The Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) had their second meeting yesterday. They continue to develop their structure and figure out how they might strategically plan to spend roughly $22 million in the next few months. More below.
Yesterday’s meeting started with the selection of the various chairs and vice-chairs. Those folks are:
- Citizens: Chair is David Hartwell, Vice-Chair is Nancy Gibson
- Senate: Chair is Dallas Sams (DFL, Alexandria), Vice is Dennis Frederickson (R, New Ulm)
- House: Chair is Kathy Tinglestad (R, Andover), Vice is Gene Wagenius (DFL, Minneapolis)
Following this process, the commission reported back from their small group discussions related to developing a vision for spending the money available for the next legislative process ($22 million), developing a six-year strategic plan, and developing a process for allocating $300,000 for the creation of a statewide conservation plan. There is some background available on each of these topics in the post from the first meeting.
Allocating the $22 million
There were a few ideas floating around on the best way to recommend spending $22 million to the 2007 legislature. There seemed to be some consensus on creating two processes going forward: one for projects that have received funding in the past and have “proven” worthy of continuing to be funded; the other to provide opportunity for funding new projects – possibly in one strategically-targeted category, such as water. Projects in the first category may not have to go through as extensive a process as new proposals. Conversations on these two processes will continue with future meetings. It is their hope to have their short term strategy for this funding drafted by their September 28th meeting.
Statewide Conservation Plan
The 2006 legislature allocated $300,000 for the creation of a statewide conservation plan. The staff of the LCCMR has been directed to post a draft version of the Request For Proposals (RFP) next week and open the RFP up for public comments for two weeks. It seems to be the commission’s intention to have the final RFP posted shortly after their meeting on Sept. 28. A preliminary report will be due back June 1, 2007 and the final report will be due one year later.
Going Forward
There are opportunities for public comment that are ongoing and there will be opportunities to comment on various drafts of the RFPs and strategic plan. All of that information is, or will be, posted on the commission’s website.
Meetings are currently scheduled for September 19, September 28, October 12, and October 26. All are slated from 12:30 to 5 p.m. and take place in room 5 of the State Office Building by the capitol.