January 9, 2008 | February 13, 2008 | March 12, 2008 | April 9, 2008 | May 13, 2008 | September 10, 2008 | October 8, 1008 | November 12, 2008 | December 10, 2008
The meeting of Neighborhood Council No. 2 was called to order at 7:03 PM by Vice Chairman Dorothy Schmidt. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Present were Dorothy Schmidt, Sue Ann Strickland, Robert Mehlhoff, and Phyllis Hemstad. Kelly Manzer was absent. A quorum was present.
Minutes of the last meeting were read by Secretary Phyllis Hemstad. Minutes were approved as read.
Sue Ann Strickland and Phyllis Hemstad attended the City Commission meeting of December 2, 2008, and reported on the meeting which dealt in part with the Collins Mansion approval for a recreation Center temporarily and determining where some of the Tax Increment money from the West Bank Project Area on Third Street Northwest would go. Mitchell Development and Brad Talcott Builders requested funding.
It was noted that a proposed additional building would be built behind the Federal Building. No one on the City Building group knew of the building proposed.
There was no police committee report from Bob Mehlhoff
Greg Hall of Council No. 7 visited our Council to appeal for help in funding lighting in Gibson Park.
Several representatives were present concerning the Center for Mental Health which has a unit established on Central Avenue West at Seventh Street. It is locate in the former AGAPE units. They invited everyone to an Open House to see the facilities and how they will be used. A phone number 791-9518 was to be called if any reports of problems occurred.
Bryan Thies, Chairman of the Peoples Park and Rec Foundation, spoke on the merits of the group. They operate to help the Park and Rec Department fund needed projects which they do not have enough money to finance. They were introducing the Councils to ideas to help build a fund for parks and recreation projects. Donations in memory of a loved one, donations for any reason would be greatly appreciated. Phyllis Hemstad and Greg Hall added to the discussion as they are members of the Foundation.
Bob Mehlhoff moved to suspend rules to allow election of officers for 2009 at this meeting rather than to wait for January as two members will be absent in January. The motion carried. A motion was made by Bob Mehlhoff to reelect all present officers for another term. Sue Ann Strickland seconded the motion and it was carried.
Linda Mares and Mary Ann Komar brought up requesting a grant from C-tep funds. A discussion ensued.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Phyllis Hemstad, Secretary
The meeting of Neighborhood Council No. 2 was called to order at 7:01 pm by Chairman Kelly Manzer. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Roll was called by Secretary Phyllis Hemstad who reported all members of the Council were pressent which presented a quorum.
Phyllis Hemstad reported on the City Commission meeting and Bob Mehlhoff reported on the Police Advisory Board Meeting. Dorothy Schmidt reported on the Action Committee and they are trying to find ways to get more of the public to the Neighborhood Council Meetings. They would like any suggestions to improve attendance.
Great Falls Park and Rec has put out a park survey and hope people will fill in the survey form and return it to the Park and Rec Department.
The balance of the meeting was spent discussing the sex offender program which the folks at the Prerelease Center wish to incorporate. Curtis Thompson, an attorney, represented Paul Cory who was also in attendance. A large number of people representing some phase of the Department of Corrections, from Helena and Great Falls, and members of the local Prerelease Board of Directors were also in attendance to answer questions and promote the influx of the sex offenders to the Center. Sheriff David Castle was in attendance as well.
Information on both sides was presented. A spirited exchange prevailed at times but all sides were heard.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm. The next meeting is December 10, 2008.
Respectfully submitted
Phyllis Hemstad, Secretary
The meeting of Neighborhood Council No. 2 was called to order at 7:03 PM by Chairman Kelly Manzer.
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Members present were Bob Mehlhoff, Phyllis Hemstad Sue Strickland, Kelly Manzer, Dorothy Schmidt. A quorum was present.
Dorothy Schmidt reported on the City Commission meeting which she attended. Bob reported that the Police Advisory Board had a difficult time filling positions temporarily vacated for military duty.
Phyllis reported on the Council of Councils meeting and the meeting of the City Planning office on the South Arterial. It was recommended that testimonials be sent in if a person favored or opposed the Arterial. Forms were passed out.
The Collins Bed and Breakfast requested a letter from the Council so that they may have the Conditional Use Permit for a Community Center which allows parties and dinners where a number of cars will be on the street. It was reported that off-street parking was obtained from the school district. They are able to seat 40 to 45 people for a dinner. Phyllis will write a letter of support from the Council.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, November 12, 2008, with a program on pedofiles housed at the Prerelease Center. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.
