City Board Openings

There are currently four city advisory boards that have openings:

Park and Rec Board - The Park and Recreation Board has three openings for three-year terms through December 31, 2012. The Board consists of seven members. The Board advises the City Commission and the City Manager on all matters related to the Park and Recreation programs in the City of Great Falls. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Applicants must live within the city limits. For more information, contact Marty Basta at 771-1265.

Mansfield Center For The Performing Arts Board - Two openings for three-year terms through December 31, 2012. The Board consists of five to seven members. The Board advises on all matters related to the successful operation of the Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts and public meeting rooms. Meetings are the third Friday of each month at noon. For more information contact Dona Hughes at 455-8495.

City-County Health Board - One opening for a three-year term through December 31, 2012. The City-County Health Board oversees the operation and management of the City-County Health Department. The Board meets on the first Wednesday of the month at noon eleven months out of the year. For more information about the Board, contact the City-County Health Department at 791-9260.

Police Commission - One opening to fill the remainder of a three-year term through June 30, 2012. Commissioners will review all Police Department applicants for police officer positions and hear disciplinary appeals for the Police Department. Candidates must be a resident of the City of Great Falls. For more information, contact Chief Grove at 771-1180.

Application deadline is Friday, December 4. Applications can be picked up at the city manager's office or downloaded here.

The Consultant's Report Is Here

Here is the long awaited report from Burns and McDonnell concerning the review of ECP.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Nov. 23, 2009

No meetings this week.

ECP And SME Write-Off Announced

According to this inter-office memo, ECP will be writing off $1,144,504; $905,019 in historical costs and $239,485 of capitalized interest.

SME will be writing off $9.1 million.

Major Problems With Bresnan

If you've been experiencing Internet problems for about the past 2 months, don't necessarily blame your computer.

During the past couple of months, our home computer upload times have been worse than pathetic. One time a webpage took more than 45 minutes to upload and that was late afternoon. By later in the evening, the problem is even worse.

A few weeks ago my husband took our speed tests to Bresnan and was told they had gotten a few complaints, but that nobody had actually brought in proof of their problems. The fellow admitted that his kids had been complaining about the speed, or lack thereof, but wouldn't admit that Bresnan was having problems. He told my husband he would look into it.

A few days later, hubby visited with them again and was told they had found a "slow relay" and would be replacing it. Well, that was more than 2 weeks ago, and quite frankly, nothing has changed.

Even though my/our frustration level is running pretty high right now, we are comforted by the fact that we are not alone.

Thanks to TinoMT who posted these links at the Tribune Forum:

Bureau of Consumer Protection (FTC)https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

The Better Business Bureau (BBB)
http://www.bbb.org/

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

Montana Department of Consumer Protection
http://www.doj.mt.gov/consumer/

Now for the guys who helped award Bresnan with the Montana contract:

Gov. Brian Schweitzer (Montana State Govenor [sic])http://governor.mt.gov/contact/commentsform.asp

Montana Department of Administration
http://mt.gov/govt/statedir/agency/doa.asp

Montana Information Technology Services Division
http://itsd.mt.gov/about/contact.asp

Montana University System
http://mus.edu/contacts.asp

Newspapers
The Montana Standard (The are the guys who posted that bogus story about Bresnan fixing the speed issue)
http://www.mtstandard.com/contactus/

OthersRipoff Reports
http://www.ripoffreport.com/

MT Supreme Court Spot Zoning Hearing

The Montana Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday over the issue of spot zoning for the coal plant.

According to this article, SME/Cascade County are now arguing that the issue is legally dead and the case moot, because the county issued new zoning regulations in August.


November 19, 2009
High court hears Highwood zoning suit
By KARL PUCKETT
Tribune Staff Writer

HELENA — Attorneys for Cascade County and a group of landowners locked horns once more Wednesday over a 2-1 vote last year by the County Commission, which allowed construction of a power plant east of Great Falls. This time the clash came before the Montana Supreme Court.

In a surprise twist, Gary Zadick, an attorney for developer Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, and attorney Alan McCormick, hired to represent Cascade County, told justices the disputed rezoning case is legally dead because the commission passed new countywide zoning regulations in August.

As a result, McCormick said, a Supreme Court decision would be "academic" because the lawsuit is challenging old regulations, under which the land rezoning for Highwood Generating Station was processed.

"This case is now moot," McCormick said.

The new argument, which was never raised during state District Court hearings last year because the new regulations had yet to pass, prompted immediate questions from justices.

Justice James Nelson asked that if the updated regulations render the current challenge moot, couldn't local governments always keep ahead of people who challenge rezoning requests by simply changing the zoning rules?

Justice Brian Morris questioned McCormick on why the court wasn't informed sooner about the new zoning regulations argument if it renders the case moot. McCormick said he had just learned last week that the new regulations had taken effect.

McCormick cited a Flathead County zoning case as precedent in making the argument.

The argument was flatly rejected by Roger Sullivan, the attorney for the plaintiffs — 60 landowners and the Montana Environmental Information Center.

"This controversy is still very much alive," Sullivan said.

Additionally, SME has replaced its original plans for a coal-fired power plant with a smaller, cleaner-burning natural gas facility, but Sullivan said that doesn't change the arguments. The county still erred in allowing an industrial facility — gas or coal — amidst farmland, with the decision amounting to spot zoning and special legislation for SME, he said.

MEIC and the landowners living in the vicinity of the proposed plant are asking the Supreme Court to reverse District Judge Wayne Phillips' decision upholding the county's action. Such a decision would declare the rezoning unlawful.

Landowners say their quality of life and agricultural operations are at stake in the case.

After the hearing, Kent Holtz, a plaintiff and farmer who listened from the second row, said he didn't understand all of the technical arguments, but wants farmland protected from the power plant.

"There are so many other places in the state it could be put that would not destroy productive land," Holtz said.

SME officials say a reliable source of electricity for its customers is at stake in the case.

SME, which has sunk $40 million into the power plant, purchased the property on which the plant would sit for $3 million, said Zadick. SME intervened in the case on the side of the county.

Located in a rural setting, with just seven homes within 3 miles, the site is ideal for a power plant, Zadick said, with the electricity benefiting the general public.

"Where do generating plants get built?" he asked.

SME, which provides power to five rural electric cooperatives and the city of Great Falls' utility arm, is proposing to construct a 120-megawatt, $210 million facility powered by natural gas to replace electricity it's losing as a result of canceled power contracts.

If the court overturns the county's decision to rezone, the Highwood project could be returned to county commissioners or the District Court, said Brian Hopkins, an attorney with Cascade County.

At the conclusion of Wednesday's hearing, the seven justices quickly exited without comment. A decision could take months, Hopkins said, noting the court could still ask for additional written briefs.

