DRAFT

MAINE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Executive Committee Meeting

Friday, March 10, 2006

 

The Maine Community Development Association held an executive committee meeting via teleconference on Friday, March 10, 2006. In attendance were: 

 

Isaac Wagner, President                                         Washington Hancock Community Agency

Chris Spruce, Vice President                                  Island Housing Trust

Mary Walton, Board Member                                City of Caribou

Jim Gulnac, Board Member                                    Town of Sanford

Rodney Lynch, Board Member                              City of Rockland

Mike Baran                                                            DECD – Office of Community Development

Al Smith                                                                 City of Bath

 

 

I.   CALL TO ORDER

 

Isaac called the meeting to order at approximately 9:10 a.m.  Chris Spruce agreed to take the minutes of the meeting in the absence of the Secretary.

 

II.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

December 9, 2005:  A motion was made by Jim Gulnac to approve the meeting minutes as presented; seconded by Mary Walton.  Isaac noted that future minutes should use his correct last name.  The vote was unanimously in favor.

 

 

III. TREASURER’S REPORT:

 

In Ron Harriman’s absence and with the lack of an update on the MCDA fund balance, Jim Gulnac moved to table the treasurer’s report; seconded by Rodney Lynch.  The vote was unanimously in favor.                             

 

 

IV.              REPORT ON THE HOUSING TIF WORKSHOP: 

 

Isaac reported that 56 people attended the Housing TIF workshop in Augusta on February 10, 2006.  He said the workshop, organized by Cyndy Carney, Joella McBreairty and himself, featured presentations by Noreen Norton of Eaton Peabody Consulting Group and Tom MacDonald of MacDonald Associates.  The majority of attendees were from municipal government, Isaac said, but a few developers also attended.  He said the handful of evaluations received were largely positive, although some said the program should have lasted an entire day.  He said numerous questions were posed to the presenters during the workshop.  Jim suggested some kind of a follow-up should be attempted, perhaps using email. Isaac said Mike Martin of Maine State Housing Authority has been trying to organize a group of individuals willing to work on streamlining the housing TIF process.  Jim said he would like to be part of that process.

 

V.                  MMA ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CONTRACT: 

Isaac said Maine Municipal Association was proposing essentially the same administrative services contract for 2006 as was used in 2005.  The cost of the contract went up3%, or $42, to $1,242 for the year.  Chris Spruce said he thought it was too far into the year to attempt to look for alternative administrative support and that Isaac should sign the contract.  Al Smith said others in the organization who would like to examine other options should take the initiative to do that and report back to the Executive Committee.  Jim Gulnac moved that Isaac be authorized to sign the MMA contract on MCDA’s behalf; seconded by Mary Walton.  The vote was unanimous in favor.

 

VI.              OCD/MCDA JOINT MEETING:

Isaac said that CD Day at the Legislature was not being conducted this year as in the past, where municipalities and organizations were invited to set up booths in the Hall of Flags.  Mike Baran said that a press conference would be held on April 20th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. at which Gov. Baldacci and Commissioner Cashman would make comments on the importance of the CDBG program.  Four or five large checks would be handed out and Orman will offer a few remarks.  Al Smith asked if the Office of Community Development would still seek resolutions in support of the CDBG program from municipalities.  Mike said he will draft a sample resolution for distribution.

 

Mike noted that every year OCD conducts a staff retreat for program planning and other matters.  This year, OCD is proposing to hold a two-day retreat and is suggesting that MCDA and OCD meet jointly during one of those days to discuss the 2007 CDBG Program and related matters.  Because additional significant cuts are being proposed, he said, it is possible that some programs will be eliminated.  At the joint session, OCD would go through some scenarios for program changes and ask for MCDA members’ reactions.  Additionally, training needs for 2007 would be discussed.  In addition to the joint meeting, OCD will hold its own session and MCDA would hold a general membership meeting.  The tentative dates for this event are April 26th and 27th and a meeting site outside of Augusta was suggested. Mike said he would explore location possibilities and dates and would provide that information to Isaac once they were firmed up.  Isaac will then send out a “hold that date” notice to the general membership.

 

VII.            PLANNING FOR JUNE 9TH BRUNSWICK WORKSHOP:

Isaac said the Maine Association of Planners had invited MCDA to work together on a guided tour of the Brunswick Naval Air Station on June 9th.  MCDA has been offered meeting space in the Topsham Public Library, where MAP will hold its annual meeting.  Isaac asked for volunteers to assist Matt Eddy in planning the BNAS tour.  Al Smith volunteered to help and Isaac said he would ask Cyndy Carney to assist as well.  He recommended they contact Jim Fisher of the Hancock County Planning Commission, who is working on the program for MAP

 

VIII.         MCDA SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Given the length of the meeting, Isaac suggested that the committee updates be dropped for this meeting.  Mike Baran noted that Mary Walton has done a great job with the Communications Committee, which has been meeting monthly.  A brief discussion ensued about the need for articles to be submitted for inclusion in the MCDA newsletter.  Isaac said he would complete a President’s Report and submit it to Joella McBreairty.  Mary reported that Joella had nearly completed the April newsletter and it should be out soon.  Mike suggested that the MCDA newsletter also be posted on the OCD site.

 

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:10 a.m.

 

Submitted by,

 

 

 

 

Chris Spruce

Acting Secretary