Kenneth Robison gave a brief history of Verde Park.

Marge Anderson discussed the progress being made on the Park Development Plans. She said a survey of the neighborhood is prepared but not yet completed.

The Volk family, who originally started this part and called it the Great Falls Park, has prepared a petition of family members to change the name of the Park back to Great Falls Park. They also gave a brief history of the Park and want to assist on the Development plans. They stated that the book “Prairie Pioneer” has several articles on the Park.

Ken said the playground equipment would have to be removed in the next 3 or 4 years as it is in bad shape.

The Committee wants to develop the Park with an historical sign, landscaping and a walking path. No City funds are available so the Committee will have to raise money to improve the Park. It was suggested that they develop a Master Plan of things they want to do in the Park along with associated expenses. Then funds could be raise on items by priority. It was also suggested that they coordinate their plans with John Thompson for the City Park Master Plan

Kenneth reported on the Council of Councils meeting. The main topics of discussion were Neighborhood Watch, the Swimming Pool improvement bond and National Good Neighbor Day, which will be held on September 24, 2006. It is always held on the 4th Sunday in September. Good Neighbor Day is a National observance that was originated in Montana.

Officer Travis Tilleman said that Officer Ed McClain will be taking over our area, but that he will still attend some of our meetings. He said they are working on a plan to develop specific topics to discuss with the Councils so that they can deliver the same message to all Councils. He recommended that people check out the WEB site www.crimeweb.net to see what is going on in the area. He said the police are presently stressing School Safety. There will be a fine for parking in a designated School Bus Zone. He said the Cop-in-the-Box program, a radar Unit to control speed, can be requested by citizens if they think speeding is a problem in their area. He said Neighborhood Council No. 4 will sponsor a bill to the legislature to define a School Zone. Travis also mentioned that the Police Protective Association is soliciting funds thru the “Shop with a Cop” program.

Ken requested an update from the Police later this year on legislation that would affect the police. Deb Kottel, who has a long history in safety legislation, would like to address the Council and discuss ways to get legislation passed. Possibly in December.

Don McGiboney, RSVP, reported on the Neighborhood Watch program. They will start a citizens academy in the Spring to train volunteers to do some police work. Deb Kottel suggested that they get a bill passed by the Legislature to define citizen liability if they assist the Police.

Sally Macmillan reported on the Police Advisory Committee. She said they meet every other month and have met twice this year. So far they have toured the Police Department and the Police Computer Dept.. The Advisory Committee will work with Neighborhood Watch and the Police

Patty Cadwell said the City Departments are planning for disasters, what to do in case of an emergency. Don McGiboney said RSVP can supply lists of items that people should keep on hand for emergencies.

Ken reminded the Council members of the City Commission Budget Work Sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Bill Sigler will attend on Tuesday and Marge Anderson will attend on Wednesday.

Charlie Sheets, City Planning Office made a clarification of the annexation request of Dave Dickman. He said the property should be Zoned as I-1 rather than C-1 and the Council had supported his request for C-1 Zoning. Moved by Sally Macmillan, seconded by Marge Anderson, to support Dave Dickman’s request for I-1 Zoning.

Officer Travis Tilleman was welcomed to the Council meeting. He reported on the Community Watch Dog program to keep track of Sex Offenders. He said the Internet Site www.FamilyWatchdog.us displays a map of all Sex Offenders so that anyone can see if there is a Sex Offender in their neighborhood. He said the “Cop in the Box” will be out every week. He advised the audience to be aware of vandalism in summer, and to report any suspicious noises or activity to the police. He said that the Spay and Neuter Clinic needs volunteers. They plan to have a free clinic starting this weekend. He advised that owners should stay with their pets after surgery.

Tim Gregori, Southern MT Electric G & T, spoke about the proposed Coal-firedGenerating Plant south of Great Falls. He said that five rural Electric Cooperatives and the City of Great Falls plan to build the facility. He said that Bonneville Power will cancel their present power contracts starting with reductions in 2008 and terminating in 2011. The price of electricity has doubled in the last five years and will continue to go up. An Engineering Study has determined that their proposed site location is the best possible location in Montana. He said the proposed Plant can meet all present requirements for mercury emissions. He said they plan to erect six wind turbines at the site. He said there are load forecasts on file to determine how much power they need for their systems. He said CFB is the most economical and feasible facility that can be built at the present time. He said they will purchase 110 railroad coal cars and that trains bring coal thru Great Falls now.

Ole Stimac spoke in favor of the Coal Plant, saying it will bring jobs to Great Falls and will be good for the economy.

Pam Morris, representing Concerned Citizens of Great Falls, spoke against the Coal Plant. She said she is concerned about the mercury emissions and their effect on autism. She wants to see a formal business plan and wants to know if they included the cost of coal and the delivery of coal in their plans. She does not think they have included enough wind power in their plans. She does not believe that they can sell all the power the Plant will generate.
Butch Morris also spoke against the plant.

George Golie asked what is being done about the drainage problems at Verde Park. There is also a drainage problem on 17th Ave. South from 9th to 13th Streets. Sally Macmillan said there is a weed problem around the ball parks between 14th and 17th Ave. South. We will have to ask Jim Rearden at the next meeting.

Good Neighbor Day is September 24, 2006. Some of the City Councils are planning events.

Verde Park Subcommittee is active but had no report.

City Commission Meetings: Marge is attending, but had no report.

Police Advisory Board: Sally met with them on May 4. They are setting up a committee of 15 community members.

Carrie Koppy reported on the progress of the Verde Park Committee. They have distributed a questionnaire to some of the 256 neighbors in that area. Volunteers are taking the questionnaires around with a clipboard to get them filed out on the spot. The questionnaire asks if the neighborhood wants to replace the basketball hoop, the tennis court, restore the rock wall and create a walking path. The Committee is also looking for fund sources that might be available. They discovered a Nickelodeon add for funding of certain projects, and will check it out. They have done design work for the basketball court and are working on a design for the tennis court. The Committee will be expanded to 15 shortly. Patty Cadwell said she can get mailing labels for a specific area if they need them.

Sgt. John Sowell spoke about the Traffic Safety Committee. He said that there is a problem with cars parking in the Bus Zones at Schools to unload children. This is currently legal, but the ordinance will be changed because it causes a safety problem.
He also stated that there is currently a Media Blitz on underage drinking because this has become a big problem.
He was asked about the number of officers on duty per shift. He stated that the police department has recently hired 5 new officers and wants two more. The current staffing allows 5 or 6 officers on duty per shift.
He said the Neighborhood Watch program works well and they get their funding from Homeland Security.

Cheryl Reichert and Charles Bocock spoke about the proposed Coal Fired Plant to generate electricity. They said there is a public meeting on April 19th at the Vo-Tech center to explain the health hazards of this project. They recommend that an ICCG (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) plant be constructed instead of a CFB (Coal Fluidized Boiler). ICCG plants will capture sulfur and mercury and CO2 which can be resold. The also produce hydrogen which could be used to power automobiles.
George Golie said that a CFB plant is 100% reliable as opposed to 80% for an ICCG plant and that ICCG is still in the design stages.
The Electric City Power Committee will meet on April 15th.

Benefis Health Care wants to speak at the next Neighborhood Council meeting to explain their position. The Council will invite the Clinic to speak also, and will limit their talks to 15 minutes.

A motion was made by William Sigler, seconded by Marge Anderson, to appoint Sally MacMillan to the Police Advisory Committee. Motion carried.

Neighborhood Concerns: None
City Commission meeting: The NCs have been moved to the beginning of the meetings.
Budget Planning: Council members will be involved in future meetings.
Council of Councils: Their next meeting is April 19, 2006

Ken Robison reported on the Verde park meeting that was held just prior to this meeting. Carrie Koppy has been appointed as the Chairwoman of the Committee and others present volunteered to serve. The Committee will determine what needs to be done to improve the park and will set priorities for work to be done. Ideas for improvements were discussed including an interpretative sign for the Camp Dempsey, a new basketball court, a walking path, and playground equipment.

Abby Zent, Amanda Delperdang & Paul Lloyd-Davies discussed the Get Fit program for Great Falls. Advertising for the program will begin soon. It will encourage people to get outside and walk or play games. RSVP is also looking for people over 55 to volunteer to work with youth groups.
Jan Wolfe discussed the Neighborhood Watch program.