The courtroom was packed Wednesday with residents from Great Falls and SME representatives, who sat on opposite sides of the courtroom.

The case stems back to March 2008, when Cascade County commissioners Joe Briggs and Peggy Beltrone and then-commissioner Lance Olson voted 2-1 to rezone 668 acres of land east of Great Falls from farmland to heavy industrial. Beltrone was the sole no vote.

MEIC and the landowners later sued, with Phillips siding with the county in a decision handed down in November 2008, prompting the appeal to the Supreme Court.

In the liveliest moment of a hearing fraught with zoning jargon, Sullivan, the attorney for the landowners and MEIC, left the designated podium and moved closer to the justices, pacing before them and theatrically holding up thick binders of technical zoning information and sometimes pointing to his clients in the audience.

"This is a classic case of the county making up its regulations on the fly," he said, his voice rising.

Sullivan took aim at the way in which 11 conditions proposed by SME were added to the rezoning approval. The conditions themselves are not the issue, he said, but he is concerned that they were submitted to the county two days before a public hearing in the rezoning request, not affording the public a chance to comment.

SME's Zadick countered that the 11 conditions actually benefit the general public, dding they were based on public feedback. For example, one of the conditions is that roads be maintained.

Sullivan also charged that SME submitted hundreds of pages of technical information in the 11th hour. In addition, Sullivan said, no guarantees exist in the zoning regulations, ensuring enforcement of the attached conditions.

That amounts to illegal "special legislation" for SME, Sullivan said.

Wondering aloud whether such conditions aren't just "part and parcel" of any rezoning proceeding, District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock, sitting in for the retiring Justice John Warner, who recused himself from the case, questioned the special legislation assertion.

Sullivan also said Judge Phillips erroneously concluded that a coal-fired power plant already is permitted in an agriculturally zoned area if a special use permit is granted.

Sullivan said a special use permit, while allowing wind farms and electrical generation facilities, would prohibit a coal-fired power plant.

Zadick disagreed, saying special use permits allow a broad range of uses from garbage dumps to hospitals to generation facilities.

But if that were the case, a justice asked Zadick, why didn't SME just ask for a special use permit in the first place instead of seeking rezoning. Zadick said that rezoning was preferred because of the type of financing the developer sought at the time.

Facing the seven justices and a digital time clock that allowed each side 30 minutes to make its case, the attorneys raised many of the same arguments Wednesday that they did at the District Court level.

"We'll just have to wait and see how the court decides," SME General Manager Tim Gregori said after the hearing. "At this time, the property we purchased is zoned appropriately for what we have planned."

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Nov. 16, 2009

Three councils are meeting this week:


NC#5
When: Monday, Nov. 16 at 7:00pm

Where: GF Clinic Speciality Center conference room

Agenda:
Map Your Neighborhood
Committee reports, including Russell Park update

Neighborhood concerns

Everyone is also invited for a "get acquainted time", complete with refreshments. This is their last meeting for the year.

NC#4 & NC#8

When: Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6:30pm (Council 4 rescheduled due to Thanksgiving)

Where: Great Falls Pre Release, Women's annex

Agenda:

Map Your Neighborhood workshop
Committee reports

Problem properties update (#4)
Roosevelt School project (#8)

Neighborhood concerns

GFDA Plans

UPDATE: I emailed Brett Doney on 11/13 and he is tentatively scheduled to meet with NC#4 in December.

It seems the GFDA is planning a heavy industrial park that would fall within Neighborhood Council 4's boundaries, if annexed into the city.

Not only did Commissioner Jolley not have any details, but Council 4 has been left in the dark as well. Following is correspondence that Commissioner Jolley has had with Greg Doyon and Brett Doney. (These comments were first posted here) :

November 13, 2007, 7:48am - From Commissioner Jolley:

I am trying at the moment to get more info on...

Dear Greg & Lisa

Today's Tribune has this...."GFDA previously worked with private developers to create a heavy industrial site, but those efforts haven't come to fruition. The organization now is partnering with the city to develop the industrial park." Brett speaks. He says something might happen before Christmas. What might happen?What is the nature of this "partnering"? Who in the city is working on this? I would like as much background information (within reason) as possible. You could sent attachments of emails, Memos and such.

Thanks

Mary Jolley

An email received by Mary from Greg Doyon:

Mary:
Thanks for making me read the paper…

Brett and I are in contact frequently about potential development in and around the city. I was at the meeting, where he mentioned this opportunity and believe it is undeveloped land N-NW of MAFB. He has also been working on the area around the Malteurop.

His comments that the city is working/partnering with GFDA are accurate to the extent that Brett is in regular contact with the planning department, city engineering, community development, and my office to facilitate development in the city (i.e., permit processes, infrastructure extension, required zone changes)- it happens all the time. Not only is the city a major investor in GFDA, but we are their partner as well.

If I read between the lines, it sounds like you may have concerns that the City is making promises regarding a new development opportunity. Should there be a development/annexation agreement in the future, the Commission will have to approve all of that (like it normally does). The City has not made any promises or commitments with any new developer/business and I have not seen any annexation/development agreement drafts. I am aware of Brett’s efforts to land manufacturing/heavy industrial businesses and will continue to assist him with those endeavors.

I’ll copy Brett should he want to provide more information about the prospect he was referencing.

- Gtd

Gregory T. Doyon

City Manager Great Falls, Montana

And an email from Brett....

Mary-

I’d love to get together with you to bring you up to date on our industrial park efforts. We’ve negotiated an option agreement on land east of North Industrial Park on 18th Avenue North. If the appraisals come in with values that are acceptable to both the property owners and us, we hope to be able to finalize the option agreement and sign it by the end of the year. That’s the “announcement” I referred to Wednesday. The next step Is to design the infrastructure for the first phase and put together budget estimates. City staff have been very helpful in helping us look for industrial sites and sites for a rail industrial park. There haven’t been any promises or agreements made, formal or informal.We do hope for City support of the project. As soon as we have a site secured and a preliminary plan and budget, we’ll be ready to work with the City to try to find a way to build the infrastructure for the first phase.

Brett

Brett Doney President Great Falls Development Authority

bdoney@greatfallsdevelopment.org

ECP Report Not Ready

The report we have all been waiting for with bated breath is not ready.

City Manger Doyon thought it would be available by today, but according to a short blurb in today's paper, he will contact them soon to find out when we can expect it.

Rather than be discouraged by this delay, I think it's a good sign that they are weighing all of the data, including additional information that has been sent to them since they were here in August.

URGENT: The Talking Rustlers Need Your Help

The CMR speech and debate teams are short volunteers to help judge their tournament this Friday and Saturday. They are especially short of volunteers to judge debate.

