Officer Scheer, Community Policing Officer assigned to Council #9, introduced himself.

No update on the 10th Ave project

There was a lengthy discussion with the GFHS students attending on a wide variety of issues.

Christmas Stroll Report – Sally Schlim represented the Council at the Neighborhood Council/Neighborhood Watch area.

11 Jan 07, 7:00 P.M., room 106, Great Falls H.S. South Campus
Southside Watch meeting will precede.

Single Can Ordinance –Ofc Jesse Slaughter

Ofc Slaughter gave the background on the proposed Single Can Ordinance and discussed the various elements that may be included:

Sales would be limited to single containers;
Floor displays would be restricted;
Coolers would have to be locked when sales are not permitted.

The Council is supportive of his efforts.

School Bus Zone Ordinance
The ordinance limiting parking in school bus zones is now in effect; however until the first of the year, only courtesy tickets will be issued.

Litter from Rent-a-Center
There is reportedly an on-going problem with packaging material from the Rent-a-Center on 10th blowing around. Ofc Slaughter said he would pass on the complaint to Patrol. Gary will check into the situation. It was also recommended that Heather Rohlf, Code Enforcement Technician be notified.

14 Dec 06, 7:00 P.M., room 106, Great Falls H.S. South Campus

School Board Representatives –Jan Cahill, Steve Irwin

There were questions about the costs for graduation. If someone is unable to afford these costs, they should contact the principal or counselors.

There was discussion about Roosevelt School. The decision will be made next spring. One idea that has been raised is building a new school in North Kiwanis Park. A full ADA upgrade would cost about $3 million and a new school about $5 – 6 million.

There was discussion about the need for a new school on the south side. The District owns 10 acres south of MarketPlace. Putting a school south of Benefis or adding to Meadowlark School are problematical.

Superintendent position is being advertised in November. Hopefully a pick can be made in March.

Walgreen’s
There was a serious accident at this corner recently.
With the development going on in the area of Benefis, McLaughlin Center and UGF, it would appear that the intersections of 20th and 23rd with 10th Ave S will continue to be a problem.

Gary reported that one early morning, several people wearing “Police” baseball hats were IDing customers in the Wal-Mart parking lot, but would not identify themselves. On being contacted, Dispatch did not send someone to investigate.

9 Nov 06, 7:00 P.M., room 106, Great Falls H.S. South Campus

Council of Council Meeting – There was a report on the status of the power station.

Walgreens – The project is proceeding apace.

Speed limit enforcement – The old standard of up to 10 MPH leeway has been eliminated in favor of “officer discretion”. In general this will not be more than 5MPH. This change in policy is in direct response to complaints from Neighborhood Councils and Neighborhood Watches.

“Cop in a Box” is now available.

School Safety Plans are steadily being implemented in accordance with the overall plan.

Fireworks – Working meetings are being scheduled. Watch the paper for times.

Swimming Pools – This has been approved for a city-wide vote. Be sure to participate.

12 October 06, 7:00 P.M., room 106, Great Falls H.S. South Campus

Community Policing Officer Travis Tillman

Fireworks
There was a lengthy discussion of fireworks around the 4th. There was uniform belief there needed to have more restrictions. Ofc Tillman discussed the difficulties of enforcement. Among the problems are differences between county and city ordinances, and state restrictions on what the city and county can do.

14 Sept 06, 7:00 P.M., room 106, Great Falls H.S. South Campus

Swimming Pools -
There was quite a bit of discussion of this issue. There was general agreement both by guests and the Council that neighborhood pools need to be continued. While there was some concern about the costs, it was agreed that they need to be both repaired and maintained properly instead of just doing enough annually to get by another year.
Some points brought up were that private swimming facilities are expanding, indicating a demand for the facilities. Both public and private facilities are widely used by youth who might otherwise engage in asocial activities. Provisions need to be made to make the pools accessible to low income and at risk youth. Swimming as an exercise that can be done at all ages needs to be encouraged.
Regarding the sprinkler parks some have proposed, it is believed that they will not be popular among youth and older youth who most need activities. The concern was expressed that unmanned sprinkler parks would be an open target for vandalism. However, it was acknowledged that such a facility could serve a useful purpose and might encourage more use of the swimming pools if they were added in the swimming pool area.

Parking congestion at 20th St South and 10th Ave S
There has recently been problems with cars parked in the block just north of this corner. They have caused congestion as people exit and enter their vehicles. Gary and Ofc Tillman will look into the matter.

10 August 06, 7:00 P.M., Campfire Office

Coal Fired Generating Plant - Pro and Con

Sarah Johnson - break-ins and vandalism in the area of 18th/19th Street South and 1st/2nd Ave South
Half a dozen residents of this area attended, along with Police Chief Grove and Audrey Finlayson, representing Neighborhood Watch.
There was a lengthy exchange, delineating the problems the residents were having, the response of the Police Department and how Neighborhood Watch could help.

13 July 06, 7:00 P.M., Campfire Office

John Stevens - Experience Works
This program, formerly known as Green Thumb, finds jobs for older workers. They are located at 501 1st Ave N

South Side Neighborhood Watch - Sally
We’ll work the area around the H.S. again, meeting at the Campfire Office at 10P on April 29.

Council of Councils - Gary
Dave is asking that a zoning variance be granted to two of his properties: the SW corner of 15th St S and 3rd Ave S, and 600 13th Street S. Due to the new zoning ordnance, he is prohibited from making improvements to the business structures at those addresses because they are in residential areas. The Council stated that they had no objection to his plans as they would make the facilities more in keeping with the surrounding residential area.

Police Advisory Board - Don
The Police Advisory Board had their first meeting and had an in-depth introduction to the 9-1-1 system and communications center. They will be meeting every other month.

MApril Clean-up
MApril Clean-up went well with 18 attending, mostly students.

School Bus Zones - Gary
Gary announced that a new ordinance would be taking effect that would substantially raising the fine for parking in school bus zones.

Dave Dickman properties
Gary sent a letter indicating our approval of the zoning changes that Dave had requested.
There remains an issue with the timing of such requests. If they are to be effective, there needs to be time for both the proponents and opponents to be notified of the Council meeting. It is requested that the Planning Board be invited to the Council of Councils meeting for a discussion of the issue.

Good Neighbor Day - Sept 24

8 Jun 06 , 7:00 P.M., Campfire Office

Neighborhood Housing Services— Sheila Rice
They are looking at the next three year’s plans and requested input both for and against their current activities. She reviewed their history and some of their plans for the future.

Great Falls School Board—Jan Cahill
This discussion revolved primarily around the Paris Gibson/Roosevelt situation and traffic and safety around the schools. Jan was asked to keep this issue high on the agenda of the School Board.

Community Policing—Officer Tillman

MApril Clean-up
We’ll work the area around the H.S. again, meeting at the Campfire Office at 10P on April 29.

Dave Dickman
Dave is asking that a zoning variance be granted to two of his properties: the SW corner of 15th St S and 3rd Ave S, and 600 13th Street S. Due to the new zoning ordnance, he is prohibited from making improvements to the business structures at those addresses because they are in residential areas. The Council stated that they had no objection to his plans as they would make the facilities more in keeping with the surrounding residential area.

Council of Councils meeting-April 19, 2006

Parkdale Neighborhood Watch - Monday April 17

11 May 06, 7:00 P.M., room 106, Great Falls H.S. South Campus Neighbors. Right. Here.—Chuck Tourtillot Benefis Healthcare

Sally Schlim was selected as the new Council member. Patty will arrange for a swearing in ceremony.

Community Policing Visit - Ofc Travis Tillman
Ofc Tillman gave the Neighbors Rigght Here Powerpoint Drug Module and and answered questions about drugs in Great Falls and enforcement issues.

Great Falls Lions Club - Marc Willmarth
Marc gave an update on the progress of improvements to the Lions Club Park. They have enough money to replace the playground equipment and he showed pictures of equipment they are considering. They will make a final decision shortly and the equipment will be installed this year. They also want to additional improvements which will require an additional $10,000.

Police Advisory Council - Don agreed to be the Council representative.

Mapril Clean-up We will work the area aroune the H.S. again. Gary will contact the High Sschool.

Neighborhood Watch -
Southside Meetings: 1st Tuesday odd numbered months, 6P, Longfellow School
Parkdale - 3rd Monday, Parkdale Hall, Doors open at 5P, meeting starts at 5:30

Underage Drinking Meeting - 28 Mar 06 6 -> 7:30, Missouri Rm, Civic Center

Sally Schlim and Phil Faccanda have indicated a willingness to serve. A vote will be taken next meeting.

RSVP/Neighborhood Watch - Jan Wolfe,
Jan gave an introduction to Neighborhood Watch emphasizing the need for cooperation between Watch areas and the Councils.
She also introduced Paul Lloyd-Davies, VISTA volunteer heading Great Falls Get Fit, a health coalition; Amanda Delperdang, Vista volunteer working with at-risk youth; and Abby Zent, VISTA volunteer for Homeland Defense.

GFPD - Captain Corky Grove
Captain Grove reviewed the status of the Great Falls Police Department, touching not only on current conditions, but on changes that have been made the last 10 years and the direction the department is now taking.

Parking and Traffic around the schools - Gary touched on current status of these issues. There has been concern about cars parking in bus zones. He found that this is currently permitted. GFHS is looking at changes in their parking policy. involving an expanded cafeteria so more students can eat at school, additional parking space, and a fine system to enforce on-campus parking rules.

Special Energy Information Meeting
Feb 22 Rooms 105/6 GFHS South Campus, 7P

9 Mar 06, 7:00 P.M., room 106, Great Falls H.S. South Campus

Walgreens - Gary gave a recap of the hearing on the Walgreens re-zoning request.

Spectrum - Don and Patty gave a recap of the controversy surrounding the request for time at Council meetings by Spectrum Medical.

Habitual Offender - Cheryl Hirose reported on the disposition of a case she had bro't to the Council earlier about a habitual thief in her area (21XX 2nd Ave S). Thanks to her activism, the individual has been sentenced.

Roosevelt/Paris Gibson - Gary gave an update on the discussions about the fate of the Roosevelt and Paris Gibson Schools. Experts have been hired to evaluate the problems at Roosevelt. Skyline will probably move to Paris Gibson.

No Secret ballots - Patty reported that secret ballots are not permitted, even for votes on new members to the Council.

Special Energy Information Meeting
Feb 22 Rooms 105/6 GFHS South Campus, 7P

Commission Planning Session Jan 30/31 - two members from each Council to attend.

9 Feb 06, 7:00 P.M., room 106, Great Falls H.S. South Campus