In attendance
Leadership Team members: Hans Christiansen (Chair), Erik West (Treasurer)
City Council Representatives Ed Childers and Rene Mitchell
Approximately 20 neighbors.
Meeting Called to order at 7:03 PM
Review and approve meeting minutes from of the Leadership Team from March 2010. Mr. Christiansen mentioned they were brief as only 4 were in attendance.
Treasurer's Report:
Erik West reported there is $ 558.28 in the general budget and $398.82 remaining in the mailing supplement; which does not reflect the recent mailing and delivery for this meeting.
Announcements:
Robert Parcell is running for Missoula County Sheriff. He introduced himself as such and provided some professional and personal background information and experience for his candidacy.
Tom Facey introduced himself and announced he is running for State Senate District 48. He talked about his past experience and why he is running for office.
Representatives that work with the State Sex Offender Program introduced themselves and offered information on the program registry and how to use it. If people have concerns or want more information they can be contacted and provide information that is within the public right to know, such as victim age, and explanation of the tier system. Jamie Merifeild, Missoula Police Department detective provided an overview of the program. State Department of Corrections Parole & Probation Officers Katie Burton and Michelle Puemer offered what their duties include, and US Federal Probation Officer Jean Keiley explained her role as well in the supervision of offenders. All stated it is good to have offenders on a probation status as they have to report to someone and they are required to be in therapy.
Public comment on items not on the Agenda:
Stan Skousen expressed his concern that someone has a large trailer with large signs on it with "No Bathrooms.com" parked in the area of Lux and Bellcrest. He feels this is a political advertisement and wonders how/why and if this is legal. He feels it is inappropriate as it is parked on a city street. Ed Childers offered political signage can be on private property. Wayne Gravatt offered that no large trailer may be parked on a city street. This may fall under an issue of the 24-hour rule of parking as well. If it obstructs view of traffic it can be called in to city police. He indicated he would look into it when he has his work hat on.
Old Business
Neighborhood Watch Program
Christine Ross explained the program and the efforts in the neighborhood for recruitment. A sign- up sheet of interest was available. There will be a recruitment drive in the near future with a list of interested parties already identified. A block captain training will be set up after another canvas of neighbors.
Traffic Calming
Christine Ross stated that an application for consideration for traffic calming was submitted to the City in February. The project area would include Grant from Brooks to 34th St. and McDonald from Paxson to Russell. Every neighbor contacted regarded drivers speeding was an issue on both streets and failure to stop on McDonald Street occurs frequently. The application is awaiting determination from the City whether the application will be considered and scheduled for traffic studies.
Discussion
Wayne Gravatt from Traffic Services is in attendance as a neighbor. He expressed that some measures put in place in various areas in town haven't achieved the results expected or desired. He is part of the process of the application and did offer that there is something that has been working, a deflector of sorts put on signs to emphasize speed limits and stop signage, which might be a consideration. It will be important to look at the options available or to try.
A comment was made that there aren't a lot of accidents as purported at Grant/McDonald intersection. This woman had a fence damaged, but it was due to a medical condition the driver had that caused an accident. Further comment was made that this is considered an accident. Again Wayne Gravatt offered that he has access to all information regarding that intersection and it will be part of the consideration process for the application. As information becomes available the neighborhood and council will be updated.
Boyd Park Improvements
Hans Christiansen reported that Boyd Park was one of the parks to have a review process for what
types of improvements may be incorporated. Of those that commented in that process, all agreed on three designs out of nine. The Parks Department is about to award a bid for services for playground equipment and will bring to the Neighborhood Council a choice for color scheme for that equipment. Designs were available for review.
New Business
The chair spoke about the Neighborhood Large Grant Project Fund program and offered three ideas for grant applications:
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A covered shelter at Boyd Park. It would cost about $30,000 and would need the partnerships with others to generate the necessary funds. There was discussion that this would be a nice feature in the park, but may contribute to activity not desired in the park. There also are no restroom facilities in the park. The neighbors felt that it may be a larger project than neighbors wanted to support at this time.
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To partner with the Midtown Association to do improvement and establish a gateway to the neighborhood and area on a triangle parcel of land, mostly in city right of way with a small section privately leased to a sign company in the area of Paxson/Dixon/Brooks Streets. Mike Steele, a private landscaper and neighbor offered a couple renderings of ideas for that location. He expressed interest in pursuing that as a project.
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Partnering with the South 39th Street NC in applying for traffic box art for four signal boxes along South 39th Street. Those typically go for $1000 a box.
Discussion ensued about which of these projects would seem feasible and people have interest in. Jill Blomgren motioned to focus on the triangle beautification and the art on the traffic boxes. Erik West seconded. All were in favor. It was identified who to bring to the table and to contact for further information and invite those parties to the pre-application workshop for the neighborhood grant process on April 28.
Planning meeting for Neighborhood Watch
After the canvas and recruitment of members and the $2 fee is collected, there will a training set up for Block Captains with the Crime Prevention Officer.
Ice Cream Social to Welcome New Playground
The playground equipment is to be in place by July 4th. The NC will host a celebration when the work is completed. Jill Blomgren motioned to have this social after the playground is installed. Erik West seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Neighborhood Council Elections
Hans Christiansen stated there is a need to have more leadership team members. The Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, Community Forum Rep and Alt positions are open. It was expressed that there is training for new leaders available through the Office of Neighborhoods and from those currently serving.
Jill Blomgren offered she would be interested in learning more and gain experience. She would be willing to serve as Co-Chair and Community Forum Alternate. Erik West seconded the offer. All were in favor.
Ed Childers nominated Christine Ross to serve as Secretary; she declined, as it would be a conflict of interest due to her job status with the Office of Neighborhoods. There were no nominations or offer to serve as Secretary.
Ed Childers nominated Hans Christiansen to serve as Chair. Discussion about whether Hans wants to serve two roles, Chair and Community Forum Representative were discussed. He would rather do one role. As no one felt compelled or comfortable serving in either of those roles, he agreed to serve as both in hopes that someone would fill one of them by the next general meeting.
Erik West nominated Hans Christiansen to serve as the Community Forum Rep and there were numerous seconds. All were in favor. Ed Childers nomination of Hans Christiansen to serve as Chair was seconded by Erik West. All were in favor.
Jill Blomgren has some people in mind that may be willing and desire to be on the leadership team. It was explained that they are welcome to attend the leadership team meetings and be appointed to the team and be voted in at the next general meeting.
Ed Childers motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm.