Committee Packet

City of Hamilton Committee of the Whole March 12, 2019 7:00 pm

Agenda

Public Comment

Approval of Minutes from January 22, 2019

Agenda Items  Workforce House Development Opportunity Beki Brandborg  Community Builders Community Assistance Grant Discussion  Food Court  Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Non-Agenda Items-Topics for Consideration for a Future Meeting  Potential Montana Rail Links Projects  Parks Inventory and Finalization of Master Plan Review  Identifying City Needs and Exploring the Creation of a Foundation for Fundraising  Aggressive/Vicious Dog Ordinance

Adjourn

City of Hamilton, MT Application for Community Builders Technical Assistance

March 1, 2019

Contents Part 1 Project Narrative...... 1 Partnership Verification...... 5 Capacity Statement...... 6 Financial Contribution...... 7

Part 2...... 8 Attachments Map 1: Project Area...... 9 Map 2: Project Area Challenges...... 10 Map 3: Destinations in and Adjacent to Project Area...... 11 Map 4: Small Scale Hamilton Aerial...... 12 Ravalli Republic Article...... 13 Bitterroot Star Article...... 16 Letters of Support...... 19

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application ii Part 1 Project Narrative

Goals and Objectives The City of Hamilton, MT has a five-lane state highway (Highway 93) that bisects the City on a north-south axis. The result is connectivity problems for non-motorized users, an unsightly appearance for travelers entering the City, and access issues for businesses along the corridor. These issues are most pronounced in the area surrounding the intersection of Highway 93 and Main/Marcus Street – the gateway to downtown. See Downtown Hamilton Maps 1 and 2 attached for an overview of the project area and more detail on the specific issues we hope to address. The challenge we face is twofold – 1. without the use of a car the east and west sides of Highway 93 in the project area are effectively cutoff from one another and 2. the gateway to downtown is uninviting and not reflective of the quality of our downtown and surrounding businesses. In light of this, our goals for this project are to:

1. Provide safe and inviting non-motorized Hwy. 93-Main St. intersection looking north connections between the eastside and westside of Highway 93 in the project area. 2. Create an appealing and inviting entrance to downtown that visually connects downtown with eastside homes and businesses at the Highway 93- Main/Marcus Street intersection. The City of Hamilton is requesting Community Builders’ assistance to work with project stakeholders to address the connectivity, safety, and aesthetic issues in the area surrounding the Highway 93-Main/Marcus Street intersection. The City’s hope is to identify mutually beneficial solutions that respect and uphold Hwy. 93-Main St intersection looking south the objectives and interests of our project partners.

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 1 Part 1

Demographic Changes Shaping Hamilton Since 2000 Hamilton has grown steadily, a trend projected to continue over the next ten years at an average annual growth rate of 1.2% – see Figure 1.1 One trend we are seeing is an increase in young families moving to Hamilton. Between 2015 and 2017 both the under 5 and 30-44 age groups increased in both total numbers and population share, while the 65+ age group saw respective decreases – see Figure 2.2 We see evidence of this in our schools as well, with recent increases in kindergarten and first grade enrollment.3 However, with increases in the 45-64 age group, and Hamilton’s appeal for retirees, we also expect our senior population to remain sizable in the future. As seniors and school age children are more likely to not have access to an automobile, these data echo the need to provide safe non-motorized transportation options in Hamilton.

Figure 1: Population Change 2000 - 2030

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 2 Part 1

Figure 2: Age Distribution

Other factors shaping our community are increases in walking and biking mode share and the share of workers without access to a vehicle. Between 2014 and 2017 the percent of workers walking or biking to work more than doubled from 7% to 14.5% while the percent of workers without access to a vehicle increased from 0.9% to 4.4%.4 These data point to growing interest in choosing non-motorized transportation options and the necessity to ensure they remain viable options for those who need them most.

Issues, Hurdles, and Opportunities One hurdle we face with this project is that Highway 93 is managed by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), whose general objectives of maintaining throughput and vehicle safety do not fully address local interests of improving non-motorized connections and creating a visually attractive corridor. However, there is an opportunity here as our public works director has, in recent years, elevated positive dialogue with MDT district staff in Missoula. As a result, MDT is aware of our concerns in the project area and has shown an interest in working with the City to address those concerns.

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 3 Part 1

Another hurdle is the array of land ownership in the project area, notably Montana Rail Link (MRL). Any proposed improvements to lands in the project area will require input and buy-in from adjacent property owners. We again see an opportunity here as the City has maintained positive dialogue with private property owners in the project area including MRL. To illustrate this the City, Ravalli County, and local civic groups have been moving forward in discussions with MRL to develop a trail in their rail right-of-way – see Ravalli Republic article attached. One opportunity we see contributing to the success of this project is recent turnover in Hamilton’s elected leadership. With a new Mayor and Council there is now greater focus on livability initiatives. Another outcome of this turnover is increased coordination between the City and Ravalli County – see Bitterroot Star article in attached.

Ongoing or Upcoming Efforts Addressing the issues surrounding the Highway 93-Main/Marcus Street intersection has been a long-held priority for the City, evidenced through our adopted Downtown, Non-Motorized Transportation, and Area Transportation plans. Both our Non-motorized Transportation and Area Transportation plans identify connectivity in the project area as a challenge, recommending that Marcus Street be built to urban standards complete with sidewalks and bike lanes. Our 2014 Downtown Master Plan identifies improving the visual appeal and pedestrian access at the Highway 93-Main/Marcus Street intersection as one of the top priorities for bolstering the success of downtown. Another ongoing effort on the part of the City and Ravalli County is working with MDT on using Urban Highway Program funding to make the aforementioned improvements to Marcus Street in the project area. These discussions have been ongoing between the City, County, and MDT since 2014 with positive momentum being made on scoping the project and coming up with preliminary cost estimates. One upcoming planning effort that addresses improving bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, and connecting people with downtown, is Hamilton’s forthcoming wayfinding plan. This planning effort is being funded by a grant from the Montana Main Street program and will begin in late spring of 2019. Our goal with this effort is to develop a plan that establishes clear and consistent signage to connect residents and visitors with downtown Hamilton and the City’s cultural and natural amenities. To that end, the City intends to develop signage oriented to pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 4 Part 1 Partnership Verification The City of Hamilton has garnered support for this project from a wide variety of community partners, including Ravalli County, Hamilton Downtown Association, Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement District, Bike Walk Bitterroot, Bitter Root Land Trust, Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, Ravalli County Extension, Marcus Daly Hospital, Ravalli County Economic Development Authority, and property owners within the project area. At the local level the City of Hamilton is the decision-making authority that can influence the desired changes in the project area. The City has been trying to address the challenges surrounding the Highway 93-Main/Marcus Street intersection for over a decade, demonstrated in the City’s adopted plans referenced in the project narrative section. Once the idea to apply for technical assistance was identified, the City Council and Mayor met at both a Committee of the Whole and City Council meeting to discuss the opportunity and what the City hopes to address with the project. Both the Mayor and City Council voiced strong support for the project, voting unanimously to approve moving forward to apply for technical assistance. Outside of Hamilton the single biggest project stakeholder is MDT. Upon deciding to apply for technical assistance, we immediately reached out to MDT to see if they would support this project and consider being on a project team. We did not end up receiving a letter of support from MDT due to the fact that they had to request formal approval from their headquarters office in Helena, and their timeline did not coincide with the application deadline. However, in email communications with staff from MDT’s Missoula District and Helena offices we did receive commitment that the MDT Missoula District and/or Helena planning office would serve on the project team. While we see a role for all project supporters in this process, we envision this project being driven by a project team made up of key partners who either have direct influence over its outcomes or who can provide unique perspectives in furtherance of our stated goals. We have already begun the process of assembling the project team and have received commitments from the following organizations: • City of Hamilton (Mayor and public works director) • Montana Department of Transportation • Ravalli County • Hamilton Downtown Association • Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement District • Bike Walk Bitterroot • Eastside project area business owner (Bitter Root Brewing)

