January 22, 2009 | February 26, 2009 | March 26, 2009 | May 28, 2009 | June 25, 2009 | September 24, 2009
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Sandra Guynn at 6:30 pm. Members present were; Sandra Guynn, Bob Church, Brenda Martino, and Rick Kavulla
Sandra reported on the meetings of August and September. In August Steel Etc. was annexed and rezoned-Part 1. Sept. 1 City work session-Police chief Grove presented information about the police grant to assist with the hiring of 4 new officers. Sept. 15- the City Commission approved the grant for the police department.
All minutes of the commission are available on the city’s web page.
No report
Bob reported the chief Grove reported on the failed mill levy. Bob told Chief Grove that the failure reflected the economy not the police department and their duties.
Chief Grove also reported on the dispersal of a gang near the Sunnyside area of the city.
Minutes of the July meeting were approved. There were no minutes for the month of August due to not having enough members present for a meeting.
4727 2nd Av No. condemnation procedures are still taking place due to appeal process.
Property west of the Heritage Baptist Church – no report from County was available.
Drew and Grey Miller of 3709 4th Av. No. presented information on a property located at 3713 4th Av No. The property has been gradually decaying. No people have lived in this house for a number of years and has been boarded up for a long period of time. The Miller’s want the city to do something about the property, either have it cleaned up or bull dozed into the ground They have not received any positive information from the city.
A motion was made and seconded to have Patty Cadwell present information to the city regarding this property.
Bob Church brought up the issue of large vehicles and recreational vehicles parking on residential streets for long periods of time and creating safety issues. Sandra suggested the issue be discussed at the next council of council meeting.
Kristal reported that September is Emergency Preparedness month. She showed a home emergency kit that all homes should have. She reported that there will be an emergency Preparedness Fair in the Holiday Village parking lot and in the building near Herbergers on Saturday, September 26 from 10a to 4p.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30
Next meeting will be October 22, 2009
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Kavulla
Secretary
Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Sandra Guynn at 6:30 PM. Council members present were Sandra Guynn, Richard Kavulla, and Brenda Martino.
Information was presented regarding the Public Safety Mill Levys. Jeff Newton, a sergeant with the Great Falls Police Department and B. J. Perry from the Great Falls Fire Department presented information from their departments.
Officer Newton stated that the Police Department would like to hire 10 additional officers and 7 support staff. Currently there are 81 officers within the department. This is a one time request by the Police Department to increase the number of officers. The mill increase would be in place for only one year if the vote passes. Officer Newton answered questions from concerned citizens.
Fire department spokesman B. J. Perry spoke on behalf of the Fire Department. He stated this would be the first mill levy increase specifically for the fire department in 40 years. The department has been working under that former mill levy. The mill will increase each year for 5 years and then stay at the final increase in the year 2013 and beyond. Cost for fire service has been calculated at 26 cents per person per day and would increase to 34 cents per person per day in 2013 and thereafter. B. J. also answered questions at the conclusion of his presentation.
All Public Safety information is available on the City’s home page.
City Commission:
Sandra reported on the June 2 and June 16 meetings of the City Commission.
County Commission:
None
Police Advisory Board:
None
Minutes of May meeting were approved as presented.
10th Av No –speed limit change: nothing new to report
4727 2nd Av No.-Condemnation: A letter was sent to the owner of the property on the condemnation of several residences. The owner has 90 days to respond.
Parking problems at the Siebel Soccer Park: City will install “No Parking on this Side of Street” from 52nd Street to 57th Streets.
Property west of Heritage Baptist Church: No report
Other : None
Neighborhood Concerns:
None
Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting:
Great Falls Prerelease Center
July 23 and 6:30
Meeting was called to order by chairperson Sandra Guynn at 6:32PM. Council members in attendance were Sandra Guynn, Bob Church, and Rick Kavulla
Debbie Kimball presented a program on behalf of the City of Great Falls’s recycling center. The main goal is to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The waste transfer site is located at 1100 15th St No. She presented information on the entire process and brought up the issue of the lack of money the Center has and how a small city or county tax can generate enough funds to make the Center profitable. Recycling is a costly program to maintain and there is not much money from recyclable materials. The is the possibility in the future to have curbside pickup of recyclable materials. She stated a goal is to educate people to make recycling the norm. Debbie also presented information regarding noxious weeds in the city.
