County Plans For 4th Street

At Neighborhood Council 7's meeting Monday night, County Commissioners Briggs and Salina and County Planning Director Brian Clifton presented their plans for 4th Street.

This update was sent to me from a citizen who attended:

The county had Big Sky Engineering come up with 5 Parking Options for 4th Street and their "Campus". They chose Option E which provides for 34 total additional parking spaces and still allows two-way traffic on 4th Street.

4th Street would have its parking meters removed, be widened to roughly the east edge of the existing east sidewalk, a raised pedestrian walkway (similar to those in front of Albertsons stores) installed from the Courthouse to the Annex, speed bumps placed at the north and south ends, and have 90 degree head-in parking placed on both sides (total 40 spaces).

Most or all of the existing trees would be saved by leaving green spaces in the parking areas. The 4th Street Parking Project would also include revamping the existing Courthouse parking lot, the old jail parking lot, re-landscaping the whole campus, etc.

No estimate of costs was presented.

Opposition To Closing 4th Street

Aaron Weissman went on the record concerning the possible closing of 4th Street. He read this at last night's City Commission meeting:

Dear Honorable Commissioners;

I write today to discuss the proposed reconfiguration or closure of 4th Street, between the County Courthouse and the County Annex. I have given the matter some thought, and I do not believe it to be in the best interests of our community for this street to be closed.

Too many streets in the Lower North Side are already closed or configured in such a way to make smooth travel difficult. 1st and 2nd Avenues North are a one way couplet, as are 5th and 6th Streets. 3rd Street is closed between Central and 1st Avenue North. I submit to you that the portion of 4th Street that you have proposed closing or reconfiguring is necessary for entrance and egress into the residential sections of the extreme Western portion of the Lower North side.

I recognize that some accommodation needs to be reached in order to equalize the value of the land being transferred on the West side. In addition, I think it obvious that more parking needs to be made available to the County in order to satisfy its requirements. I would like to propose a potential solution.

The First Avenue North Parking Garage is near the County’s lower North side “campus.” Ample parking is available within. I suggest to you that the city should transfer ownership or very long term leases of parking spaces in that garage that equal the amount of difference in the values of property being traded. While I cannot calculate the value of a parking space, I am sure that experts in the employ of both the city and the county could agree upon a valuation.

Such a solution would leave 4th Street as-is, give the County fair value for its land swap, fill the City’s parking garage and potentially solve the County’s parking problem. I hope that you will consider this solution.

Sincerely,
Aaron Weissman

Additional Info. About 4th Street

From Aaron Weissman, chair of NC7:

Neighbors;
At our NC7 meeting on Monday, the County presented their plans for 4th Street. Basically, they want to narrow the sidewalks on either side of the street in order to accommodate squared-in parking. Along with this, they want the parking meters removed from the streets. This section of 4th Street would have its traffic slowed to 10-15 mph, and speed bumps may be installed. Lane width would be 12-13 feet, which would accommodate city buses.

Most of the spaces would be reserved for County employees and handicapped jurors, with a few spaces reserved for citizens doing business in county offices. The county feels that this approving and implementing this proposal would equal the $200 thousand they are owed by the city for the land that will be used to create 3rd Street NW.

A drawing of the proposal is attached. I apologize for the quality of my scanner, but it should make the idea at least relatively clear.

We will be discussing signing a letter of support of this proposal at our June council meeting. I look forward to your thoughts.

Yours,
Aaron

Possible Street Closure

From Aaron Weissman, chair of Neighborhood Council 7:

Friends;
One of the items that is going to come up at the City Commission meeting tonight is a proposal by the County for the City to "vacate" 4th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Ave N, so that the County can use it for additional parking. The details are sketchy now, but this might result in permanent closure of this section of 4th Street, much like the closure on 3rd Street for Davidson Plaza.

The street in question is between the County Annex and the County Courthouse. I have attached an image of the area in question to this email.

The County is asking for this closure as part of a land swap the city is requesting for land near the soon-to-be completed Federal courthouse.

I will be at the meeting tonight. If you are interested in the issue, I encourage you to attend as well. In any case, before the meeting, can you send me your thoughts about this proposal?

Thanks,
Aaron

Neighborhood Councils - Week of July 14, 2008

Only one council is meeting this week and it looks like NC#7 is holding a very informative meeting tonight.

When: Monday, July 14 at 7:00pm

Where: Community Rec Center at 801 2nd Avenue North

Friends;

Please find attached the agenda for our July NC7 meeting. The meeting will be this coming Monday at the Community Rec Center, 7 p.m. Please forward this along to anyone you think would be interested.

Please be advised that we will likely take a few items out of order as we expect to have guests from the city manager's office and police department to discuss the city's planned Police Department budget cuts.

I hope to see you there!
Aaron
--
AGENDA
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL DISTRICT 7
Monday, July 14, 2008, Community Rec Center, 801 2nd Ave. North
7:00 p.m.

Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
OLD BUSINESS
Approval of June minutes
Status of Gibson Park lighting project
Thank you to city for Left Turn Lane at 6th Avenue South and 9th Street

Discussion of Problem Properties
526 6th Avenue North
521 6th Avenue North
612 6th Street North
Alley between 5th Ave N and 6th Ave N at 5th Street
805 and 807 4th Ave S (code violations)
114 12th Street North (drug activity)
Others?

Weed and Seed project/Downtown Grocery Store
Disorderly Premises Draft Ordinance
Other Old Business

NEW BUSINESS
Discussion of the extent and ramifications on City Budget Cuts
Presentation by Jerome Patton, new owner of Clark Apartments (212-214-1/2 4th Ave N)
Neighborhood Concerns

REPORTS
Weed and Seed
Downtown Task Force
Police Advisory Board
ACTION Team
Other Reports

OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURN

Next meeting August 11, 2008—Community Rec Center, 801 2nd Ave North

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

Neighborhood Council 7 - May Meeting

AGENDA
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, May 11, 2009
NeighborWorks Great Falls, 509 1st Avenue South
7:00 p.m.

Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL of April Minutes

NEW BUSINESS
City Recycling—Jim Rearden
Grant idea for pedestrian safety groups—Sheila Rice
Neighborhood Council 7 election filing information

OLD BUSINESS
County’s plans for 4th Street alongside Courthouse—Brian Clifton
Public Safety Levy
Gibson Park Lighting, CTEP grant update
Beautiful Minds Walk update—Greg Hall
Problem Properties
Other Old Business

REPORTS
City Commission
Other Reports

ADJOURN
Next meeting June 8, 2009— Community Rec Center

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.

More About the Proposed Land Exchange

Here are more thoughts from Aaron concerning the MOU about the land exchange between the city and county:

Friends;

Attached is the agenda report and MOU that the City is being asked to approve tonight. The majority of this agreement centers around land the city wants to receive in order to construct 3rd Avenue NW, near the new Federal courthouse. The city's "vacation" of 4th Street North seems to be an add-on to the MOU, and not even mentioned in the City's Agenda Report.

I further understand that the County plans for this new parking to be for law enforcement and for County employees, not the general public.

Speaking as one of the neighbors affected, I don't know whether this is a good idea or not. At a minimum, I want to see impartial studies that will describe what it will do to traffic flows and parking in the surrounding streets.

I encourage you to attend the City Commission meeting tonight and express your views. I will be there, and I plan to ask the Commission not to act until more information is available.

Yours,

Aaron

Neighborhood Council 7 - June 8 Agenda

AGENDA
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, June 8, 2009
Community Recreation Center, 801 2nd Avenue North
7:00 p.m.

Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF May Minutes

NEW BUSINESS
Speed zone/speed bumps in Council 7 school zones—Judy Sperl
Proposed Meadow Gold alley closing—Meadow Gold representative
Dog Park Opening

OLD BUSINESS
Neighborhood Council Election filing reminder
County’s plans for 4th Street alongside Courthouse
Public Safety Levy—David Vanson
Weed and Seed radio ad
Lowering Speed Limits on Park Drive near Gibson Park
Gibson Park Lighting, CTEP grant update
Beautiful Minds Walk update—Greg hall
Problem Properties
Other Old Business

REPORTS
City Commission
Other Reports

ADJOURN

Next meeting July 13, 2009— NeighborWorks

Neighborhood Council 7 - April Meeting

Friends;

Please find attached and appended Neighborhood Council 7's agenda for our upcoming meeting on Monday, April 13. It has been a busy month, and there is a lot to discuss! Thank you for all you are doing to help keep our neighborhood a great place to live, work and play. Please forward this email along to anyone you think interested.

The meeting on Monday will also be the bi-monthly meeting of the Northside Neighborhood Watch. I look forward to seeing you there!

Yours,
Aaron

AGENDA
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, April 13, 2009
Community Rec Center, 801 2nd Ave. N
7:00 p.m.

Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.

NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING
Problem Properties

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF March Minutes

NEW BUSINESS
County’s proposal to close 4th Street alongside Courthouse
Public Safety Levy information
MApril Cleanup
Upcoming CTEP grant for Gibson Park Lighting
Changes/Increases to City Pool fees
Neighborhood Concerns

OLD BUSINESS
Traffic concerns along 5th Avenue North near CM Russell Museum
Other Old Business

REPORTS
Police Advisory Board
City Commission
Other Reports

ADJOURN

Next meeting May 11, 2009— NeighborWorks Great Falls, 509 1st Avenue South

Neighborhood Councils - Week of April 23, 2018

One council is meeting this week:

NC#4
When: Thursday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Heritage Baptist Church - 900 52nd Street North

Agenda:
Great Falls Fire Rescue update - Chief Steve Hester
City Legal - Assistant City Attorney Joe Cik
Cascade County Sheriff Candidates:

• Deputy Bob Rosipal - 15 minutes
• Officer Jesse Slaughter - 15 minutes
• Incumbent Sheriff Bob Edwards - 15 minutes

Police Advisory Board requested input
Lewis and Clark traffic congestion update
36th Street and 4th Avenue South accident
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

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

Neighborhood Councils - Week of August 10, 2009

This week, NC#9 is meeting:

When: Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7:00pm

Where: Camp Fire Office, 1925 2nd Ave. So.

Agenda:

Problems on 4th and 5th Avenues South, near 20th street

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns