VERSION 1. 2016 IN THIS ISSUE: _01 Letter from the President Allison Mouch, AICP _03 Introducing Bethany Brandt-Sargent as Vice President _04 2016 Western Planner & Montana Association of Planners Joint Conference _06 Q&A: Yankton, South Dakota Dave Mingo, AICP _10 Engaging our Communities in the Literacy and Learning of Resilience Donna J. Bye _14 Q&A: Lawrence County, South Dakota Amber Vogt _18 10 Towns that Changed America Newsletter Information This newsletter is published by the Western Central Chapter of the American Planning LETTER FROM Association on a quarterly basis. Circulation is to the THE PRESIDENT APA members of the Western Central Chapter (WCC). The Written by: Allison Mouch, AICP WCC Executive Committee welcomes submissions of original articles, editorial letters, project profiles, planners on the move items, calendar items, and GREETINGS WESTERN CENTRAL any other information of interest CHAPTER MEMBERS, to both professional and citizen planners. Submissions should WCC APA Executive Board Sending warm thoughts your way as I setting conference just last year, be made to: of topics discussed that I’d like to make you aware of; future emails and wait to board my flight back to big sky the overwhelming feedback from newsletters will provide additional details. Many of you may have noticed President: country from New Orleans, LA. I’ve conference attendees I spoke with Allison Mouch, AICP Ashley Kaisershot APA recently updated their website, streamlining resources and retooling the spent the last few days down in NOLA was that session content, conference Past President: Newsletter Editor user interface. Online access to PAS reports, personalization of your ‘My Ken Markert, AICP with our Plan4Health Cohort 2 grant venue and overall location were e: ashley.kaisershot APA’ page, and an expanded image library are just a few of the improvements Vice President: recipient, the Healthy Communities top notch! The 90-degree weather @gmail.com made to the site so visit www.planning.org soon! Changes to AICP testing Bethany Brandt-Sargent Coalition out of Helena, MT, learning certainly helped, especially for those and qualification requirements, with a focus on engaging new graduates and Treasurer: about the great work other grantees of us still suffering through ‘spring’ in Jeff Bollman, AICP WCC Disclaimer: The views young professionals, are currently being discussed by the AICP Commission. are beginning across the country our northern states. Thanks to all of Secretary: expressed in the articles I will be bringing you more information and requesting input from you all as Megan Nelms, AICP and helping to refine the intended you who joined in on Saturday night published on the website or in these proposed changes are shared with the broader membership. For outcomes and brainstorm next steps at the only true brewery in downtown the newsletter are those of the those of you engaging in pro bono planning work in your communities, track North Dakota State Director: in our coalition’s wayfinding and Phoenix – Mother Bunch – to share authors. They do not necessarily represent the views or opinions those hours – you’ll now be able to count them towards your CM credit total. Donna Bye communications planning process. in libations and socializing. It was South Dakota State Director: of the WCC APA. Any questions And last but not least: all chapters are being asked to evaluate and revise Lysann Zeller These are exciting times for the great to put faces with names, and to or comments may be directed to their existing fee structure, transitioning to percentage-based dues by 2017. Wyoming State Director: Western Central Chapter, and I am so connect with many of you in person the President of the WCC. DON’T PANIC – the Western Central Chapter executive board will be looking Megan Nelms, AICP proud our organization was selected instead of over email. I hope these at our existing dues, how different percentages would impact our members Montana State Director: to be a partner in this important social gatherings will continue at as well as our budget, and soliciting your feedback on proposed changes Jeff Bollman, AICP initiative. future national conferences, as well Professional Development Officer: before you see any modifications on your annual membership invoice! Randy Johnson, AICP as at the Western Planner/ Montana Western Planner Representative: Speaking of airports, just a few Association of Planners conference I hope you enjoy this quarter’s newsletter and the informative articles within, Brandon Cammarata, AICP weeks ago I was boarding a plane in later this summer in Great Falls. And and look forward to seeing many of you in my home state of Montana for the Newsletter Editor: Montana, on my way to the National yes….. I will still buy the first round! Western Planner Conference come August! Ashley Kaisershot Planning Conference in Phoenix, Webmaster: David A. Heinold AZ – and what a conference it was. During the Chapter President’s While this year’s attendance was Council meetings held at the national Cover photo credit: Bully Pulpit Golf Course, Medora, slightly down from Seattle’s record- conference, there were a number of Allison North Dakota http://medora.com/do/outdoor/bully- pulpit-golf-course/ version1.2016 Western Central Chapter APA version1.2016 Western Central Chapter Interested in Contributing? It’s easy! The WCC-APA encourages readers, members, and others to submit articles and columns for publication. Contributing WCC - APA WELCOMES is easy, and the WCC looks forward to sharing your article BETHANY BRANDT-SARGENT with the WCC community. How does one contribute you ask? Here’s a few quick tips: VICE PRESIDENT Contact newsletter editor, Ashley Kaisershot at: [email protected] Determine a topic that is applicable to the WCC reader base. Not sure? Just ask! BETHANY BRANDT-SARGENT is the newly elected Vice President for the Western Central Chapter (WCC) of the APA. Writing goals: a column is She is a transportation planner at KLJ, primarily working on urban and between 700-1,200 words. An article is between 1,200- suburban corridor studies, interstate and interchange projects, and 2,000 words. occasionally a comprehensive plan. Bethany has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from NDSU and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning You will be provided a few from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. simple requirements to include in your submittal, such as a short author bio, During her term as Vice President, she hopes to work on the Young citations (if necessary), Planners Initiative. As a rural chapter, with no accredited planning headline, photos, and photo school in its geographic service area, the WCC of APA often has trouble cutline/credits. attracting and retaining top young talent that wants to work in rural and small urban communities. This initiative hopes to provide solutions and strategies to address this issue. WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING YOUR Outside work, Bethany spends most of her time with friends and family. CONTRIBUTION, AND She loves playing cards and board games, hosting dinner parties, SHARING IT WITH OUR reading, and entertaining her two cats, Mabel and Maude. PLANNING COMMUNITY! version1.2016 Western Central Chapter 2016 Western Planner & Montana Association of Planners Joint Conference Landscapes, Landmarks, and Leadership The Great Falls Department of Planning and Community Development, our community partners, and our sponsors invite you to join us along the banks of the Missouri. This year’s event will take place August 10-12, 2016, at the Civic Center in Great Falls, Montana. http://westernplanner.org/conferences/2016-conference/ MT QUICK facts D T W K WHAT? DATE? THEME? WHERE? KEYNOTE 2016 Western Planner & August 10-12, 2016 Landscapes, Landmarks, and Leadership Great Falls, MT Best Selling Author, Montana Assoc. of Planners Conference Gary Ferguson KEYNOTE - GARY FERGUSON. Bestselling national author full-day training, led by Molly Mowery of Wildfire Planning ABOUT GREAT FALLS. Resting on the high plains along is historic Fort Benton, the Upper Missouri Breaks National Gary Ferguson will tie the elements of our conference International, will offer an in-depth look at how wildfires are Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front Range, Great Falls is located Monument, and the Bear Paw Battlefield unit of the Nez Perce theme together in a keynote speech. Beyond his literary affecting the West and which planning and regulatory tools can at the confluence of the Missouri and Sun Rivers. Great Falls is National Historic Park. accomplishments, Gary was deeply involved in the creation of reduce their impacts at all scales: buildings, lots, subdivisions, Montana’s third largest city, at approximately 60,000 residents. the Beartooth Front Community Forum (BFCF) in Red Lodge, and communities. Case studies will come from several It is also the home of Malmstrom Air Force Base, the center of Planners coming from the west have the option of swinging MT. The BFCF led the City of Red Lodge to develop its first Western jurisdictions, and show how to effectively reduce our nation’s first Minuteman Missile Complex. north to Glacier National Park, where they drive the spectacular master plan, which won Western Planning Resources’ Sheldon wildfire risk using the comprehensive plan, development code, Going to the Sun Highway and find numerous trails, or of Gerber Award for Excellence, and gave the community the and wildfire protection plan. This interactive training is a must Great Falls has a rich history, yet strives to appeal to modern visiting Montana’s capitol city, Helena, with its unique Last confidence to oppose U.S. Postal Service plans to move the for anyone who wants a better understanding of the trends interests. You can find contemporary art at Paris Gibson Chance Gulch downtown. It takes less than four hours to get post office to the fringe of town. The Red Lodge Post Office and risks associated with development in wildfire-prone areas Square Museum of Art, named for the founder of Great Falls, into Great Falls from Glacier, less than two from Helena.