Permanent Easement for Centennial Trail West Acquired!!

Lewis & Clark County Commissioner Andy Hunthausen and Grants
Coordinator Laura Erickson displaying the easement May 29th, 2015!

Great news! Yesterday, May 29th, Lewis & Clark County was granted a permanent easement to allow an accessible bike and pedestrian trail along a former rail spur to connect Centennial Park to Spring Meadow State Park and the Montana Wild Center. Further, the trail will provide safe, healthy travel for Helena area residents of all ages for getting to work, school, or just getting outside for fun along a trail across Helena that is largely separated from roadways.

Many thanks are in order, especially to the private property owners who worked with the County and have granted a permanent public easement across their properties on both sides of Joslyn. Other thanks are listed is this post entitled "Centennial Trail West to be Build this Summer!" Photos of Centennial Trail East posted here. More photos and comments related to the trail follow. 

Centennial Trail is being funded by Community Transportation Enhancement Funds (CTEP), a federal program that was replaced by other allocation a few years ago. These funds were saved and dedicated by the City of Helena and Lewis & Clark County over several years and will need to be expended this summer. 

Sincerely,

Matt E

Looking East along the easement from Country Club that
will connect to Joslyn Street and other section of Centennial Trail.

Centennial Trail East providing a safe, accessible alternative
to the dirt road connecting Boulder to Billings via the Freeway
underpass. More photos here. 

Centennial Trail around the City of Helena Transfer Station
still needs improvement. 

A bridge is needed at Henderson to safely connect the trail
across a busy street with limited sight lines. A sidewalk to
Broadwater Estates and a stairway to the existing trail on
the other side should be installed as part of getting kids
safely to school. Funds from the a tax settlement and
"Urban Funds" should be used to construct the bridge.   

This ramp on the end of Front Street provides a connection
from Downtown to the Centennial Trail Network!

Click here for more details of this project. A notable difference
is that the trail will now directly connect the two arrows
above. Rapid flashing beacon, activated by users of
the trail will warn motorized traffic of persons crossing
Country Club and Josyln.

Volunteers needed to serve of City of Helena ADA, Open Lands, Non-Motorized, Public Art and Zoning advisory boards! Apply by Thursday, May 28

DATE:  May 13, 2015

CONTACT: Debbie Havens, Clerk of the Commission

447-8410 

NEWS RELEASE - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

The City of Helena has the following board openings:

Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Compliance Committee

One citizen in the medical field to serve on the ADA Compliance Committee.   The unexpired term will begin upon appointment and expire September 1, 2016.

The ADA Compliance Committee will act as an advisory committee to assist in determination of reasonable accommodations.  The Committee may review requests for reconsideration of complaints forwarded by the ADA Coordinator, may make determinations as to the validity of complaints, and my provide descriptions of the resolution of those grievances that have been appealed.  The Committee may recommend priorities for making structural changes to public facilities, offer suggestions on how to achieve program accessibility, and review and make recommendations on employment practices and accommodations for compliance.

Helena Open Lands Management Advisory Committee (HOLMAC)

One citizen to serve on HOLMAC.  The term will begin on July 1, 2015 and expire June 30, 2018.  Members of HOLMAC shall perform various functions for the City related to the management of the open space properties.

Non Motorized Travel Advisory Council (NMTAC)

One resident of the City of Helena to serve on NMTAC.  The unexpired term will begin upon appointment and expire March 31, 2016.  Interested persons should have knowledge, expertise and interest in promoting non-motorized transportation.

The general purpose of the council is to advise and make recommendations the City Commission regarding matters related to non-motorized travel and traffic calming, including the impact Commission actions may have upon bicycling, walking, and traffic calming.

Public Art Committee  

Two citizens to serve on the Pubic Art Committee.  The terms will begin upon appointment and expire on December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2017.

The Public Art Committee assists in promoting the concept of community awareness of and involvement in providing public art in Helena.

Zoning Commission

One city resident to serve as the alternate member on the Zoning Commission.  The un-expired term begin upon appointment and expire September 30, 2015.

This commission shall perform zoning functions for the city and shall be the sole Zoning Commission for the City of Helena.

Applications are available at www.helenamt.gov /commission/boards and committees or by calling 447-8410 and can be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office, 316 N. Park Avenue, Room 323, Helena, MT 59623.  The deadline for all board applications is 4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2015.

Upcoming Helena Meetings: Budget process in May & June; Admin & Monday Meeting & Transportation Meetings; Westside Infrastructure Funding May 18th

City Meeting Calendar at HelenaMT.gov linked here; Upcoming Monday meeting packets here

City of Helena Commission Budget Work Sessions: May 6, May 11, May 20, May 27, June 3, & (potentially) June 8.

City of Helena Admin Meeting May 13: Includes Recycling Budget at Transfer Station

Transportation Coordination Committee May 14 (3pm agenda below); Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Council 5:15 same day. 

City of Helena Formal Monday Meeting, May 18: Packet will be posted at Helena Novus Agenda (http://helenapublic.novusagenda.com/) by late next week. Will include managers proposal for potential Westside and city-wide water and waste water reimbursement structure.