Daily Press Writer
MONTROSE — The first update of the city’s master plan in nine years took another step forward Thursday night as the Montrose City Council unveiled the master plan advisory committee.
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Following the initial call for applications, the council decided earlier this month that some interests and segments in the community were underrepresented. Councilors specifically headed out to recruit Hispanic residents and candidates with an interest in the environment.
“The truth of the matter is we had a number of applicants who perhaps filled a role on the committee in that they had lived here a certain time or were retired,” Mayor Noelle Hagan said. “Getting a committee that reflected Montrose was a challenge.”
Council still found a mix, though, appointing at least two residents who’ve been here less than three years, while also installing at least four who were either natives or had lived in the area for more than 30 years.
Among the candidates that councilors recruited to join was Jayne Bilberry, who was educated in outdoor recreation and is a member of both the Western Colorado Congress and Club 20. They also enlisted Joey Montoya, an assistant at Mesa State College and a newcomer to the area and David Romero, who works for the 7th Judicial District’s probation program.
Of the 39 candidates, 11 had professional backgrounds in land-use decisions or an engineering field. Council, however, specifically decided to balance out the committee with applicants who did not have technical backgrounds.
Two of the committee members work in the real estate industry.
The city placed four county residents on the committee, including Robert Goodhue, a 45-year resident and the lone farmer selected. The city also tapped Lana Kinsey, a west Montrose resident who was recently appointed to the Montrose County Planning Commission.
Staff and elected officials for both the county and the city have pointed to the areas just beyond the city limits as troublesome planning areas since both governments will be working on master plans to guide development there.
Hagan pointed to Kinsey’s spot on the committee as a step in the right direction.
“That will help facilitate that and really demonstrates that we are serious about this collaborative planning.”
The committee’s first meeting is Jan. 30.
Contact Matt Hildner via e-mail at matth@montrosepress.com
Members of the City Advisory Committee Include
Brad Oberto — native, board member for boys and girls club
Robert Goodhue — county resident, farmer
John Renfrow — engineering, commercial real estate
Dave Laursen — business owner, county resident, MAMA board
Jay Thoe — Registered professional engineer
Leslie Jones — City parks advisory board, regional transportation planning
Ralph Files — Retired teacher and coach, parks & trails task force, mountain biker
Lana Kinsey — County resident, Montrose County Planning Commission
Lynn Vogel — owner of real estate research company, member of 1998 plan committee
De Lambert — Lambert & Assoc., school secretary, Library paraprofessional
Robert Hayman — new resident, interested in planning process
Frank Casey — City of Montrose Planning Commission
Joey Montoya — new resident, assistant at Mesa State College
Jayne Bilberry — Outdoor recreation education, Western Colorado Congress, Club 20
David Romero — 7th Judicial District
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