Monday, January 31, 2011

City Work Session, February 1, 2011

When: Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 5:45pm
Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

Agenda:
Utility Rates – Jim Rearden
Montana Biofuels Update – Gary Hebener

Neighborhood Councils - Week of January 31, 2010

Two councils are meeting this week:

NC#6
When: Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 7:00pm
Where: Sunnyside School music room

Agenda:
A visit from a community policing officer
Info. on the proposed Benefis Grandview Retirement Community
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

NC#3
When: Thursday, Feb. 3, at 7:00pm
Where: Riverview School library (location changed from the cafeteria)

Agenda:
A visit from Mayor Michael Winters
Info. on stormwater drainage issues in upper Riverview
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Neighborhood Councils - Week of January 24, 2011

Two councils are meeting this week as well as the Council of Councils:

When: Monday, Jan. 24 at 7:00pm
Where: GF Clinic Specialty Center's conference room

Agenda:
A visit from a community policing officer
Info. on the Benefis Grandview Retirement Community and the proposed Cascade Ridge Apartments
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

When: Thursday, Jan. 27 at 6:30pm
Where: Heritage Baptist Church, 900 52nd Street North

Agenda:
A visit from a community policing officer
Info. on the Community Development Block Grant program
Intro. of the new Deputy Director of Planning/Community Development
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

Council of Councils meeting:
When: Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 7:00pm
Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

Agenda:
Update on large vehicles parking on city streets
Introduction from the new Deputy Director of Planning/Community Development
Discussion of past actions

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

2011 Legislation Affecting The Great Falls Area

A document prepared by the Great Falls and Cascade County Commissions.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

City Work Session, Jan. 18, 2011

When: Tuesday, January 18 at 6:00pm
Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

Agenda:
West Bank Park Master Plan Update – Marty Basta

Neighborhood Councils - Week of January 17, 2011

One council is meeting this week:

NC#8
When: Thursday, January 20 at 6:00pm
Where: Pre-Release Center, Women's annex

Agenda:
A visit from a community policing officer
Committee reports
Neighborhood reports

Friday, January 14, 2011

Judges Needed

Great Falls High School and CMR are hosting the State AA Speech and Debate Tournament this year!

We need help from Great Falls! The AA State Speech and Debate meet will be held in Great Falls on January 28 and 29 with all events taking place at CMR High School.

Judges do not need prior experience as the teams will host two, one-hour judge trainings the evenings of the 25th and 27th. For those unable to attend the trainings we will have guidelines for each event at the judges check-in table.

It is going to take hundreds of judges to ensure this tournament runs smoothly. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for multiple time slots. Food and beverages will be provided for all judges.

Online registration is recommended at http://www.talkingrustlers.com/judging.html. Those unable to register on-line can email or call GFHS Debate Coach Jolene Bach at joleneb@ruraldynamics.org or call 454.5706.

Thank you for your consideration and continued support.

State Schedule of Events
January 28, Friday, 2:15-9:30 p.m.
January 29, Saturday, 7:45 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Judge times, all times are when judges need to check into the judges table (15 mins. prior to when the actual round begins). At the judges table you will be given room assignments and ballots.

Policy Debate
Friday - Jan. 28
Round 1- 2:15 pm
Round 2 - 3:45pm
Round 3 - 5:45pm
Round 4 - 7:45pm
Saturday - Jan. 29
Round 5 - 7:45am
Octa-finals - 9:45am
Quarterfinals - 11:45am
Semifinals - 1:45pm
Finals - 3:45pm

Lincoln Douglas Debate & Public Forum Debate
Friday - Jan. 28
Round 1 - 3:45 pm
Round 2 - 5:45 pm
Round 3 - 7:45 pm
Saturday - Jan. 29
Round 4 - 7:45 am
Round 5 - 9:45 am
Octa-Finals - 11:45 am
Quarterfinals - 1:45 pm
Semifinals - 3:45 pm
Finals - 5:15 pm

Speech Events and Legislation Sessions
(Extemp draw ½ hour prior to round which equates to fifteen minutes earlier than the below times)
Friday
Round 1 - 3:45 pm
Round 2 - 5:45 pm
Round 3 - 7:45 pm
Saturday
Round 4 - 8:15 am
Round 5 - 10:15 am
Semifinals - 12:45 pm
Finals - 3:15 pm

Jolene Bach
Communications Director
Rural Dynamics Incorporated
Consumer Credit Counseling Service
406-454-5706 office
406-750-4481 cell

Monday, January 10, 2011

Parking Advisory Commission

There is an opening on the Parking Advisory Commission:

The Parking Advisory Commission has one opening to fill the remainder of a three-year term through April 30, 2012. The Commission consists of five members, appointed by the City Commission, and an ex-officio member appointed by the Business Improvement District. Experience or interest in the Great Falls Central Business District is helpful but not necessary. The Commission advises the City Commission, City Manager, and Community Development staff on matters related to parking issues within the Parking Districts. Applicants must reside within the City of Great Falls. For more information, contact Mike Haynes at 455-8433.

Applications are available at the City Manager's Office, Civic Center, Room 201, by calling 455-8450, or by using the online, fill-out, print, and mail/fax Board Opening Application which is available in PDF format. If you need the free Acrobat Reader click on the icon below. Boards and Commissions are a unique way to participate in local government.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of January 10, 2011

Four councils are meeting this week:

NC#7
When: Monday, Jan. 10 at 7:00pm
Where: Civic Center Commission chambers

Agenda:
Information on the Gibson Park lighting project
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

NC#1
When: Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 7:00pm
Where: Meadowlark School library

Agenda:
Visit from a community policing officer
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

NC#2
When: Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 7:00pm
Where: West Elementary School cafeteria

Agenda:
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

NC#9
When: Thursday, Jan. 13 at 7:00pm
Where: Great Falls High School, South Campus, room 105

Agenda:
A visit from a community policing officer
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

Monday, January 3, 2011

Bills Of Interest

If you are interested in tracking the progress of a bill, please email me, and I will add it to the list found on the right side of this page.

Bad Bills

Of the nearly 2,000 bill draft requests that are typically introduced in a legislative session, it's a given that many are not worth the time or paper they are printed on to pursue. Badbills.com is a website that lists the bills it considers to be bad.

Whether you agree with the picks or not, this site gives you the opportunity to find out what is being considered, and why a particular bill may not be in our best interest to pass into law.

This site is a work-in-progress, so I'm sure as time goes along, the list will grow.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of January 2, 2011

Two councils are meeting this week:

NC#6
When: Wednesday, January 4 at 7:00pm
Where: Sunnyside School music room

Agenda:
Introduction from Community/Planning deputy director, Wendy Thomas
A visit from a community policing officer
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

Council six is also looking for a voting resident of the council area to fill a vacancy. Interested parties can contact Patty Cadwell at 455-8496.

NC#3
When: Thursday, January 5 at 7:00pm
Where: Riverview School cafeteria

Agenda:
Introduction from Community/Planning deputy director, Wendy Thomas
A visit from a community policing officer
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns