January 8, 2009 | February 5, 2009 | March 5, 2009 | April 2, 2009 | May 7, 2009 | June 4, 2009 | August 6, 2009 | September 3, 2009
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Austin at 7 p.m.
Members of the council present were: Tim Austin, Debbie Clark, Al Smith, Bob Haensel. Others present were Patty Cadwell, Marvin and Louise Johns, and Brett Doney-GFDA
M/S/C/ to approve the minutes from August 2009 as printed.
Action/Police--no reports
Patty Cadwell reported that the Youth Council proposal passed the City Commission as an Advisory Council to the City Commission.
Bike Path update adjacent to Riverside School.....Funding has been approved for the 1st phase--no timeline set for construction but possibly set for next year. Some questions arose about moving path to go adjacent to Jaycee Park, then down 4th street, across Smelter Ave, with a possible hook-up to the River Trail.
Brett Doney, GFDA, had a presentation regarding Industrial Park North. A North Industrial Park Task Force has been formed to look into zoning and land acquisition. Most of the land is zoned heavy industrial. A number of industries are looking to establish plants in that area.
Police Dept. data/statistics on crime: Al will look into getting this information.
Valley View School now has a running track.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Submitted by,
Bob Haensel, Sec.
Meeting was called to order by Tim Austin; present were Council members Tim Austin, Debbie Clark, and Al Smith; also present were Patty Cadwell, Fred Dahlman, Ann Dahlman, Dalton Garton.
Minutes from June 4 were approved as corrected. The second sentence in paragraph under "Issues of Neighborhood Concern" was corrected because the city did not remove curbs. They removed a ramp.
Police Advisory Board Report: Al reported on July 16 minutes and submitted a written report which is attached. (not available online)
Action Committee Report: Debbie missed the July 21 meeting and has not received any minutes yet.
Regarding election filing for neighborhood councils: Al and Debbie have decided not to run, Tim is still undecided.
Dalton Garton presented a proposal to use a tennis court in Jaycee Park for hockey. He plays on the high school hockey team and during the summer they play in certain parking lots with roller blades. He has estimates for fencing and leveler totalling $370. Probuild would donate use of the hot dog stand in their parking lot to earn the money. Tim will present the idea to Park & Rec meeting next Monday.
Fred Dahlman reported on the one-way alley proposal behind Walmart previously discussed at the June 4 meeting. He attended the City Commission meeting. Some neighbors would also like to see a 4-way stop at 8th St. NE and 25th. Patty will get information to Fred about the School Safety Committee meeting schedule.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Debbie Clark
Present: Council Members Tim Austin, Debbie Clark, Al Smith, Gary Feree, Bob Haensel. Sign-in sheet is attached. (Sign-in sheet not available online.)
Tim called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
First order of business was approving the minutes from the last meeting. A motion was made, seconded and passed to postpone the minutes approval until the July meeting due to missing figures that we didn't have available at this time.
Al Smith reported on the 5-21-09 Policy Advisory Board meeting. Upcoming mill levy was discussed along with the possible loss of Dare Program due to shortage of officers, and increased drug problems. The new six minute agility test for police recruits is extremely challenging. Chief thought the concealed carry law recently passed by the Legislature was a good law. Al's written report is attached.
Action Committee meets on July 14.
Mayoral candidates Bill Bronson and Sandra Guynn each spoke giving their history and goals.
Sandra believes there is a lack of openness and transparency in city government and that citizens are to come first. She would have a commission meeting room where citizens have access to the commissioners. She would rescind the 5 minute speaking rule at the commission meetings. She says citizens have a right to get answers to their questions and should have the opportunity to get public documents. Sandra not in favor of industrial parks.
Bill wants to work on future economic development and downtown revitalization, amenities for children, new funding for city, increase neighborhood council dialog with the city. The mayor is only one of 5 on the City Commission and has no more power than the other 4.. Bill says tourism is not the answer because jobs are not high wage.
Question and Answer Period brought up the following issues:
Q: What is your opinion about closing a street near the Courthouse?
