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CONSERVATION LANDS MANAGEMENT PLAN (CLMP) PROCESS City of Missoula Citizen Working Group (Convening/Charter Meeting) March 2, 2009 Session Summary PROCESS OBJECTIVES 1. Explore aspects of a Management Plan for Missoula’s Conservation Lands. 2. Within the Working Group’s Charter, develop consensus recommendations to Missoula Parks & Recreation Department and the Park Board. SESSION OBJECTIVES 1. Convene the Conservation Lands Management Plan (CLMP) Citizen Working Group. 2. Come to collective understanding of the Working Group’s Charter and the collaborative process. 3. Establish Group governance. 4. Learn about the Conservation Lands and get started on the process. WORKING GROUP MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Spencer Bradford Allen Byrd Scott Hauser Aaron Kindle Jake Kreilick Stephanie Lauer Peter Lesica Bert Lindler Kathleen Kennedy Colleen Matt Wendy Ninteman Kylie Paul Michael Pecora Graham Roy Steve Shelly Dave Spildie John Weyhrich Virginia Tribe (Facilitator) TECHNICAL ADVISORS PRESENT Donna Gaukler Gregory Kennett Johnny MacLean Morgan Valliant COMPLETED AGENDA ITEMS Convening the Citizen Working Group See Attachment for Working Group Charter and responsibilities; other roles; process descriptions; and Parks & Recreation assumptions and expectations ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 Parks & Recreation Presentation – What we need to know collectively about Missoula’s Conservation lands at this point in time… (Power Point presentation will be available on Parks & Recreation website and sent to Working Group members) Getting Started on a Collaborative Framework Working Group Governance • Discussion climate: - Demonstrate respectful behaviors and show value for other opinions. - Address the topic at hand – issues, not persons. - Raise your hand to be recognized by the facilitator. - Manage your own communication – length, emotion, body language, etc. - Turn off electronic devices – or ask the permission of the Group. - Allow the facilitator to keep us on topic – and keep a “shelf” for issues that are tangential to the process. • Decision making: - Make sure everyone has enough information to feel comfortable making a decision and supporting a decision. - Recognize that when it comes time to make a decision, everyone will be asked if they can support it. If an individual disagrees, he/she has a responsibility to say so. - Strive for “consensus”. The facilitator will use an interest-based process to try to reach consensus. • Attendance: - Be present at every meeting unless there is an emergency. If you cannot make a meeting, notify Ginny, Morgan, or Donna. - Recognize that absence implies agreement with those present – no proxies or rehashing issues that were completed in your absence. • Media contacts: - Working Group members will direct media inquiries regarding the process to Morgan. - Parks and Recreation will develop talking points for Working Group members to use at Public open houses. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 3 First Cut at Guiding Principles • We believe in protecting, restoring and enhancing natural resources. • We believe quality recreation experiences should be available to citizens. • We believe that public engagement in the process will lead to a more durable and wise outcome. • We believe that scenic and aesthetic values are part of our quality of life. • We believe that our Conservation Lands offer excellent educational opportunities and that informed, educated citizens are more supportive of sound management practices. Important Questions for the Process • How do we apply an ecosystem view to the Conservation Lands including the social dimension? - How do we address neighborhoods’ sense of ownership for properties in their areas? - How do we enfranchise the public for management? - How do we use the Conservation Lands to foster current and future stewardship? • What uses are appropriate for different Conservation properties and why? - How do we define/address different types/sizes, etc., Conservation properties? - What priority restoration needs exist and where? How do we maintain and conserve areas that don’t need restoration? - What criteria/decision process should be used to prioritize restoration, recreation, conservation and where do individual properties fit in that prioritization? - How should we address fire as a tool and as a threat? - What are the different users of Conservation Lands and what properties are important to them? What user conflicts exist and what are the tools needed to address user conflicts? Where are users compatible? Where should we maintain access? Where/how do we regulate access? What should be the criteria/triggers/threshold for capacity and restrictions? What should that process look like? • Should the focus be shifted from acquisition to restoration? - What criteria should we use to make the decision regarding acquisition versus ongoing management needs and restoration? - Where do we think we are today regarding acquisition versus restoration and where do we want to be? - How might this Plan address the needs and future of agricultural lands in the area? Do they fit in “Conservation Lands”? • What is the capacity of the City and public to implement the Plan – now and in the future? ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 Additional Data Needs • Sizes, types, specific locations, conditions/descriptors of individual Conservation properties • Other pertinent Management Plans • Types of users/user activities on different Conservation Lands; current user conflicts; available tools/promising practices for managing user conflicts • Applicable regulations, expectations, etc., regarding specific Conservation properties • Areas/issues connected to restoration; restoration priorities; costs related to restoration Planning for the First Public Open House What do we want to know from the public? • What are the most positive characteristics of Missoula’s Conservation Lands? • Which Conservation Lands/kinds of Conservation Lands do you use the most? • What issues or experiences positively impact your enjoyment of our Conservation Lands? What issues or experiences negatively impact your enjoyment of our Conservation Lands? • What are the most important reasons to have Conservation Lands in Missoula? • What are your greatest concerns with the current management of our Conservation Lands? • Does Missoula need to invest more in the management of Conservation Lands and if so, where and why? Roles and Responsibilities • Parks & Recreation personnel will: - Plan and make arrangement for the Open House including ways to solicit pubic comment; - Develop materials including talking points for Working Group members; - “Set up” the Public Open House; - Summarize comments from the public. • Working Group members will attend the Open House and help “staff” it in terms of working with/conversation with the public in attendance. Date and Location Thursday, March 19, 6:30-8:30pm at Council Chambers. Working Group should arrive no later than 6pm. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 5 Where do we go from here? Affirming/Setting the Calendar • The Working Group will meet in the Southgate Mall Community Room (5:30 light supper; 6:00 – 9:00 PM) on the following dates: - Monday, April 27 - Wednesday, June 3 - Final meeting dates will be set as the process advances. • A first public open house will be held on March 19th from 6:30-8:30 at the City Council Chambers on 140 W. Pine Street. Working group members should arrive by 5:30 to receive directions and roles. • A second open house will be held prior to the final Working Group meeting. “Homework” • Come to the April 27 Working Group meeting prepared to present and explain your “agenda” for the process. • Visit a few of the Conservation Lands – preferably a mix of large and small parcels. • Review these notes and continue to think about guiding principles and important questions for the process. • Identify 5-7 people with whom you will have casual conversation about the Conservation Lands and their management – over the length of the process.