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Aransas County PACE

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2/26/07 Update #2

EPA Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program

General link - http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm

Link to 5-pager http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/2007_sgia_rfa.pdf

Brief introduction (from the webpage)- Background on the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program

The SGIA program is an annual, competitive solicitation open to state, local, regional, and tribal governments (and non-profits that have partnered with a governmental entity) that want to incorporate smart growth techniques into their future development.

  • Once selected, communities receive direct technical assistance from a team of national experts in one of two areas:
    • policy analysis (e.g., reviewing state and local codes, school siting guidelines, transportation policies, etc.) or
    • public participatory processes (e.g., visioning, design workshops, alternative analysis, build-out analysis, etc.).
  • The assistance is tailored to the community’s unique situation and priorities.
  • EPA provides the assistance through a contractor team—not a grant.
  • Through a multiple-day site visit and a detailed final report, the multi-disciplinary teams provide information to help the community achieve its goal of encouraging growth that fosters economic progress and environmental protection.
  • EPA initiated the SGIA program in 2005 with three goals in mind:
  1. To support communities interested in implementing smart growth policies;
  2. To create regional examples of smart growth that can catalyze similar projects in the area; and
  3. To identify common barriers and opportunities for smart growth development and create new tools that other communities can use.

Oysterfest Volunteer Update

Note

  • Please arrive 15-min prior to your shift
  • Our booth is located on the South side of the big vendor tent
  • Contact Logan for your gate passes

As of today 3/1, we had the following volunteers signed up.

Thursday, March 1

  • 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Chamber Volunteers
    • Chamber Volunteers
    • Dr. John Jacob
    • Logan Respess

Friday, March 2

  • 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Chamber Volunteers
    • Chamber Volunteers
    • Dr. John Jacob
    • Logan Respess

Saturday, March 3

  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Craig Patton
    • Drew Jacobs
    • Logan Respess - as needed
  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Ruth Thompson
    • Patty Bidwell
    • Darlene Latierre-Barfoot
    • Logan Respess - as needed
  • 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Ruth Thompson
    • Darlene Latierre-Barfoot
    • Logan Respess - as needed

Sunday, March 4

  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Craig Patton
    • Dean & Barb Hause
    • Logan Respess - as needed
  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Elayne Arne
    • Louis Corbett
    • Logan Respess - as needed

2/15/07 Update

Aransas County PACE/CHARM Committee meeting minutes for 2/14/07 mtg

Here are the notes from the meeting as well as the action items assigned.

IF THERE ARE ANY CORRECTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

  1. Welcome and Introduce Attendees.
    1. We welcomed new participants who signed up at last month’s chamber of commerce luncheon- Leah Harter, Steve Warrick, Dean Hause, Frank Sotrines, Herman Voss, as well as, Tami Bayer (with UTMSI-NERR).
    2. Other attendees included: Nan Jackson, Felix Keeley, Diane Probst, Craig Patton, and Sally Morehead.
  2. Review Activities to date:
    1. Oysterfest - The first topic was a planning and scheduling discussion for Oysterfest, March 1-4.
      1. Times:
        1. Thursday - 3p.m. begin setup, 5 p.m. gates open
        2. Friday - 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
        3. Saturday - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
        4. Sunday - Noon to 4 p.m.
      2. Attendees: Different from SeaFair. Lots of Winter Texans, Locals and local families.
      3. Setup:
        1. 8 tables setup in a horseshoe pattern. We will have access to one table with a backdrop/wall behind us (useful for hanging posters).
        2. There are no restrictions on refreshments we can provide so we will be able to offer water, coffee and or soft drinks.
      4. Volunteer Schedule:
        1. Thursday - Chamber of Commerce Volunteers
        2. Friday - Chamber of Commerce Volunteers
        3. Saturday - Need Volunteer Assistance. Please respond to forthcoming email to let us know which shifts you can work.
        4. Sunday - Need Volunteer Assistance. Please respond to forthcoming email to let us know which shifts you can work.
    2. National Charrette Institute
      1. Dr. Jacobs and Logan Respess attended the nationally recognized charrette training hosted by the National Charrette Institute and updated the group on this new tool and opportunity available to us.
      2. For more information visit their website at http://www.charretteinstitute.org/
  3. Funding opportunities
    1. Dr. Jacob discussed funding opportunities available through the EPA.
    2. Funding is designed to help local communities with growth and planning. Funding is available for up to $50K.
    3. Dr. Jacob mentioned that his group had utilized one of the grants with great success and that he would provide us with the resulting paper.
  4. Leadership Advisory Boards - Logan delivered a short powerpoint presentation with the highlights and opportunities of the leadership advisory board.
  5. LAB question and answer
    1. Several questions were fielded about the LAB.
    2. The focus of Aransas County’s LAB will be (due to aforementioned responses and activities) will be in areas of growth and development.
    3. Participants were reminded that Extension (and Extension sponsored groups) would not hold regulatory power or to tell others what to do, but rather would provide best management practices and successful examples of what other communities are doing.
  6. Election of LAB officers: After the discussion a nomination process was held and nominees were voted on.

The following are our new board members:

    1. President - Diane Probst
    2. Vice President - Felix Keeley
    3. Secretary - Sally Morehead
  2. Wrap-up and Review Action Items-

Action Items: Diane Probst - line up Chamber of Commerce Volunteers for Thursday and Friday. completed

Dr. John Jacob -

  • - publish poster with 1947 aerial photograph vs. 2005 aerial photograph is side by side format. completed
  • - Check on availability of office staff assisting with Oysterfest completed - Dr. Jacob will be able to assist but his staff have prior committments.
  • - Provide links to his homepage, EPA funding/grant opportunity link completed

Logan Respess - assemble survey material “kit”, coffee pots and accessories, send out request for volunteers through our Master Gardener Association. in progress

  1. Next meeting date: To be set after SeaFair surveys are compiled.
  1. Adjourn

9/28 UPDATE

Today's Events

  • Rotary Club Meeting, Noon to 1 p.m., at the Rockport County Club
    • Dr. Jacob and I will showcase the "chips" game, which features a large map of Live Oak Peninsula with various overlays. Participants get to "choose" where to place new growth.
    • We will also have the new survey instruments available
  • PACE meeting, 1:30 p.m. to no later than 2:30 p.m.
    • Reports on action items and make sure that everyone is on the same page as we head towards SeaFair
    • Identify last minute needs and assign action items
    • Finalize plans for our activities at SeaFair
    • Please review action items listed below in "meeting action items"
  • Business After Hours, 5 - 6:30 p.m. at Rockport Properties.
    • We will showcase the Chips game
    • we will distribute surveys to participants


8/30 Update

PACE EVENT DATE CHANGED

The PACE program and dates have been changed to October 6th-8th to coincide with SeaFair. In addition, before, during and after SeaFair we will be working closely with the Chamber to deliver select presentations and activities to various groups.

Next Meeting Date

Wednesday, September 6th

We will meet here at the Extension Office, “Green Acres” located on the corner of Pearl and Mimosa (across from the Aransas County Library’s parking lot) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please make plans to attend, as we have a great deal to finalize and I definitely need your input.

PACE EVENT DATE CHANGED

The PACE program and dates have been changed to October 6th-8th to coincide with SeaFair. In addition, before, during and after SeaFair we will be working closely with the Chamber to deliver select presentations and activities to various groups.

8/25 Meeting Minutes

  • Attendees included: Logan, Dr. Jacob, Kam, Diane, Susan, Nan, Felix, Tony, and a new member Craig with AFC
  • Program date has been changed to coincide with SeaFair
    • This change was made to allow us to sample a larger group of people who will be in attendance at this annual festival.
    • Working with the Chamber we will revise and update general survey questions to capture additional growth related information.
  • Format of PACE changed
    • A "Celebrate Aransas County" theme will be used
    • The format will be changed to include more visual preference survey posters
    • Participants will complete short, visual preference survey forms as they move through the tent.
    • Still others will be asked to complete a tiered survey (drawings and door prizes will be given away to those completing survey. Beach towels?)
      • Past, present and future images will be incorporated
      • Visual Preference Posters will include
        • Harborfront
        • Trees, natural areas, birding & wildlife areas
        • Aerial photos/ time sequences
        • Downtown
        • Images of places with a "sense of place"
        • Images with an "architectural feel"
    • Also included will be the "chips and big map" activity which allows folks to see the population coming and asks them where they would like to see the people live.
    • One-page fact sheets will also be provided
      • "sense of place"
      • Traffic and Sidewalks
      • Green areas/open spaces
      • Affordable housing
  • The results of the PACE program will be analyzed and provided to the various groups working on growth related issues in Aransas County.
  • Additional programs and presentation are being planned and will continue throughout the year.

Meeting Action Items

  • Kam - Check on tent availability at SeaFair (Completed)
  • Kam - Confirm times for PACE presentations @ SeaFair. Noon and 4 p.m. (Completed)
  • Susan - Contact High School Environmental Class and seek volunteers for this project. (Tabled).
  • Diane - provide group the Aransas County Narrative (completed)
  • Diane - provide SeaFair survey to Dr. Jacob for review and possible revisions (completed)
  • Diane - Identify additional opportunities to deliver growth presentations. (Completed)
  • Logan & Lonnie - Contact volunteers to assist with the booth and the surveys. (Ongoing)
  • Logan - Take additional "local" photos for use in visual surveys. (Ongoing)
  • Dr. Jacob - Develop 1-pager "fact sheets" (one completed)
  • Dr. Jacob - Develop a list of topics and speakers for future use.
  • Dr. Jacob & Logan - Develop visual preference survey posters, maps, etc. (In progress)
  • Dr. Jacob - Develop brief "write-up" of SeaFair presentations for the Chamber.
  • Craig - Provide digital images for surveys (historical, proposed development, etc.) (In progress)
  • Lonnie - Availability and cost of various "door prizes" and items to be drawn.

