Recycling Update for Helena from Commissioner Matthew Elsaesser

Dear Friends,

I would like to bring you up to speed on my efforts as your City Commissioner to improve recycling services offered by the City of Helena. As you know, I have long been committed to expand recycling in Helena. As a college student, I established what is now known as the S.A.V.E. Foundation, widely known as the nonprofit that organizes the community plastic drives every two months.  Given this background, it should not be surprising that one of my principal goals as Commissioner has been to expand the City's recycling program to include plastics.

During my tenure as a commissioner, the City of Helena has made strides toward enhancing recycling by adding additional drop-off sites around town, providing options to recycle electronic waste and clothing at the Transfer Station, maintaining glass recycling, and investing in the blue bag curbside program. The City contracted with a consulting firm to prepare the Residential Recycling Program Enhancement Study for the City of Helena in 2009, which provided a framework for how to proceed. 

The City Commission is now considering a proposal that would expand recycling even more, to include a permanent place to recycle plastics, improved residential curbside recycling pickup, and expanding items collected at the transfer stations. This proposal  reflects the effort, stakeholder input, and expectations of the Helena Community. The City now needs your engagement in this public process, and I will be asking for your support and involvement.

Beyond this proposal, we should focus on collection of reusable construction materials, provide household hazardous waste collection events, and any other items that can be diverted from land-fills. Public support to initially build the Transfer Station envisioned as a premier recycling center. With the bonds for this public facility now paid for, it is long past time to realize that goal.

This August, the City Commission approved a 2% rate increase, directing an additional $70,000 for residential solid waste for improved curbside recycling. Capital improvements to transfer station will be over one million dollars this year. We need to make sure that money is directed to the right places, including a sheltered collection area that accepts your plastics.  I am confident that our community and our elected city and county officials, support recycling.  There is no reason why the Capitol City shouldn’t have the best recycling program in the State of Montana.

I presented the adjacent [click image to view] memo during our budget process in early June. While the details may change with implementation, it provides a good overview of what we should expect to see. At that time and in a subsequent meeting regarding investments at the Transfer Station, it was determined that the Commission would review the memo in more detail following the budget process. I am pleased that we had a very productive meeting yesterday morning and the City is again moving forward discussing these proposals.

It is an honor to serve in this role. Thank you very much for your continued support!

Please contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. 

Sincerely,

Matt E

Matthew A Elsaesser, Commissioner
City of Helena, Montana, USA
MElsaesser at HelenaMT.Gov
406 4 three 1 zero 815

p.s. The following example of household hazardous waste collection was included with the above memo. 

Helena, Montana receives Best for Geocaching title from Rand McNally’s Best of the Road and Geocaching.com

Helena, Montana receives Best for Geocaching title from 

Rand McNally’s Best of the Road and Geocaching.com

October 8, 2013 - Helena, Montana has received Rand McNally’s Best of the Road, Best for Geocaching title.  Since mid-summer the contest has been in full swing with Helena recruiting online votes atbestoftheroad.com.  In September, Best of the Road named five geocaching finalists and Helena was invited to submit a video and essay.  The winners of the six categories, which also includes Most Beautiful and Best for Food, were announced Tuesday morning.  Helena took the title Best for Geocaching.

One of the judges commented on Helena’s submission: “I was convinced by the words taken directly from the geocaching community: this is an authentically engaging place to geocache. You can feel the historical connection to the gold treasure hunters from long ago while using today's satellites and smartphone apps. The gorgeous scenery just adds to the adventure!”

Helena is no novice when it comes to treasure hunts. In July of 1864, four miners, down on their luck, gave it one “Last Chance” and struck it rich in Helena. The region, named Last Chance Gulch, grew almost overnight, producing an estimated (in today’s dollars) $3.6 billion in gold over a twenty-year period.

Nearly one hundred and fifty years later, Helena’s main street is still called Last Chance Gulch, but GPS units have replaced sluice boxes. In lieu of a gold vein, caches are hidden. Helena is booming with modern-day prospectors, geocachers.  Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt where cachers use GPS coordinates to locate hidden caches.  Geocaching is a free, interactive adventure.  More details on geocaching can be found at geocaching.com. 

Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, half-way between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, Montana’s capital city of 30,000 residents has evolved into the region’s geocaching leader. The core of this reputation is the GeoTour, part of Groundspeak’s GeoTour program and created through a collaborative partnership between the Helena Tourism Alliance and the Capital City Cachers.  The entire community including Downtown Helena, Inc., The Clay Arts Guild, State of Montana, Montana Historical Society, Helena National Forest, City of Helena Parks Department, Montana Heritage Commission, Montana State Parks, AAA MountainWest, Tizer Gardens and EDGE Marketing have played a part in Helena’s geocaching success.

Highlighting the best of Helena, the GeoTour brings cachers to thirty-eight destinations including Two Camps Vista, where both Lewis & Clark camped along the Missouri River during different parts of their journey West. Others bring cachers to places like the historic and charming Last Chance Gulch Walking Mall, scenic Mount Helena and the Elkhorn Ghost Town.

As winners of the Best for Geocaching title, Helena and will receive a feature in the 2015 Rand McNally Road Atlas and a free custom iPhone app and online travel guide promoting the community as a top destination. Helena will also receive a FREE GeoTour, courtesy of geocaching.com.

The Helena Tourism Alliance has played a large part in promoting geocaching in Helena and financed the GeoTour program.  The Helena Tourism Alliance is funded by Helena’s Tourism Business Improvement District, a self-assessed tax on the hotels for Helena promotion.  More information on the Helena Tourism Alliance and the GeoTour can be found at helenamt.com.  This project would not have been possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of the Capital City Cachers, Helena’s geocaching club. 

To view Helena’s submission video visit: http://www.bestoftheroad.com/#best-for-geocaching . 

 [Photos & Press Release Oct 8, 2013 by Heidi O’Brien, Helena Tourism Alliance]

City of Helena Employee Newsletter - On The Gulch - October 2013

Click here to download the pdf of On The Gulch for October 2013.

This issue discusses the City of Helena Charitable Giving Campaigns, Vigilante Bike Park Taking Shape, Curbside Recycling Options, and more!

Over 50,000 Montanans Registered for Statewide Earthquake Drill

Over 50,000 Montanans Registered for Statewide Earthquake Drill

Contact: Katie Gallagher (406) 444-1718

For Immediate Release

October 2, 2013

Media Advisory

Over 50,000 Montanans Registered for 2013 Rocky Mountain ShakeOut

HELENA, MT- On October 23, 2013 at 10:23AM Montanans across the state will drop, cover, and hold on as part of the 2013 Rocky Mountain ShakeOut, Montana’s first statewide earthquake drill. Montana is a seismically active state, which means that an earthquake could happen at any time. The purpose of the ShakeOut is to educate all Montanans on the appropriate actions to take to ensure safety when the ground starts to shake.

Over 50,000 Montanans have already signed-up to participate in the drill, joining over 21 million people across the globe. Registrants come from Ekalaka to Eureka, and include individuals in public and private K-12 schools, private businesses, state agencies, and more. A growing list of Montana participants can be found at www.shakeout.org/rockymountain.

The 2013 Rocky Mountain ShakeOut is organized by the State of Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, Governor’s Office of Community Service, American Red Cross of Montana, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and local partners across the state. The drill is supported by the Earthquake Country Alliance, whose members include the U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross.

The following are experts in earthquake preparedness/mitigation in Montana and are available for interview:

Michael Stickney, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (Butte)

Michael Stickney grew up in Missoula and received a B.A. in 1978 and a M.A. in 1980, both in geology from the University of Montana. He received an honorary PhD from Montana State University in 2004.  In 1982, Mike was appointed Director of the Earthquake Studies Office and promoted to senior research geologist in 2002. He is a member of Seismological Society of America, Western States Seismic Policy Council, and currently serves as president of the Tobacco Root Geologic Society. Mike has written extensively on seismic related topics including tectonics, seismic hazard, and historic earthquakes of the northern Rocky Mountains.

PHONE: (406) 496-4332

EMAIL: mstickney@mtech.edu

Paul Spengler, Lewis and Clark County Disaster and Emergency Services(Helena)

Paul Spengler is the Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator for Lewis and Clark County. He has been conducting community earthquake drills in the Helena area for over thirty years, making Lewis and Clark County a leader in the state for earthquake awareness and preparedness. He has successfully engaged schools, private businesses, and city and county facilities.

PHONE: (406) 447-8285

EMAIL: pspengler@lccountymt.gov

Kent Atwood, State of Montana Disaster and Emergency Services(Helena)

Kent Atwood is the State Hazard Mitigation Officer at the State of Montana Disaster and Emergency Services. He is has knowledge of past and current seismic retrofit projects in Montana and is an expert is earthquake hazard mitigation.   

PHONE: (406) 324-4782

EMAIL: katwood@mt.gov  

For questions or additional information, contact Katie Gallagher, Governor’s Office of Community Service, at 444-1718 or via email atkgallagher@mt.gov       

###

Katie Gallagher

Grant Coordinator

Governor’s Office of Community Service

Phone: (406) 444-1718

Email: kgallagher@mt.gov

August Issue of "On the Gulch." Great Things Happenning in Helena!

This months City of Helena employee newsletter has an excellent update on Centennial Park, enforcement of traffic violations, recognition of the work on the Tenmile Watershed, and more!

Link to file:

https://intranet.helenamt.gov/fileadmin/user_upload/HR/HR_Intranet/HR_Main/Employee_Newsletter/August2013Final.pdf


The August issue of "On the Gulch: A Newsletter For and About City of Helena Employees:"

[click images to embiggen excellent]

BikeHelena.com!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Helena, Montana

May 24, 2013

The Helena Tourism Alliance has launched its new website, BikeHelena.com (www.bikehelena.com) this week.  Bike Helena is a website and brand to promote all things cycling in Helena, Montana. 

BikeHelena.com is designed to be a clearinghouse for any and all cycling information in Helena, which is helpful for locals and visitors alike.  BikeHelena.com features trail maps, ride suggestions, trail reports, events, bike rentals, bike shops, bike clubs/teams, weather information, blogs, videos, local and statewide cycling advocacy groups, tips on where to eat and drink in Helena,  and the ability to book local hotels.

The Bike Helena brand sponsors local and regional biking events to help spread the word about biking in Helena.  As part of a sponsorship, races are offered complementary Bike Helena gear and help from Bike Helena staff with marketing their event to a local, statewide, or national audience.

Helena, Montana is one of the premier Mountain Biking destinations in America and BikeHelena.com is designed to make riding our extensive trail network as user friendly as possible. 

For more information on Bike Helena and BikeHelena.com, 

Please contact Pat Doyle, Community Outreach Director, Helena Tourism Alliance, 406-449-2107

Website: http://www.bikehelena.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BikeHelena  Twitter: https://twitter.com/BikeHelena

City of Helena Becomes Affiliate Community Member of Montana Main Street Program!

Montana Main Street Program Awards Project Grants and Welcomes Helena as New Affiliate Community

(HELENA) – The Montana Department of Commerce is awarding a total of nearly $36,000 to five Montana Main Street (MMS) communities, one of which is a brand new member to the program. The previously enrolled communities of Glendive/Dawson County, Shelby, Terry and Whitehall will receive grants, along with the newest Affiliate Community Member, the City of Helena.

The Montana Main Street (MMS) program is dedicated to bettering the economic, historic, and cultural vitality of Montana downtowns through community development, revitalization, and historic preservation. MMS fosters grassroots efforts through coordination and technical assistance, focused on a comprehensive approach to restoring healthy community commercial districts and preserving the historic structures that contribute to Montana’s unique sense of place.

The Affiliate Community tier allows all eligible communities the opportunity to learn and develop the Main Street Four Point Approach™ while accessing the resources and services of the program network. This tier is designed for communities entering the program and in the early stages of organization and capacity building.

The Helena Main Street efforts will be led by the City of Helena Community Development Department, Helena Business Improvement District, and Downtown Helena, Inc. Other organizations associated with the downtown are encouraged to participate in the process of strengthening the district through long range planning and more specific prioritized projects.

“The new Helena Main Street project is a collaboration of organizations, businesses, and residents as part of a larger effort to maintain and grow the economic vitality of the downtown commercial district,” said Meg O’Leary, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce.  

Helena joins as the 20th member of the state program after successfully completing an application for membership and demonstrating a dedication to the downtown district. 

“Helena demonstrated a clear vision for their downtown revitalization efforts, significant accomplishments in the downtown to build upon, and collected a flood of membership support letters that represented a wide range of downtown business and tourism groups, local independent businesses, and historic and cultural institutions,” said Tash Wisemiller, Coordinator of MMS.

FY2013 Montana Main Street Grants (to date):

Helena: $7,500 - The City of Helena plans to conduct a property tax analysis and revenue mapping project to better understand the value of downtown development and investments made in the downtown commercial district. The project would include the creation of a citywide set of maps demonstrating land and property valuation with revenue production charts, collaborative Helena GIS training, and a pair of community presentations to report the findings and issues unique to Helena.

Glendive/Dawson County: $15,000 - The city of Glendive, in coordination with Dawson County, will update their existing Growth Policy in response to recent significant regional economic growth related to oil and gas development. The update will integrate goals and policies related to the preservation and revitalization of downtown Glendive, improving commercial opportunities, and developing long-range plans to collaboratively promote tourism throughout the jurisdiction.

Shelby: $3,000 - Shelby will utilize Main Street grant funds for the creation of a historical walking tour in the Main Street business district and adjacent historic neighborhoods. The project is part of a larger effort to identify and list historic properties, promote tourism in the community, and connect the downtown business district to the Shelby heritage tourism plan.

Terry: $1,500 - The town of Terry will utilize Main Street grant funds for the continuation and completion of a Growth Policy (started in FY2012 using Main Street Funds) to plan for sustained growth and promote regional economic development in coordination with a strong downtown district.

Whitehall: $8,800 - Whitehall was awarded Main Street funds to assist in the creation of an urban renewal tax increment finance district to address blight, promote investment in streetscape beautification, and generate a funding source for infrastructure improvement.

Affiliate Update: Deer Lodge

The most recent Affiliate member to be accepted into the program in June 2012 was the City of Deer Lodge. The community has since begun major planning efforts, spearheaded by the Deer Lodge Development Group, to restore the historic Hotel Deer Lodge, filling the vacant building with an operating hotel and retail space along main street. The larger plan aims to strengthen the downtown commercial core with new business, save the landmark historic building from disrepair, and connect the downtown with the wealth of historic and cultural attractions in the area. The Deer Lodge Development Group submitted a successful application to the Montana Office of Tourism, resulting in a $30,000 grant award to create a smartphone self-guided walking tour of the historic downtown. “Deer Lodge is positioned adjacent to a major tourism corridor in the state and the potential here is significant. There are really exciting plans underway and we look forward to supporting such efforts” said Wisemiller. 

The Montana Main Street Program is housed within the Community Development Division of the Montana Department of Commerce and offers technical assistance and expertise to member communities and awards competitive grant funding to communities actively working on downtown revitalization, economic development, and historic preservation.

http://commerce.mt.gov/content/news/Montana%20Main%20Street%20Program%20Awards%20Project%20Grants%20and%20Welcomes%20Helena%20as%20New%20Affiliate%20Community%20