The Western Maryland Local Government Exchange is held annually and focuses on regional fiscal and policy issues of importance to Western Maryland. Audience participation is encouraged for most topics and some of the issue discussions apply statewide. Full information about the event is below:
2014 Western Maryland Local Government Exchange
Affording a Quality Community:
Balancing the Quality of Life Versus the Cost of Living
Friday, May 9, 2014 – 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ramada Plaza Hotel
1718 Underpass Way, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740: (301) 797-2500
Hosted by the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Maryland Sea Grant, University of Maryland Extension, and the Western Maryland Local Government Exchange Steering Committee. Event funding is provided by the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund, the Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association, and University of MD Extension.
We are pleased to provide the opportunity for you to attend the 8th annual Western Maryland Local Government Exchange. The Exchange’s goal is to provide an event where local government representatives can share information concerning best management practices for land use and other issues. The focus this year is on “Balancing the Quality of Life Versus the Cost of Living”.
Agenda topics include:
· Assess and understand what our community has at the moment (Strengthening the Local Housing Stock)
· Discuss and consider what our community wants to plan for the future (Environmental Regulatory
Mandates: The Cost of Implementation)
· Determine how to pay for the plans (The Changing Face of Energy in Western Maryland)
For the complete agenda see below.
Thanks to our funders, the registration fee is $25 per participant. Registrations and payments must be received by Friday, May 2, 2014 unless other arrangements have been made.
To register online and pay by credit card go to http://2014wmdlocalgovexchange.eventbrite.com.
There is an additional processing fee from Eventbrite of $2.37 to register online and pay by credit card.
To register by mail and pay by check:
· Complete the registration form found at the bottom of this email.
· Mail your check payable to the University of Maryland ($25 per participant) with your registration form to: Pam Thomas, University of Maryland Extension, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, Maryland 21756-1104. Please include the participant name on the check. If paying for more than one participant, please include the names of all participants
· Receipts for both type of payments will be provided at the meeting.
** No refunds will be issued after May 2, 2014
AICP CM credits have been previously granted to those that attend the Local Government Exchange and we anticipate they will be granted again this year, but approval is pending.
For additional information about registration or payment, please contact Pam Thomas at pthomas@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767. For additional information about the program, contact Nancy Nunn at nnunn@umd.edu or (410) 827-8056, ext. 128.
2014 Western Maryland Local Government Exchange
Affording a Quality Community: Balancing the Quality of Life versus the Cost of Living
Friday, May 9, 2014
Ramada Plaza Hotel, 1718 Underpass Way, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
Agenda
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
Jim Wieprecht, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer, City of Taneytown
on behalf of the steering committee
9:10 a.m. Keynote: How do we becomeaffordably sustainable under the recent Maryland legislative initiatives? How will rural communities balance sustainability and the cost of living (housing, environment, and energy)? What are the employment and regulatory issues? What are some strategies to deal with unfunded mandates?
Facilitator: Dave Umling, City Planner, City of Cumberland
9:40 a.m. Session 1: Breakout – Topic: Strengthening Local Housing Stock.
Economic changes have impacted the quality and quantity of housing stocks in communities. This session will discuss trends in different types of housing stocks and strategies to improve them.
Presenter: Tamar Osterman, Frederick County Realtor Association & Carroll County Realtor Association
Facilitator: Ted Shankle, Director, Hagerstown Housing Authority – Washington County
10:40 a.m. Break
10:55 a.m. Session 2: Environmental Regulatory Mandates: Reasonableness of Implementation.
Counties and municipalities in western Maryland are dealing with the implementation of the TMDL regulations and how to implement best practices in a cost effective fashion to get the most impact. This session will provide the county and municipal perspective.
Presenters: Shannon Moore, Director, Sustainability and Environment Resources, Frederick County, Jim Bender, Assistant City Engineer, City of Hagerstown
Facilitator: Alex Rohrbaugh, Planner, City of Hagerstown
11:40 a.m. Session 3: Recap of the 2014 Legislative Session
Presenters: Les Knapp, Legal and Policy Counsel, Maryland Association of Counties; Tom Curtin, Associate, Governmental Relations and Research, Maryland Municipal League; Colby Ferguson, Government Relations Director, Maryland Farm Bureau
12:30 p.m. Networking Lunch
1:30 p.m. Session 4: The Changing Face of Energy in Western Maryland
Changes are occurring in the mix of energy sources due to new regulation and new technologies. This session will investigate some of the potential economic implications for the five western Maryland counties.
Commercial Wood Energy A Reality
Presenter: Jonathan Kays, Extension Special Natural Resources, University of Maryland Extension
Changing market demand with Electricity: Changes in How Power is Generated and Distributed to the Region
Presenter: Dave Kline, Alleghany Power
New Hydroelectric Potential in Western Maryland
Presenter: Shawn Seaman, Power Plant Site Assessor, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Update on Marcellus Shale and the Governor’s Safe Drilling Initiative
Presenter: Brigid Kenney, Senior Policy Advisor, Maryland Department of Environment
Facilitator: Nancy Nunn
2:45 p.m. Recap of Day’s Sessions: Next Steps
Presenters: Alan Imhoff, Alex Rohrbaugh, Dave Umling.
3:00 p.m. Adjourn
