[MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10

[Bob Jaffe]

Doug Harby specifically said that trees would be replaced. The urban forester has been involved in the project. The hope was to keep all the trees but it looks like a few will be lost.


________________________________
From: Judy Smith [mailto:jlswift at mail.mtwi.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 11:23 AM
To: 4065449619; Steve Adler; Bob Jaffe; missoulagov at cmslists.com
Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10

The Rose Park Neighborhood Council discussed the project at our last general meeting and members are concerned that Brooks be done with neighbor participation. I doubt if folks will be happy with the news that plans include trees that will be removed and not replaced. Judy Smith

-----Original Message-----
From: "4065449619" <tskufca at kibogroup.com>
Sent 3/18/2010 9:23:50 AM
To: "Steve Adler" <adler at bigsky.net>, "Bob Jaffe" <BJaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us>, missoulagov at cmslists.com
Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10

I would completely agree with Steve's comments on Brooks' tree-lined boulevard, eventhough it's not easy to forfeit bike lanes. But if it's designed well, I believe we can have both future trees AND bike lanes; and then continue the boulevard design further down Brooks.










Tim Skufca










Sent from my phone.










-----Original Message-----





From: Steve Adler <adler at bigsky.net>





Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 8:37 AM





To: Bob Jaffe <BJaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us>; missoulagov at cmslists.com <missoulagov at cmslists.com>





Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10










Bob,










I'm a bit vague on this one, but isn't Brooks a "Boulevard Zone"? - with some special considerations?  (I believe that designation was actually a legal tool to prevent a formerly proposed street-widening project from taking out the trees.)  It is a special little stretch famous for it's tree-lined character which frames the view of Lolo Peak.  I know that trees do reach the end of their lives much as we all do.  But is there any way to make sure that trees get replaced as they are taken out?  If possible, it would be preferable to plant trees earlier - in anticipation of the ones that will have to come out.










Thanks,





Steve Adler

























From: Bob Jaffe





Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:43 PM





To: missoulagov at cmslists.com





Subject: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10















Greetings,










This morning at 8:30 the whole block out front from council chambers was already closed off for the Sean Kelley's St. Patrick's Day beer garden. There was some irony in this as we were starting the day with our DUI discussion.  I'm still not settled on how I feel about this one. The ordinance would make it a misdemeanor to refuse a breathalyzer test. According to the Ordinance the purpose is to "deter persons from engaging in this [DUI] dangerous activity."










Some new thoughts from today:










We don't have local data yet but a national study shows that refusing a test does not reduce conviction rates.










We were told that this may be true but it takes more money and resources to obtain those convictions.










According to Montana Statute, by driving on a public road you automatically give consent to a test.










Miranda rights apply to testimony, not physical evidence. A sobriety test is considered physical evidence.










If you give your consent to a breath test, and pass, you can be required to take a blood test.










The new Darby ordinance penalizes a person for refusing a test only if they are subsequently convicted of DUI.










One of the motivations for the ordinance is to encourage the legislature to strengthen state laws.




















The public hearing is set for March 22nd.




















Next was conservation where we learned about two new open space purchases.  The first is a section of land in Marshal Canyon on the back of Mt. Jumbo. It is currently held by the nature conservancy and there are existing public road easements across the parcel. Ultimately this land will need to be sold by the nature conservancy and it is desirable as a home site. So this is a good choice for transfer to city open space. It is 216 acres for $216,000. Purchasing this piece secures the trail connection between the rattlesnake and East Missoula.










The other parcel is 304 acres in the North Hills above the land fill. At some point Allied Waste purchased this land along with another large parcel to the west of the landfill. Their intention is to save the parcel to the west for future expansion in about 20 years.  The parcel higher up the hill they purchased with the intent of setting up a conservation easement. The appraised value of the easement is $2,205,000. We are paying them $445,000 from the open space fund and $50,000 from Five Valleys Land Trust. The $1,710,000 balance is being donated by Allied Waste.  This is another important connecting piece for the elk range.




















In PAZ we had an uneventful discussion about updates to the growth policy regarding sand and gravel resources and the wild land urban interface.




















In A&F we learned about an effort to set up a new farmers market on Sundays over by the Carousel. Everyone was supportive of the idea. It should start in mid-May. We also approved another one of those Economic Development Grant applications that the city has to sign on to. This one was for WGM group to get something like $22,000 to help set up a program to hire a few engineers from Smurfit Stone. Dick Haines was the only vote against the item. This broke our three week streak of all unanimous votes. Dick insisted the item be placed on committee reports on Monday night but refused to offer any comment or reason for his negative vote. I'm always baffled by this. If he's got a problem with the thing why not say what it is so the rest of us can consider his point. This would also give staff the opportunity to respond and possibly settle his objection. By forcing it to committee reports it also forces staff to come to the meeting on Monday. I imagine each time he does this it must





cost the tax payers at least $100. I'm hoping he has something meaningful to offer on Monday.




















In Public Works we got an update on all the construction projects that are coming up. There are a ton of them this year all over the valley. We have the big roundabout up in Miller Creek; the North Higgins reconstruction downtown; A ton of sidewalk installations all over ward 6; Brooks between Higgins and Mount will be rebuilt; Greenough Drive from Spruce to the north hills trail is getting curbs and sidewalk. There will also be the pedestrian bridge replacement up in greenough park and a bunch of new park equipment installations. Through some other recovery money we will be installing some fire hydrants in the franklin to the fort neighborhood and repairing the decking on the northside pedestrian bridge.




















Some details on the Brooks street project are that the road will be widened about three feet on either side. There will be parking on both sides, bike lanes, and one driving lane each way. This section does not currently have curbs so most of the intrusion into the boulevard is already worn and parked on.  Most of the trees on this stretch are very old and nearing the end of their lives. There are a few that may need to be taken out as part of the project.




















Remember to rake your leaves out this week!!




















Thanks for your interest,




















Bob Jaffe










Missoula City Council, Ward Three










1225 South 2nd West










Missoula, MT 59801










(406) 880-2052




















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