A (Sandra): she is leery about closing any street in town due to public safety issues. Bill did not vote for the recent 4th St. N closure issue and agrees that there are many public safety and transportation issues involved.
Q: What about private industry closure of streets? A: Both agreed there are all kinds of issues to consider.
Q: What is the "Secret Box" at the Civic Center? The City has certain documents of a confidential nature regarding SME that have not been released to the public despite repeated requests. PSC has determined that some documents should not be revealed. Presently there is a lawsuit to allow access to this information. Sandra is opposed to public entities being involved with private business because it shuts out the citizens.
Q: Will you support the public safety mill levies? Bill: Yes. Sandra: Yes.
Q: What is your opinion of using the police department to run the animal shelter? Sandra: It should be privatized. Bill: For the short term it's ok but it should be contracted out.
Q: $46,082 is split between Jaycee and Watertower pools. Are you in favor of continued funding for the neighborhood pools? Both candidates agreed that funding the neighborhood pools is important.
City Recycling - Jim Reardon:
Jim presented a slide show explaining that City recycling is at a crossroads. A focus group has been meeting to discuss cost breakdowns, future plans, cost comparisons with other Montana cities, more collection sites, etc. Based on number of existing water meters, the City is considering a $1.50 fee to offset recycling costs.
Fred and Ann Dahlman live on 25th Ave NE where there is considerable alley traffic at high speeds. The city had previously installed curbs to slow drivers but they were removed at the request of residents when all the melting snow left huge puddles that drivers were going around and coming close to fences. Fred asked if one-way traffic going east to west could be considered. Jim Reardon will look into it and contact Patty with information to pass on to our council and the Dahlmans.
Al commented that the City is doing a good job of cleaning up the gravel used during the winter.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Clark
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Austin at 7 p.m.
Members the Council present were: Tim Austin, Bob Haensel, Debbie Clark, and Al Smith. Other present were: Patty Cadwell, Marty Basta-Park and Rec Director, Larry Otis, Kyle Spearson and Dru Dawson.
M/S/C (Smith/Clark) to approve the minutes from the April 2, 2009 meeting as printed.
Reports:
Police Advisory Board: No report as the Police Advisory had not met prior to the meeting.
Action Committee: Debbie Clark reported that Neighborhood Council #4 was submitting a "Good Neighbor Award" to be recognized by that council in a ceremony and presented to the City Commission. Neighborhood #5 will be conducting a noxious weed pull at Russell Park. Marty Basta further advised that educational meetings will be set up and conducted with the Neighborhood Councils to identify noxious weeds.
Tim Austin read an e-mail that was sent to Patty Cadwell and Aarron Weismann regarding questions and recommendations related to Neighborhood Pools. Some of the concerns were the increase in pool fees, breakdown of funds provided for the pools, and revenue collected. This e-mail is attached to these minutes.
It is hard to believe that once again we are trying to figure out a way to keep the pools open and profitable.
It is now April 2009, and the Electric City Water Park has had the opportunity to use their $70,000 point of sale system during the summer of 2008. City of Great Falls and the Park and Recreation should now be able to provide accurate revenue numbers at the Electric City Water Park, and should now be able to differentiate between people swimming at the Mitchell Pool and people renting tubes and boards and visiting the Wave/Flow rider.
Once the numbers have been reviewed it will be clear to everyone where the pool funds are going every year. Please email me a spreadsheet with last year’s numbers (2008) for the expenses and the revenues for the pools. I would love to see the attendance and rentals numbers for the Neighborhood pools, to see if the maintenance repairs (paid for through the approved bond) helped to increased numbers at these pools as suggested.
The City Park and Rec. Department and the City of Great Falls need to begin separating the budget for the Mitchell Pool and the Wave/Flow Rider.
Mitchell pool should be once again considered a neighborhood pool, as it serves the downtown residents, and was bundled together with the neighborhood pools during the $2.3 Million Dollar Obligation Bonds.