8/10 Update

Friday, August, 25th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will meet here at the Extension Office, “Green Acres” located on the corner of Pearl and Mimosa (across from the Aransas County Library’s parking lot. This will be a working lunch so feel free to bring a sack lunch. I will have drinks and snacks for attendees.

Please make plans to attend, as we have a great deal to finalize and I definitely need your input.

  • Welcome new members & brief introductions (5 min)
  • Brief Review of activities to date (5 min)
  • Identify possible meeting locations/contact persons & assign action items for follow-up (5 min)
  • Discussion of promotional materials/surveys (20 min)
    • Water Bill inserts (deadline?)
    • Direct mailings (deadline?)
    • Chamber newsletter inserts (deadline?)
    • Local newspapers
  • Discussion of promotional activities (20 min)
    • SeaFair Booth
      • Identify volunteers to assist in booth
      • Presentation(s) at SeaFair
    • Additional presentations as requested by the community
      • Identify groups who might want a program presentation
  • PACE Program Format (20)
    • Must Haves
    • Can't Stands
  • Review Action Items (4)
  • Set next meeting date (3)
  • Wrap-up & Adjourn (3)



Aransas County "CHARM” Phase II / PACE Meeting May 18, 2006 Aransas County Extension Office Meeting Notes (please let me know if there needs to be additions or corrections)

Please review and pay particular attention to the notes in BOLD. These are action items that I desperately need assistance on.

Groups that definitely need to be involved in this process as we go forward (other than those already listed above): Aransas First Stewardship Aransas Please provide me with additional groups you would like to see contacted.

There was some discussion of expanding the program to include areas outside of Rockport and Fulton but not so large as to encompass all of Aransas County. Some suggestions included a “peninsula theme” of Lamar and/or Live Oak.

As part of the County-Wide Plan or a smaller derivation thereof, the following were mentioned as “must haves” to make this a successful program:

  1. Develop inventory of what is available (parks, open spaces, residential, commercial, etc., as well as, what has been done to date in the way of plans and planning for the future.)
    1. Make sure that there is political support and include elected leaders all along the way. Encourage them to participate in the planning process and make sure that they are “in the loop.”
    2. Make sure that there is community support and include local leaders in the planning process. Make sure the community is “in the loop.”
  2. There should be a “Focal Point Event” in the near term.
    1. This event should be a community event to engage citizens on growth and natural area/natural resource issues.
      1. The Focal Point could be a party or celebration of Aransas County.
      2. The event should be very hands on with lots of maps and pictures
      3. The event should have places to register opinions.
      4. There could be could breakouts on tables where folks could draw their visions etc.
      5. This event would include both Rockport and Fulton and the county at large.
    2. Make sure that it is well publicized and well attended.
    3. That this “Focal Point Event” is held in a suitable “Open Space”.
    4. Make sure the representatives of the various groups are personally invited from each group, organization, neighborhood. Don’t forget to personally invite local leaders and elected officials.
    5. The Focal Point Event needs a “Theme”.
      1. Be a PACE Setter.
      2. Attend a PACE Setting Event.
    6. The Focal Point Event needs to be centered around Food and Fun. Maybe a Live Oak meeting/food/event?
  3. A Questionnaire/Survey needs to be developed to better gauge their preferences
    1. Direct mailings
      1. To residences via water bills (if possible).
      2. Expand mailings to Lamar Peninsula.
    2. Include section on signing up if you would like to assist us.
    3. Strategically locate drop boxes for questionnaires/surveys around the county.
    4. Need TAMU assistance with questionnaire/survey development.
    5. Need TAMU assistance with questionnaire/survey analysis.
  4. Training/Educational Aids
    1. Explore the possibility of developing “transitioning” slides using local photographs like the ones shown in our PowerPoint presentation.
    2. Urban Advantage might be a source.
    3. There was mention of a local source- Does anyone have that information?
    4. Showcase a “Historic Rockport/Aransas County” Slide Show at October Chamber Luncheon.
  5. Reminders
    1. We have approximately $20K to spend by year’s end.
    2. I need additional contacts of people who need to be included in the planning process.
  6. Follow-ups
    1. Logan will develop and launch a list-serve site to share important information with the group.
    2. Logan will develop and launch a WIKI site for use by the group as we begin to develop our programs.
    3. All attendees will provide me with names and addresses of local leaders who need to be involved in this process
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