[MissoulaGov] Goals for Council

Wed Feb 10 07:52:50 MST 2010

I agree that developing businesses in Missoula is crucial but offering 
tax incentives has proven over and over to be a loosing proposition. 

        Tax Incentives Waste Money, Don't Create Jobs

<http://matr.net/article-37949.html>It's more important to develop a 
stronger entrepreneurial environment   Startups Create Jobs 
<http://matr.net/article-37933.html> and help innovative entrepreneurs 
understand the difference between lifestyle startups and "Enterprise 
Builders" <http://matr.net/article-37817.html>  
http://matr.net/article-37817.html.  It takes just about as much effort 
to build a company that will simply provide the entrepreneur a living as 
one that could become a global success.  Too many startups in Montana 
don't begin as big big ideas.  We've got to change that model.

        More Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, Jobs through Entrepreneurship and Education

<http://matr.net/article-37730.html>

Tiffany Williams wrote:
> 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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