The way the City of Great Falls Budget Fund 563: Swim Pools is broken down is very misleading.
If Mitchell pool has been receiving such a large amounts of funding over the last few years
(City Budget Fund 563: Swim Pools), then it is extremely hard to believe that it would have needed funds from the Obligation Bonds for maintenance.
The City of Great Falls and the Park and Rec. Department will need to find a solution to dwindling funds.
The best way to come up with a solution, would be to first identify and than to address the REAL problem affecting the pools.
People are being told that $500,000 has been spent on the pools.
If this statement is going to be used, please be truthful to the tax payers (voters) of Great Falls and let them know where the $500,000 is being spent. (City Budget Fund 563: Swim Pools)
Only a small portion of the funds go to the neighborhood pools.
The City has spent more on the point of sale system for the water park, than the total amount spent at the neighborhood pools combined for the same year. (excluding the approved bond fund).
Question:
When will the City Park and Rec. Department and the City of Great Falls separate Mitchell Pool’s expenses and revenues from the Wave/Flow Rider?
I will once again ask the same questions that I asked back in 2006:
(Please forward to anyone who can answer these questions):
How much money has been spent on Mitchell Swimming Pool, NOT including the Wave/Flow Rider for FY2007 - FY2008?
(not including the Bond Issue Funds)
How much money has been spent advertising the Electric City Water Park?
How much money has been spent on the Wave/Flow Rider for FY2007 - FY2008?
How many tubes and boards were rented for the Flow rider last year 2008?
Is the point of sale system being used to the best of its capabilities to keep track of revenues?
Has anyone considered using summer passes for that could be used at all the pools?
Has anyone considered using summer passes for the Electric City Water Park?
Recommendations (Solutions) for the Pools:
(Please forward to anyone who will consider these solutions):
Keep the Neighborhood Pool admission fees the same as they currently are for the Neighborhood Pools, lower Mitchell Pools admission fees to match Jaycee and the Water Tower fees. This will allow the downtown low income children the same benefits as the other children, and keep the downtown residents swimming at the pool nearest them. This will help to increase the number of children that swim at Mitchell Pool.
As previously mentioned and discussed with the previous head of the Park and Rec. department back in 2006:
The Park and Rec. Department and the City of Great Falls should create an UNLIMITED SUMMER PASS that can be use at Electric City Water Park.
Using UNLIMITED SUMMER PASSES (Photo ID) would provide the City Park & Rec. an influx of funding to operate the Water Park during the summer season regardless of weather conditions or number of people attending the pools.
UNLIMITED SUMMER PASSES (Photo ID) would allow the residents of Great Falls (tax payers) to swim in the pools they pay for without having to pay the same prices as the tourists who visit Great Falls. More people will visit the electric city water park, once residents begin to purchase unlimited summer passes. Why? If they purchased a pass they will want to use it, and they will more likely then not bring a friend and/or relative with them.
Unlimited Summer Passes (Photo ID) will allow the City the opportunity to increase admission fees and rental fees for the Water Slide, Wave/Flow Rider without effecting tax payers. Several City's use this method.
The City of Great Falls and the Park and Rec. Department should also look into working with the local hotels/motels. Get them involved in advertise and purchase Water Park passes for their regular guests and tourist who come to visit Great Falls.
Pool rental fees should also be looked at. They could be increased to provide additional revenue.
Here are some more recommendation that were submitted in 2006:
The tax payers of Great Falls should NOT have to pay increased fees in order to bring tourism to Great Falls
(aka: Wave/Flow Rider).
SUPPORT THE NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS !!!
Tim Austin
austindesigns@msn.com
Wouldn't it be great if everyone could
"Stop Talking & Start Doing"
New Business:
Marty Basta, Park and Recreation Director for Great Falls gave a presentation regarding "underutilized Parks in Great Falls. Many of these designated park areas are undeveloped at the present time. He also provided a breakdown of the size of all parks, approximate value, seasonal water and labor costs.
