Filing A City Lawsuit By Poll

According to Commissioner Jolley and an article in today's paper, the Commissioners were "polled" individually regarding the appeal of the Public Service Commission's original decision regarding electric meters.

No public meeting.

No public discussion amongst the commissioners.
No public comment.

No public record.

Highlights from today's article:

Beecher: "He is comfortable with going ahead with the appeal". (Commissioner Beecher likes doing business this way).

Rosenbaum: "It's our customer." According to the article, "he didn't think the Legislature intended to allow NorthWestern Energy to hinder the city from serving existing customers".

Stebbins: "Monopoly is a hard thing to give up", referring to NorthWestern.

Patton (assistant city manager): "It seems like a question that has to be decided."

I guess the consensus was at least three commissioners were for it. Bronson wasn't quoted as saying anything.

Taken from the Vision Statement and Goals of the city charter:

Our core values of honesty, respect and openness will constantly guide our actions.

Uh...I don't think so.

Who Authorized This?

At the ECP board meeting on Feb. 2, this item was on the agenda:

PSC/NWE/ECP Customer Meters – Next Step Options (District Court/Legislative)

Coleen indicated that if the City/ECP wanted to challenge the PSC's earlier ruling on this issue, they could sue the PSC in district court and/or go to the legislature.

When asked how much it would cost to go to court, Coleen said just under $10,000. The deadline to file would be Feb. 17. She also said something about Benefis paying a portion of the bill. The ECP board voted 4-0 in favor of going to court. (Bill Ryan was absent).

During the public comment portion of this item, I brought to the attention of the board that the earliest the City Commission could act on the matter would be Feb. 17, the night of the deadline. (Feb. 17 was the Commission's next scheduled meeting). I had to repeat the statement, because Coleen and chair Golie didn't get it the first time and asked if I was asking a question. Once the light bulb went on (no pun intended), they looked at each other and Coleen said very quietly that the City Commission could hold a "special meeting".

A special meeting wasn't held and according to the agenda for next Tuesday's Public Service Commission meeting, they will be discussing this:

3. Court Docket BDV 2009-127 – The City of Great Falls, Benefis Health Care, Inc., and Electric City Power, Inc. v Department of Public Service Regulation, Public Service Commission, and NorthWestern Energy – Information – Discuss petition for judicial review and plans to defend the Commission's order.

Since the City Commission didn't authorize the city's involvement, who do you suppose did?

YVEC Demands Answers

On February 13, Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op filed "Plaintiff's First Requests For Production to Defendant Electric City Power, Inc".

Simply, they are asking for answers to questions the public has been asking for quite some time now.

ECP/City has 30 days to comply.

The lawsuit YVEC filed against SME, ECP and the others is scheduled to go before a jury in April 2010.

Design Review Board Kudos

On Monday, my husband and I attended the city's Design Review Board meeting.

I must say, after we left, we felt like we had died and gone to public meeting heaven.

We had input to offer on one of the projects and unlike the overwhelming attitude at the City Commission meetings, our comments were appreciated and resulted in the architect making a couple of adjustments. The city engineer was also unaware of some problems concerning the alley behind the proposed business. As a result of information we gave him, the city will be making some modifications to the alley that will benefit the residents as well as the business.

What came as an even bigger shock to us was when one of the board members asked us, before the vote, if we were comfortable with the recommendations. You could have knocked us over with a feather.

After the meeting adjourned, they thanked us very much and invited us back. They also told us that they very rarely get public input. How unfortunate. This is definitely a meeting concerned citizens want to attend when a project is in its infant stages.

16 New Firefighters, Regardless

My public safety levy post and Gregg's, have generated several interesting comments.

In a very recent conversation I had with Commissioner Jolley, regardless of whether the levy passes, the fire department will be able to keep their new manpower.

The story goes like this:

At the special meeting held January 28, the fire department came away with the impression that even if the levy would fail, they would be able to keep the new firefighters. I was at that meeting and did not get that impression. Neither did Mary. (Even after rereading the minutes of that meeting, I still don't).

I believe Mary indicated it was at an agenda setting meeting this month that a representative from the fire department said he was concerned about an article in the newspaper (I can't find it) that gave the impression that if the levy did not pass, the newly hired firefighters would have to be laid off. The mayor and one or two other commissioners assured this fellow that would not be the case.

So. As of right now, the majority of the City Commission is telling the fire department that regardless of what happens with the levy, the new firefighters will stay. Of course, where the money will come from if the levy doesn't pass, isn't being addressed.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Feb. 23, 2009

UPDATE: See change to agenda.

One council meets this week:

NC#4

When: Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6:30pm

Where: Heritage Baptist Church, 900 52nd Street North

Agenda:
Annexation request from Brad Lencioni

Good Neighbor Award presentation - Tax Help Montana
United Way presentation

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Councils 5 and 8 are each looking for a resident to fill vacancies. To qualify, you must live be a qualified voter and live in the respective neighborhood. For more information, contact Neighborhood Council coordinator, Patty Cadwell at 455-8496 or by e-mail at pcadwell@greatfallsmt.net

Will The Public Step Up?

According to another very unofficial poll, the public safety levy being recommended by the city will not pass.

In today's Tribune, the results from yesterday's Buzz question: "Would you support a public safety levy?" did not pass. Out of 447 votes cast, 63% said no and 37% said yes.