After the meeting adjourned, a forum was held to listen to the County Commission candidates and the District 26 candidates with a question and answer format.
Respectfully submitted
Phyllis Hemstad
Secretary, Neighborhood Council # 2
The meeting of Neighborhood Council No. 2 was called to order at 7:03 pm by Chairman Kelly Manzer.
Members present were Bob Mehlhoff, Sue Strickland, Dorothy Schmidt, Phyllis Hemstad and Kelly Manzer. A quorum was present.
Minutes of the May 2008 meeting were approved as read.
The purpose of the meeting was to determine our needs and projects for the ensuing year and to determine programs and speakers which are relevant to our Council.
The subject of sex offenders coming to the Prerelease Center was discussed and theCouncil is firm about not favoring the Prerelease Center accepting these sex offenders of any stance. We stand on the letter and our statements at the Council of Council meeting in which we were opposed to their acceptance at the Prerelease Center. Some members of the Council met with the personnel from Helena and Great Falls at the Prerelease Center and stated clearly the same position.
Dorothy Schmidt reported on the meeting of the Action Committee and explained plans for motivating people to become more active in their community and the city. The next meeting is in October.
We will again have a Candidate Forum for our County Commission candidates, Jim Larsen and Bill Salina; our State Representative candidates, Bob Mehlhoff and Kirk Lundby. We will also have our State Senator Joe Tropila attend the Forum and pass on a few good words to the Council.
A brief discussion took place about the property at the end of the Malmstrom runway which will be on the ballot in November, the University 6 mil levy and possibility of the Police Dept. and Fire Dept. mil levies for operations.
The North By Pass was discussed as the South Arterial was also brought up. A meeting on the South Arterial will be held September 25. Phyllis Hemstad will attend the meeting.
Bob Mehlhoff will talk to the Park Dept. about the problem around the playground equipment at Bloomingdale Park and need for a fence for child protection. There is also a need for landscaping around the roadway.
Phyllis is to write a letter to the Rainbow Garden Club thanking them for the plantings they did this year and the support they offer for the enhancement of the Park. Dorothy will deliver the letter.
Another problem discussed was the Great Falls Sand and Gravel causing dust to the extent it shakes homes and causes breathing problems for members of the area. Efforts in the past to get this under control have gone nowhere. We will continue to work on the problem as it affects a large number people in the near area. Bob will look into this.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Phyllis Hemstad, Secretary
The meeting of Neighborhood Council No. 2 was called to order by Chairman Kelly Manzer at 7:00 pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
Roll Call: Present were Sue Strickland, Dorothy Schmidt, Bob Mehlhoff, Kelly Manzer and Phyllis Hemstad. A quorumwas present.
Legislative Quorum Present: Bill Salina, Rod Lukasik, Bob Mehlhoff, Bill Thomas, and Kirk Lundby.
The March and April Minutes were approved as printed and sent to Council members.
Dorothy Schmidt reported on the City Commission meeting of March 15, 2008
Dorothy is to cover the June 20, 2008, meeting and Sue Strickland will cover the June 3, 2008, meeting of the City Commission.
Sue Strickland had a complaint about street lights being out on the westside. The person to contact is David Hand, 454-5880, of the State Highway Department or call directly to the Northwestern Energy and they will replace the bulbs.
Search and Rescue personnel presented a short address about the work they do and the need for the mill levy to pass to help them help others.
A discussion about a casino on Central Avenue West near Kelly's Veterinary Office. The problem is that the zoning will accept a casino if all other requirements are met for the State.
Phyllis Hemstad warned about the phone scam for the sale of Pain Vanish, which was unordered goods. She covered her method for handling the situation and did not have to pay the bill which accompanied the product. She also reported a thief had stolen her cat cage. This was after a neighbor had a cat taken to the City Pound.
Neighbor Works presented a few words concerning a non-profit paint group.
A motion was made to request the Park and Recreation Department to put up a safety barrier in Bloomingdale Park. The motion would protect the park from vehicles. Bob made the motion and Sue seconded the motion. Bob volunteered to make the contact with Park and Rec.
Officer PreTat presented his statistics and a few good words.
The presentation of the candidates took place and Sue Strickland questioned the group.
At the end of the presentation the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Hemstad, Secretary
Neighborhood Council #2
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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