No prior experience is necessary.

If you can help, log-on to their website and sign-up or call Kandi at 866-0085.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Nov. 9, 2009

Four councils are meeting this week:

NC# 7

When: Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at 7:00pm

Where: Great Falls Community Rec. Center

Agenda:

NEW BUSINESS
Carol Bronson- new Weed & Seed Program Site Director
Pit bull attack on 3rd Avenue North
Council election results
Neighborhood Concerns

OLD BUSINESS
Status on project to lower Speed Limits on Park Drive near Gibson Park
Status of Whittier & Longfellow speed petitions
Status of Gibson Park Lighting project
NC sponsored City Commission forum
Problem Properties
Other Old Business

REPORTS
City Commission
Council of Councils
Other Reports

Next meeting – Dec. 14, 2009, 7 p.m., at NeighborWorks

NC#1

When: Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7:00pm

Where: Meadow Lark School Library

Agenda:

Swan Court Traffic study

Update on the residential sound insulation project near the airport

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#2

When: Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7:00pm

Where: West Elementary School cafeteria

Agenda:

Update on the residential sound insulation project near the airport

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#9

When: Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7:00pm

Where: GF High School South Campus

Agenda:

Info. on the "Map Your Neighborhood" program
Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Congratulations Mr.Winters

Congratulations to Mike Winters for his resounding win.

A few weeks ago I was the speaker at a meeting Mike was chairing. He was very efficient and no nonsense. He told me later that if elected, that is how the city's meetings will be conducted. He will also thank everyone for coming to the meeting and shake their hands.

He also told me that one of the first things he would do if elected, would be to ask for the resignation of Coleen Balzarini as the executive director of ECP. As he stated, and rightly so, having her in that position is a conflict of interest.

I look forward to Mike's presence on the commission.

Sour Grapes

How else can one describe Bronson's remarks that "candidates sometimes find it difficult to carry out their promises when they take office". He also added that people who voted for change "may or may not get it".

You thought you were going to win. You didn't. Get over it.

And The Winners Are....

According to unofficial results:

Winters - 8,430

Bronson - 5,759

Fred Burow - 7,629

Bob Jones - 7,256

Donna Zook - 6,805

John Rosenbaum - 5,442

I think it safe to say that those who voted in the primary for myself, John Hubbard and Mike Witsoe, 3,652 total votes, voted for Winters. He then picked up an additional 450+ votes.

Great job to Fred Burow and Donna Zook, even though Donna just missed getting in.

After the primary, when both candidates picked up only 23.64% of the total vote, they came out swinging for the general and knocked out Rosenbaum, who at this time, picked up only 142 additional votes then he had in the primary. Of all the candidates, he had the worse showing.

Thanks Great Falls for voting and listening!

Another Contentious ECP Meeting

I wasn't at last night's ECP meeting, but from the sounds of it, it was typical; Coleen having to defend herself and Tim about why they continue to not be forthcoming with documents and information.

According to this article in the Tribune, Coleen was taken to task for not revealing the credit rating SME was given by Standard's & Poor. (On Oct. 10, the Tribune published that SME was given a BBB rating, which is one step above junk bond status). According to her, this rating was discussed at board meetings. Yes, it was "discussed", even at a City Commission meeting, but the most important part was never revealed, at least not to the public. She claims this is "a good rating to get for a start-up company". If so, why was it kept such a secret?

There also was a letter (page 37 of 85) dated Sept. 30 from the US Department of the Interior reiterating their criticism of building a power plant adjacent to the Great Falls Portage National Historic Landmark and the Lewis and Clark National Trail. Coleen claimed it's all based on perspective and that "some of it is incorrect". As usual, she did not elaborate on what was incorrect.

If this project is so fantastic,why do she and Tim continue to work so hard to keep everything about it so secret?

If you attended last night's meeting, feel free to tell us about it.

City Commission Work Session

When: Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 5:45pm

Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

Agenda:

Equipment Revolving Schedule – Jim Rearden and Tom Hugg
Street Maintenance – Jim Rearden and Jim Turnbow

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Nov. 2, 2009

Two councils are meeting this week:

NC#6

When: Wed. Nov. 4 at 7:00pm

Where: Sunnyside School music room

Agenda:

Verde Park report

Council of Councils meeting update
Victory Christian Church annexation
Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#3

When: Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7:00pm

Where: Westgate Mall

Agenda:

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

ECP Board Meeting - November 2009

When: Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:30pm

Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

Agenda:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1. Financial Reports
2. U.S. Department of Interior letter dated September 30, 2009
3. City of Great Falls, et al. vs. PSC/NWE (Cause No. CDV- 09-127), Reply Brief in Support of Plaintiffs/Petitioners’ Motion to Reverse or Vacate Final Order and Remand
4. In the Matter of Electric City Power Petition for Certification of an Eligible Renewable Resource and Request for Waivers (Docket No. D2009.5.61), Order No. 7037
5. In the Matter of Renewable Portfolio Standard Compliance Filings for Compliance Year 2008 (Docket No. N2009.10.137), Notice of Commission Action

NEW BUSINESS
1. Accept Board Meeting Minutes from October 5, 2009
2. NWE Natural Gas Utility Unit Rate Adjustments/Proposed Rates and NWE Monthly Electric Supply Tracker Rate Change Detail - November

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Handouts from October 5, 2009, meeting
Public Comment

NEXT ECP BOARD MEETING
December 7, 2009

Tonight's meeting packet.

More Tribune Problems

So much for printing the backlog of city election letters to the editor. Today, there are seven letters to the editor and not a one of them has anything to do with the election.

On the opposite side of the editorial page, is a sample ballot along with the names of those running for Neighborhood Councils.

According to the NC list, these folks running for Neighborhood Councils are "write-in" candidates. No, they are not. These people went down and filed and their names actually appear on the ballot. There is only one "declared write-in" for any Neighborhood Council; me, Sandra Guynn, NC4. (Since I filed for mayor, I could not also file for NC). Declared write-in names do not appear on the ballot.

And what's with the November 6, 2007 date?

Letters To The Editor

In today's Tribune, the editors said they can no longer accept city election letters, because of a backlog.

If there's such a backlog, why not begin to print them? Ballots are due in less than a week.

"Good Bang For Their Buck"

That's outgoing City Commissioner Bill Beecher's take on the financial picture of the city.

In today's paper, his opinion concerning the "facts" was printed. (See below). As always, the city is in "good" financial shape, because the audits are always clean and the budget department always gets an annual award for their ability to prepare the budget according to the rules.

As my tax accountant told me, it is strictly a fluke to find evidence of wrongdoing in a normal, run of the mill audit.

By the way, according to Beecher, taxes have only gone up 3% annually in the past five years.

UPDATE: Do you think Beecher and his cronies could even begin to give coherent answers to the pop quiz? Me either.

South Arterial Study

Here you can find a copy of the latest South Arterial Alignment study.

Here is the city's planning department press release concerning this project.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of October 26, 2009

This week, there is only the Council of Council meeting.

When: Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00pm

Where: Gibson Room at the Civic Center

Agenda:

* Info. on the Leadership Great Falls visioning process
* Ongoing problems with RV's, trailers and other vehicles permanently parking on city streets

* How technology could involve youth in city issues

* How to increase awareness and involvement in Neighborhood Councils

* Updates from each Council

The Great One Has Spoken Once Again

According to Tim Gregori, there is "justifiable optimism" that he will obtain funding for his gas plant. He claims that financing is "nearly within reach". Does this admission mean he is finally through misrepresenting the financing he never had?

Honestly. What's it going to take? A majority of the coops and the City of Great Falls going bankrupt? How many times does Gregori have to be proven wrong before these knotheads wake up? By his own admission, he's finally had to admit that he was not telling the truth when he told everybody that financing was not a problem. And yet here they are, still hanging on every word he says, as though he walks on water.

This also seems to include the reporter from the Billings Gazette.

According to this article, a BBB bond rating is considered "medium-quality investment grade". Oh really? According to here and here, it's one step above junk and that basically, it would be a financing entity living in the twilight zone who would even consider bankrolling a project with this rating.

But...No worries. Be happy. The Great One has spoken and "financing is nearly within reach".

H/T: R.L.

Letter To The Editor

In today's paper is a letter to the editor by Greg Jergeson, the chair of the Public Service Commission, concerning his opinion on SME/ECP. Mr. Jergeson has endorsed Fred Burow and Donna Zook for City Commission:

Special City Commission Meeting

When: Today, Friday, Oct. 23 at noon

Where: Commission Chambers

Agenda:

Declare Bay Drive Force Main Repair Project an Emergency and Award Construction Contract

Not Happy. Not Surprised.

Evidently, incumbent John Rosenbaum and retired city police chief, Bob Jones, are not happy that the chair of the Public Service Commission, Greg Jergeson, has endorsed Fred Burow and Donna Zook in the city's commission race.

Rosenbaum went so far as to say the endorsement is "highly irregular" and Jones thinks it's "pretty inappropriate".

In my book, the fact that another elected official, which our elected and appointed (ECP) officials seem to forget that he is, has come to the defense of his constituents (since they won't), indicates just how "highly irregular" this boondoggle really is.

(I could not find the article I quoted from on the online version of the Tribune. See KRTV for a similar story).

Last Night's Forum

As a member (chair) of Neighborhood Council #4, I was pleased with last night's Commission Candidate forum. About 35 people attended, which was about the same number who attended the Tribune forum, which included the mayoral candidates. (Both mayoral candidates had scheduling conflicts which kept them from attending last night).

We deliberately set out to ensure that this forum could not be construed as biased in any way. Questions by Neighborhood Council members and members of the public were submitted in advance to our moderator, Aaron Weissman. He then gave those questions to the GF High Debate Team members, who decided which questions would be asked. Audience members were encouraged to submit questions as the forum progressed. I handed those off to the debate team members, who once again, determined which ones would be asked.

Each candidate was also allowed to ask a question of each of the other candidates. Rosenbaum didn't even ask a question. He made some comment about levies that made no sense. Aaron tried to get a question out of it, but to no avail. Fred Burow reiterated his take on the budget numbers and Jones didn't even want to discuss it. Donna Zook said she couldn't respond because she didn't understand what he said.

Travis was there for the entire event. See his posting of it here.

Spot Zoning Case Going To State Supreme Court

According to an article in today's Tribune, the landowners spot zoning case against Cascade County and SME is scheduled for a state Supreme Court hearing on November 18.

A year ago, District Judge Wayne Phillips ruled in favor of the county and SME when he ruled that rezoning the land for the HGS was not considered spot zoning. Opponents indicated they would appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Bronson Elected To Board

Mayoral candidate and current City Commissioner, Bill Bronson, was elected as third vice-president of the Montana League of Cities and Towns at its annual convention held recently in Great Falls.

According to his press release, "Through service in the league's leadership, I'm better positioned to work for Great Falls, both through contacts with elected officials in other Montana communities, as well as in helping develop a legislative program that benefits our city as well as other Montana cities and towns".

(I couldn't find this story on today's online version of the Tribune).

Youth Council Meeting

The Youth Council is also meeting this week:

When: Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7:00pm

Where: Community Rec Center

Agenda:

Membership applications

Upcoming poetry reading at Hastings

Additional space for Youth Council activities

Neighborhood Councils - Week of October 19, 2009

For the third time in a month, the Tribune has not published notice of the Neighborhood Council meetings in their Monday papers.

It's not like they don't get notice of them. Emails are sent to 3 people at the Tribune, one being a managing editor, and they still can't get it done. Oh sure, they'll print them on Tuesday when they've been notified of their blunder, but that doesn't help the councils who meet on a Monday.

Come on Trib. This is grassroots involvement. Get it together.

NC#5

When: Monday, Oct. 19 at 7:00pm

Where: GF Clinic Specialty Center, main floor conference room

Agenda:
Information on the Russell Park fundraising efforts for playground equipment
Committee Reports
Neighborhood concerns

NC#4
When: Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6:30pm
Where: Heritage Baptist Church, 900 52nd Street North

Agenda:

County Planning Dept. -property code enforcement, Jim Schillinberg

Update on various problem properties

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Learn About Mountaintop Removal

A lot is going on this week. Another presentation is also on tap for Thursday, Oct. 22nd:

What: Presentation on mountaintop removal in the Appalachians

When: Thursday, Oct. 22 from 7-8:30pm in Room B101 at MSU-COT

Word has it that a company from Canada is proposing to do mountaintop removal on a mountain North of Glacier Park.

Oct. 20, 2009 Work Session

When: Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5:45pm

Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

Agenda:

1.Public/Private Partnership for Tennis Facilities –Marty Basta, Dave Crum, and Ben Rangel
2.Cascade County Conservation District Update – Toni Neslen

Local Government Roundtable

When: Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6-8:00pm

Where: McLaughlin Center, Providence Forum

Gas Plant Gets Air Permit

The DEQ has authorized an air permit for Gregori's proposed gas plant. It becomes effective November 1. Appeals will be taken until November 16.

Construction can commence on November 1, but Gregori would not comment on when he would get started. (Probably because he doesn't have the money he said he had and which doesn't look very probable he will get).

Great Falls Trivia

In celebration of Great Falls' 125th anniversary, the second volume of Great Falls Memories has just been released. This is a photo album depicting life and events in Great Falls from 1940-1980. (The first volume highlighted the city from 1884 thru 1939).

According to a picture description submitted for this latest volume, this structure in Great Falls was the tallest building in Montana in 1956. Can you name it? Hint: It still stands.

Commissioner Candidate Forum

Neighborhood Councils are sponsoring a Commissioner Candidate Forum on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00pm in the Gibson Room at the Civic Center.

The rules for this forum are being written by the GF High School debate team.

Questions will be taken from Neighborhood Councils and the public. Candidates will also have the opportunity to ask a question directed to each of the other candidates.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Great Falls’ Neighborhood Councils have combined to host a City Commission Candidate Forum on October 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gibson Room at the Civic Center.

Commissioner candidates Fred Burrow, Robert Jones, John Rosenbaum and Donna Zook will answer questions written by the Neighborhood Council members and by the public. There will also be an opportunity for candidates to ask and answer questions of each other.

The Great Falls High School Debate Team has written rules specifically for this forum. Those rules will be enacted by forum moderator and Neighborhood Council member Aaron Weissman.

The public and media are encouraged to attend.

For further information, call Neighborhood Council Coordinator Patty Cadwell at 455-8496.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of October 12, 2009

Four Councils are meeting this week:

NC#7

When: Monday, Oct. 12 at 7:00pm

Where: NeighborWorks

Agenda:
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER MINUTES
NEW BUSINESS
Conditional Use Request for a Worship Facility -- River of Hope at 111 6th Street South
Agenda of upcoming Council of Councils meeting, 10/28
Notification regarding upcoming NC sponsored commission candidate forum, 10/21

Request to contact BNSF about the excessive number of nighttime train whistles
Neighborhood Concerns

OLD BUSINESS
Status regarding issues on 8th Street and 4th/5th Avenue North
Status on project to lower Speed Limits on Park Drive near Gibson Park
Status of Whittier & Longfellow speed petitions
Status of Gibson Park Lighting project
Problem Properties
Other Old Business

REPORTS
City Commission
Other Reports
ADJOURN
Next meeting -- November 9, 2009, 7 p.m., at Great Falls Recreation Center

NC#1:

When: Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7:00pm

Where: Meadowlark School library

Agenda:
Report on findings of the Swan Court petition
Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#2:

When: Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7:00pm
Where: West Elementary School cafeteria

Agenda:

Update on the proposed West Industrial Park

Levy Developments

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#8

When: Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30pm

Where: Women's Annex at the Pre Release Center

Agenda:

Student neighborhood project

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Candidate Forum

The Tribune is sponsoring a candidate's forum on Wednesday, October 14, at 6:30pm at MSU-COT. As I understand it, the format will be similar to the one that was held Sept. 2.

Not A Hoot

Evidently, Mayor Stebbins wasn't able to come up any words of wisdom on how to "connect with constituents, so she took a potshot at one. Typical.

BBB Rating

According to a snippet in today's "The Edge", Standard & Poor's has assigned SME a BBB credit rating, which is the lowest investment bond rating. (Several months ago when members of the public asked what the rating was and who had rated SME, Gregori was not forthcoming).

From Standard & Poor's:
Issue: Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative ICR
Maturity Date: Jan 01, 2099
Rating: BBB/Stable
Rating Date: May 07, 2009

Good News

Jan Cahill has been elected the new director of the Cascade County Humane Society. I know this because I spoke with him Tuesday night.

Hope is running very high that finally, CCHS and the Animal Foundation, who has a new director as well, will put aside past problems and start to work together to improve the situation of the animals.

I'll post more information as it becomes available.

What A Hoot

The Montana League of Cities and Towns is currently holding their 78th conference in Great Falls. Look who's on the agenda at 9:00am on Friday to talk about "Connecting With Constituents".

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

7:30 a.m.
Inspirational Breakfast
8:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
City Attorneys Seminar
8:30 a.m.
MLCT Annual Business Meeting

9:00 a.m.
MASTERS OF THE TRADE: CONNECTING WITH CONSTITUENTS
Mayor Larry Bonderud, Shelby
Mayor Pam Kennedy, Kalispell
Mayor Dona Stebbins, Great Falls

Not So Fast, Mr. Ecke

In yesterday's paper, Rich Ecke wrote a piece about the ECP board meeting held Monday night. In the article, he stated,

As the city's electric utility improves its stated bottom line, the audience for Electric City Power Board meetings appears to be shrinking. Only eight people showed up for Monday's meeting, including two city commissioners, the acting city attorney, a Tribune reporter and three members of the public.

There needs to be some clarification here. Since I have been attending these meetings, this board has never generated very much interest. And why should it? Very little of substance is ever discussed. When the dog and pony show comes up from Billings, attendance improves.

On the average, about 8-10 people from the public regularly attend. Of this number, 5 were missing Monday night; 3 of us had other commitments and 2 were out of town.

To surmise that all of sudden interest has dwindled because Coleen says the entity is improving its bottom line, is very much incorrect.

See here, here and here.

Candidate Zook Meet And Greet

When: Wednesday, October 7 from 5:00pm-7:00pm

Where: Penny's Gourmet To Go at 815 Central Avenue

Donna is running because the issues facing our community are perplexing and will result sooner or later in additional taxes. The current city commission is responsible for the creation of huge debts, such as the coal plant, the animal shelter, etc., and they are continuing on the same path unless we stop them.

This can be done by electing Donna.

This is your chance to meet with the candidate before the ballots are in the mail.

2009-2020 County Budget

On Friday, beginning at 9:00am, the County Commission will finalize its 2009-2010 budget. The public can comment to the Commissioners up until that time.

Here is a summary of that budget. (Public safety is in the red by nearly $400,000). To see the complete copy, visit the Commissioner's Office, Room 111 in the Courthouse Annex or the Clerk and Recorder's Office at 121 4th Street North, Suite 1B-1.

Welcome To Our World, Travis

I was unable to attend the ECP meeting last night.

According to this report from first time meeting attendee Travis, I didn't miss anything. Same old you know what; Coleen making faces and rolling her eyes at attendees; Golie being rude; everybody else being blamed for their incompetence, etc.

Somebody else in attendance did say that the newest member of the board, Ole Stimac, spent alot of time whispering with Coleen about the packet. Perhaps he's the one Travis said clearly was not prepared.

Yup. Didn't miss a thing.