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 5 Part 1

Given the opportunity, we welcome input from Community Builders on who we may need to add to this list. The supporting and partnering organizations involved in this project recognize the inherent value of creating strong non-motorized connections and a visually appealing community as a means of improving livability, economic vitality, and health outcomes for Hamilton residents and businesses. There has been no opposition within the community related to this project. The closest thing to opposition we foresee would come from MRL. However, this is more a result of the challenges in engaging a large corporation such as MRL on local issues. Though, as mentioned in the project narrative, we have been moving forward in discussions with MRL on developing a trail in their right-of-way through Hamilton. Capacity Statement As mentioned in the project narrative section, this project has been a long-held community priority that we have taken incremental steps to address. However, several recent progressions have made the Hamilton community especially ready at the present time to move past incremental steps. First and foremost is the increased level of coordination and cooperation City staff and elected officials have with our project partners including Ravalli County and MDT. Additionally, in the last several years, the City of Hamilton has been fortunate to have several non- profit organizations work with the City on improving the overall livability of our community. The most notable being the Bitter Root Land Trust who in the last four years has purchased two pieces of undeveloped Bitterroot River front property in the City (totaling over 90 acres) with the intent of transferring them to the City to turn into public parks. One property has been transferred while the other has been purchased by the Land Trust with the transfer process currently taking place. The other organization is Bike Walk Bitterroot, a local advocacy group who has worked with the City in identifying priority non-motorized improvements and bringing in implementation resources. The City of Hamilton has remained engaged in trying identify how we can collectively build our local capacity to address the challenges identified in this application. Over the last two years representatives from the City, Hamilton Downtown Association, Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement District, Bike Walk Bitterroot, the Bitter Root Land Trust, Ravalli County Economic Development Authority, and local business owners have been meeting to discuss generally how we can improve our community. Through these discussions one element that was universally identified as a priority was the need to improve the Highway 93-Main/Marcus Street intersection. This solid foundation of communication and coordination among our partners puts Hamilton in an advantageous position with regards to being able to implement this project.

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 6 Part 1

Another factor contributing to our community’s readiness is the hiring of a new public works director in 2016 who has brought added focus to both improving our non-motorized transportation network and reducing the visual and physical barrier of Highway 93. These efforts by our public works department are supported by Hamilton’s elected officials at levels not seen in the past. While our community is committed to seeing this project through, the task of convening all the project stakeholders and identifying potential solutions is beyond the capacity of our staff at the moment. Additionally, we feel that bringing in an outside resource to facilitate this discussion will help achieve greater levels of buy-in; not to mention the expertise and experiences that Community Builders will bring. Regardless of whether we receive technical assistance, we will continue to work incrementally to address this issue. However, we feel that without Community Builders’ assistance it could realistically take five to ten years before we would achieve the desired outcomes at the scale we envision. We strongly feel the time is now to think big and move past incremental steps. Financial Contribution In recognition of the importance of this project the City of Hamilton and its partners are prepared to contribute all that we are able; though that does not include a financial contribution at the present moment. The reason being is that when the City Council adopted our 2018-2019 budget last July, we did not foresee this opportunity and therefore did not budget for a match. There have been informal conversations between City staff and Council members about including a match for this project in our 2019-2020 budget, which will be adopted in July of 2019. These conversations have been positive and there is a good chance we would be able to provide a financial contribution before the project is complete. However, at this point in time we cannot provide any certainty on the amount of that contribution. With all that being said we are able to contribute in other ways. Our public works director, Donny Ramer, is willing to lend his expertise with CADD. A local consulting planner with Land Solutions, Matthew Rohrbach, has offered to assist with any mapping or other planning related needs on the project. We can provide accommodations at no cost for up to four people in a local Air BnB. We can also provide meeting space, advertising, and printing on both the City’s standard printers and plotter. Lastly, as mentioned earlier, the City recently received a Montana Main Street Program grant to develop a wayfinding plan. This grant required a financial match from the City as well as several project partners listed in this application. As the wayfinding plan is related to the project outlined in this application our hope is that it could be considered a contribution from the City.

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 7 Part 2

1. Please check the one response that best reflects how committed your community’s elected leadership is to addressing the issue(s)/challenge(s) identified in the “Project narrative” section.

We have the full support of our community’s elected leadership for this project.

2. Please check the one response that best reflects where you are with mobilizing the community to engage in a dialogue on the issue(s)/challenge(s) identified in the “Project narrative” section. We have identified priority community groups/individuals and determined how they should be involved.

3. Please check the one response that best reflects how many influential community leaders (champions) can help bring the community together in a collaborative planning process. We have multiple well-respected leaders who would be able to neutrally convene and sustain a community wide dialogue.

Endnotes 1 Montana Census and Economic Information Center and American Community Survey 2 American Community Survey 3 Montana Office of Public Instruction 4 American Community Survey

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 8 Attachments

Map 1: Project Area

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 9 Attachments

Map 2: Project Area Challenges

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 10 Attachments

Map 3: Destinations in and Adjacent to Project Area

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 11 Attachments

Map 4: Small Scale Hamilton Aerial

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 12 3/1/2019 Hamilton to ask MRL for permission to build bike trail through town | News | ravallirepublic.com

Attachments

https://Articleravallire inpu bOctoberlic.com/ n21,ew s2018/artic lRavallie_aeb7 eRepublic3b1-a31 bRegarding-51a1-81 5Effort4-4fda dto67 2Develop1349.h tTrailml in MRL Right-of-Way Hamilton to ask MRL for permission to build bike trail through town

PERRY BACKUS pbackus@missoulian.com Oct 21, 2018

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $3

The City of Hamilton and its partners have asked Montana Rail Link to consider allowing the construction of a new bike trail along its right-of-way through Hamilton to accommodate the growing numbers of bicyclists using the trail between Missoula and Hamilton. TOM BAUER, Missoulian

https://ravallirepublic.com/news/article_aeb7e3b1-a31b-51a1-8154-4fdad6721349.html 1/5

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 13 3/1/2019 Hamilton to ask MRL for permission to build bike trail through town | News | ravallirepublic.com City, county and private entities are asking Montana Rail Link to allow a trail to be constructed from one end of Hamilton to the other on the company's 100-foot right-of- way.

A letter was mailed to MRL on Thursday with a request to begin discussions on the potential for the trail.

The letter was approved by the City of Hamilton, Ravalli County Commission, Bitterroot Land Trust, Ravalli County Park Commission and the Bike-Walk Bitterroot organization.Attachments 3/1/2019 Hamilton to ask MRL for permission to build bike trail through town | News | ravallirepublic.com City, county and private entities are asking Montana Rail Link to allow a trail to be constructed from one end of Hamilton to the other on the company's 100-foot right-of- way.

A letter was mailed to MRL on Thursday with a request to begin discussions on the potential for the trail.

The letter was approved by the City of Hamilton, Ravalli County Commission, Bitterroot Land Trust, Ravalli County Park Commission and the Bike-Walk Bitterroot organization. The groups are asking the MRL to consider allowing the construction of a 10-foot-wide trail that would connect with the existing trail along Highway 93 north of Hamilton. It would go east on the north side of the Riverside Cutoff Road, then south on the Old Corvallis road, over a bridge across the Corvallis canal and then follow the MRL ownership along the east side of the existing tracks until reaching Golf Course Road.

The trail would then connect with an existing trail that ends at Angler’s Roost at the south side of town.

Bob Cron of the County Park Board has been spearheading the proposed project.

TheHe said groups the hopeare asking is the theproject MRL would to consider be paid allowing primarily the through construction a Federal of a Highway 10-foot-wide trail that would connect with the existing trail along Highway 93 north of Hamilton. It 3/1/2019Alternative Gas Tax grantHamilton from to ask MRL the for Montana permission to build Department bike trail through oftown T | ransportation.News | ravallirepublic.com would go east on the north side of the Riverside Cutoff Road, then south on the Old “A number of us have been exploring the idea for a trail for some time,” Cron said. Corvallis road, over a bridge across the Corvallis canal and then follow the MRL “We’ve worked on some smaller projects related to pedestrians and bikes. This one has ownership along the east side of the existing tracks until reaching Golf Course Road. https://ravallirepublic.com/news/article_aeb7e3b1-a31b-51a1-8154-4fdad6721349.htmlbeen sitting around for quite a long time so we decided to take the bull by the horns and 2/5 see if Montana Rail Link would be willing to give us a lease.” The trail would then connect with an existing trail that ends at Angler’s Roost at the south side of town. The concern is that since the completion of the Lolo portion of the Bitterroot bike trail, bicycle traffic to Hamilton has continued to grow. Bob Cron of the County Park Board has been spearheading the proposed project.

“MoreHe said and the morehope ofis thethem project are coming would frombe paid that primarily end and oncethrough they a Federalhit Hamilton, Highway they are Alternative Gas Tax grant from the Montana Department of Transportation. dumped onto a five-laneCity of Hamilton,highway MT,” Cron - Community said. “There Builders areTechnical sidewalks Assistance in places,Application but it’14s not contiguous.” https://ravallirepublic.com/news/article_aeb7e3b1-a31b-51a1-8154-4fdad6721349.htmlThe proposed trail would about 2.5 miles long. 2/5

Cron said Montana Department of Transportation officials have indicated that bike trails cost between $500,000 to $750,000 a mile to construct.

“We might need to build it in pieces depending on what funding is available,” he said. “We have a lot of things to work out, but none of it can even get started until we know if Montana Rail Link is interested in talking about the idea.”

MRL has worked with Missoula to allow for portions of its bike trails to be built on its right-of-way.

“It’s not as precedent setting as I first thought,” Cron said. https://ravallirepublic.com/news/article_aeb7e3b1-a31b-51a1-8154-4fdad6721349.html 3/5 3/1/2019 Hamilton to ask MRL for permission to build bike trail through town | News | ravallirepublic.com “A number of us have been exploring the idea for a trail for some time,” Cron said. “We’ve worked on some smaller projects related to pedestrians and bikes. This one has been sitting around for quite a long time so we decided to take the bull by the horns and see if Montana Rail Link would be willing to give us a lease.”

The concern is that since the completion of the Lolo portion of the Bitterroot bike trail, bicycle traffic to Hamilton has continued to grow.

“More and more of them are coming from that end and once they hit Hamilton, they are 3/1/2019 Hamilton to ask MRL for permission to build bike trail through town | News | ravallirepublic.com dumped onto a five-lane highway,” Cron said. “There are sidewalks in places, but it’s not“A numbercontiguous.” of us have been exploring the idea for a trail for some time,” Cron said. “We’ve worked on some smaller projects related to pedestrians and bikes. This one has Thebeen proposed sitting around trail would for quite about a long 2.5 milestime so long. we decided to take the bull by the horns and see if Montana Rail Link would be willing to give us a lease.” Cron said Montana Department of Transportation officials have indicated that bike trails costThe concernbetween is$500,000 that since to the $750,000 completion a mile of to the construct. Lolo portion of the Bitterroot bike trail, bicycleAttachments traffic to Hamilton has continued to grow.

“More and more of them are coming from that end and once they hit Hamilton, they are dumped onto a five-lane highway,” Cron said. “There are sidewalks in places, but it’s not contiguous.”

The proposed trail would about 2.5 miles long.

Cron said Montana Department of Transportation officials have indicated that bike trails cost between $500,000 to $750,000 a mile to construct. “We might need to build it in pieces depending on what funding is available,” he said. “We have a lot of things to work out, but none of it can even get started until we know if Montana Rail Link is interested in talking about the idea.”

MRL has worked with Missoula to allow for portions of its bike trails to be built on its right-of-way.

3/1/2019“It’s not as precedent Hamiltonsetting to askas MRL I first for permission thought,” to build bikeCron trail throughsaid. town | News | ravallirepublic.com https://ravallirepublic.com/news/article_aeb7e3b1-a31b-51a1-8154-4fdad6721349.htmlBoth the Ravalli County Commission and Hamilton City Council unanimously 3/5 approved sending the letter to MRL. “We might need to build it in pieces depending on what funding is available,” he said. “We are going to try to get some momentum on this project,” said Hamilton mayor “We have a lot of things to work out, but none of it can even get started until we know if Dominic Farrenkopf “Hopefully we’ll hear back from Montana Rail Link soon. Getting Montana Rail Link is interested in talking about the idea.” pedestrian and bike traffic through Hamilton currently is an issue. This would be a real MRLbenefit has to workedthe community with Missoula.” to allow for portions of its bike trails to be built on its right-of-way. MORE INFORMATION

“It’s not as precedent setting as I first thought,” Cron said. https://ravallirepublic.com/news/article_aeb7e3b1-a31b-51a1-8154-4fdad6721349.html 3/5

City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 15

Missing 77-year-old Florence hunter found alive

Three charged with domestic violence on same day white ribbons go up in Hamilton New York woman faces felony charges following wild drive through Hamilton

Perry Backus Associate Editor

https://ravallirepublic.com/news/article_aeb7e3b1-a31b-51a1-8154-4fdad6721349.html 4/5 3/1/2019 County and City discuss joint projects for coming year - Bitterroot Star

Attachments

Article in January 16, 2019 Bitterroot Star Regarding City-County Coordination

HOME NEWS SPORTS OPINION CLASSIFIEDS OBITUARIES CALENDAR

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County and City discuss joint projects for coming year

JANUARY 16, 2019 BY MICHAEL HOWELL

Relations between the County and the City of Hamilton have been strained over the last couple of years as the two entities crossed paths and sometimes butted heads over various projects. Last week, Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf

3/1/2019 County and City discussto ojointk t projectshe ini tforia tcomingive b yyear sc - hBitterrootedulin Starg a meeting with County Commissioners Chris Ho�man and the newly organized three-person Board of http://bitterrootstar.com/2019/01/county-and-city-discuss-joint-projects-for-coming-year/ 1/13 Chairman Je� Burrows listen intently as County Commissioners to set a new tone for Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf sets a future engagements. It was well received. positive tone for the new year, stressing the need for cooperation and communication between the municipal and county The item was placed on the agenda as a governments whose interests often overlap. “discussion/decision” concerning various projects Michael Howell photo. that the county shares an interest in with the city. But Farrenkopf made it clear that he was not there looking for any decisions about anything. He said that he was simply reaching out to the County Commissioners at the beginning of a new year to just take a look at some of the projects that the city and the county were currently working on together and see what might possibly be completed in the coming year. He said he had picked out the top four projects from the city’s point of view, but that he was also interested in hearing from the commissioners if there were any projects they were looking at that they thought the city might be able to help them with.

The four projects that the mayor brought up for discussion “from smallest to biggest,” he said, were the Fourth of July ﬁreworks display, a potential trail along the railroad tracks through town, the latest addCityitio ofn tHamilton,o the city ’MTs p a- rCommunityk system a lBuildersong the Technicalriver, and Assistance the Targe Applicationted Economic16 Development District (TEDD) located north and east of Hamilton.

Farrenkopf told the commissioners, “I love the Fourth of July.” He said he took on the annual 4th of July ﬁreworks display, which the City has been sponsoring for some time, as sort of a pet project. He said the city was able, with a lot of donations, to put up $8,000 last year and he thanked the county for matching with $4,000.

http://bitterrootstar.com/2019/01/county-and-city-discuss-joint-projects-for-coming-year/ 2/13 3/1/2019 County and City discuss joint projects for coming year - Bitterroot Star County Commissioners Chris Ho�man and the newly organized three-person Board of Chairman Je� Burrows listen intently as County Commissioners to set a new tone for Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf sets a future engagements. It was well received. positive tone for the new year, stressing the need for cooperation and communication between the municipal and county The item was placed on the agenda as a governments whose interests often overlap. “discussion/decision” concerning various projects Michael Howell photo. that the county shares an interest in with the city. But Farrenkopf made it clear that he was not there 3/1/2019looking for any decisions abouCountyt any andthi nCityg. discussHe sa jointid tprojectshat h efor w comingas s iyearmp -l yBitterroot reach Staring out to the County Commissioners Chris Ho�man and County Commissioners at the beginning of at hne wne ywelayr otorg juanstiz teadk eth ar eloeo-kp earts soonm Beo aorfd t hoef Chairman Je� Burrows listen intently as projects that the city and the county were cuCrroeunnttly wComrkmingis soino ntoegrse ttoh esre at nad n seewe twonhea tf omright Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf sets a future engagements. It was well received. ppoosssitibivley tboene c foomr tphele ntedw iyne tahr,e s tcroesmsiinngg tyhear. He said he had picked out the top four projects froneme dth feor c ciotyo’ps eproatiniotn o afn vdie cwom, bmuut nthicaatt ihoen was also interested in hearing from the commissioners if thebret weeren tahney m puronijceicptasl tahnedy c wouenrtey looking Taht eth itaet mth ewya tsh poluagchetd t ohen cthitey amgiegnhdt ab ea sa able to help tghoevmer nwmitehn. ts whose interests often overlap. “discussion/decision” concerning various projects Michael Howell photo. that the county shares an interest in with the city.

The four projects that the mayor brought up Bfourt dFiasrcruesnskioopnf “ mfroamde s imt calleleasr tt htoa tb higeg wesats,” nhoet sthaiedr,e wloeorkein tgh efo Fro aunryth d oefc Jisuiolyn ﬁsr aebwoourtk sa ndyisthpilnagy,. Ha ep ostaeidn ttihala tr haeil awloans gs itmhep lrya rileroaacdh intrga cokust tthor othuegh tCoowunn,t tyh Ce olamtemstis asdiodnietiorsn a tto t hthee b ceitgyi’nsn pinagrk o sfy as tneemw a yloeanrg t toh jeu sritv teark, ea nad l othoek Taat rsgoemteed o Ef cthoenomic Dpreovjeclotsp mtheant tt hDeis ctriticyt a (nTdE DthDe) cloocuantetyd w neorreth c aunrrde enatlsyt woof rHkainmgi lotonn t.o g ether and see what might possibly be completed in the coming year. He said he had picked out the top four projects from the city’s point of view, but that he was also interested in hearing from the commissioners Attachmentsif there were any projects they were looking at that they thought the city might be able to help them with.

The four projects that the mayor brought up for discussion “from smallest to biggest,” he said, were the Fourth of July ﬁreworks display, a potential trail along the railroad tracks through town, the latest addition to the city’s park system along the river, and the Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) located north and east of Hamilton. Farrenkopf told the commissioners, “I love the Fourth of July.” He said he took on the annual 4th of July ﬁreworks display, which the City has been sponsoring for some time, as sort of a pet project. He said the city was able, with a lot of donations, to put up $8,000 last year and he thanked the county for matching with $4,000.