He also addressed the Adopt A Park Program and additional information is available through the Park & Rec Office. Discussion regarding the distribution of funds for pools, Point of Sales, and separation of funds between Mitchell Pool and the Electric City Water Park. He stated there are some grants available, however some of these grant require a 13% matching fund. He stated that there would be no increase in fees for the pools this year.
M/S/C (Haensel/Smith) for adjournment. Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
The next meeting of Neighborhood Council #3 will be on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Westgate Mall with the possibility of having the Mayoral candidates as guest speakers to present their platforms.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Haensel, Secretary
Meeting called to order by Tim Austin
No Minutes to approve from the previous council meeting.
No Police Advisory Report Available.
Tim Austin did a recap of the Council of Council Meeting.
Recap included: Public Safety mill levy information for both the Great Falls Fire Department and the Great Falls Police Department. Great Falls Public Schools will NOT be moving forward with a mill levy during this election due to the possible funds from the Federal Stimulus funds. Discussed email by Kim Thiel-Schaaf concerning the initial Policy Committee Meeting on the Joint Land Use Study (JLUS). Discussed emails concerning the Development of the West Bank plan. Currently in the plan: West Bank Park, Hotel, and the Federal Building. Tim Austin asked the City of Great Falls, and the City Commission via email: “How will the stimulus package affect Great Falls? (Can these funds be used to hire new policemen & firemen?)” “How many NEW jobs will be created in Great Falls & Black Eagle by the Federal Stimulus package, and where will they be created?” Read the various emails received from City Staff: Andrew Finch, Cheryl Patton, Bill Walters New master plan is in the works for West Bank Park. Brad Talcott has the conceptual site plan for the properties he has interest in and is developing including the Staybridge Hotel project. A Cultural Resource study in the West Bank Renewal Area will be initiated next month. Will likely provide National Register listings for three buildings in the area as well as provide a good contextual history of the area. Discussed the number of jobs and where the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds would go. Approx. $1.7 million in pavement preservation projects will occur in Great Falls, and also a new sidewalk project in the amount of approx. $1.9 million. Projects will be constructed by the Montana Dept. of Transportation over the next two (2) years. $248,000 has come to the CDBG program. Housing Authority is receiving slightly over a million dollars. Approx. $1 million is expected to come to the CTEP program. No one could provide the number of actual jobs that would be created from these funds.
John Juras president of the GTF Bike Club discussed the District#3 bike trail and the possible routes that it could connect with the Rivers Edge Trail. Grants have been approved for funding and John is currently working with Andrew Finch in developing a bike trail that will make biking and riding safer for all residents of Great Falls.
John and Andrew are looking for ideas and suggestions from residents and councilmembers. Some suggestions from the council included:
(1) Need to find a safe way to connect Riverview with the Rivers Edge Trail
(2) Have the Bike Trail circle around to Jaycee Pool/Park and then connect to the Rivers Edge Trail.
(3) Develop pedestrian crossings into the Westgate Mall area from Riverview and
(4) Establish a bike and pedestrian crossing in Valley View connecting the bike trail to the Fairgrounds, and Rivers Edge Trail.
(5) Perhaps consider a "Sky Walk"that goes over the North West Bypass.
None
M/S by Deb to adjourn, seconded by Al, Approved – Meeting Adjourned.
Next meeting: May 7th, 2009.
These minutes are for information only and are not offical [sic.] minutes due to the fact that there was not a quorum present to conduct business.
Members present were Debbie Clark and Bob Haensel. Also present were Greg Hall NC7 and Leanne Hall.
Greg Hall presented information on the upcoming Beautiful Minds Walk to be held on June 20, 2009 at the Elks Riverside Park. This is being sponsored by the Center For Mental Health Foundation and is a fund raiser for "New Directions Activities", "Peer Support", "Youth Christmas Fund", and "Comprehensive School and Community Treatment (CSCT Summer Program)". Greg is asking that all Neighborhood Councils become involved and have a team participate in this event.
Additional information for this event is available @ www.center4mh.org
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Austin at 7 p.m.