"Whitewash, the Need for "Clarity", and the election"

The following is a guest editorial from Larry Rezentes:

In the headline of its September 8 “Viewpoints” editorial, the Great Falls Tribune exhorts that “Its time for more clarity on Great Falls’ utility venture.” It goes on to say “At a Great Falls election forum last week, several candidates referred to the city’s supposed (emphasis mine) loss of “millions of dollars…” No, the Tribune may need clarity, but those who have been paying attention have had the results of the venture revealed to them with great clarity; but not by the Tribune. The editorial ignores the fact that losses reported in the Electric City Power financial statements prepared by the city itself do in fact show operating losses from inception through the end of calendar year 2008, of in excess of $1.8 Million. These losses, coupled with even a minor portion of the proposed write-down referenced in the third paragraph of the editorial, do in fact total millions of dollars. The Tribune’s editorial is in the interest of those incumbent candidates who have supported the city’s “utility venture”. The editorial serves that interest by suggesting that there are doubts as to the relative magnitude of the financial losses produced by operation of Electric City Power and by disparaging those candidates that had suggested otherwise.

The Tribune editorial also completely ignores the fact that Electric City Power has operated, and continues to operate illegally, in violation of its founding ordinance that requires it at all times to be self-sustaining. Instead it continues to operate at a monthly cash deficit from its operations, draining cash from the city through the funding of these losses by “loans” from other city funds. Also ignored is the issue of the $60,000 cost to the city, to be paid to Burns and McDonnell, the consulting firm engaged by the city to arrive at a determination of what to do, while ignoring the issue of accountability for what has been done.

The editorial continues with the assessment that “… the city needs to do a better job of making the case for being a power provider”. No, the city has done a very good job of misrepresenting the basis for such a case; with misleading statements; with withheld and unpublicized financial statements showing the continuing and cumulative history of losses produced; with unwillingness to produce a from-inception history of such losses until being repeatedly prodded into doing so.

No, the time is long past where the city should have convinced the citizens of the desirability of pursuing this venture, if there was any merit whatsoever in the city’s continuation of this misguided pursuit. And to do so without wasting further taxpayer money to have consultants from Burns and McDonnell make a decision for them and cover the tracks of an ill-conceived, illegal, and money-losing, business pursuit, that serves a handful of customers and with no benefit to the citizens of Great Falls.

The Tribune also emphasizes that city management, elected city officials, and, supposedly, we the citizens, are waiting with bated breath for the recommendation of the consultants from Burns and McDonnell as to what to do. I for one am not. The Burns and McDonnell consultants have been selected to unknowingly participate in a whitewash. The consultants indicated in their August 11 meeting with the public that their report will conclude nothing about the reasonableness of the city’s entry into this business in the first place, nor of the effectiveness of the city’s historical and ongoing management of the venture. Their charter, instead, is to recommend what to do, not to make a determination of the wisdom, competence, or legality of the actions already taken. They have in fact unwittingly allowed themselves to be used as a pawn in this whitewash of city elected officials and city management by not insisting that they be allowed to fully explore all the issues of interest to the citizens of Great Falls for inclusion in their report and by not insisting that they be given access to thousands of pages of “secret box” information being withheld. Further, the consultants are reporting to those elected officials of the city, the majority of whom have every reason to self-justify and provide a basis to support a decision to continue the venture, and their ongoing support.

Note also that their assessment of financial results being produced by the venture will be largely based on financial statements and forecasts that ignore the cash flow implications currently, and in the future, of continuation of Electric City Power. As I have pointed out in written materials provided to the consultants, the profit and loss statements and fiscal 2010 forecasts charge the cost of power at the “transitional rate”, whereas the city is still paying out-of-pocket the much higher “pass through rate”, with the difference being credited to a deposit account shown as an asset on Electric City Power’s balance sheet. This is why the city has resisted and has only now begun to prepare cash flow statements for Electric City Power on a monthly basis, showing the ongoing cash drain on the city; though it has not yet, to my knowledge, produced a cash forecast of this cash drain for the results to Electric City Power’s operations projected to occur in fiscal year 2010.

Finally, the Tribune, in the closing statements in its opinion piece, states “as with any investment, the city needs to continue to evaluate the risks and rewards of its ECP investment as circumstances continue to change.” That’s nice. Thanks for the advice. Quite similar to the Tribune’s downplay of the anticipated write-down of the City’s investment in the Highwood Generating Station program in its article on the subject, “City Plans to Writeoff some of its $2.3 Million in Losses”, where it said “Not everyone makes money on investments, as the City of Great Falls is discovering. Yes indeed, as the city has been experiencing month by month since the beginning of Electric City Power, but only belatedly, and under duress, reported these facts to the citizens of Great Falls, and to the Board of Directors of Electric City Power. It is unfortunate that the city did not take that advice several years ago before it squandered, yes, multiple millions of the taxpayer’s dollars.

Lawrence C. Rezentes, CPA

Electric City Power Board October Meeting

When: Monday, Oct. 5 at 5:30pm

Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

AGENDA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1. Financial Reports
2. YVEC correspondonce, dated September 11, 2009
3. City of Great Falls, et al. vs. PSC/NWE (Cause No. CDV- 09-127)
NWE’s Response to Petitioners’ Motion to Reverse or Vacate Final Order and to Remand
PSC Brief in Opposition to Petitioners’ Motion to Reverse or Vacate Final Order and to Remand
Petitioners’ Motion for Extension of Time to File Reply Brief

NEW BUSINESS
1. Accept Board Meeting Minutes from August 31, 2009
2. Amend prior meeting minutes of December 1, 2008, January 5, 2009, February 2, 2009, March 2, 2009, April 6, 2009, May 4, 2009, June 1, 2009 and July 13, 2009, to correct meeting location
3. NWE Proposed Rates and Adjustments-October; two memorandums that reflect changes to Competitive Transition Costs (CTC)

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Written Communication-Handout from Larry Rezentes at August 31, 2009, meeting
2. Billings Gazette article, re: Court reinstates emissions suit vs. utilities
3. Public Comment

NEXT ECP BOARD MEETING
November 2, 2009
ADJOURN

Here is the link to tonight's packet information.

Neighborhood Councils - Week Of Oct. 5, 2009

Two councils are meeting this week:

NC#6
When: Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7:00pm

Where: Sunnyside Elementary music room

Agenda:
Info. on area road and sidewalk projects

Mayoral and Commission candidates introduction
Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#9

When: Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:00pm

Where: Great Falls High, Room 111, South campus

Agenda:
Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

October Youth Council Meeting

The newly established Youth Council is holding a meeting this week. This council serves all of the city. Youth interested in participating are encouraged to attend.

When: Tuesday, October 6 at 7:00pm

Where: Community Rec Center, 801 2nd Avenue North

Agenda:

Planning and discussion for a Website

Recruitment of new members

Future planning

Oct. 6 Work Session

Finally. An update on the animal shelter.

