Region Five Development Commission Micropolitan planning status report
Funding efforts for outlined initiatives:
*Funding from Legislature for planning initiatives failed
*Met with several funding agencies to identify where potential funding might be available.
*Wrote and submitted 3 grants - two denied, one approved. Can resubmit one at later date.
Misc. initiatives:
*Gathering comp plans to R5DC website for common location of neighboring plans.
*Gathering information regarding the 2012 requirements for 800MHZ Police, Fire, Ambulance, Dispatch, Schools, Hospitals and Public Works communication systems. If this is a requirement Region Five will be seeking funding for region.
*Developing a database of all economic development organizations within region to improve publicity of ED groups and will post on R5DC website and made available to others who wish to post list. R5DC staff visit over 18 Cities in 2008 and attend all 5-county township association meetings, have published a quarterly regional township newsletter and will promote this ED organizational list at all of the above opportunities.
Transportation initiatives:
*I pulled together planners and Engineers for Micropolitan Transportation Planning efforts, Chris and Lyndon Co-Chair this taskforce, they have met 3-4 times now. They are working on an RFP and funding options in partnership with Brainerd Lakes Chamber to hire an outside consultant to develop a Micro-T Plan.
*This Micro-T Plan would include an access management policy and would direct future land use strategies that would consider setting aside needed land for solid waste/waste water processing.
*R5DC is in process of discussion of creating a regional trails mapping inventory. This should aid region in future trails planning. Pending approval of Transportation Advisory Council.
MN BUILD SMART.ORG initiatives:
*Three parts to site: Consumer, Contractor/Developer, LUG. Utilizing case study data, sample LID & Conservation ordinances (MPCA/1000 Friends/others), LEED information. Objective is to provide enough information to see more of this type of development throughout region. Invite all to meeting on 2/22/08 9am @ Arb for website review.
*BUILD SMART SUMMIT. April 30th, May 1. Randall and BKI speakers, Exhibitors, CEU credit for builders and realtors, LUG partnership with IF. Planning of this event is a partnership of SWCD/Extension spin off group, Micropolitan planning storm water taskforce, Fairview/R5DC project. Expect future educational workshops as a result of this summit.
R5DC Future Objectives/initiatives:
*Will utilize planner to create:
1. sample comp plan template of areas to consider when planning
2. Consistent set of comprehensive plan and ordinance terms that reflect a standardized set of definitions.
3. Model waste water management plan for incorporation into comp plans.
Communicate with all Micropolitan LUG with goal of consistency of water management plans.
Note: Current awarded grant funding will fund 60% time of a full time planner to work on the Micropolitain planning efforts through the USDA/IF grant, the Brainerd Chamber contribution and the Region Five Development Commission contributions. This funding covers all payroll and indirect expenses. I'll either need to find a bit more to support the direct expenses or reduce the hourly rate of pay.
*Seeking funding to develop a website to post all ED information and one database driven form for regional/State/Federal gap financing options, this would be another great location to promote the regions ED organizations and groups.
*Work with new Crow Wing County Administrator to achieve county wide adoption and enforcement of International Building Code.
Micropolitan planning initiatives not being addressed by R5DC (some of which are being done by Crow Wing and Cass counties):
*Adoption of “no net loss” policy for public lands.
*Develop permanent dedicated funding options for the purchase of and maintenance of public lands.
*Continue to recruit potential firefighters throughout the region.
*Coordination of Micropolitan GIS database from the two counties.
*Support independent audits of sustainable forestry practices on public lands.
