August Issue of "On the Gulch"

Board Openings at the City of Helena!

DATE:   June 30, 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.

One citizens with expertise in the field of architecture and/or construction; the unexpired term will begin upon appointment and expire September 2, 2016.

One citizen to serve on the ADA Committee; the term will begin on September 2, 2015 and expire September 1, 2018.

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.

Business Improvement District

One citizen to serve an unexpired term on the Business Improvement District/Helena Parking Commission.    Applicant must be the owner of property within the BID District or be the owner’s personal representative, agent or guardian. The unexpired term will begin upon appointment and expire on October 31, 2016.

City-County Planning Board

One city resident to serve on the City-County Planning Board; term will begin September 2, 2015 and expire September 1, 2018.

One citizen to serve as the joint appointment on the City-County Planning Board.  Term will begin September 2, 2015 and expire September 1, 2018.

This board shall perform planning functions for the city and county and shall be the sole Planning Board to serve either or both governmental entities.  Duties of this board will be to ensure the promotion of public health, safety, convenience, order, and the general welfare, and for the sake of efficiency and economy in the process of community development, the Board shall prepare a growth policy and serve in an advisory capacity to the local governing bodies establishing said Board.

Helena Housing Authority

One city resident to serve on the Helena Housing Authority.  The term will begin on August 2, 2015 and expire August 1, 2020. 

The Helena Housing Authority Board manages and sets policy for public housing in the City of Helena.

Helena Regional Airport Board

One citizen to serve as a joint city-county appointment on the Helena Regional Airport Board.  The term will begin on September 2, 2015 and expire on September 1, 2018.

The Helena Regional Airport Authority was created by and receives its authority from the City of Helena/Lewis & Clark County Joint Resolution 10677.  The Authority may plan, acquire, establish, develop, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, protect, and police any Airport or air navigation facility or airport hazard to be jointly acquired, controlled and operated.

Non Motorized Travel Advisory Council (NMTAC)

Two residents of the City of Helena to serve on NMTAC.  The unexpired terms will begin upon appointment and expire March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017.  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, 2018.

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, July 23, 2015.

Happy 4th of July Weekend, Stay Safe! Upcoming City Meetings: Admin July 8th; Formal Meeting July 13th (includes budget)

July 8, 2015 - 4-6pm - RM 326 City-County Building: Admin Meeting

Full Admin Packet Online Here; Agenda Follows

Click to view. 

July 13, 2015 - 4-6pm - Commission Room - City-County Building: Formal Meeting

Full Packet Online Here; Agenda Follows

Click image to view. 

Upcoming City of Helena Commission Meetings: Budget June8th, TCC June9th, Admin June 10th

June 8th, Budget Work Session, 3-6pm: Continued budget discussion to include road project funding, recycling and solid waste items, and more. Work sessions also tentatively scheduled for June 23 & June 30. 

Transportation Coordinating Committee, June 9th, 3pm:
Final agenda should include discussion of "Urban Funds," which include around $8 million for Helena Area Projects through 2019. 

Draft Agenda

Final agenda will include
discussion of Urban Funds. 

Map of routes eligible for Urban Funds

From Urban Funds overview provided by MDT.

From Urban Funds overview provided by MDT.

City of Helena Admin Meeting, June 10th, 4-6pm:
Agenda packet, "Admin Mtg Packet_06.10.15.pdf,", can be downloaded here.  

RECENT:

June 3rd, Budget Work Session, 3-6pm: Continued discussion of Public Works

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.