WORK SESSION AGENDA

October 6, 2009
5:45 PM - Gibson Room

1. FEMA Levee Certification; PAL Agreement, and Impact on Property Owners – Chad Parker and Kim McCleary
2. Animal Shelter Update – Greg Doyon
3. West Bank Properties, LLC (Talcott) Development Agreement – Coleen Balzarini

Candidates Casual Meet And Greet

Please join city commission candidates
FRED BUROW
and
DONNA ZOOK

at a casual meet-and-greet at Baker Bob’s Big Stack Bakery, 112 Central Ave.,
this Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5-7 p.m.

Ask Me No Questions And I'll Tell You No Lies

"One of the reasons we weren't transparent before was because no one was asking questions," Prinkki said.

This quote came from John Prinkki, newly re-elected Beartooth-Co-op president and a director of SME, at Beartooth's annual meeting this past Saturday. This gem of an admission came after members commented about the need for more transparency concerning their relationship with SME.

At the same meeting, Prinkki said that long-term financing for the gas plant "appears probable within the next few months". He did concede after the meeting that "we've been here three times. There are no guarantees".

Can anybody out there remember how many times Gregori has told ECP that financing was not a problem?

(Hat tip: R.L.)

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Sept. 28, 2009

Only one council meets this week:

NC#3

When: Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:00pm

Where: Westgate Mall

Agenda:

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

New Planning Director

According to an article in the print version of the Tribune, the city now has a new planning director. (Last year Ben Rangel retired and Bill Walters has been the interim director since that time).

Michael C. Haynes, who is currently a planning resource manager in the private sector in Orlando, FL, will take over in late October.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Sept. 21, 2009

Three councils are meeting this week:

NC#5

When: Monday, Sept. 21 at 7:00pm

Where: Great Falls Clinic Specialty Center

Agenda:
Committee Reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#2

When: Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 12:15pm (special meeting)

Where: Federal Courthouse - Westbank Park

Agenda:

Tour of the Federal Courthouse

Neighborhood Concerns

NC#4

When: Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:30pm

Where: Heritage Baptist Church, 900 52nd Street North

Agenda:

Emergency Preparedness workshop (rescheduled from last month)

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

DEQ Meeting In Great Falls

When: Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 6:30pm-9:00pm

Where: Civic Center - Commission Chambers

Agenda:

To answer questions on the draft Montana air quality permit #4429-00 for Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc., Highwood Generating Station Natural Gas Plant.

See here for the permit.

The Good News - Bronson Not A Shoo-In

I agree wholeheartedly with Travis, although I knew from the get-go that my chances were diminished when Mike Winters entered the race. Name recognition is not something one achieves overnight.

Winters did not campaign. Bronson went over the top; 500 signs (sometimes 4 in one location), radio, TV. Interesting, considering he was never in jeopardy of losing his seat. With all of the $$s he spent and his "experience", he only beat Winters by about 350 votes. Not a good sign (no pun intended) for "Mr. Positive". (His signs touted that he is the "positive choice").

Perhaps this quote in today's paper from Bronson is a warning as to what the next several weeks might bring:

"Bronson said he is not sure what kind of mayor's race will develop in the fall, but added he and Winters have been cordial in the past. We'll just have to kind of wait and see, Bronson added". (emphasis added).

Yes we will.

Thanks Everyone

Many thanks to those of you who supported my mayoral candidacy.

While I am disappointed not to move on, I am glad to have had the experience.

Advisory Board Openings

Two city boards are seeking applicants. Applications are available at the city manager's office or online. Deadline to apply is September 25, 2009.

Board of Adjustment:
One opening for three-year term. The Board hears and decides appeals regarding zoning, housing, and building codes and ordinances; hears and decides requests for variances from standards set forth in zoning ordinances; hears and decides all other matters referred to the Board regarding zoning, housing, and building ordinances. Members must be residents of the City of Great Falls, and must be qualified by experience or training in construction matters. Expertise in Montana State Law is desirable but not required. The Board meets on demand, approximately ten times per year, generally at 4:00 p.m. For additional information, contact Kim McCleary at 455-8405.

Parking Advisory Commission

The Parking Advisory Commission has two openings; one is a three-year term through April 30, 2012; and one to fill the remainder of a three-year term through April 30, 2010. 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 Kim McCleary at 455-8405.

Work Session - Sept. 15, 2009

When: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5:45pm

Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

Agenda:

Interoperability of Emergency Radios – Police Chief Grove

Mill Levy Process - Melissa Kinzler

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Sept. 14, 2009

Three councils meet this week:

NC#7

When: Monday, Sept. 14 at 7:00pm

Where: Great Falls Recreation Center

Agenda:

CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF July Minutes

NEW BUSINESS
Neighborhood Violence; Discussion
Complaints regarding apartment building at 801 4th Avenue North and 800 5th Avenue North
New Whittier Principal—Ryan Hart
Neighborhood Concerns

OLD BUSINESS
Lowering Speed Limits on Park Drive near Gibson Park, MDOT discussion—Greg Hall
County’s plans for 4th Street alongside Courthouse
Whittier & Longfellow speed petitions
Gibson Park Lighting, where do we go from here?
Problem Properties
Other Old Business

REPORTS
City Commission
Other Reports

ADJOURN
Next meeting -- October 12, 2009, 7 p.m., at Neighborworks of Great Falls

NC#2

When: Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:00pm (rescheduled from Sept. 9)

Where: West Elementary School cafeteria

Agenda:

River's Edge Trail

A zoning request change for a mulit-family unit

Commission reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#8

When: Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6:30pm

Where: Women's Annex of the Pre Release Center

Agenda:
Community participation

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Good Job, Mary

In today's paper, the Tribune editorial board published their thoughts concerning ECP; Electric City Power. Commissioner Jolley has a counterpoint, which unfortunately I could not find online. (See below for a scan of her thoughts).

I'll start first with the Trib's editorial, which is definitely in favor of this venture continuing:

At a Great Falls election forum last week, several candidates referred to the city's supposed loss of "millions" of dollars in what they say is the ill-advised pursuit of energy self-sufficiency.

Our memory is long enough to include the circumstances that led to the city's effort and the way the Legislature pulled the rug from under the city's original plans.

This past week, the City Commission heard a report from Fiscal Services Director Coleen Balzarini that the city is getting set to write off a portion of the almost $2.3 million it has invested in pursuit of a power plant east of the city by the Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative.

She said a yet-to-be-gauged portion of the investment was specific to trying to build a coal-fired plant and would have no application in the new plan for a gas-fired plant. The balance, though, would be applied to proceeding with the gas-fired plant. The city, through ECP (of which Balzarini is executive director), is a partner in SME, along with five Montana electric co-ops.

