved their communities using grant funding:
The Town of Ennis has secured over $500,000 of grant funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
The Town of Twin Bridges is building a new senior center using grant funds.
Speaker Bio:
For the past thirty five years, Susan Kohler has dedicated herself to advancing the field of aging. As an advocate, educator and leader, she has served thirty one of those years with Missoula Aging Services in Missoula,
Montana.. She received a BA in Gerontology from Kent State University in 1979. Susan’s career highlights include an appointment by Senator Baucus to two White House Conferences on Aging, serving as the co-chair of
the Montana Area Agency on Aging Association and presenting for the National Center for Long-Term Care Business and Strategy Center at Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She recently copresented a webinar for the American Society on Aging and contributed an article to its summer publication of
Generations on challenges of implanting services for older adults living in a rural state. Susan can be heard
monthly on KUFM public radio providing guest commentary on aging issues.
Monday, September 15th, 1:30 to 3:00 P.M.
Technology Track – Broadband Planning and Smart Cities
Abstract: Broadband technologies are a key component of vital communities and are increasingly integral to
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The City of Glendive is improving and expanding the wastewater system using grant funds.
Speaker Bios:
Craig Erickson, Grants Manager, Great West Engineering
Craig has over 14 years of grant administration and grant writing experience. While the Director of Infrastructure Services at Bear Paw Development Corporation in Havre, Craig used his extensive communication and consensus-building
skills to effectively facilitate and administer community and economic development initiatives for twelve municipal
and county governments in north central Montana. Craig’s management of public facilities project’s for Bear Paw Development’s member governments provided him with intimate knowledge of each major state and federal infrastructure development program, including the Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) and Treasure State Endowment Programs (TSEP); United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program(WEP); Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program; Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Renewable Resource
Grant and Loan (RRGL) Program; State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG); Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA): Montana Board of Investments INTERCAP Loan Program); Economic Development Administration (EDA);
and Montana Department of Transportation Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP).
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the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. He served as an Incident Commander for a Type II Incident Management
Team for 8 years. Bruce is also qualified as a Type 1 Planning Section Chief.
Bruce is currently serving as the National Association of State Foresters representative to the International Association of Fire Chiefs Wildland Fire Policy Committee. Bruce is an ex officio member of the Board of Directors of FireSafe Montana. In his spare time he is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Hamilton Rural Fire District.
Bruce received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from California State College Stanislaus in 1973.
planning applications. This session will review the basics of broadband infrastructure and broadband planning
initiatives from around the country and more recently in Montana. It will review how planners can be involved
in planning for this infrastructure from incorporating goals and objectives into their growth policies, reviewing
permitting procedures and participating on task forces to develop broadband plans. Following this overview,
participants will learn about the APA Smart Cities Initiative. The focus of this initiative is to address how recent
advances in technology and innovation can lead to smarter, more sustainable and resilient cities. Ms. McMahon
is co-chair of the APA Smart City Initiative and will report on this initiative followed by a roundtable discussion
to solicit input and best practices on the smart city topics. Input will be forward to the APA Task Force.
Speaker Bio: Kathleen McMahon, AICP – President, Applied Communications, LLC
Rural Planning Track – Preparing for the Boom
Abstract:
Project Overview
Future West, a non-profit consulting firm that has partnered with the Sonoran Institute, to launch a new initiative
aimed at building the capacity of rural communities to better plan for and manage growth associated with energy
development. The first phase of this project, the production of a new film that documents lessons learned from energy booms and busts in North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, was recently completed with the release
of “Preparing for the Boom.”
Project Background
Development of energy resources is advancing rapidly in many areas of the Rockies and Northern Plains. Driven by
international demand for these resources, increased commodity prices, and new extraction technologies such as
horizontal drilling and hydro-fracturing, this development is significantly affecting both communities and the natural environment. As the global economy recovers, we anticipate that the market to further develop each of these
resources will only intensify and result in ongoing localized growth “booms.”
While all of these activities can generate significant local revenues for communities, as well as creating tremendous
new employment and business opportunities, they also have dramatic impacts on the character and quality of life in
communities. Though energy development may be inevitable in many cases, it can be done in a manner that advances local economic development, reduces negative impacts to community values, and better protects community
character and natural resources.
Peer-to-Peer Communication & Learning
When communities face the prospect of dramatic change due to energy development, one would assume that the
initial step would be to bring in “the experts” to provide advice and assistance. While there are certainly advantages
to this approach at the right time, we also feel one of the most effective first steps that can be done is to quickly
share the knowledge and experience of community leaders that have lived through a boom. People more readily
understand and accept the advice of peers who come from similar situations and backgrounds. Particularly when
their first options might otherwise be reading a technical guide or having a professional telling them what to do.
Logistically and financially it is prohibitive to attempt to take these experienced officials and leaders on a “speaking
tour” from one potential boom town to the next. Fortunately in this era of flexible multi-media communications we
have tried to address this issue by collecting their stories and lessons on film. That is the logic behind the production of the “Preparing for the Boom” video which briefly documents individual community’s failures, success and
recommendations for better preparing for energy development.
Future West would like to share this film with conference attendees from “energy” communities and counties in
order to identify their specific capacity building, training and consulting needs. For more information on this project, or to learn how you and your organization can become involved, contact: Jerry Grebenc (jerry@futurewest.org) at Future West, 406 587 2974.
Speaker Bio: Jerry Grebenc has worked in the community design profession in Montana for 15 years. Between
1999 and joining Future West, he has worn many hats, including: working in the private sector managing the development of private lands; as a local land use planner and county planning director; for the State of Montana providing practical advice and assistance to local governments; and most recently as a project manager for the Sonoran
Institute working on conservation projects in Montana and Wyoming. Jerry received his BA in History from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and MA in Geography, from the University of Montana.
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Ms. McMahon has a Bachelors Degree in Urban and Regional and a Masters Degree in
Information Technology. She is Chair of the APA Technology Division and co-authored the Planning Advisory
Service Report, “Planning and Broadband.” Ms. McMahon has conducted broadband assessments for counties
and cities in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Wisconsin, and Montana. Most recently, she worked with the Montana
Broadband program to conduct regional broadband planning meeting and assessments.
