Rebuild Iowa Office IOWA SMART PLANNING TASK FORCE HOSTS PUBLIC MEETINGS TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY Iowans Encouraged to Provide Input on Draft Recommendations for Smart Planning in Iowa The Iowa Smart Planning Task Force will hold the second series of public input meetings this week to solicit feedback on draft recommendations to support Smart Planning in Iowa. There will be one meeting each in Coralville and Boone, and one meeting will be held through a webinar. The meetings will give Iowans the opportunity to review the draft recommendations and offer their opinions for inclusion in the final recommendations. Attendees will also be able to learn more about Smart Planning and what it means for the state and their community. This week's meetings are set for: · Tuesday, Oct. 5: Coralville Public Library, 1401 Fifth St., Meeting Room A, Coralville from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. · Wednesday, Oct. 6: Webinar, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., originated from Iowa State Association for Counties office in Des Moines. (Instructions for registering for the webinar are at http://www.rio.iowa.gov/smart_planning/meetings.html.) · Thursday, Oct. 7: Boone City Hall Auditorium, 923 Eighth St., Boone from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Each session will include a description of the responsibilities and activities of the Task Force, as well as an introduction to the draft recommendations. Following each presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in small-group discussions, and will be encouraged to ask questions and provide ideas for changing or adding to the recommendations. Attendees are welcome to come and go as their schedules permit. Additionally, a survey will be provided at the meetings to gauge support for particular recommendations and to collect additional public comments. To download the draft recommendations and the public input survey, and to get more information about the Iowa Smart Planning Task Force and public input meetings, please visit www.rio.iowa.gov/smart_planning/index.html. Smart Planning is meant to improve community resiliency following the 2008 disasters in ways that increase economic opportunity, protect environmental resources and improve quality of life. The Iowa Smart Planning Task Force was created by Senate File 2389 during the 2010 Legislative session, and has been meeting throughout the summer, drafting recommendations for public comment. The 33-member Task Force must submit a report to the Governor and Iowa Legislature by Nov. 15, that includes recommendations for: · integrating the Iowa Smart Planning Principles into appropriate State programs and policy, · establishing an efficient and effective planning and coordination structure, · identifying necessary financial and technical assistance to support and incentivize local and regional comprehensive planning, and · developing a framework for regional comprehensive planning and collaboration. The first series of meetings was held last week in Spencer, Red Oak and Waverly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/