Members present were: Tim Austin, Debbie Clark, Al Smith and Bob Haensel.
Others present were: Patty Cadwell, Kristal Kuhn, Ron and Kathy Gessaman, and Jim and Judy Christiaens.
M/S/C (Smith/Clark) to approve the minutes from the January 8, 2009 meeting as corrected.
Al Smith presented his Police Advisory Report. (Written report filed with minutes)
Debbie Clark advised that the purpose of the Action Team was to help with special projects of the Neighborhood Councils throughout the city. The Action Team meets on a quarterly basis. The team is helping with the Black Eagle project to enhance the Welcome Sign and assisting in a survey in Black Eagle.
Kristal Kuhn, Emergency Disaster Preparedness Planner for the City of Great Falls gave a presentation regarding her duties and upcoming activities/updates for the city's emergency disaster plans. She will be going to the various councils and Neighborhood Watch programs to help inform citizens. Kristal presented various ideas on how neighborhoods can assist in disaster planning.
She also stated that there have been numerous exercise conducted with the refinery on how to handle certain emergency situations.
Ron Gessaman stated that the City Commission had approved street lighting for the new Water Tower Addition.
Patty Cadwell will check on the status of a bike trail along Smelter Ave across from Riverview School.
There was some discussions on vandalism in parks and other areas. This issue will be brought before the Police Advisory Council and the Action Team.
M/S/C for adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
The next meeting of Neighborhood Council #3 will be on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Westgate Mall.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Haensel, Secretary
These minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Austin.
Members present were: Tim Austin, Debbie Clark, Al Smith, Gary Ferree, Bob Haensel. Others present were Kathy & Ron Gessman, John Huber, Melanie Lattin, Jan Cahill.
M/S/C (Smith Ferree) to approved the minutes of the December 4, 2008 as printed.
There were no committee reports.
Election of Officers: The following members were elected as follows:
Tim Austin, Chairman
Bob Haensel, Secretary
Debbie Clark, Action Committee
Al Smith, Police Advisory Board
Presentation given by John Huber and Melanie Lattin, Animal Shelter Foundation. Discussion centered around of being a good neighbor to the District and the City of Great Falls. HE stated that they were in in discussion with the City of Great Falls to obtain a Memo of Understanding with regard to the management and construction of a new Animal Shelter on land adjacent to the current shelter. It was stated that a summer/fall projection for the start of construction.
Jan Chill, Humane Society stated that discussions were in progress regarding the current shelter, ownership of property, finances, management by the city, payment for equipment by the city utilized by the shelter and other issues.
Mr. Cahill asked that the Humane Socirty be kept abreast on the progress of the Animal Shelter Foundation discussions with the city regarding management and construction. Melanie Lattin distributed an architects drawing of the proposed shelter, fundraising activities and a newsletter. Mrs. Lattin also stated that the Foundation was attempting to obtain a Memo of Understanding with the city of Great Falls.
Street Lighting: A proposal may be coming to establish a lighting district for the new planned development in the Water Tower Addition. Concerns centered around that if a lighting district was approved, would the residents of other areas that do not have street lights be forced into the cost of street lighting.
Lighting in Gibson Park area was discussed and having police patrols neighborhoods on a recurring basis.
Other items: Cascade County has been awarded Federal Funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program and been chosen to receive $35,859.00 to supplement food and shelter programs within the county.
Organizations that provide these services are encouraged to apply for funding.
Park Special Revenue - Park Trust Fund policy was distributed.
Jan Cahill stated that the Great Falls School Board would again ask for School District levy, however it would be less than the 2.8 million previously requested. He also stated that the legislature was in the process of "defining a school zone" where it begins and ends.
M/S/C ( Smith/Ferree) for adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
The next meeting will be February 5, 2009 @ Westgate Mall.
Respectfully submitted
Robert Haensel, Secretary
These minutes will be approved at the next regular Neighborhood Council #3 meeting.Home => Departments => Planning and Community Development => Neighborhood Councils