[MissoulaGov] MissoulaGov Digest, Vol 31, Issue 1

[Pam Walzer]

So rarely I add my comments to this wonderful service to the community, 
but here I go ....

I struggled with where to advocate for cuts be made in the city's budget 
- reduce the replacement of vehicles, reduce the fuel allotment (I would 
have been willing to cut 10% of current usage rather than the modestly 
proposed 10% of requested increases) - while advocating for an 
additional staff position (full-time?) for an energy coordinator. In the 
end, I was swayed by the mayor's commitment to energy conservation, his 
direction to departments to keep operations as lean as possible, and his 
caution as an administrator for adding the position of energy 
coordinator without having worked out all of the ramifications that 
position entailed.

I firmly believe the majority - and more than the "seven" - of council 
believe that energy conservation is a good thing, whether for 
environmental or strictly economic reasons or a pragmatic mixture, and 
that we need to address this matter in a more formal way. I, as well as 
others, are convinced Jack Stuckey is doing a fantastic job on energy 
conservation, but I/we really need hard statistics to prove it. A 
formalized staff position of energy coordinator, as recommended by the 
GGECT, could be the step forward that we need to show how well we are 
doing and to move to even higher levels of energy conservation. But I 
was convinced by the mayor that we need to make sure we know exactly 
what we want and then properly budget for it.

As much as I want to respond to what I perceive as urgency, I am 
reminded of a not so old adage I used to live by: if we need to do it 
right, then we need to do it right the first time. It is worth the time 
to take a breath, realize we have the political will, that, given 
guidance, staff will do the right things on their own to address 
immediate needs, and that tomorrow is an okay day to finalize a plan 
that will last a lifetime.

To that end, I am excited for the new additions to the GGECT of Nancy 
Wilson, representing the transportation sector and Garrett Budds, 
representing the conservation sector. I feel they will help bring new 
life and energy to help the team develop strategies to give guidance to 
city council on matters related to energy conservation, green house gas 
emissions, and our collective carbon footprint.

I have been attending many of the GGECT meetings of late and I will be 
sending a referral this week to the Conservation Committee to improve 
dialog between the committee and the team so that goals and directions 
are understood and can be accomplished.

Thanks to all for your interest and participation (silent or active)!

Pam Walzer
Missoula City Council,
Alderwoman Ward 2

missoulagov-request at cmslists.com wrote:


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>Today's Topics:

>

>   1. Committee Update 8-3-08 (Bob Jaffe)

>   2. Re: Committee Update 8-3-08 (ASUM President)

>   3. Re: Committee Update 8-3-08 (Jim McGrath)

>   4. Re: Committee Update 8-3-08 (Bob Jaffe)

>   5. Re: Committee Update 8-3-08 (Jim McGrath)

>

>

>----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>Message: 1

>Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 22:14:36 -0600

>From: "Bob Jaffe" <bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us>

>Subject: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>To: <missoulagov at cmslists.com>

>Message-ID: <009b01c90e44$bea10b40$3be321c0$@missoula.mt.us>

>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>

>Greetings,

>

>We had a short committee day today. Just conservation and A&F.

>

>In conservation we voted to put Nancy Wilson on the Greenhouse Gas and

>Energy Conservation Team as the representative from the transportation

>community. I don't remember what her title is but she works for

>transportation issues for ASUM. She helped in setting up the various park

>and rides and the current bus programs at the U.  She spoke of how there is

>much low hanging fruit for conservation efforts to be found in

>transportation. She also talked about how a lot of people don't connect with

>global warming, the environment, and saving the planet for future

>generations. But they do understand that it is costing a fortune to keep

>filling their tank. The economics of conservation are ultimately where we

>can make the most progress. As an outspoken member of the conspiracy I had

>some doubts about how the vote would go but her application was approved by

>everyone but Dick. Lynn, John H. and Stacy were absent.

>

> 

>

>In A&F we approved the taxing for the downtown business improvement

>district. We also approved a three year contract for union Park's employees.

>As with most things that deal was already done before we heard about it. For

>a number of reasons it's probably best we stay out of such things but it

>pushes my relevancy button when it comes before us for a rubber stamp. 

>

> 

>

>That was about it for committees. More next week.

>

> 

>

>Thanks for your interest,

>

> 

>

> 

>

>Bob Jaffe

>

>Missoula City Council, Ward 3

>

> <mailto:bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us> bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us

>

>406-728-1052

>

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>------------------------------

>

>Message: 2

>Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 22:23:24 -0600

>From: "ASUM President" <Asum.President at mso.umt.edu>

>Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>To: <bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us>, <missoulagov at cmslists.com>

>Message-ID:

>	<230F349045AC144BAF3ED63DE398E9C7B85FCE at MUMMAILVS1.gs.umt.edu>

>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="UTF-8"

>

>As an FYI, Nancy Wilson is the ASUM Office of Transportation Director. We all appreciate the appointment made this morning.

>

>Thanks,

>

>Trevor

>

>

>Trevor Hunter

>ASUM President

>The University of Montana

>

>----- Original Message -----

>From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com <missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com>

>To: missoulagov at cmslists.com <missoulagov at cmslists.com>

>Sent: Wed Sep 03 22:14:36 2008

>Subject: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>

>Greetings,

>

>We had a short committee day today. Just conservation and A&F.

>

>In conservation we voted to put Nancy Wilson on the Greenhouse Gas and Energy Conservation Team as the representative from the transportation community. I don?t remember what her title is but she works for transportation issues for ASUM. She helped in setting up the various park and rides and the current bus programs at the U.  She spoke of how there is much low hanging fruit for conservation efforts to be found in transportation. She also talked about how a lot of people don?t connect with global warming, the environment, and saving the planet for future generations. But they do understand that it is costing a fortune to keep filling their tank. The economics of conservation are ultimately where we can make the most progress. As an outspoken member of the conspiracy I had some doubts about how the vote would go but her application was approved by everyone but Dick. Lynn, John H. and Stacy were absent.

>

> 

>

>In A&F we approved the taxing for the downtown business improvement district. We also approved a three year contract for union Park?s employees. As with most things that deal was already done before we heard about it. For a number of reasons it?s probably best we stay out of such things but it pushes my relevancy button when it comes before us for a rubber stamp. 

>

> 

>

>That was about it for committees. More next week.

>

> 

>

>Thanks for your interest,

>

> 

>

> 

>

>Bob Jaffe

>

>Missoula City Council, Ward 3

>

>bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us <mailto:bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us> 

>

>406-728-1052

>

>

>------------------------------

>

>Message: 3

>Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 22:37:01 -0600

>From: "Jim McGrath" <jmcgrath at missoulahousing.org>

>Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>To: <bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us>,	<missoulagov at cmslists.com>

>Message-ID: <92B4830B2B5E6E43B04109A6DFB96F96A5B43C at mha1.MHA.local>

>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

>

>Bob and all,

>

>Nancy is a great choice. And the committee is an important one-- perhaps the most important one nowadays, if it's advice is followed by the city. Having served on this committee and others, as well as your body, and having seen citizens burn their candles in vain serving on volunteer committees, can you perhaps speak to your sense of how the advice or recommendations of this body is currently likely to received and what folks can do to change (improve) that if they so wish? For example the city was able in a budget crunch to buy several hundred thousand dollars worth of police cars but couldn't "afford" a self-supporting staffer to save on energy costs. 

>

>

>-----Original Message-----

>From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com on behalf of Bob Jaffe

>Sent: Wed 9/3/2008 10:14 PM

>To: missoulagov at cmslists.com

>Subject: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

> 

>Greetings,

>

>We had a short committee day today. Just conservation and A&F.

>

>In conservation we voted to put Nancy Wilson on the Greenhouse Gas and

>Energy Conservation Team as the representative from the transportation

>community. I don't remember what her title is but she works for

>transportation issues for ASUM. She helped in setting up the various park

>and rides and the current bus programs at the U.  She spoke of how there is

>much low hanging fruit for conservation efforts to be found in

>transportation. She also talked about how a lot of people don't connect with

>global warming, the environment, and saving the planet for future

>generations. But they do understand that it is costing a fortune to keep

>filling their tank. The economics of conservation are ultimately where we

>can make the most progress. As an outspoken member of the conspiracy I had

>some doubts about how the vote would go but her application was approved by

>everyone but Dick. Lynn, John H. and Stacy were absent.

>

> 

>

>In A&F we approved the taxing for the downtown business improvement

>district. We also approved a three year contract for union Park's employees.

>As with most things that deal was already done before we heard about it. For

>a number of reasons it's probably best we stay out of such things but it

>pushes my relevancy button when it comes before us for a rubber stamp. 

>

> 

>

>That was about it for committees. More next week.

>

> 

>

>Thanks for your interest,

>

> 

>

> 

>

>Bob Jaffe

>

>Missoula City Council, Ward 3

>

> <mailto:bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us> bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us

>

>406-728-1052

>

>

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>

>------------------------------

>

>Message: 4

>Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 08:24:44 -0600

>From: "Bob Jaffe" <BJaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us>

>Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>To: "Jim McGrath" <jmcgrath at missoulahousing.org>,

>	<missoulagov at cmslists.com>

>Message-ID:

>	<689D48B33023A5469751A46A44C5A7A304121BAD at mailserver.ci.missoula.mt.us>

>	

>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

>

>A majority on council are very receptive to the recommendations of this committee at this time.  The council was more or less talked out of the idea for the conservation coordinator by the Mayor. My understanding is that he is supportive of this idea but wants it to be planned out a little better. Is this going to be a long term position, full time or part time, what will they do? Would it be more effective to just contract this job?  If this is pushed as a priority while he is putting together the executive budget this year I would hope that it will be included. 

>Of course these things could have been figured out and implemented this year but I thought he made it clear this wasn't the way he wanted to do it and we don't really have any control over that sort of thing.

> 

>Regarding police cars and the like; if the administration and department heads and maintenance department tell us the cars are worn out and need to be replaced to maintain basic public safety, efficiency, and employee safety what choice do we have?  I'm not a mechanic. To a large extent we have to trust our staff on most decisions. We also have to hope the administration is doing its best to ensure we have the best staff possible working for the city so they make the right recommendations. In general this is an area I feel pretty good about.

> 

>bob 

>

>________________________________

>

>From: Jim McGrath [mailto:jmcgrath at missoulahousing.org]

>Sent: Wed 9/3/2008 10:37 PM

>To: Bob Jaffe; missoulagov at cmslists.com

>Subject: RE: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>

>

>

>Bob and all, 

>

>Nancy is a great choice. And the committee is an important one-- perhaps the most important one nowadays, if it's advice is followed by the city. Having served on this committee and others, as well as your body, and having seen citizens burn their candles in vain serving on volunteer committees, can you perhaps speak to your sense of how the advice or recommendations of this body is currently likely to received and what folks can do to change (improve) that if they so wish? For example the city was able in a budget crunch to buy several hundred thousand dollars worth of police cars but couldn't "afford" a self-supporting staffer to save on energy costs. 

>

>

>-----Original Message----- 

>From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com on behalf of Bob Jaffe 

>Sent: Wed 9/3/2008 10:14 PM 

>To: missoulagov at cmslists.com 

>Subject: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08 

>  

>Greetings, 

>

>We had a short committee day today. Just conservation and A&F. 

>

>In conservation we voted to put Nancy Wilson on the Greenhouse Gas and 

>Energy Conservation Team as the representative from the transportation 

>community. I don't remember what her title is but she works for 

>transportation issues for ASUM. She helped in setting up the various park 

>and rides and the current bus programs at the U.  She spoke of how there is 

>much low hanging fruit for conservation efforts to be found in 

>transportation. She also talked about how a lot of people don't connect with 

>global warming, the environment, and saving the planet for future 

>generations. But they do understand that it is costing a fortune to keep 

>filling their tank. The economics of conservation are ultimately where we 

>can make the most progress. As an outspoken member of the conspiracy I had 

>some doubts about how the vote would go but her application was approved by 

>everyone but Dick. Lynn, John H. and Stacy were absent. 

>

>In A&F we approved the taxing for the downtown business improvement 

>district. We also approved a three year contract for union Park's employees. 

>As with most things that deal was already done before we heard about it. For 

>a number of reasons it's probably best we stay out of such things but it 

>pushes my relevancy button when it comes before us for a rubber stamp. 

>

>That was about it for committees. More next week. 

>

>Thanks for your interest, 

>

>Bob Jaffe 

>

>Missoula City Council, Ward 3 

>

> <mailto:bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us> bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us 

>

>406-728-1052 

>

>

>-------------- next part --------------

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>URL: http://www.cmslists.com/pipermail/missoulagov/attachments/20080904/dbd313b4/attachment-0001.htm 

>

>------------------------------

>

>Message: 5

>Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 09:02:30 -0600

>From: "Jim McGrath" <jmcgrath at missoulahousing.org>

>Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>To: "Bob Jaffe" <BJaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us>,	<missoulagov at cmslists.com>

>Message-ID: <92B4830B2B5E6E43B04109A6DFB96F96B56CDD at mha1.MHA.local>

>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>

>"What choice do I have?" you ask twice. And you express frustration with

>the budget process.

>

>Bob, in general I agree that you should have staff in place that you

>trust and allow them to make recommendations that you have some

>confidence in following. But you always have a choice. If you are

>pinching pennies, the staff's recommendation that new cars are needed

>might be balanced out with the need to stretch funding - perhaps cycle

>the replacements over more years. 

>

>Whatever. 

>

>I also usually prefer the council to advise the administration on its

>direction (we should have a conservation staff person) and have them

>come back with the recommended approach (permanent or contract etc.) but

>to say that the mayor's direction to you makes it out of your control is

>not something I agree with - but it does explain why you might be

>frustrated during budget discussions. 

>

> 

>

>________________________________

>

>From: Bob Jaffe [mailto:BJaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us] 

>Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:25 AM

>To: Jim McGrath; missoulagov at cmslists.com

>Subject: RE: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>

> 

>

>A majority on council are very receptive to the recommendations of this

>committee at this time.  The council was more or less talked out of the

>idea for the conservation coordinator by the Mayor. My understanding is

>that he is supportive of this idea but wants it to be planned out a

>little better. Is this going to be a long term position, full time or

>part time, what will they do? Would it be more effective to just

>contract this job?  If this is pushed as a priority while he is putting

>together the executive budget this year I would hope that it will be

>included. 

>

>Of course these things could have been figured out and implemented this

>year but I thought he made it clear this wasn't the way he wanted to do

>it and we don't really have any control over that sort of thing.

>

> 

>

>Regarding police cars and the like; if the administration and department

>heads and maintenance department tell us the cars are worn out and need

>to be replaced to maintain basic public safety, efficiency, and employee

>safety what choice do we have?  I'm not a mechanic. To a large extent we

>have to trust our staff on most decisions. We also have to hope the

>administration is doing its best to ensure we have the best staff

>possible working for the city so they make the right recommendations. In

>general this is an area I feel pretty good about.

>

> 

>

>bob 

>

> 

>

>________________________________

>

>From: Jim McGrath [mailto:jmcgrath at missoulahousing.org]

>Sent: Wed 9/3/2008 10:37 PM

>To: Bob Jaffe; missoulagov at cmslists.com

>Subject: RE: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08

>

>Bob and all, 

>

>Nancy is a great choice. And the committee is an important one-- perhaps

>the most important one nowadays, if it's advice is followed by the city.

>Having served on this committee and others, as well as your body, and

>having seen citizens burn their candles in vain serving on volunteer

>committees, can you perhaps speak to your sense of how the advice or

>recommendations of this body is currently likely to received and what

>folks can do to change (improve) that if they so wish? For example the

>city was able in a budget crunch to buy several hundred thousand dollars

>worth of police cars but couldn't "afford" a self-supporting staffer to

>save on energy costs. 

>

> 

>

>-----Original Message----- 

>From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com on behalf of Bob Jaffe 

>Sent: Wed 9/3/2008 10:14 PM 

>To: missoulagov at cmslists.com 

>Subject: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 8-3-08 

>  

>Greetings, 

>

>We had a short committee day today. Just conservation and A&F. 

>

>In conservation we voted to put Nancy Wilson on the Greenhouse Gas and 

>Energy Conservation Team as the representative from the transportation 

>community. I don't remember what her title is but she works for 

>transportation issues for ASUM. She helped in setting up the various

>park 

>and rides and the current bus programs at the U.  She spoke of how there

>is 

>much low hanging fruit for conservation efforts to be found in 

>transportation. She also talked about how a lot of people don't connect

>with 

>global warming, the environment, and saving the planet for future 

>generations. But they do understand that it is costing a fortune to keep

>

>filling their tank. The economics of conservation are ultimately where

>we 

>can make the most progress. As an outspoken member of the conspiracy I

>had 

>some doubts about how the vote would go but her application was approved

>by 

>everyone but Dick. Lynn, John H. and Stacy were absent. 

>

>In A&F we approved the taxing for the downtown business improvement 

>district. We also approved a three year contract for union Park's

>employees. 

>As with most things that deal was already done before we heard about it.

>For 

>a number of reasons it's probably best we stay out of such things but it

>

>pushes my relevancy button when it comes before us for a rubber stamp. 

>

>That was about it for committees. More next week. 

>

>Thanks for your interest, 

>

>Bob Jaffe 

>

>Missoula City Council, Ward 3 

>

> <mailto:bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us> bjaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us 

>

>406-728-1052 

>

> 

>

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>

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>End of MissoulaGov Digest, Vol 31, Issue 1

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>

>  

>