[MissoulaGov] Goals for Council

Wed Feb 10 07:16:35 MST 2010

Tiffany,
Careful with what you ask for. This community has a bright future because of its focus on its surrounding natural landscape (open-space policy), alternative transportation, and biking/walking priorities, NOT on the automobile. The automobile continues us into a petroleum-based society which will eventually end. Plan now for that eventuality. Keep Russel in check.

-----Original Message-----
From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com [mailto:missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com] On Behalf Of Tiffany Williams
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 10:42 PM
To: David V. Gray; missoulagov at cmslists.com
Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Goals for Council

I look forward to seeing the City Council get behind the Mayor's Best Place Project and attracting companies to Missoula. Many cities do this by offering tax abatements to companies that promise to supply a certain number of jobs. I look forward to creative discussions about how to bring a broad spectrum of jobs to Missoula. The health care industry has been very successful here. Let's bring more industries to Missoula.

I'm impressed by Missoula's public transportation system, and this city is -- no doubt -- a great place to ride a bike. I sometimes wonder if those modes of transportation have thrived at the expense of road infrastructure for the tens of thousands of Missoulians who drive their own vehicles in our city. I look forward to better road infrastructure and less traffic, particularly on Russell.

Last, I look forward to seeing the city incentive home owners for taking the initiative to be better stewards of the environment. From what plants are used in landscaping -- as mentioned by Marilynn -- to heating and cooling systems to square footage of homes, Missoula residents who take measures to reduce their impact on the environment should be rewarded for their efforts.

Tiffany Williams, Ward 1

On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:09 PM, David V. Gray <hdgray at modwest.com> wrote:
> I agree with Russ and Carl,
>
>
>
> I would like to see economic development become a major issue for 
> Missoula's City Council.  The construction industry is on its knees 
> currently and was a huge contributor to the city's previous wealth, 
> cultural diversity, tax base and vibrant retail markets. If the loss 
> of construction jobs due to the increase in regulation and downturn in 
> the economy were calculated I am sure it would make Stone Containers 
> closing look like the corner store calling it quits in comparative unemployment statistics.
>
>
>
>  Affordable housing for everyone, not just subsidized tenants, is 
> essential to keeping this city livable and not turning into Bozeman, which is "pretty"
> but devoid of working class / affordable housing.   If Missoula wants 
> to stay a Retail center for Western Montana the Council needs to 
> support initiatives making Missoula's business and housing markets "Development"
> friendly.  This does not mean the loss of what is best about Missoula 
> but preserving the ability to retain what is best.  The MRA was a huge 
> success in revitalizing the business community after the 80's.  That 
> type of carrot before the stick program works for creating jobs, 
> improving the livability of the city and bringing back the vitality of 
> the growth in business economy.
>
>
>
> David V. Gray
>
> Ward 6
>
>
>
>
>
> From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com 
> [mailto:missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com] On Behalf Of 
> Paradigm1 at aol.com
> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 2:22 PM
> To: russ at matr.net; BJaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us; missoulagov at cmslists.com
> Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Goals for Council
>
>
>
> I agree with Russ... Economic development needs to move to the forefront.
> Many of the issues we try to fix with ordinances and programs, are 
> partially caused by weak economic conditions.
>
> I would also suggest that we may now have enough zoning, master 
> planning, comp planning and vision questing in place to last us for a 
> while. I understand those things are necessary, but it would be nice 
> to focus on getting real physical improvement to happen on the streets of Missoula.
> Easier said than done I know...
>
>
>
>
>
> Carl Posewitz, Ward 3
>
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 2/9/2010 1:06:28 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, 
> russ at matr.net writes:
>
> All of these, and many others, are worthy suggestions but nothing will 
> happen easily unless Missoula focuses more on proactive ways to 
> improve the economy.  I'd like to see the council embrace a focus on 
> economic development.
>
> "The Best Place Project" - Missoula, Montana Mayor John Engen puts 
> community economic development in spotlight
>
> One aspect of this project that should be increased collaboration 
> between the University of Montana and Missoula.  Internships, tech 
> transfer, and business consulting on many levels are just a few of the 
> areas that deserve our efforts.
>
> Russ Fletcher
>
>
> Bob Jaffe wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> We are scheduled to have a discussion tomorrow afternoon regarding 
> goals for the council.
>
> Here is the referral I made back in April of '07:
>
>
>
> Hold a structured discussion regarding the goals we have for what we 
> want to accomplish over the next
>
> year. Hopefully concluding with a list of tasks and some kind of 
> action plan for how those things will
>
> happen.
>
>
>
>
>
> Ed has reluctantly agreed to take up this item in COW on Wednesday.
>
>
>
> Marilyn posted this one:
>
> Among other things already mentioned, I want to see the city save 
> money and maintenance costs by increasingly using native plants and 
> non turf areas as much as possible. Labor and water costs make annual 
> flowers and expansive lawns expensive.
>
> Where turf lawns are needed, I would like them maintained using 
> integrated management methods (composting, aeration, proper 
> irrigation, prudent herbicide applications). We asked parks for a turf 
> management plan several years ago- let's re-visit this. Proper management saves money.
>
>
>
> Here are a few of mine:
>
> I would like to see us do something meaningful in the realm of 
> affordable housing. Both in the area of regulation and financing.  
> Slow progress is being made but I would like to see us step it up.
>
>
>
> Sidewalks: We have got to come up with a better way to do sidewalks. 
> The street maintenance districts could play a role in this.
>
> Urban Forest: We know the trees are dying. If we want to maintain one 
> of the most defining aspects of the character of Ward 3 we will need 
> to take much more aggressive action to maintain the urban forest. 
> Maintenance districts may also be a part of this.
>
>
>
> I'm curious if folks have suggestions for what they would like to see 
> the City Council / City of Missoula accomplish in the short and long term.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Bob Jaffe
>
> Missoula City Council, Ward Three
>
> 1225 South 2nd West
>
> Missoula, MT 59801
>
> (406) 880-2052
>
>
>
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