January 9, 2008 | February 13, 2008 | March 12, 2008 | April 9, 2008
The meeting of Neighborhood Council #2 was called to order in the West Elementary School at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Kelly Manzer.
Following the pledge to the flag, Secretary Phyllis Hemstad called the roll. Sue Strickland, Bob Mehlhoff, Dorothy Schmidt, Kelly Manzer and Phyllis Hemstad were present. There was a quorum present.
Minutes of the March meeting were not available and will be reviewed and voted on at the May meeting.
Dorothy Schmidt reported on the City Commission meetings and completed her two meetings. Chairman Manzer did not line up the next person to attend two Commission meetings. Dorothy Schmidt brought up the animal control problem and a discussion continued with still no decision on how or who will be in charge of the facility.
Bob Mehlhoff read the letter from Council No. 2 objecting to sex offenders being placed at the Great Falls Prerelease Center which was discussed fully at the Council of Councils meeting. Present at the Council of Councils meeting was Bob Mehlhoff, Dorothy Schmidt, and Sue Strickland as observers and Phyllis Hemstad, representative on the Council of Councils. It was learned that about 10 sex offenders would be sent to Great Falls, they would receive rehabilitation while in the facility. They are supposed to be offenders from Cascade County and brought back to the County. When they are released from the Great Falls Center, they will receive housing and living help until they get established. Sheriff Castle was strongly against bringing sex offenders to Great Falls to the Prerelease Center. Chief Grove stated they would have to hire on more officer just to take care of them. The police department is short of officers already without the addition of an officer for sex offenders. We do not have enough police o police our residences and businesses, yet we will be hiring an officer to take care of the sex offenders. Hemstad strongly objected to bringing sex offenders to Great Falls Prerelease because of the availability of so much low income housing in our area. Another objection she made was that we have the largest elementary school in the state of Montana in West Elementary and that low income housing has many children and single parents, which are mostly women. The speaker at the C of C meeting was from the Department of Corrections from Helena.
Sue Strickland discussed the problem of RVs but an ordinance would have to be written and there was another Council concerned about this matter and Sue was to meet and discuss the problem and see what could be possibly worked out.
Park playground equipment was to be placed in Bloomingdale Park by the end of April. West Kiwanis Park is to receive new equipment by this fall. A letter sponsored by the nine members of the Council of Councils was sent to the City Commission to request a fund to be reserved from the fees the builders of subdivisions and the like pay in lieu of donating parkland to the city. We figure if the money is meant to be in lieu of parkland then a portion of the funds should be set aside to pay for the upkeep and building of present parkland in the city.
Jan Cahill and Stu Nicholson, members of the School Board, attended the meeting to discuss the coming School Mil Levy. Jan gave a lengthy resume why the funds were needed and why present tax money could not be used at this time. Ballots should arrive at our homes between April 21 – 23.
Also attending our Neighborhood Council meeting was Bill Bronson of the City Commission. Bill corrected Phyllis in citing that Meadowlark School was larger than West Elementary School by about 30 students.
Also attending the meeting was Andrea Gouchenour of Conrad, MT. She was inquiring about the Collins Mansion and what to do in order to get it operational. She was told to see the City Planning Department in order to get the correct information as the Temporary Use Permit had been interrupted and the next owner or operator of the Bed and Breakfast will have to start at the beginning again.
The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Phyllis Hemstad, Secretary
The meeting of Neighborhood Council No. 2 was called to order by Vice Chairman Dorothy Schmidt at 7:05 PM. The pledge of allegiance was recited and the Secretary took the roll. Bob Mehlhoff, Dorothy Schmidt, and Phyllis Hemstad were present. Sue Strickland and Kelly Manzer were absent. There was a quorum.
The Minutes of the Meeting of February 13, 2008, were approved as read.
The City Commission meetings have not been covered except for a particular reason. It was established that a rotation system would be used for each member of Council # 2 to cover two meetings consecutively and report on these at the next Neighborhood Council Meeting. Phyllis Hemstad covered the first two, Dorothy Schmidt covered the next two. Volunteers will be lined up to cover the balance of the meetings.
Bob reported that the Police Advisory Board was discussing the operation of the Animal Shelter at its meeting. No decision has been reached as to who will eventually operate the facility.
The ACTION Team did not meet last month, but will meet in April.
It was decided that Sue Strickland and Kelly Manzer visit with the City Engineer about the paving of 14th Street. There was some agreement made by the City Engineer and Sue Strickland when the Janetski zone change for the apartments was being discussed. No one knew the particulars of the meeting or the decision of what should be done about the street.
Children's play equipment is supposed to be in place in Bloomingdale Park by the end of April. The West Kiwanis Park should have new play equipment this fall.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Phyllis Hemstad, Secretary
The February Council No. 2 meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm. Members present were Bob Mehlhoff, Sue Strickland, Dorothy Schmidt, Kelly Manzer and Phyllis Hemstad. A quorum was present.
The January minutes were distributed, reviewed and approved as written.
City Commission Meetings: No one attended the last City Commission meeting. In the future each member of the Neighborhood Council No.2 will attend 2 consecutive meeting and be ready to report to the monthly Council No. 2 regular meeting on the Commission business. Phyllis Hemstad will attend the February 19, 2008, meeting and the March 4, 2008, meeting.
Police Advisory Board: Bob Mehlhoff reported on the Police Advisory Board. He stated that they were in need of new members. They discussed the dog and cat ordinance and the problems relating to the Animal Control situation.
No one attended the meeting of the Action Team. It was mentioned that we should be looking for people in our neighborhoods that are new, or show some interest in the community and leave a packet for them to review as it may boost their interest to attend meetings or even participate in an election. Dorothy Schmidt will be the new representative on this Team.
Council members will come prepared to review by laws at the March meeting.
Community Policing--Officer Pre'tat gave his report on crimes committed in this Council and area. A list of incidents is on file with the Secretary available for public inspection. Officer Pre'tat stated that our area was below in many cases or on par with other Councils in some of the crimes. He stated that actually we had a fairly good report, as crime goes for a City our size.
He answered many questions from the Council members and constituents regarding new regulations for the removal of vehicles left on street for long periods of time, placement of traffic lights, No-turn regulation when an arrow is red, MIP on records permanently if over 18 when arrested or may be removed with request and proper procedure if under 18, new bars and casinos opening on the westside, and a warning about how to answer the telephone as there are constantly people using the phone system to take advantage of trusting people. He suggested a person should learn not to say "yes" to the mention of your name if a person asks who you are. Ask who they are. They use that "yes" in various ways to take advantage of a person.
Sue Strickland was asked to attend a meeting or meet with the people from Council No. 6 who are working on a possible law to control the motorhomes on the streets and boulevards. Presently, they cannot live in them on the streets or boulevards. It takes about 45 days to remove an automobile from the street. This could be discussed as well. The vehicle or motorhome cannot be parked in a Clear View Triangle as there can be no permanent obstruction in this area. To remove a vehicle, the person wishing the vehicle removed must go through the City Attorney.
A request from a constituent would like Heather Rolf to speak to people before issuing a letter of complaint. It was agreed that this would be a much better procedure and she could zero in on the exact infraction and make an agreement with the property owner. This would also improve relations with the property owners and the members of the City.
Meeting was adjourned.
Next Meeting: March 12, 2008, 7:00 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Hemstad
Secretary, Neighborhood Council No. 2
The January Council #2 meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM. Members present were Bob Mehlhoff, Phyllis Hemstad, Sue Strickland, Dorothy Schmidt, and Kelly Manzer. A quorum was present.
It was decided to approve December’s minutes at a later date as they have not yet been distributed.
City Commission Meetings: Bob Mehlhoff advised that the ambulance ordinance had passed. It was recommended to have a presentation with additional information given to the council at an upcoming meeting. A short discussion ensued regarding the ambulance status in Great Falls. Bob also stated a mill levy increase for the police and fire department (non-inclusive) is to be presented in the near future.
Election of Officers: Chairperson - Kelly Manzer
Vice-Chairperson - Dorothy Schmidt
Secretary - Phyllis Hemstad
Committee assignments: Weed & Seed – Kelly Manzer
Police Advisory Board – Bob Mehlhoff
Council of Councils – Phyllis Hemstad
ACTION – Kelly Manzer (to be transferred to Dorothy Schmidt)
Review of Bylaws: Postponed until February meeting
Phyllis Hemstad - Volunteered to make a copy of 2008 NC#2 projects for all. Phyllis discussed the concerns and need for continued involvement with West Bank Park. The park development is on the 2009-2010 agenda schedule. Phyllis recommended that at least two members be present at each park meeting. Marty Basta was appointed head of Park and Rec. Dept. Bob Mehlhoff agreed to meet with him to express our concerns.
Kelly Manzer - Expressed concerns about the future of the fairgrounds with the horse racing financial status in Montana in question and the rumors of relocating the rodeo. The members agreed that we need to promote horse activities at the fairgrounds.
Bob Mehlhoff - Advised that the playground equipment for Bloomingdale Park was on schedule.
Sue Strickland - Expressed continued concern regarding motor homes and trailers parked on city streets causing visual impairment. Would like an ordinance enacted or enforcement of existing ordinance.
Dorothy Schmidt had a neighbor complain of speeding vehicles near her house at 7:30AM. BobMehlhoff will contact the police department to patrol this area.
Kelly Manzer had a neighbor resident express concern about an abandoned vehicle being vandalized on private property near the laundry mat on 8th street. Heather at the city will be contacted.
Bob Mehlhoff advised the group that he will run for the house of rep. seat in our district. He expressed frustration with partisanship-influenced issues. He does not plan to take money from special interest groups. He has special interest in education.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.
Next Meeting will be February 13, 2008
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Manzer
Secretary NC #2
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