Some commission and mayoral candidates and other area residents say the city has no business adventuring into electricity generation and transmission — traditionally the realm of private enterprise in Montana.

City Commissioner Mary Jolley makes just that case, compellingly, below.

There's no denying the city has dipped a toe — maybe even a whole leg - into untested waters, but we still don't fault the city for making the attempt.

The city's problem was that the rules kept changing after ECP was set up almost four years ago.

All the same, if a significant portion of the investment still will go toward the proposed gas-fired plant that received its preliminary air-quality permit last week from the state, and if construction of that plant leads to a stable supply of affordable electricity for the city and its ECP customers, then the investment won't have gone for naught.

There's little doubt the proposed Highwood Generating Station — burning natural gas instead of coal — would be a boon for the area's economy and tax base.

Whether the city of Great Falls should continue as a direct investor in the plant is not as clear.

The picture should clarify substantially within a month.In that time frame, we can expect a report by the consultant hired by the city to evaluate ECP's prospects.

There are signs the venture has turned a corner toward profitability; we hope the report by consultant Burns & McDonnell confirms that.

Also, Sept. 30 is the deadline for commenting on the proposed gas plant's air permit and related environmental assessment.

Clearly, the city needs to do a better job of making the case for being a power provider.

As with any investment, the city needs to continue to evaluate the risks and rewards of its ECP investment as circumstances continue to change.If it finds the risks outweigh the benefits going forward, the city needs to be willing to pull the plug.

If the potential benefits still justify the risk, the city needs to do a better job outlining those benefits to taxpayers.

Commissioner Jolley's remarks:

What Happened to $1.25 Million?

Gregg has a good post up about the $1.25 million (page 13) that Southern/SME borrowed from 1st Interstate Bank. According to Yellowstone Valley Electric, the co-ops paid it back, but the monies weren't used to pay off the loan.

Don't forget when reading this, that 1st Interstate Bank is a member of the pilot program.

DEQ Gives Tentative Nod To Permit

The DEQ gave SME tentative approval for an air quality permit for their natural-gas plant.

Folks have until September 30 to comment.

Here is the 125 page permit ruling.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Sept. 7, 2009

Three councils are meeting this week:

NC#1

When: Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7:00pm

Where: Meadowlark School library

Agenda:
Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#2

When: Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7:00pm

Where: West Elementary cafeteria

Agenda:

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#9

When: Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7:00pm

Where: Great Falls High, room 111, South campus

Agenda:
Loitering problems

Plans to update Lions Park

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Candidate Forum

At last night's candidate forum, 11 of us were asked various questions that were decided by the groups that sponsored the event; the Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Realtors and the Home Builders of Great Falls. Here and here are the articles from the Tribune.

The commissioner candidates received slightly different questions than those of us running for mayor.

When we were first told about this forum, we were told we would receive a copy of the questions a few weeks in advance in order to prepare. They decided not to do that so the first time any of us had any idea of what was going to be asked was 1 hour before the forum.

It did not come as a surprise to me that no question dealt with the pressing issues facing Great Falls; ECP, SME/HGS, Budget, Animal Shelter, Safety Levy, etc. We all know that the incumbents, Bronson and Rosenbaum, do not have worthy track records concerning these issues. Why would organizations they belong to set them up for failure at a forum?

Unfortunately, the questions that were asked gave little to no opportunity for us to hammer home why we are running for our respective positions. I question how many in the audience had ever heard of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and Impact Fees, much less how these things work? Both of these are complicated topics that can't be addressed on the spur of the moment and with only a minute to speak.

When a question from the audience was asked about funding for the police and fire departments, I was able to get in a comment about ECP being subsizded by the general fund.

Many thanks to all of you who came up afterwards and thanked me for running and agreed with my platform of OTAG; Open, Transparent, Accountable Government.

No Surprise Here

Finally.

The city's fiscal service director has finally acknowledged that a portion of the "investment" into the Highwood Generating Station will have to be written off. Since SME is no longer pursuing a coal plant, some of the city's $2.3 million "investment" can't carry over to the gas plant.

But, according to Ms. Balzarini, we should be looking on the bright side: "It's not surprising and I don't think we can be disappointed," Balzarini commented on the planned write-off. She said assets often can lose value over time".

What asset did we ever have?

Candidate Forum

When: Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 6:00pm

Where: MSU-COT

This forum is scheduled to last until 8:00pm. Questions will be asked by Gary Moseman of the Tribune.

Sept. 1st Work Session

Tomorrow night's work session meeting begins at 5:45pm rather than 5:30pm in the Gibson Room:

Agenda:

COPS Grant – Chief Grove
Social Host – Chad Parker

ECP - August Meeting

The August ECP meeting was originally canceled. Now it has been resceduled to this evening:

Call to Order 5:30 PM Roll Call
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
1. Financial Reports

2. PSC Memorandum D2009.5.61, re: Approval of Renewable Energy Credits for Co-Gen Facility

3. YVEC vs. Southern, et al. (Cause No. DV 08-1797) • Plaintiff YVEC Answer to Defendants-Counter Plaintiffs’ Amended Counterclaim
Defendant SME Responses to Plaintiff’s First Request for Production
Defendant Southern Responses to Plaintiff’s First Request for Production
Defendant Southern Responses to Plaintiff’s First Discovery Requests

4. MEIC vs. City of Great Falls and Southern Montana Electric (Cause No. CDV-07-614)
Order on Receipt of Rule Notice
Motion and Memorandum for Additional Time to Respond to Order

5. City of Great Falls, et al. vs. PSC/NWE (Cause No. CDV- 09-127)
Motion and Brief to Reverse or Vacate Final Order, and to Remand
Notice of Oral Argument
NWE Motion and Brief to Extend Deadline to File Response to Petitioners’ Motion to Reverse or Vacate Final Order

NEW BUSINESS
1. Accept Board Meeting Minutes from July 13, 2009
2. NWE Proposed Rates and Adjustments-July, August, September
3. Richard Liebert July 13 Handout and Responses

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comment

NEXT ECP BOARD MEETING: October 5 , 2009
ADJOURN

Here is the packet for tonight's meeting.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of August 31, 2009

Two councils are meeting this week:

NC#6
When: Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 7:00pm

Where: Sunnyside School music room

Agenda:

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#3
When: Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7:00pm

Where: Westgate Mall, southeast meeting room

Agenda:

Possible discussion of a mixed-use business/industrial park north of Black Eagle

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Candidate Video Responses

Here you can find a video of the candidates answering this question from Rich Ecke of the Great Falls Tribune:

Why should voters choose you rather than one of the other candidates?

Bob Jones and Rolland Leitheiser did not participate.