Meeting Minutes SustainBlaine Open Meeting 2/3/10

In Doug Brown's absence, George Kirk presided over the meeting.

Presentation by Peter Everett regarding the Community Connector, a coalition exploring transportation solutions for the valley. Some ideas being considered include a fixed guideway steel-wheeled streetcar system and a gondola system. The goals of these systems would be to better distribute traffic coming into the Ketchum/Sun Valley area; connect Sun Valley, downtown Ketchum and the River Run neighborhood; and integrate with a comprehensive regional public transportation system. Learn more at www.thecommunityconnector.com. Contact Peter at petereverett@psu.edu.

Presentation by Beth Robrahn regarding the Hailey Airport Site Master Plan. She indicated that the City of Hailey will use information from the TIP work done last year, but that it will also conduct a market analysis specific to Hailey. She expects development of a master plan to take 1 to 2 years. An idea was raised that, once the city has determined the objectives for the airport land, a design competition be held. The City of Austin held such a competition and received numerous designs from national and international firms, giving them tremendous options from which to choose.

Discussion was held regarding the role of the Sustain Blaine advisory board going forward, now that the SVEDC has been formed and board members appointed/elected. The consensus was:

To receive reports from - and give feedback to - the SVEDC board. To receive reports from - and give feedback to - the project teams. To inform and advise the SVEDC board. To discuss and build understanding and consensus on issues confronting the greater community. To continue to reach out to the greater community to gain support for the GoBlaine! strategy. To nominate and elect the 7 private-sector members of the SVEDC board, as terms expire or seats otherwise come open

Discussion was held about the need to communicate progress made to date, as well as the SVEDC's next steps. Those who had attended the first SVEDC board meeting explained that the first session was used to bring the new board members up to date and to enable all parties to get to know each other. The next SVEDC meeting is set for Tues., 2/16.

An announcement was made that Doug Brown has indicated his need to step down as chair of Sustain Blaine. Discussion was held about the need for new leadership and the decision was made to:

Solicit nominations from the 31 voting members Vanessa Fry will receive the nominations and email a slate to the membership for their vote Election is to be completed prior to the next in-person meeting, so the new chair can preside over the next meeting.

Discussion was held whether Sustain Blaine should have a new steering or executive committee and, if so, how that should be comprised and how its members should be determined. Discussion was tabled until new chair takes over. Old steering committee will continue for now: Doug Brown, Julie Cord, Harry Griffith, Linda Haavik, Rebekah Helzel, Joy Kasputys, George Kirk, Nils Ribi and Diana Takvam.