Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Pick-up your badges, register for the conference, register for a tour, or get a question about the conference answered.

Mountain Combined Room

Description: This session is a working meeting of the MAP Legislative Committee preparing for the 2025 Montana Legislative Session. The meeting is open to all interested members and conference attendee. Those attending the session will have opportunities to participate in the meeting.

1. Introductions of Legislative Committee Members (5 min)
2. Anticipated legislation (15 min including attendee input)
   • What general topics do we anticipate being focus areas?
   • Is there specific legislation we are anticipating?
3. Setting our 2025 strategy (20 min including attendee input)
4. Potential for MAP Bills (20 min including attendee input)
5. Adjourn

Depot Ballroom

In 2023 Belgrade, Bozeman, and Gallatin County hosted an Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Panel related to growth in the Gallatin Valley. We’ll share how the three jurisdictions came together to agree on the panel theme, and prepare for and host panel briefings, tour, and stakeholder interviews. The final product, a detailed written report from the panel, includes insightful recommendations that all three jurisdictions can consult in their future planning and policy efforts.

Presenter: Jason Karp, AICP

Jason Karp is the Director of Community Development for the City of Belgrade. Jason has worked for Belgrade for 29 years in the Planning and Building Department. He has a degree in Political Science from Montana State University. Jason is avid cyclist and in continually seeking out Montana’s most quiet highways.

Presenter: Erin George, AICP

With 19 years of municipal planning experience and an Environmental Studies degree from Carroll College, Erin spent 17 of those years at the City of Kent, WA (population ~136K). Working on everything from light rail planning to brownfields to creation of a rental housing inspection program, she brought her varied background to the City of Bozeman almost 2 years ago as Deputy Director of Community Development (now Interim Director). In her free time Erin enjoys traveling and outdoor activities with her husband, and time with nearby Montana family.

Presenter: Danielle Garber

With nearly a decade of experience working for the City of Bozeman, Danielle Garber is becoming the go-to guru for all things current planning in Bozeman. She has a BS in Geography from Montana State University and is currently serving as a Senior Planner. When she’s not busy reviewing current planning projects, you might find her exploring the great outdoors with her black lab Crockett, or baking killer dinner rolls that will make anyone a fan of carbs!

1 CM AICP

Meet at Registration Booth

Join us for an Inclusive Interdisciplinary Walk Audit (I2WA) to collaboratively assess and enhance walkability in Lewistown. Participants from various fields such as urban planning, architecture, community advocacy, accessibility, and local governance will come together to evaluate the pedestrian experience, infrastructure, and overall accessibility of key areas. The I2WA encourages open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among diverse perspectives, fostering an atmosphere where MAP attendees and community members can actively contribute to shaping a more walkable and vibrant Lewistown.

Mountain Combined Room

Missoula’s 10-acre Corner Farm Village is an innovative farmland conservation development, with an eight-acre farm and a two-acre development lot. Trust Montana will create the first community land trust farm in the state, giving a beginning farmer an affordable, secure ground lease. A farm store and café add value to the farm’s production and a housing cooperative provides 12 climate-smart homes. Partners will describe tools and explain how to work within physical and regulatory constraints.

Presenter: Neva Hassanein, Ph.D

Neva Hassanein is a Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Montana, where she has taught since 2000. An engaged scholar, Neva and her students help strengthen Montana’s food system through community-based research projects and active partnerships. Neva served on the Missoula City-County Consolidated Planning Board for six years. She has also co-founded and served on the boards of several organizations. Currently, Neva is the sole member and manager of Corner Farm Village LLC.

Presenter: Jamie Erbacher, CFM

Jamie is a Senior Land Planner, bringing 15 years of experience in land use planning, regulatory compliance, public engagement, and administration, including 12 years working for Missoula County as a planner. She is skilled in comprehensive planning, rural design, land entitlements, and zoning and subdivision regulations, and recently served on the MAP Legislative Committee. She is passionate about shaping communities and environments for the better.

Presenter: Dawn Conklin, MS

Dawn Conklin is Executive Director of Trust Montana. Her work has led her overseas to work with nonprofits and USG. She is skilled at working cross-culturally and her passion for attainable housing, stewarding resources and compassion for vulnerable populations shines through at Trust Montana. Dawn holds a MS in Economic & Community Development and a BA in International Business. Dawn serves on various Boards: Madison Co Housing Advisory, MT Housing Coalition, Agrarian Trust and Headwaters RC&D.

1 CM AICP

Depot Ballroom

An overview of APA Ethics cases and outcomes in 2023-2024.

Presenter: Allison Mounch, AICP

Allison joined Orion Planning + Design in September 2016 and is currently based in Missoula, Montana. Bringing 16 years of professional planning experience to the team, her areas of specialization include comprehensive plans, code development, public engagement, project management, mapping, and analysis, with a focus on collaboration as a means of achieving positive outcomes. Mouch has wide-ranging experience working with private developers and public clients on forward-thinking land use and design solutions, fostering meaningful partnerships that result in sound policy and planning decisions. She is AICP and an active member of the American Planning Association (APA) as the Region V Board Director, past-president of APA’s Western Central Chapter, and currently sits on the Montana Association of Planners (MAP) Board of Directors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Miami University (Ohio), and a master’s degree in urban and environmental planning from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

1 CM Ethics AICP

Mountain Combined Room

Floodplain management takes a community-based effort to prevent or reduce the risk of flooding. Wise development can lessen flood impacts and should be the goal of planners, developers, decision-makers, and property owners. This workshop addresses the regulatory process and examples of common compliance and enforcement issues. An update on 2024 changes to Montana’s flood hazard regulations and HUD’s Federal Flood Risk Management Standards will also be given.

Presenter: Traci Sears, CFM

Traci Sears has been the State of Montana’s National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) coordinator for over 15 years. She is a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and helped Montana develop a premier floodplain program. She works actively with local, state, and federal partners to build resilient communities while addressing floodplain management, and flood mitigation, insurance, policy, and permitting issues. She has a voice in national flood issues while serving on ASFPM and AMFM Boards.

1 CM AICP

Depot Ballroom

Are you interested in serving your profession? Have you wanted to get more involved in APA but just don’t know how? Join us for an inspiring session focused on the leadership opportunities available at the state and national level with the American Planning Association. Current APA leaders will discuss their own unique paths into organization involvement and discuss how APA members can harness their unique talents to take on leadership roles at all levels. This session will explore the variety of leadership opportunities available within APA through volunteer positions, committees, or by participating in special projects. Participants will also learn about the value and benefits that come with being an APA leader, including mentorship initiatives, networking opportunities, and leadership training programs designed to support your growth as a leader in the planning community. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to enhance their contributions and navigate their leadership journey within the APA and MAP. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your impact and connect with like-minded professionals!

Presenter: Angela Brooks, FAICP

Angela Brooks is the Director of the Illinois office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing. She currently serves on the Chicago Board of Zoning Appeals, the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission, and is co-chair of the national Housing Supply Accelerator helping communities meet the housing needs of residents. Brooks is a native of Seattle and a graduate of Jackson State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies, and the University of New Orleans, where she received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning. An active member of APA since graduate school, Brooks has held numerous leadership positions in the Housing and Community Development Division, Planning and the Black Community Division, Diversity Task Force, Washington Chapter, and co-chair of the Housing Policy Guide. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Incorporated.

Presenter: Jason Jordan, AICP

Jason Jordan, Director of Policy & Public Affairs at the American Planning Association (APA), brings three decades of strategic planning and outreach to his role. He is also a Partner at the public affairs and government relations firm, Advocacy Associates, LLC. Jason continues advancing the APA’s legislative and policy agenda, including policy development, representation of APA, management of advocacy networks and planning campaigns. Jason’s resume includes work with U.S. Senator Max Cleland and other policy and management positions. He holds a degree from Emory University.

Presenter: Allison Mounch, AICP

Allison joined Orion Planning + Design in September 2016 and is currently based in Missoula, Montana. Bringing 16 years of professional planning experience to the team, her areas of specialization include comprehensive plans, code development, public engagement, project management, mapping, and analysis, with a focus on collaboration as a means of achieving positive outcomes. Mouch has wide-ranging experience working with private developers and public clients on forward-thinking land use and design solutions, fostering meaningful partnerships that result in sound policy and planning decisions. She is AICP and an active member of the American Planning Association (APA) as the Region V Board Director, past-president of APA’s Western Central Chapter, and currently sits on the Montana Association of Planners (MAP) Board of Directors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Miami University (Ohio), and a master’s degree in urban and environmental planning from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

1 CM AICP

Gypsum Room

City of Missoula Community Planning, Development, & Innovation (CPDI) partners on community engagement with local broad-based collective Common Good Missoula for the Our Missoula: Growth Policy Update & Code Reform project. Hear more about this innovative strategy, lessons learned, and engage in an interactive activity to explore the ways your city can use community partnerships to strengthen your community engagement!

Attendees will learn about CPDI’s Community Engagement approach, toolkit, and efforts to build trust in the community. CPDI’s Community Engagement mission is to promote opportunities for residents to engage by building relationships, collaborating, and working to connect residents to the issues that matter to them. Their vision is to base their community engagement work on collaborative education, sharing experiences, and building awareness of key issues.

Presenter: Ashley Brittner- Wells

Bio coming soon

Presenter: Emily Gluckin

Bio coming soon

1 CM AICP

Depot Ballroom

Presenter: Angela Brooks, FAICP

Angela Brooks is the Director of the Illinois office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing. She currently serves on the Chicago Board of Zoning Appeals, the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission, and is co-chair of the national Housing Supply Accelerator helping communities meet the housing needs of residents. Brooks is a native of Seattle and a graduate of Jackson State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies, and the University of New Orleans, where she received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning. An active member of APA since graduate school, Brooks has held numerous leadership positions in the Housing and Community Development Division, Planning and the Black Community Division, Diversity Task Force, Washington Chapter, and co-chair of the Housing Policy Guide. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Incorporated.