As mentioned here, the proposed amount of the levy would increase taxes by about 25%.

According to the minutes of the special meeting held Jan. 28, Commissioner Bronson "..believes it is necessary for the public and private sectors to step up in hard times. He is willing to take the risk and believes the public will too once they fully understand all of the ramifications".

I hate to say it, but I have a very strong feeling that if this levy doesn't pass, the spin will be that the public is the bad guy. Ignored will be the millions of dollars lost on at least two projects (here and here) the citizens weren't given the right to vote on.

Last Night's City Work Session

The City Commission work session meeting last night lasted longer than the Commission meeting. By 7:25pm, the Commission meeting was over. The work session lasted nearly 1 1/2 hours.

The work session primarily dealt with the public safety levy. No decision was reached as to when this levy will be held or how the question will be asked.

According to the fire department's numbers, their levy will be about 16 mills. The police department didn't have a lot of time to come up with numbers, but according to their needs, their levy will be between 16-20 mills. More precise numbers are forthcoming.

Needless to say, not everyone was thrilled to hear the suggestion that their taxes could go up 25%.

The Animal Shelter was discussed as well, but there was not enough time allotted for that discussion either. There is currently a Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the Animal Foundation that, according to the city manager, will probably see many addendums.

The Animal Foundation indicated they will operate the shelter. The city will be responsible for controlling/licensing the animals. The price tag for the shelter is currently at $3 million, with each entity contributing half. Right now, the city doesn't know where its half is going to come from. At the next meeting about this, more numbers will be shared.

Neither topic was opened to public comment.

"Why Was the Highwood Coal-Fired Electric Generating Station Abandoned?"

Here is an excellent commentary on Montana Public Radio about why HGS was abandoned.

As the writer pointed out: "Clearly this is not a Montana phenomenon driven by weird Montana citizens and laws".

$5,000 Report

I noticed on the $5,000 report for tomorrow's night City Commission meeting this new category: "Utility Bills", page 2, last item.

Instead of the public being able to see what funds are paying what costs for utilities, now everything is being lumped together by the name of the utility that is getting paid; Northwestern Energy, Energy West, Montana Waste Systems.

The devil is in the details...or not.

City Commission Work Session

It sounds like tomorrow night's City Commission work session will be interesting:

When: Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 5:30pm

Where: Gibson Room, Civic Center

Agenda:
Public Safety Mill Levy discussion

Animal Shelter Memorandum of Understanding

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Feb. 16, 2009

Two councils meet this week:

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

Where: GF Clinic Specialty Center, 3000 15th Ave. So.

Agenda:

Appointment of a new member

Conditional-use permit for a daycare business
Info. on emergency preparedness planning

Neighborhood concerns
Committee reports

NC#8
When: Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6:30pm

Where: Women's annex of the Prerelease Center

Agenda:

Appointment of a new member

Neighborhood concerns
Committee reports

Happy Valentine's Day!

Enjoy your day!

SB88 Continues On

We've been following the journey of SB88, which will define what a school zone is.

On February 2, the bill went before the House Transportation Committee and passed on Feb. 12, 12-0.

According to this, the next step is the 2nd reading in the House.

Traffic Lights And Garages

From Aaron Weissman, chair of NC#7:

Friends;

At our council meeting on Monday, we had a lengthy conversation about an apparent rash of garage break-ins that have begun to occur in the lower North side. I would like to remind and encourage you to securely lock your garage and home. As the temperature continues to warm, the problem will only get worse.

In addition, we have noticed an abnormally high number of yellow light speed ups and red light violations. Safe streets are everyone's responsibility.

Yours,
Aaron

Fergus Electric Co-op

Here is a letter Fergus Electric Co-op wrote to their members about their power situation.

One interesting, contradictory tidbit stands out: According to Fergus, the gas plant is not a given; however, at ECP's February meeting, which I attended, Tim Gregori left no doubt that SME is going to move forward with natural gas. According to this article by the Gazette, he is moving forward with gas.

I'm so glad we are not members of one of these co-ops tied in with SME.

Abraham Lincoln

Today marks the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

Prior to being assassinated in 1865, there was another plot to kill him on Feb. 23, 1861.

This story was first published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine in June 1868.

Film Viewing Tonight

From Aaron Weissman:

Friends;

This note is a quick reminder that Israeli Film Producer Einat Kapach will be presenting a talk and film viewing tonight, 6:30 p.m., at the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art.

Admission is free or by donation.

Thank you!

Aaron

Public Safety Levy Poll

Thanks to all of you who voted in my very unofficial poll about whether or not the public safety levy will pass. 29 of you don't think it will pass, 9 of you think it will and 1 person isn't sure.

According to the special City Commission meeting held January 28, Commissioner Rosenbaum suggested the public safety levy be mailed out in May.

(See here and here for various comments regarding this issue).

Neighborhood Councils - Week of Feb. 9, 2009

Four councils are meeting this week:

NC#7

When: Monday, Feb. 9, at 7:00pm

Where: Community Rec. Center - 801 2nd Ave. North

Agenda:

Here.

NC#1

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

Where: Meadow Lark School Library

Agenda:

Information on proposed bike trails

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#2
When: Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7:00pm

Where: West Elementary cafeteria

Agenda:

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#9
When: Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:00pm

Where: GFHS south campus, room 105

Agenda:

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns