Upcoming Meetings: Bus Stops for Public Transit in Helena, Westside Annexation, and More

Friends,

This weeks admin meeting will include an update on establishing bus stops, general updates, and looking at a new building for Parks & Recreation. Thursday's meeting with Lewis & Clark County will look at shared budget items. Next Monday's formal meeting will include components of the Westside annexation and infrastructure proposal. 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Matt E

Matthew Elsaesser, Commissioner
City of Helena, Montana, USA
406.431.0815


City of Helena Administrative Meeting: April 1, 2015


Agenda (click image to view)

Full Admin Packet

Joint City-County Work-Session: April 2, 2015

Shared budget items by the City and County such as HATS, Benton Avenue Cemetery, City-County Building, Historic Preservation, and other items with shared fiduciary duties by the City of Helena and Lewis & Clark County. 

City of Helena Monday Meeting: April 6, 2015

To be posted soon at HelenaMT.gov, will include resolution of annexation for Westside project. 

Many important items before the Helena City Commission next week! All meeting open to the public with opportunities for public comment, please join!!

The City of Helena Commission has several meetings next week. All meetings will be held in room 326 of the City-County Building at 316 N Park from 4p.m.-6p.m. (Recent Meeting Agenda's here): 

• Monday, March 16, Special Meeting: Recycling 

• [my general thoughts on recycling here]
• Agenda: Click on image
• Meeting documents linked here
  
• Other City Recycling Documents here
• [UPDATE: The City Commission finalized a request for proposal for companies to bid to provide curbside recycling for residents in Helena City Limits (those served by the residential utility). Proposal to include collection of most household items with the exception of glass, with is a common recyclable that is collected differently since it breaks rather than compacts like other recyclable. Staff/Commission hopes to have bids to review before finalizing a budget this summer for fiscal year 2016. Preliminary discuss for other recycling direction took place, but will need to be finalized during the budget process or subsequent meetings. ]
  
• Wednesday, March 18, Admin Meeting: Wastewater Permits, Memorial Park Drive Project, Winter Streets, and more. Agenda and meeting packet linked here.
• Update: Discussion of the sidewalk snow removal ordinance will be the first item on the agenda.
  
• Thursday, March 19th, Special Meeting with Zoning Commission: Sign Ordinance, Form-based Zoning (....and, hopefully, the need for new zoning for unique neighborhoods and challenges like the Westside.)

[Note: I try to post formal agendas and meeting materials as they become available. Call or text me at 4 31 zero-eight-one-five with further questions.]  

Additional Upcoming Meetings:

• City Calendar Here
  
• Agendas and materials for upcoming and recent Monday night meetings
  
• Tuesday, March 17th, 2:30pm HATAC (transit advisory council), 3240 Dredge Drive, Intermountain Board Room
  Capital Transit Coalition, Tuesday, March 17 at 3:30pm, details here (following TAC meeting above, same location)
  
• Tuesday, April 14, 3:30pm, Commission Chambers



• Special Presentation: Overview of Urban Funds (now about $1.2 million for Helena area in addition to several years in reserve)
• March Agenda and Updates pictured here, click to enlarge:
  

- Matt E

Receive Email Updates from Commissioner Elsaesser

Friends,

Please fill out this form if you'd like to receive my email updates.

Thanks!

- Matt E

Matthew Elsaesser, Commissioner
City of Helena, Montana, USA
316 N Park, Helena, MT 59623
406.431.0815

Public Meeting Tonight for Centennial Trail West & Country Club Intersection Project(s)!

[from City of Helena Online]

Public Meeting: Centennial Trail West & Country Club Rd Projects

March 10, 2015 - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

---

Public meeting scheduled for the 

Centennial Trail West and

Country Club Intersection Projects

March 10, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
City-County Building 316 North Park Avenue, Room 426

A Public Meeting will be held to present the Centennial Trail West project, a Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) project, and the Country Club Intersection improvements. The project goal is to provide a shared use path along Joslyn Street with access to the Spring Meadow Lake State Park and improve the Joslyn Street and Country Club Avenue intersection to accommodate the new path.

The intent of the meeting is to present and discuss the Centennial Trail West and Country Club Intersection improvement options selected by the Helena City Commission.

Community participation is a very important part of the process, and the public is encouraged to attend the meeting and provide comments. Written comments may be submitted by mail to Cody Salo, DOWL, 1300 Cedar Street, Helena, MT 59601; or by email to csalo(at)dowl.com.

Please submit comments by April 10, 2015.

DOWL will attempt to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person's participation in this activity. To request accommodations please call Cody Salo at (406) 442-0370.

[End]

See also "Centennial Trail West to be Built this Summer!"

"The City of Helena has the following board openings.." Apply by 4pm Thursday, March 12th!

DATE:  March 2, 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.

Non Motorized Travel Advisory Council (NMTAC)

One resident of the City of Helena to serve on NMTAC.  The term would begin on April 1, 2015 and expire March 31, 2018.  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 term will begin January 1, 2015 and expire 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 on the Zoning Commission and one city resident to serve as the alternate member on the Zoning Commission.  The unexpired term for the member of the Zoning Commission will begin upon appointment and expire September 30, 2016.  The un-expired term for the alternate member will 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, March 12, 2015.

Recycling in Helena

Friends,

This post from last year still provides a good overview of the opportunity Helena has to increase recycling, expand diversion opportunities, and address electronic and household hazardous waste. This can and should be done by better utilizing the tax payers funding of our communities' public collection utility, public transfer station, and public landfill. 

The City Commission will have a work session focused on recycling sometime soon, hopefully the week of March 16th.

Sincerely,

- Matt E

Matthew Elsaesser, Commissioner
City of Helena, Montana, USA
316 N Park--59623
406.431.0815

All-Night Job for City Water Crew Fixing Broken Water Main

"Water main breaks near Downtown Walking Mall" - Helena Independent Record, Evening 3/2/15

[Update: Tuesday Morning, about 7:40am]

[End Update]

This afternoon, a water main broke near the crossing of Broadway and Helena's Walking Mall. Since that time, Helena's Water Utility has closed valves to stop the flow of water and begun earthwork to isolate and repair the leak. Public Works also put sand and salt on the Walking Mall to address the ice that had formed with dropping temperatures.  Great job!