Robert Dull, retired GFPD officer, discussed problem with Warden Park. He said that people letting their dogs run free in the Park have ruined the area for anyone wanting to play there. They do not clean up the mess the dogs leave. He also stated that drugs are often sold in the Park and the police do not bother them. The Council discussed potential actions and will discuss further at the April meeting.

Sally McMillan reminded us that Corky Grove had mentioned the formation of a Police Advisory Board to meet with the Police Department on a regular basis to discuss policing problems. The Council will contact Patty Caldwell to determine the status of this Board.

Ken Robison stated that Jim Rearden will not have any further information available on water pressure until May. He will report to us at the May NC#6 meeting.

Conrad Service said that the street called 17th Alley South has a low spot in the middle where water collects and freezes in winter. He said the low spot should be fixed. The Council will contact Jim Rearden to solve this problem.

Neighborhood Concerns: None

City Commission Budget Education Meeting: No report

Budget Planning: Will Council members be involved in the process

Council of Councils: When is the next meeting?

Giles Sayler discussed the changes to Verde Park, and other parks around the City. He said the Park & Rec. Dept. has 30 tennis courts around the City and some of them are not used or are in very bad shape. The Park & Rec. Dept. does not have money in its Budget for capital improvements. Therefore, when tennis courts or play equipment becomes a hazard it has to be removed. The City tries to maintain two tennis courts per year, and will focus available funds on the best courts. The play equipment in Verde Park is good for 3 to 5 years. He said it would cost about $35,000 to replace the tennis court and about $15,000 to replace just the basketball court. There are some Block Grant funds available, but they are already committed for the next several years. Jon Thompson suggested that a committee be formed of Council members and citizens that live near Verde Park to decide what they would do in Verde Park if Block Grant funds become available.

Kenneth Robison and Marge Anderson from the Council and neighbors Mary and Dixie Swenson - 452-8366; Betty Bucklin, RSVP - 761-5262; Tony and Mary Alice Lucas - 453-0256, E-mail tonyandmarylucas@msn.com; George Golie - 727-3245; Cheryl Reichert - 727-1964, E-mail reichert@sofast.net; and John Ginnaty - 453-5576 volunteered to be on the committee.

Captain Corky Grove, GFPD Operations Division, presented an overview of the Violent Crimes in the City of Great Falls. Using the year 2003 he said Great Falls has a higher crime rate than Montana or the United States as a whole, but the rate is going down in 2004 and 2005. The recovery rate for stolen property is about 35% for Great Falls, which is fairly good. The GFPD is working towards crime prevention by use of a Neighborhood watch program, Law related education, DARE, a School Resource Officer and Special Projects such as Weed and Seed. The Police Dept. wants to work with the Community to be accountable to the Public.

Corky said they would like to establish a Citizens Advisory Board from the Community Councils to address community concerns on safety. This will be address at the next Council meeting.

Neighborhood Concerns: None

City Commission Budget Education Meeting: Kenneth, Sallie, Marge and Bill attended the meeting, and said it was a very interesting and educational meeting. The City staff was given ideas to work on to define their goals for the City of Great Falls.

Patty Cadwell: The City Commission will discuss the Golf Courses and Walgreens at their next meeting.

Sally reported that the Lot at 507 13th Ave S has finally been cleaned up. It was supposed to have been done by December 17, 2005, but the property owner was given extra time.
Seeding on 17th Ave S has been done. If the grass doesn't grow, further work will be done.

A question was raised about the Tennis Courts at Verde Park. The fences have been taken down. The City cannot afford to maintain all the Parks so some facilities will be abandoned while other Parks are improved.

Matt Ott reported that there was a home break-in across the street from his home. The Police are investigating.

Sally pointed out that the Bylaws need to be amended to add the position of and clarify the duties of Vice Chairman. They should also be checked for the designation of a person to attend the City Council meetings.

Neighborhood Concerns: None

City Commission Meeting: Marge attended the meeting, nothing special to report. Ken said the City Commission should be asked to televise their Work Session the same as their Regular meeting.

Patty Cadwell: On January 30th the City Commission will hold an evening meeting on the City Budget and on January 31st they will hold a day meeting. One or two people from each Council should attend each meeting. Ken and Marge will attend the Jan. 30th session and Bill and Sally with attend the Jan. 31st session.