Technology and Rural Planning Tracks – Panel - Census Presentations (three presentations)
1. The American Community Survey: What it is & How it Compares to the 2000 Census Long Form
Abstract: American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing US Census Bureau survey that provides data every
year – giving communities the current information they need to plan investments and services. Information from
the survey generates data that helps determine how more than $400 billion in federal and state funds are distributed each year. To help communities, state governments, and federal programs, the ACS asks about characteristics such as age, income and benefits, health insurance, education, where you work and how you get there,
etc. All the detailed information from the ACS is combined into estimates that are used to help decide everything
from school lunch programs to new hospitals.
Speaker Bio: Joe Ramler is the Senior Economist for the Census & Economic Information Center (CEIC) at the
Montana Department of Commerce where he’s been for over 2 years. Prior to working for the Department, Joe
headed up novel economic research bringing together private and public wildlife officials and cattle producing
constituencies around Montana – this work is currently under peer review for publishing in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. Joe holds a master’s of economics and an undergraduate degree in economics and
political science from the University of Montana, Missoula. During his time away from the office, Joe enjoys the
luxuries of Montana’s great outdoors while fishing, hunting, boating, and skiing.
2. How to choose a data source when multiple sources report similar information?
Abstract: There are tens of thousands of data sets produced by organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Since Montana is a rural state, not all sources that provide information that is reliable. This presentation will look at which data sets for various topics are the best sources to use when building GIS applications
and maps of Montana and its communities. Particular focus will be given on which data to choose when two
sources appear to be reporting similar information.
Speaker Bio: Mary Craigle is the Bureau Chief for the Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC) at the
Montana Department of Commerce. She has been working in economics and research for more than 31 years.
Her career includes several research manager positions with the state and heading her own market research
company for fifteen years. Mary holds a Master’s Degree in Quantitative Analysis from the University of Missouri
and several undergraduate degrees from the University of Montana. Along with work, her current roles include
serving as Vice Chair for the US Census Bureau’s State Data Center Steering Board and Secretary and board
member for the Montana Community Foundation and Montana Women’s Foundation.
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3. Census and economic data, interactive maps and how to pick the best data sources
Abstract: The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing US Census Bureau survey that provides data
which gives communities and decision makers the information they need to plan investments and services.
Information from the survey generates data that helps determine how more than $400 billion in federal and
state funds are distributed each year. The ACS is used to help decide everything from school lunch programs to
new hospitals. Because the data from the ACS are estimates – because it’s based on a sample – it has a level of
variability associated with it. This portion of the presentation will discuss the pros and cons of ACS data looking at what’s available, how it can be used, and cautionary notes about data accuracy. Using interactive maps
can provide a wealth of information on a community. This portion of the presentation will highlight some of
the CEIC mapping tools and demo ArcGIS Online and available data sources. There are tens of thousands of
data sets produced by organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Since Montana is a rural
state, not all sources that provide information that is reliable. This portion of the presentation will look at
which data sets for various topics are the best sources to use in different circumstances. Particular focus will
be given on which data to choose when two sources appear to be reporting similar information.
Speaker Bio: Leslie Zolman is the Montana Department of Commerce, Census and Economic Information
Center GIS coordinator. She has been with CEIC for over 2 years and has provided leadership and shared vision for implementing cloud based interactive maps and received the Special Achievement in GIS Award from
Esri in 2013. Her past GIS work has included working with non-profit organizations in the US and abroad.
Leslie holds a master’s of GIS from Penn State and an undergraduate degree in microbiology. She holds a geographic information systems professional (GISP) certification and is a member of the GISP review committee. She is the current Professional Development Committee chair for (Vice President of) the Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals.
Monday, September 15th – 3:30 to 5:00 P.M.
Growing up in Townsend, MT, Pam saw first-hand the value of a strong community, where neighbors help neighbors
to build a strong community. Her mother waited tables and her father worked at the local lime mine to support Pam
and her three sisters and brother growing up. Her father still works at the mine, and he is extremely proud of and
thankful for his 25-year membership with Operating Engineers Local 400. Pam received a strong academic foundation in the public schools of her small town, and worked her way through college at a nursing home, where she was a
member of HERE. Pam received her B.A. in Political Science/History and English from Rocky Mountain College in
Billings and her Doctor of Law (J.D.) from the University of Montana School of Law in Missoula.
Before her appointment by Governor Bullock to serve as the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Pam worked as
the Chief Legal Counsel and Administrative Counsel for the Department of Labor and Industry. In 2011 on behalf of
the Department, Pam played an integral role in passing historic work comp reform that cut rates for businesses
while maintaining protection and benefits for injured workers.
Pam has also practiced law in the private sector as an Associate Attorney for Luxan & Murfitt law firm. During her
time there, Pam represented a multitude of diverse clients, including MPEA and MEA-MFT, individuals and small
businesses, in civil legal matters as well as government relations. Pam started her professional career as a Deputy
County Attorney for Lewis and Clark County and then moved on to work at the Montana Department of Justice as the
Executive Assistant Attorney General. This job provided an excellent opportunity to learn about state government,
management, the legislative process, and the interaction between all three branches of government.
Pam believes that there is no greater honor than working for the people of Montana, which is why she is incredibly
proud of her long history of public service to the state. Pam is excited to continue her work with Governor Bullock to
support and advance Montana working families and build a stronger Montana.
Wednesday, September 17th – 9:00 to 10:30 A.M.
Rural Planning Track – Impact Fees
Abstract: Impact fees are a tool intended to help pay for the costs of increasing the capacity of public facilities
such as infrastructure, land and equipment. Impact fees are authorized by Montana law and provide local governments with a fair way to distribute the often staggering public facilities costs between new users -- the people who need the increased capacity -- and existing users. But impact fees are not a cure-all and many questions persist. What can impact fees be used for? What can't they be used for? How are the fees determined?
Do impact fees stifle development? Is an impact fee program difficult to maintain? What happens if we don't
spend the money on the planned facility? Dave DeGrandpre, AICP of Land Solutions, LLC developed impact fee
studies and adoption resolutions for the eastern Montana City of Sidney and Town of Bainville in 2012-2013.
This session will provide a primer on impact fees, describe how they have been used in small towns and rural
areas, and report back on how the fees have influenced development in those two communities.
Speaker Bio: Dave DeGrandpre, AICP is the principal planner at Land Solutions in Charlo, MT. Dave served
as the senior planner and planning director for Lake County from 1999 - 2004. Dave opened Land Solutions in
2005 to provide land planning services to the public and private sectors. Dave's areas of practice include impact fee studies, growth policies, zoning and subdivision regulations, parks and trails planning, development
review and providing planning assistance to Montana and North Dakota communities. Dave completed impact
fees studies and ordinances for the City of Sidney and the Town of Bainville in 2012-2013, communities in the
Montana portion of the Bakken region that are struggling to pay for much needed public infrastructure, facilities and equipment.
Technology Track – A Four County Rural Montana Web Mapping Collaboration
Abstract: Blaine, Lincoln, Sanders and Teton County along with Geodata Services will demonstrate and discuss a unique multi county GIS collaboration funded by Montana Land Information Act grants. For one year,
more than 50 staff, local educators, and community leaders are working together in weekly training and peer
to peer support. They are building web mapping and GIS capacity for planning, emergency response, eco-
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Rural Planning Track - Wildland Urban Interface Codes for Montana
Abstract: Learn where Montana is at with Wildland Urban Interface Code and how it could affect County Planners
and Montanans. Wildland fires in Montana continue to increase in frequency and intensity. With this increase comes
the growing safety risk to firefighters and the public. The continual expansion of homes being built in rural and wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas only adds fuel to the fire. In addition, the rapidly expanding WUI adds many complications to wildland firefighting, i.e. evacuations and structure protection. Montana fire organizations and agencies
are dedicated to the vital role of public education and awareness programs to address the escalating wildland fire
situation. It is never too early to start addressing solutions to a situation that only continues to put human lives at
risk and comes with a hefty price tag. Becoming informed on what the adoption of a WUI code could have on WUI
fire mitigation is critical and strategically complements the existing WUI fire prevention programs.
Speaker Bio: Bruce Suenram, Deputy Chief, Fire and Aviation, Montana Department of Natural Resources
and Conservation (DNRC)
Bruce Suenram has worked in the field of fire protection and prevention since 1969. He is currently a Deputy Chief of
the Fire & Aviation Bureau of MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. He administers the preparedness activities of the Bureau such as training, fire prevention, fire investigation, assessments, information technology, and equipment development.
Bruce served as Montana’s State Fire Marshal (1992-1997), as chief of the Missoula Rural Fire District (1980-1992),
and as the chief of the Kelseyville, CA, Fire Protection District (1974-1980). Bruce was on the original code development committee for the Urban/Wildland Interface Code and on the International Fire Chief’s Association Urban/
Wildland Interface Committee. He acted as the liaison for the National Association of State Fire Marshals to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s Urban/Wildland Interface Advisory Committee. In addition, Bruce has taught
courses for the National Fire Academy, the Northern Training Center, the Montana Fire Services Training School and
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these “creative” approaches will be discussed. Best practices and tools will be discussed so Montana planners and
communities can address impacts to breweries and keep the economic benefits of such facilities within local communities and within the State.
Speaker Bios:
Name: John How, AICP; Carron Day, AICP
Titles: Planner and Office Manager; Planning Group Manager
nomic development, road maintenance, rural addressing, weed mapping, health, and public safety. Staff are collecting field data with iPad and Android tablets and smartphones, and engaging community members in new
and exciting ways to review and improve local data. They are spreading mapping and analysis throughout local
government and the community. We will show examples built by front office staff to address local issues. This is
not limited to those with previous GIS experience, we’re spreading this opportunity to all staff and stakeholders
in these communities. A special bonus in this session will be a demonstration of scenario analysis with Geoplanner for ArcGIS, a tool that many Montana planners could directly use and benefit from in their local planning
tasks.
Organization: KLJ
John has been working in the planning field for more than eight years and has experience in both public and private planning. He is currently serving as a contract planner with the City of Sidney and has worked on several projects across the state including impact studies, rail industrial parks, growth policies, hazard mitigation plans and
zoning and subdivision review/updates. When he’s not planning, John can be found on the river with a fly-fishing
rod or teaching his new puppy and 1-year old son to stop tormenting each other.
Speaker Bio: Ken Wall has 26 years of experience in as a professional GIS consultant and has been president of
Geodata Services, Inc. since 1993. Ken Wall is certified instructor for ArcGIS I,II and III courses, a CompTIA CTT+
Certified Technical Trainer, and has earned certification as an Esri Desktop Associate. Ken will be joined by
members of the collaboration for this presentation.
Monday, September 15th – Reception
Carron, who leads KLJ’s Community Planning group, joined the firm in early 2013 after more than 25 years’ experience in Florida and three in North Carolina. Recent planning projects have focused on communities in Montana
and North Dakota’s Bakken region. In her free time you’ll find Carron exploring the crafts, culture, and small towns
of the region.
Tuesday, September
16th
– 3:30 to 5:00 P.M.
(Tours Continue)
Tuesday, September 16th – After 5:00 P.M.
Great Conversations at the Daly Mansion
Discussion topics for our Great Conversations on Tuesday afternoon at the Daly Mansion will include the following:
-
Legislative Issues
MAP Awards Program
Professional Development
General Discussion - a "potpourri" of topics
Tuesday, September 16th - Dinner
Key Note: Pam Bucy, Commissioner of Labor and Industry
Pam Bucy
Montana Commissioner of Labor and Industry
Montanans know that few things are as rewarding as making an honest living for an honest day’s work. As a native Montanan, Pam Bucy has seen first-hand the challenges both our businesses and our job seekers face. As the
Labor Commissioner Pam works hard to represent both Labor and Industry throughout Montana, to ensure workers are able to find and keep a quality job, and businesses can find a skilled workforce to meet their needs.
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Key Note Speaker - Mae Nan Ellingson - Montana Main Street Program
Speaker Bio:
Since serving as the youngest delegate to the Montana Constitutional Convention in 1972 and graduation from
the University of Montana Law School in 1976, Mae Nan Ellingson’s career has touched almost every facet of
state, local and public private partnership finance in Montana.
In her capacity as deputy City Attorney for Missoula from 1977-1983, she worked on the first open space bond
issue, and facilitated the creation of Missoula’s first tax increment district and the issuance of bonds for the first
parking structure as well as numerous revenue and special improvement districts. She also worked on the first
in the State comprehensive sign and landscape ordinances for the City of which she is immensely proud.
In 1983, she joined Dorsey & Whitney,LLP and began a nearly 30 year career in serving as bond counsel to the
State of Montana, the State Board of Investments and most all of Missoula’s cities , counties and school districts.
During that time, she helped create the State’s Coal Severance Tax Bond Program, its Economic Development
Bond Program, its Renewable Resource Bond Program, its In-state Investment Program, the Health Facilities
Authority’s pooled loan programs, the Board of Investment’s INTERCAP Program for financing infrastructure
projects and the State’s Drinking Water and Waste Water Revolving Loan Programs.
Until her retirement from Dorsey & Whitney in 2012, she had worked on virtually every tax increment project
financing in the State and had been instrumental in keeping that option available for local governments as a
tool to promote economic development. In serving local governments she was instrumental in developing the
self-insurance liability and property insurance pools for both the Montana Association for Counties and the
League of Cities and Towns. She has participated in financing for all of the major municipal and regional airports and port authorities in Montana. She has done tax exempt financings for nonprofits and eligible private
businesses too numerous to mention over that 30 year period.
Only an opportunity like Main Street Montana Program would have lured her away from travel, gardening and
grandchildren.
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Tuesday, September 16th – 9:00 to 10:30 A.M.
Tuesday, September 16th – 1:30 to 3:00 P.M.
Rural Planning Track - Montana Floodplains and their Administration
Rural Planning Track: Buildings for Rent or Lease, Subdivision Review Alternatives - Panel
Abstract: Planning is one of the most complicated endeavors a community practices as it attempts to shape public
areas, create notable places, and boost economic opportunities. Floodplain management is equally difficult for communities since it also influences growth patterns and development practices. To overcome these challenges, this
presentation offers a look at the administration of Montana floodplains from a statewide perspective as well as at the
local level. An important component is Montana’s Department of Natural Resources Floodplain Management Program and the assistance it provides to local governments. See how Powell County uses these resources to administrate floodplains within its jurisdiction. The session will also explain the importance of connecting hazard mitigation, floodplain management, and planning. Learn how to align hazard reduction, infrastructure improvements, and
flood resiliency goals with federal and state funding opportunities.
Abstracts:
Speaker Bios:
Briona Shipman, CFM, Floodplain Training Coordinator
MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Briona has been employed with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Water Operations Bureau
for over 7 years. In her capacity as the State Floodplain Training Coordinator, Bri is responsible for the development
of floodplain courses, online tools, and resources for local floodplain administrators and others involved in Montana
floodplain management, in addition to leading the formal training component of the MT Dept. of Natural Resources
and Conservation’s Floodplain Program.
Brian P. Bender, AICP CEP, CFM, Planning Director and Floodplain Administrator of Powell County
Brian has held the position of Planning Director and Floodplain Administrator of Powell County since January 2011.
Brian manages the Planning Department to assure the achievement of its objectives such as advising the County
Commissioners of program updates, providing staff assistance to various Boards, administering grant agreements
for brownfield remediation and bridge projects, and overseeing the implementation of the County’s GIS. He coordinates the County’s Clark Fork River Superfund Cooperative Agreement between the Environmental Protection
Agency and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, particularly the Operable Units located in the
County. Brian serves as the Board Secretary for the Montana Association of Planners. Starting in January 2014,
Brian is a member of the Deer Lodge City Council. Prior to his arrival in Montana, Brian had nearly ten years of planning experience in both rural and urban settings. Brian has a BA in Geography from Plattsburgh State University,
with a minor in Mapping Sciences. Brian also holds a MS in Geography with a concentration in coastal geomorphology from Western Washington University and a Master of Regional Planning from the University at Albany with a
specialization in rural and small town planning.
Technology Track - Using GIS to Make Land Use Decisions in Madison County
Abstract: Land use planners and GIS folks usually speak a different language. How do you create GIS tools that land
use planners will actually use in their daily work? How can land use planners use GIS to inform policies and change
on the ground? This panel discussion will explore GIS data and software useful for land use planning, how GIS professionals can tailor GIS for land use planners, and how GIS can ultimately impact decision-making in communities.
The panelists will discuss recent work in Madison County. Known for the rugged mountain peaks, vast agricultural
land, abundant wildlife, and trout fishing, Madison County is located in southwestern Montana near Yellowstone National Park. Madison County officials are working to set up policies that will ensure future development aligns with
the community values envisioned in the growth policy. Renee Lemon will discuss the GIS data layers compiled for
the County. Brent Brock will discuss wildlife habitat data and wildplanner, a tool to design development that minimizes negative impacts on wildlife habitat. Charity Fechter will discuss how Madison County is using GIS to develop
policies.
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Joel Nelson will discuss: By working with various types of development applications related to the oil boom in Richland County, Joel has become familiar with how different local regulations and state laws apply different situations.
Joel plans to discuss uncertainties confronted while applying the 2013 changes to state law and regulations that have
been adopted based on model regulations. This is intended to be a round table discussion about those uncertainties,
how various regulations are working, and ideas for clarifying state law and how local governments may better address recent challenges.
Marcy Hamburg will discuss: Issues Richland County is experiencing Mobile and RV parks, using the DPPHS Park
license list and existing records on file at the Planner Office and County Clerk & Recorder Office to determine compliance with new regulations. Issues with these types of parks in existing prior to the BLR law, those have not gone
through the planning review.
Tara DePuy will discuss: Perceived and Real Issues in Administering and Enforcing BLR Regulations. Basically talk
about what the Planners heard after the legislation passed as to what the perceived problems would be with BLR
and what actual problems exist with the administration and enforcement of the law.
Speaker Bios:
Tara DePuy was born in Livingston, Montana and graduated from Montana State University in 1984. After graduating from the University of Montana School of Law in 1987 with high honors, Tara was in private practice in
Livingston before joining the Park County Attorney’s Office, focusing on land use issues for the last couple of years of
her tenure. After twenty years of service to Park County, Tara has been in private practice the last eight years, focusing on land use issues. Tara has been a JPIA Land Use Attorney for the Montana Association of Counties for five years.
Joel Nelson has been a Community Planner for Land Solutions since December 2013, and is based in Polson, Montana. Prior to being a planner for Land Solutions, Joel worked as a planner and then as Planning Director for Lake
County, Montana for 8 ½ years. Currently, Joel is working on projects throughout Montana and western North Dakota. Most recently, Joel has been reviewing subdivisions, workforce housing projects, and buildings for lease or rent
projects for Richland County, Montana.
Marcy Hamburg has lived in the eastern Montana area all her live. She has an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science.
Marcy has been the County Planner for Richland County for the past 13 years and has been the Director during that
time for 8 years. She also provides planning services for the Town of Fairview (Montana) and served as the Planner
for the City of Sidney for 6 years. Marcy contributes her education in land use planning with on job training and by
attending planning conferences, workshops, seminars and training sessions on land use planning, development and
policies.
Economic Development Track - Craft Beer in the City
Abstract: Craft breweries have a positive economic impact in Montana and across the Mountain West. A newspaper
article titled “How Beer Saved Bend Oregon” says it all. The number of breweries across our region keeps rising yet
local and state regulations pose challenges to getting projects approved or keeping breweries open. A regional approach highlighting differences between states regarding redevelopment and gentrification efforts caused by microbreweries will be examined; unique examples regarding land use compatibility, zoning issues and enforcement will
be also addressed. Some local governments have been “creative” in their interpretation of zoning requirements and
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additional land. Promoting, supporting and developing areas that will support industrial and technology businesses that provide a higher wage jobs will be key to the betterment of Town’s economy.
Speaker Bios:
Unemployment in the Darby area has been a chronic problem since the loss of the logging industry. The State’s
unemployment rate is 5% - Ravalli County’s unemployment rate is 6.7% - over 25% more than that of the State.
The Darby area unemployment rate is 11.4%. Of those employed in Darby, 66.5% make a commute with an average commute time of 31 minutes. The most likely scenario is that the majority are traveling to the Hamilton area
for work as well as to Missoula. The workforce commuting to Missoula spends a large portion of their money
outside the County.
The Town like many other small and rural communities in the nation has deficient infrastructure; water, waste
water, Internet and transportation. The Town has a larger percentage of residential tax base than it has commercial tax base. This adds to the problem of paying for expensive infrastructure upgrades.
Darby has many assets. The community has a deep knowledge of the traditional forest products industry. They
also have entrepreneurs that are taking advantage of new markets and ideas in a new marketplace. One project
that brought together these assets was the Darby Fuels for Schools program.
The Bitter Root RC&D undertook a project to utilize renewable energy in the form of previously unutilized wood
waste to produce heat in highly efficient furnaces in schools. Darby was the first test site for this new program
dubbed Fuels for Schools. Using the Darby model many other schools in the western US have installed woodfired boiler systems. The annual cost savings in the Darby School systems have been about $100,000. (The US
Forest Service created Fuels For Schools after a very severe forest wildfire season hit the Bitterroot Valley of
Montana in 2000.)
The Darby school district’s biomass boiler was commissioned in late 2003. Here are the details:
School Woodchip Heating System
Heating Capacity (output): 900 kW (3 MMBtu/hr)
Annual Woodchip Use: 850 tons
Year Installed: 2003
Charity Fechter, Planning Director, Madison County
Born and raised in Helena, Charity Fechter returned to Montana as the Madison County Planning Director in
2007. Charity has extensive experience in land use planning, zoning, subdivision review, and transportation
planning in diverse areas throughout the west – from sparsely populated rural areas to small cities and large
metropolitan areas, with climates covering the spectrum from extreme heat to extreme cold, and areas where
the annual precipitation is measured in inches to where it is measured in feet. She received her Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences from Montana State University, a Master of Science in Geography from Oregon State University and a Masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Charity is currently
the President of the Montana Association of Planners. She is also actively involved with Madison Byways (local
trails group) and The Ninety-Nines (international women pilots).
Brent Brock, Landscape Ecologist, Craighead Institute
Brent holds a BS in Wildlife Biology and MSc. in Rangeland Ecology from Kansas State University. He was the
Data Manager at the Konza Prairie Biological Station studying bison grazing ecology before joining the Wildlife
Conservation Society where he conducted a landscape level wildlife conservation assessment of the Madison
Valley in Montana. His emphasis at Craighead Research is in incorporating the theories of landscape ecology into
the conservation of large complex ecosystems and their linkages. For the past several years he has worked to
develop GIS-based tools and new strategies to improve land use planning for the benefit of both wildlife and
people. Brent also founded Treewalkers International, an organization dedicated to saving the world's amphibians.
Renee Lemon, Planner, Great West Engineering
Renee has 14 years of experience in land use planning and mapping in Montana. Renee started her career working for a Geographic Information System (GIS) consulting firm in Bozeman and developed an interest in using
GIS for land use planning. She spent four years working for the Ravalli County Planning Department managing
subdivision review, promoting long range planning projects, and providing GIS support. While living in the Madison Valley, Renee worked as a consultant for Madison County, the Town of Ennis, and local non-profit organizations. Renee now works for Great West Engineering in Helena combining her skills to help communities across
Montana plan for the future.
Thermal Output: Steam
Economic Development/Natural Resources Track – Wood: Heating and Building Communities
In discussions about how to finance and further utilize the many assets of Darby, tax increment financing has
been explored. A feasibility study and possible creation of a Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD)
has been preliminarily underway since 2012. Funding for the TEDD project has been discussed with the Montana Department of Commerce with a favorable response.
Abstract: Got wood? Including wood as a local, renewable resource in planning and building community infrastructure supports Montana’s economy and environment while honoring our landscape and heritage. The first
part of this session will discuss opportunities for heat and power from woody biomass, showcasing the success
of Montana projects and technologies at varied scales from individual facilities to models of community energy
and heating districts. The second part of this session will showcase the opportunities and benefits of sourcing
Montana wood products in building community facilities and parks, as well as exciting trends in innovation and
diversification in Montana’s forest products sector that continue to fuel Montana’s economy.
A first step in moving forward with a TEDD would be the discussion and ultimate transfer of the land from
County ownership to the Town. The opportunity today is for the Town to obtain development and design ideas
for this site from those on the tour. These ideas will help the Town to communicate the possibilities for the site.
Creating a Targeted Economic Development District could assist in funding the ideas.
Speaker Bios:
Julie Kies, Forest Products and Biomass Program Manager, Montana Department of Natural Resources
and Conservation
Julie has worked with the Forest Products and Biomass Program for seven years in promoting and facilitating
diverse markets for Montana forest products. This includes assisting with the development and continued support of several small-scale wood biomass energy projects across Montana. Her professional interest is engagement in sustaining environmental, social and economic values that provide local and global benefits. Julie holds
a Bachelors of Science in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana College of Forestry and Conser-
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vation.
Stevensville Airport Targeted Economic Development District
Maureen “Mo” Bookwalter, Forest Products and Biomass Program, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Maureen received her M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana in 2004; her graduate work
focused on strategies to maintain working forests. Previous to her time with the DNRC, she spent 8 years working as Program Director for Northwest Connections and spent many years in the Greater Yellowstone and Crown
of the Continent ecosystems working as a Park Ranger, seasonal biologist and field technician. Her specialized
interests are in rural community development, deployment of conservation strategies, policy analysis, partnership creation, collaborative problem solving, and project development and research. Maureen grew up in a small
rural community in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, and now lives in Missoula MT with her husband and
2 young daughters.
Tuesday, September 16th – 10:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.
Rural Planning Track - Lessons Learned from Ten Years in the Trenches of Land Use Litigation
Abstract: The rules for regulating land use have changed significantly over the past ten years. The Montana legislature has enacted numerous changes to land use regulatory schemes. Yet, the Montana Supreme Court has
arguably had a greater effect, issuing many opinions affecting the manner in which local governments must
carry out the rules and the public’s right to participate. This session will focus on some of the lessons learned
from these decisions to help ensure they are incorporated into your own local government processes.
Speaker Bio: Alan McCormick, AICP, is a partner with Garlington, Lohn & Robinson where his law practice focuses on land use, real estate and local government law. He has participated in more than 50 land use related
lawsuits from minor subdivision matters to governmental “takings” to the Supreme Court’s recent opinion on
the jurisdictional issues for lands surrounding the City of Whitefish.
Rural Planning and Technology Tracks - Lessons Learned from a Community Assessment for Public
Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in a Frontier County — Dawson County, Montana, 2013
Abstract: BACKGROUND: CASPER is an epidemiologic technique that uses a two-staged cluster design to provide household-based information about an area following a disaster and can be used to gain a better understanding of an area. The technique has been utilized primarily in suburban and urban areas. Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and Dawson County Public Health department worked collaboratively to practice the technique in a frontier county with 3.8 persons/mi2.
METHODS: Adaptations were made to the online toolkit to account for the low number of housing units (HUs).
Census blocks were randomly combined to create blocks with ≥7 HUs from which 30 clusters were randomly
selected with the probability of selection proportional to the estimated number of HUs in each cluster. Volunteers were recruited from the community and a media campaign was initiated. Volunteer training occurred in
the field prior to data collection, results were presented within 24 hours of completion, volunteers evaluated the
process, and an after action report was completed.
RESULTS: The 30 selected clusters contained 531 HUs with 26 clusters in Glendive, 2 in Richey, and 2 in rural
clusters outside county population centers. On October 15 and 16, 2013, the interview teams completed 92
(44%) of the goal of 210 interviews. Few surveyed households were aware of the CASPER. All volunteers who
completed the evaluation felt the training adequately prepared them for the field assignment, the CASPER
method had value, and the CASPER provided value to the community. Challenges arose with time of day, length
of introduction and consent form, the need for more detailed maps for remote clusters, and confusion occurred
with some survey questions.
CONCLUSIONS: The CASPER technique was successfully conducted in a frontier Montana county and demonstrated its utility in Montana. Successful collaborations occurred among many partners and relationships were
strengthened. Lessons learned during the process will help refine the technique for other frontier counties in
Montana and other states.
The TEDD is located at the site of the Stevensville Airport, which is a town-owned public use airport, located
approximately 2.3 miles northeast of the central business district of Stevensville and is within the municipal
boundaries of the Town. The base year for this TEDD was 2013, so the town has yet to receive any increment.
The Goals of the Town of Stevensville in creating the Stevensville Airport TEDD are as follows:
To foster economic vitality in the Town of Stevensville and increase employment opportunities through infrastructure development in support of secondary value-adding industry
To provide support for businesses and industries that preserve the quality of life for all residents
To facilitate the creation of a diversified tenant base of multiple independent tenants within the TEDD
To encourage secondary, value adding industries that take advantage of the state’s resources for the purposes of engaging in interstate commerce
The Stevensville Airport area is a place where businesses are clustering. The Town saw opportunity for a Targeted Economic Development District as a way to incentivize appropriate locations for industrial businesses that
will reduce sprawl and encourage the most efficient use of natural resources such as water, waste water and
access to the Internet.
The creation of the TEDD provided the Town with the ability to engage in tax increment financing for appropriate public infrastructure projects in support of the growing light industrial businesses that have clustered
around the Stevensville Airport. There are 9 businesses with a total of about 20 employees. Of the 9 businesses,
seven (7) businesses are engaged in value adding light industrial work where the majority of their revenue derives from outside the state of Montana; of those 7 businesses engaged in value added work, three (3) are also
engaged in technology and research and development for providing new innovations to the aircraft market:
home kits, bush aircraft, and experimental aircraft engines.
Business growth and additional income for families is in part due to additional jobs in and around the Town. The
creation of the two Districts that are able to engage in projects partially funded by tax increment finance had a
role in catalyzing positive development in Stevensville. The positive development of Stevensville in turn in catalyzed the comeback of a grocery store that closed in 2005. Jim Edwards, owner of Pattee Creek Market in Missoula has announced plans to re-open the Stevensville grocery market in later fall / early winter. The market
will have a focus on local foods and products. This will bring an additional 30 jobs to the Town and put more
revenue in to the pockets of local producers. The total new jobs in the area in the next 24 months are projected
at 80. The jobs that have been retained are 139. The Town's population in only 1,805. Through good planning
and hard work by many a number of jobs that is over 10% of the Town's population have been affected.
Darby North Side Tour
The land that is the focus of the tour is located in Ravalli County, adjacent to the town of Darby’s north boundary.
This land was formerly the site of the S&W Sawmill facility, with the sawmill buildings located approximately
0.5 miles north of the City of Darby at the intersection of US Highway 93 and Bunkhouse Road. The S&W Sawmill
facility is being addressed through the state Superfund law, CECRA, with International Paper (IP) designated as
the lead for remediation, or cleanup, of the Facility. Most of the Facility is currently not in use. From approximately 1961 to 1998, the facility was operated as a sawmill. From approximately 1961 to 1978, the facility also
operated as a wood treatment plant that used the chemical pentachlorophenol (PCP) mixed with diesel as a
wood preservative. The chemical mixture and its by-products (dioxins/furans) have contaminated the soil and
groundwater at the facility. The facility is currently in the supplemental remedial investigation phase. DEQ has
not yet issued a Record of Decision for the facility.
Speaker Bio: Kerry Pride was born and raised in rural Montana and went to undergraduate at the University of
Idaho where she studied animal science. Kerry completed her veterinary training at Louisiana State University
The Town of Darby has a limited amount of land suitable for industrial development without the annexation of
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Retaining Selway Corporation was and is critical to the Stevensville area’s economy. Selway Corporation began in
1976 with 15 employees and has grown to over 120 employees in 2010. This equates to 700% growth in the last 34
years. Bitterroot Tool & Machine, the other manufacturer in the District was experiencing the same kind of steady
growth.
Infrastructure is expensive and finding ways to pay for it is difficult. Small towns like Stevensville with a majority of
infrastructure over 100 years old and a small tax base have greater difficulty than those with more resources. In order to retain these employers, the Town of Stevensville submitted a planning grant to the Montana Department of
Commerce to fund the feasibility and creation of a tax increment finance industrial district and a Preliminary Engineering Report for infrastructure in the proposed district. The creation of the tax increment finance district that
could pay the gap financing of this project was critical to the project. Without these funds in the budget there was no
way to show that the project was doable.
The Town with the assistance of RCEDA, Community Development Services of Montana, PCI Inc., Ravalli County, and
the Montana Department of Commerce created the TIFID with a base year of 2011. Work on a CDBG-ED Infrastructure Grant and a U.S. DOC EDA Grant began in October of 2011. Those applications were funded. Private funds and
District funds were part of the finance structure.
Design on the infrastructure project began on September 6, 2012 and was completed November 16, 2012. Bids for
the construction project were first advertised on March 10, 2013, the bid opening was April 11, 2013. The contract
was awarded on June 5, 2013 and a notice to proceed was issued September 3, 2013. The nearly $1 million dollar
infrastructure project was completed June 2014.
The current Town Mayor and Council have worked hard to upgrade the infrastructure critical to supporting businesses and residents within the Town.
The impacts from this project and the Town's leadership are remarkable. One of the companies, Bitterroot Tool &
Machine, in the tax increment district has grown and had to move out of the district. This is the company that was
using outhouses for many years because they had no connection to waste water and no potable water. The company
did not move far, they are still in Stevensville. With their added space they will be able to provide at least 10 new,
good paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs over the next two years.
The company that was leasing the space to Bitterroot Tool & Machine, Western Montana Mill Works, moved out in
2005 taking about 25 jobs with them. The principle from that company, along with two partners, has since created a
new company, B.E. Forest Products. B.E. Forest Products needed the space that Bitterroot Tool & Machine was occupying and asked them to vacate by April 1, 2014. B.E. Forest Products moved in and began business on May 12, 2014.
They will be creating up to 40 jobs in the coming 24 months. Selway Corporation is doing what they have always
done; steel fabrication. The company has 142 people on their payroll. These are good paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs.
There are two, new, small manufacturing companies in the district. This project is a fine example of public and private partnerships making a long term difference for the betterment of the community. The Town has gained valuable
tax base and jobs for their citizens. The businesses have gained a great place to do business and the ability to see
their tax dollars going in to public improvement projects for infrastructure they need.
and after veterinary school she worked in a mixed animal practice in Alaska. Kerry completed her Masters of Public Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage and then moved back to Montana were she did relief veterinary
work. She then applied and was accepted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence
Service Fellowship, which she completed at the Wyoming Department of Health. Kerry then completed a CDC Preventive Medicine Fellow with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Following her fellowship, Kerry stayed on at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services where she works in the
Public Health Systems Improvement Office.
Rural Planning Track – Community Health Needs Assessments
Part 1 – Preparing Assessments
Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion
of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. Sounds a lot like planning! In fact, public
health programs and planning go hand in hand as we work to improve the quality of life in our communities. In
2009, the Montana Legislature passed House Bill 173, which encourages every Montana local public health agency
to complete a community health needs assessment (CNA) and prepare a community health improvement plan
(CHIP). In response, counties across the state are engaging in an effort to learn more about these critical needs as
well as the gaps in the services that public health agencies and other entities currently offer. Much like preparing a
growth policy, this effort requires an understanding of current conditions and trends and the identification of policies that address issues and concerns. This presentation provides an overview of the CNA/CHIP process and its
relationship to planning and community development.
Speaker Bio: Janet Cornish, Owner and Principal, Community Development Services of Montana
Janet has been in the community development field for more than 35 years and served as the first director of the
Butte-Silver Bow Urban Revitalization Agency. Her firm, Community Development Services (CDS) of Montana was
established in Butte, Montana in 1987 under the name of Janet Cornish Consulting Services. In 1991, the firm
broadened its mission and became CDS of Montana, providing technical assistance in community and economic
development, public involvement, capital improvement and infrastructure planning, municipal finance, particularly tax increment financing, and professional writing. She, in conjunction with Human Resources Council, District XII, has been responsible for preparing Community Health Needs Assessments in Butte-Silver Bow, Madison,
Beaverhead and Anaconda-Deer Lodge Counties.
Community Health Needs Assessment – Part 2
Abstract: The Community Health Needs Assessment is done, goals and objectives adopted– now what? Be it trails
development for physical health, senior centers to serve a specific demographic, or mental health programs, many
of the goals and objectives are community development-oriented. Planners, especially in rural areas, can be the
catalyst for implementing the plan beyond the classic land uses tools of zoning and subdivision. This part of the
presentation will describe how local approaches tailored to the specific community are used to address mental
health goals and other community human service needs identified through the assessment. The panelists will be
Rick Hartz, Beaverhead County Planner; Janet Cornish, CDS of Montana; and Ryan Luchau, Veterans Health Access
Program Project Director, Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
Speaker Bio: Rick Hartz, Beaverhead County Planner
Rick has served as the Beaverhead County Planner since 1994. Prior to that he spent 14 years as the Beaverhead
Co. Assessor. In addition he is a past board member and president of MAP, and currently serves on the Board of
Headwaters RC&D, is Vice Chairman of the Board for Human Resources Council Dist. XII, as well as Chairman of
the newly reorganized (by County Commissioners) Beaverhead Co. Mental Health Local Advisory Council.
Part 3. Challenges for Veterans
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Abstract: The concept is for each community to take responsibility for dealing with the full range of issues veterans face in terms of behavioral health, legal, financial, family/youth, crisis response, career/adult education, and
faith in our communities. We all know that the current process of all of these entities and service organizations
throwing mud at the wall has not worked very well, and vets are shuffled from one entity to another to the extent
that a lot of them just give up. They have a model for communities, and they are just starting to roll this out and get
counties/ and cities engaged in this process.
Speaker Bio: Ryan Luchau (pronounced Loo-ko) is the current Veterans Health Access Project Director with the
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Addiction and Mental Disorders Division. This is a
grant funded project devoted to increasing access to health services for the Montana Veteran population, to include working with the Tele-health networks and VA in Montana to improve the tele-health capabilities. A large
part of this project is centered around the network of care website for Service Members, Veterans, and Military
Families, which enhances connection to all services.
Tuesday, September 16th – Lunch
Key Note: Marshall Bloom
Dr. Marshall Bloom
Associate Director of Division of Intramural Research
Rocky Mountain Laboratories
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
National Institutes of Health
Abstract:
The Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) is in Hamilton, Montana. RML is a part of the Division of Intramural Research of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health. The
RML Integrated Research Facility houses NIAID’s first Biosafety Level 4 research program.
Dr. Bloom has a long history of service to the Hamilton campus and directs community outreach and education programs at RML. He chairs the RML Community Liaison Group, composed of civic and community leaders. Dr. Bloom is
a long-time participant in the NIAID education programs. He also coordinates the RML Summer Internship Program
and has mentored and trained doctoral fellows and students. He has served as radiation safety officer, chairman of
the Animal Care and Use Committee, and chairman of the RML Seminar and Library Committees.
Dr. Bloom is an avid trout fisherman, and has also been active nationwide as a trout conservationist. He is an authority on whirling disease, a complex parasitic disease of trout and salmon. He serves as chair of the Montana Governor's Whirling Disease Task Force from 1994 to 2000. He has received awards from the American Fisheries Society,
Trout Unlimited, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Forest Service, and the Western Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies.
He is the recipient of many honors and awards, including an award for extended service as radiation safety officer,
the NIAID Division of Intramural Research Special Service Award, the NIAID Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases
Special Service Award, and several NIAID Equal Employment Opportunity Special Achievement Awards, an NIH
Award of Merit, and an NIH Director’s Award. In 2013, he was elected as a Fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology.
Dr. Bloom graduated from Washington University with a bachelor's degree in classics in 1967, and he earned his
medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in 1971. Following a pediatric internship at St. Louis
Children's Hospital, he came to RML in 1972 as a research associate, where from 1972 and 1975, he initiated studies
on Aleutian disease of mink that led him to characterize the disease agent as a parvovirus and describe the pathogenesis of the disease. Aleutian mink disease is a chronic disorder that is associated with persistent infection and
common manifestations of chronic infectious diseases. In 1975, he was assigned to what was then the Laboratory of
Biology of Viruses at NIAID in Bethesda, but he returned to RML as a tenured investigator in 1977. He is a charter
principal investigator in NIAID DIR's Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases at RML. Dr. Bloom was appointed associate director for RML in 2002 and has also served as acting Laboratory Chief of NIAID DIR’s Laboratory of Human
Bacterial Pathogenesis as well as the Laboratory of Virology.
Tuesday, September 16th – 1:30 to 5:00 P.M. Afternoon Tours
NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases
such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports research on transplantation and immune-related illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies.
Speaker Bio:
A recognized expert on the pathogenesis of tick-borne flaviviruses, persistent infections and parvoviruses, Marshall E. Bloom, M.D., serves as chief of the biology of vector-borne viruses section in the Laboratory of Virology and
is the associate director for scientific management at Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, MT. RML is
a part of the Division of Intramural Research of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the
National Institutes of Health. The author of numerous scientific articles and book chapters, Dr. Bloom sits on the
editorial board of Virology and is a member of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM), American Society of
Microbiology (ASM), the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, and the American Society for Virology. He has served on organizing committees for a number of major scientific conferences, including chair of the
annual ASM Biodefense and Emerging Infections Conferences. As associate director, Dr. Bloom played a major role
in design, construction and staffing of the RML Integrated Research Facility, which houses NIAID’s first Biosafety
Level 4 research program. He is considered an authority on biosafety, biocontainment and management of high
containment laboratory research programs.
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Stevensville Tax Increment Financing Districts Tour
This tour will visit the two areas where the Town of Stevensville, population 1,809, has utilized tax increment financing. One is the North Stevensville Tax Increment Finance Industrial District described below. The other is the Stevensville Airport Targeted Economic Development District that encompasses their airport. The Town uses the tools
and resources that are available to them. This kind of forward thinking and enthusiastic aggressive planning set the
stage to catalyze a healthy vibrant community. Working with all the citizens and local, state, and federal agencies
isn't easy. However, some communities preserve and succeed, Stevensville for example. Communities that bury their
heads in the sand, approve and defend lackluster thinking, and cling to the old and familiar don't reap the benefits of
bravely foraging ahead.
North Stevensville Tax Increment Finance Industrial District
Public infrastructure is critical to a community's vitality. In 2009 one of the Stevensville area's largest employers
was considering leaving the area due to lack of waste water services. Another manufacturer that employed nine
people at the time and was leasing space in the same area had no access to potable water or waste water; their employees had to use outhouses. Town leaders from the 2005 era had turned a blind eye to the infrastructure needs,
demanding that private companies pay for expensive main line upgrades to the public system. Stevensville nearly
lost these two companies in the process.
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