Jerry McKinley presented a report on 10th Av. No. because of this council’s goal of having the speed limit on this street reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph. Jerry stated that the city owns the property on both the east and west ends of this street and is responsible for the striping and maintenance of this street. A speed study was completed in June of 2008 at 3 different locations for a 24 hour period and it was determined that vehicles traveled within 1 or 2 mph of the 45 mph speed limit. Speed was compliant at the 85% which determines the speed limit. He stated that with the speed limit was with the proper average that the limit could not be lowered to 35 mph with the reason that it can’t be artificially reduced. Jerry also mentioned the parking problems during the state soccer tournament: cars were parked along both sides of 10th Av No. to 57th St. He stated the city would have to look into that. Sandra asked if “Children at Play” signs could be erected at the soccer park and that he said,” No, because the study didn’t warrant it.” Rick Kavulla stated that if the State of Montana placed the first sign at 45 mph then it was artificially enacted because their was no speed limit as it was a graveled road and when paved, the limit became 45 mph. George Littlefield presented a letter from Todd Dulaney, sales Center Manager of the Coca-cola Bottling of Great Falls that supported the lowering of the speed limit for safety reasons. The City will not lower the limit because of the stated traffic study. Council 4 will contact Jim Rearden for clarification. Council 4 will continue it’s effort to get the speed limit lowered. We will be collecting letters of support and signatures to present to Jim Rearden.
Sandra reported on the City Commission meetings that took place during the months of April and May. She stated that the Public Safety Bond issues will be voted on in August. Look at the City of Great Falls web address for all minutes.
County Commission: No report
Police Advisory Board bob Church reported that Police Chef Corky Grove reported on the upcoming bond issue and the need to hire 10 additional officers.
Motion was made and seconded to approve the March 2009 meeting minutes as amended. Motion carried. There was no quorum in April thus no minutes.
4727 2nd Av No.: A condemnation letter was sent to the owner of this property. He has 60 days in which to respond or the mobile homes will face condemnation.
Property west of Heritage Baptist Church; No current update.
Other: None
Neighborhood Concerns: none
July meeting will be at the Great Falls Pre-Release Center at the invitation of Paul Corey.
Respectfully submitted:
Rick Kavulla , Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by chair Sandra Guynn. All council members were present with the exception of Brenda Martino.
City Commission: Sandra reported on the meetings of March 3, March 10, and March 17. Minutes of these meetings are available on the City’s home page. Issues involved the Downtown Revitalization Committee, wind generators, noxious weeds.
County Commission: No council member attended.
Police Advisory Board: Bob Church reported that Corky Grove presented information regarding the Public Safety levy.
Approval of previous minutes: Secretary Rick Kavulla read the previous minutes. Motion was made and seconded to approve minutes as read.
Home Place and property near 900 and 52nd St. So.
Sandra reported that Steve Shellenberg stated the properties are in compliance at the current time. These properties will be deleted from future agenda unless issues arise.
10th Av No.:
No change in lowering speed limit. County Commission has authority to make the change but will not. Passage of the new school zone law may allow the speed limit to be lowered.
4727 2nd Av No.:
The city is currently waiting for a response from the owner who filed an injunction. The city will send letters to renters stating that their utilities will be suspended. This will force renters out but limit rent income to the owner.
Other:
Sandra asked George Littlefield to report on Senate Bill 88 which was signed into law by the governor. This bill determined and defined what a school zone is. George was instrumental in the development and passage of this bill.
The city is trying to get information regarding the property west of Heritage Baptist Church. Some items are being removed. We will keep abreast of this property.
A concern was brought up regarding Bundi Gardens sign on 38th St. No. that maybe blocking the view of traffic. We will look into this matter.
Emergency Preparedness update:
Kristal Kuhn discussed emergency preparedness in Great Falls. She presented various ideas regarding emergency situations and potential responses. She discussed a program that she is looking at that is titled” Map Your Neighborhood”. This program breaks the city down into small blocks that citizens combine resources that will benefit the neighborhood, such as; who has a generator, who has access to an emergency broadcast radio, who has room to shelter others safely, plus other ideas. These would then be distributed to the neighborhood as a resource should an emergency occur.
Park and Recreation Presentation:
Patty Reardon presented a power point regarding the duties and projects that Park and Rec. is involved with. She presented a very detailed program regarding all aspects of the Park and Recreation department and all the facilities this department runs and the many programs that are provided to the citizens of Great Falls.
Next meeting: April 23, 2009
Respectfully submitted:
Richard Kavulla, Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by chair Sandra Guynn. All council members were present.
Property Annexation (Brad Lencioni)
Mr. Lencioni did not attend the meeting at this time.
City Commission: Sandra reported on the February 3 , 17 meetings and a special meeting to approve a Fire Dept grant. Complete minutes of the meetings are available on the City’s web page.
County Commission: No council member attended the meetings
Police Advisory Board: No meeting was held.
Council members nominated Brenda Martino to be the representative of NC 4 to the Council of Councils.
Minutes of the January meeting were read by secretary Rick Kavulla. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as read.
Home Place and property near 900 and 2nd St. So.:
Sandra will contact the county commission to find out what is happening to that parcel of land.
10th Av No
We are still trying to get the speed limit reduced on that street. With the passage of the school zone law(if it passes) that may assist in the speed limit reduction due to the Heritage Baptist Church School.
4727 2nd Av No.
No report on the property at this time.
The building that formerly was Good Guys Auto on 10th Av So will become a branch of Prairie Mountain Bank. Discussion was held regarding the traffic in the alley behind the business and what the bank is planning.
Mr. Meade brought up issues regarding his property that has been as issue with our council and the city. He discussed his point of view and the creation of a non-profit organization known as Top Acres Enterprises. He read a mission statement regarding the goals of the organization and the potential development of this property dependent on the availability of funds. Mr. Meade stated that he is in contact with the Cascade County and the City.
Neighborhood Council #4 presented the Good Neighbor Award to Tax Help Montana. This organization provides free tax filing for people in need of tax preparation assistance. The group provided a combined 1800+ hours of tax free help to the citizens of Great Falls. The award will also be presented at the March 3 City commission meeting. A brief reception was held for the recipients of the award.
Board members from United Way of Cascade County presented information regarding the direction that United Way is taking. The stated goal was to provide funds that will promote community change. The primary presenter was Mr. Steve Taylor. The board is trying to get input from the community by attending all the neighborhood council meetings.
Respectfully submitted:
Rick Kavulla-secretary
The meeting was called to order by Sandra at 6:30 PM. All council members were present.
People’s Park and Recreation Foundation
The vice chairman of the organization presented information regarding the purpose and goals of the group. The group was formed to assist the city of Great Falls Park and Recreation department by providing a foundation whereby people can make tax free donations to the city and the monies will directly benefit the department and not go into the general fund. For more information, the group meets the third Thursday of every month at the Park and Recreation building at noon.
Emergency Preparedness
No one showed up for the presentation
Presentation by Citizens for Clean Energy-Students Science Awards Program
Richard Liebert-chairman for Citizens for Clean Energy
Pam Morris-chairwoman for students
Dr. David Baker-student mentor
These people discussed the Student Incentive Program which was developed to assist and support student research on science projects related to clean energy. It is a non- profit organization that is asking for support to financially assist the student by providing awards and certificates of achievements to the students.
CMR freshman Darby Lacey presented her science fair project on the effects of global warming along the Rocky Mountain Front. The presentation was well received by the council and people in attendance. The group is trying to visit all the Neighborhood Councils.
Election of Officers for 2009
Sandra Guynn was elected Chairperson
Nancy Weinzettel was elected Vice Chairperson
Rick Kavulla was elected Secretary
City Commission:
Sandra reported on the City meetings. During the meeting Mayor Stebbins nominated the staff of Golden Corral for the Good Neighbor Award.
County Commission:
No report
Police Advisory Board:
No report
Meeting minutes:
Minutes were read by Rick Kavulla-secretary-and approved
Home Place:
Sandra will contact Bill Salinas regarding the Home Place properties.
10th Av No.:
Citizen George Littlefield will contact Sheriff Castle regarding the speed limit signs on this street. The purpose is to have the 10th Av speed limit issue placed on the county Commission agenda. NC council 4 wants the speed limit signs reduced from 45mph to 35mph.
4727 2nd Av No.:
The property is currently in non-compliance. Sandra attended a public hearing and was told the issue will go to district court. During the hearing it was voted 4 to 0 to condemn.
Other:
None
Neighborhood Concerns:
A concern was brought up regarding snow being plowed to the edge of the road and then forcing cars to park in the driving lanes. It was recommended to contact the police department.
George Littlefield reported on SB 88. The Bill is to define in state law of what a school zone is. The bill passed committee and also passed in the Senate. It will be forwarded to the House for consideration. The vote will take place in the next week. George was instrumental in the development of this bill.
Other:
Members of the Citizens for clean Energy stayed to specifically answer questions and concerns regarding the Highwood Generating Plant.
Meeting was adjourned by Sandra at 8:40 pm.
Next meeting is February 26
Respectfully submitted by Richard Kavulla
Secretary for NC #4
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