He said it is true that both city and county residents attend and it is a great thing for both. But his aim, he said, is to shift that cost away from the city and the county to a point that it is totally supported by donations. He wasn’t sure that was going to be possible this year, so hoped the county would be open to chipping in again if needed. He said he would get back to them with Farrenkopf told the commissioners, “I love the Fourth of July.” He said he took on the annual 3/1/2019the numbers. County and City discuss joint projects for coming year - Bitterroot Star 4th of July ﬁreworks display, which the City has been sponsoring for some time, as sort of a “Hopefully, one day it will be completely funded by the people who enjoy it,” said Farrenkopf. http://bitterrootstarpet pro.com/2019/01/county-and-city-discuss-joint-projects-for-coming-year/ject. He said the city was able, with a lot of donations, to put up $8,000 last year and he 2/13 thanked the county for matching with $4,000. “The earlier the better,” said Commissioner Chris Hoﬀman, concerning any potential donation from the county. He said it is true that both city and county residents attend and it is a great thing for both. But his aim, he said, is to shift that cost away from the city and the county to a point that it is totally Farrenkopf said that he had been working with Bob Cron from the County Park Board and supported by donations. He wasn’t sure that was going to be possible this year, so hoped the Montana Rail Link on a potential trail along the railroad tracks through town. He said he had county would be open to chipping in again if needed. He said he would get back to them with placed a few applications and heard some concerns from MRL about the potential impact on the numbers. entities that lease land from the railroad along the way. He said a fence was being considered and that MRL would like to have the trail not cross the tracks. http://bitterrootstar.com/2019/01/county-and-city-discuss-joint-projects-for-coming-year/ 2/13

The city is also adding land to its system of parks along the river but needs commissioner approval for funds to come from the county’s Open Lands Bond Program.

Commissioner Jeﬀ Burrows said that the commissioners had heard some concerns from neighboring landowners about trespassing issues due to the public’s use of that new parkland. He said the commissioners were considering placing some sort of condition on the release of the funds, addressing the trespassing issue.

Farrenkopf said that the city was looking at establishing a quality trail through the park. He said the city had a plan to put a quality trail through the park that would encourage people to use the trail and not go oﬀ and trespass. City of Hamilton, MT - Community Builders Technical Assistance Application 17 The mayor told the commissioners that he was really interested in seeing the Targeted Economic Development District get completed. The county has asked the city to consider extending the city sewer system into the county’s TEDD north of town.

“I would really like to pursue that and see it done,” said Farrenkopf. He said the city had a good history with the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority. He said working with RCEDA they were able to get the city’s Urban Renewal District conﬁrmed and the city’s Opportunity Zone in place in that area north of town.

“There is growth here and we should do it responsibly,” said Farrenkopf. “We can shape the growth to the east and I’d like to strike while the iron is hot. I see it as beneﬁtting all kinds of people in the county.”

“Communication is essential,” said Burrows. “Thanks for coming to us about all this.”

http://bitterrootstar.com/2019/01/county-and-city-discuss-joint-projects-for-coming-year/ 3/13 3/1/2019 County and City discuss joint projects for coming year - Bitterroot Star “Hopefully, one day it will be completely funded by the people who enjoy it,” said Farrenkopf.

“The earlier the better,” said Commissioner Chris Hoﬀman, concerning any potential donation from the county.

Farrenkopf said that he had been working with Bob Cron from the County Park Board and Montana Rail Link on a potential trail along the railroad tracks through town. He said he had placed a few applications and heard some concerns from MRL about the potential impact on entities that lease land from the railroad along the way. He said a fence was being considered and that MRL would like to have the trail not cross the tracks.

The city is also adding land to its system of parks along the river but needs commissioner approval for funds to come from the county’s Open Lands Bond Program.

The mayor told the commissioners that he was really interested in seeing the Targeted Economic Development District get completed. The county has asked the city to consider extending the city sewer system into the county’s TEDD north of town.

3/1/2019“Communication is essential,” Countysaid B andur Cityrow discusss. “Th jointan kprojectss for forco comingming year to u- Bitterroots abou Start all this.” It was agreed that the mayor would meet more regularly than every six to eight months to discuss ongoing projects with the commissioners, especially as they work through the TEDD project. http://bitterrootstar.com/2019/01/county-and-city-discuss-joint-projects-for-coming-year/ 3/13