[MissoulaGov] Committee Update 10-7-09

[Bob Jaffe]

Greetings,

This morning we started with a brief item in public safety to adjust our garbage ordinance so it only applies within the city limits. There was a provision that made it apply for a few miles outside the city limits which created complications for the work that is going into revising the ordinance to address bear concerns.

Then in conservation we approved a contract to study how to compost all the wood waste at the Champion site. There is something like a million yards of woodchips out there that are an impediment to building the riverfront park. We also have a problem in all of our parks that there is only about two inches of topsoil.  So we commissioned a study to look into a way to convert all the wood chips into topsoil. The whole subject is pretty interesting. We veered into citizen compost collection, deer carcass composting, waste water sludge, partnering with Eko compost, the leaf collection program, and a few other things. Who knew we could get so excited about compost?

In PAZ we appointed John Paoli to an alternate position on the historic preservation commission. It was one of the better interviews we have had in a while. I think he will be a great asset. We also had a couple of plat extensions for projects that were looking for more time. When they file final plat they have to put in all the infrastructure investments. We have seen a lot of projects lately that are wanting to put off that investment a little longer to see what happens in the housing market.

In Public Works we revisited the issue with the new project on Nora street where the developer wants some public right of way to use as private parking.  The committee was not really interested in giving that away. The idea was floated to just give them a permit to use the space for parking for some period of time. This appeared to be agreeable with everyone so we directed staff to work out the details. This way they get the dedicated parking to help bring in the retail businesses they need but we keep our options open for the future as this neighborhood continues to change.

We also considered the safe routes to school grant which has attracted some controversy lately. We got the word that we could pull the bulb outs out of the project and apply the money to curb ramps without violating the grant application contract. So we approved it with the understanding that there may be some changes in the actual plans.

Right now I am at the League of Cities and Towns annual meeting in wonderful Great Falls.  We spent the evening in the Sip and Dip Lounge. Behind the bar there is a big window looking into a pool where they have mermaids swimming and there is this elderly lady who plays Johnny Cash tunes on an organ with a polka beat. I hear she has been doing it for forty years. It is pretty surreal. I recommend the place to anyone who finds themselves spending the night in Great Falls.

But while I am here for the next couple of days I hope to speak to my counterparts from other Montana cities to find out how they do what they do. Every so often people bring up stuff about how great the other cities are. Like how Billings runs their whole planning department with three people. And how Bozeman has conquered the family definition conundrum. If people have things they would like me to ask the mayors/managers/councilpeople from around the state, please let me know.

Thanks for your interest,


Bob Jaffe
Missoula City Council, Ward 3
1225 South 2nd West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-1052


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