The Weekly Update-March 15,2013 Attachments: 1. Memo from Lisa Kunz, City Clerk, regarding the 2013 Municipal Election. 2. Letter to Mayor Winters from the Montana Department of Commerce Board of Housing regarding proposed housing projects (Cascade Ridge Phase II and Voyager Apartments) and request for comments. 3. United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana- Case No. 11-62031-11. 4. Great Falls Emergency Services (GFES) Paramedic Awarded High Honor in the Nation's Capital. 5. Letter from Montana Department of Transportation regarding the 2013-2017 Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. 6. Letter to Mr. Ron Litostansky, President of the West Great Falls Flood Control and Drainage District reminding him of the upcoming May 13, deadline for the West Great Falls Flood Control and Drainage District to submit all data and documentation required to demonstrate that the Sun River Left Bank-Stage 2 Flood Protection Project is in full compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program. 7. Journal ofCommission Work Session-March 5, 2013. 8. Press Release - City Golf Courses Open Friday. 9. Press Release- Registration Starts March 18 for Ice Breaker Road Race. 10. Press Release- City Launches Pay-by-Phone Downtown. A Weekly Report to the Great Falls City Commission l To: City Commission From: Lisa Kunz, City Clerk Date: 03/14/2013 Re: 2013 Municipal Election Message: Notice has been given to the Cascade County Election Administrator that a City mail ballot election needs to be held in 2013 for the selection of two City Commissioners for four-year terms; one City Commissioner for a two­ year term; one Mayor for a two-year term; and, forty-five Neighborhood Council representatives consisting of five representatives in each of the nine districts, for two-year terms. The filing fees for each office are as follows: Mayor- $56 Commissioner- $37 Neighborhood Council Representative - $0 The 2013 election dates are September 10, 2013- Primary Election (if election administrator determines that a primary election needs to be held), and November 5, 2013- General Election. The first date for candidates to file for office is April 29, 2013, and the last date is June 27, 2013. Additional information is provided in the attached 2013 Election Brochure and is posted on the City Commission and Neighborhood Council pages on the City's website. Also attached is the Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy form. Campaign finance rules and reporting instructions and forms can be found at http:Usos.mt.gov/Eiections/index/asp. Declaration for Nomination and Oath of • Appropriations, exclusive of bond and loan Candidacy Forms indebtedness, shall not exceed anticipated revenue. Prior to running for office, a nomination form • Adopt as necessary an administrative and must be completed and returned to the personnel code and/or policies. Cascade County Election Office during the filing • Adopt procedures for contracting with Filing Deadlines period. The forms are available at the Cascade private and public agencies. County Election Office, and on the City of Great • Appoint citizens to boards, councils, Mayor, Commissioners and Neighborhood Falls' website at www.greatfallsmt.net. committees or any other body or group Councils pursuant to state law. Location of Election Administrator • Set the salary of the city commissioners and Cascade County Election Office First date April 29,2013 the mayor by ordinance. 325 2nd Avenue North Courthouse Annex, Room 100 The Mayor- Election of the Mayor Last date June 27, 2013 Great Falls, MT 59401 The mayor shall be elected for a term of two {406} 454-6803 years. The mayor shall meet all requirements Fees [email protected] and qualifications for election to the office of city commissioner. Mayor $56 Important Information from the Great Falls City Charter Powers and Duties of the Mayor Commissioner $37 • The mayor shall be recognized as the official City Commission -Composition head and representative of the City of Great Neighborhood The City Commission shall be composed of five Falls for the purpose of presiding at city $0 Council voting members: four city commissioners and commission meetings and the performance the mayor. The city commission shall be the of ceremonial functions. These functions Election Dates legislative and policy-making body of the City of shall not be construed as conferring upon Great Falls. the mayor executive, personnel, or Primary Election administrative powers or functions. Duties and Responsibilities • The mayor shall serve as a member of the (if election • Adopt policies and procedures and enact commission with all the rights and privileges administrator September 10, 2013 ordinances and resolutions as necessary for of city commissioners. The mayor shall determines that a the proper execution of governmental possess no veto over actions taken by the primary election functions and responsibilities. city commission. needs to be held) • Appoint and supervise, and may remove, the city manager. Elections • Adopt an annual budget, levy taxes and • City commissioners and the mayor shall be General Election November 5, 2013 special assessments, and may borrow residents and qualified electors of the City money and issue bonds subject to Montana of Great Falls. law. • Elections for city commissioners and for the Political Signs mayor shall be non-partisan. • Purpose: The councils shall act in an • City commissioners and the mayor shall be advisory capacity to the City Commission, • Sign Permit- Political signs are exempt nominated and elected at large. the City Manager and to other City advisory from the sign permit requirement. bodies, and may contribute information, However, signage must be in Vacancies opinions, advice, suggestions and compliance with City Codes in all other • (1) Mayor recommendations to the City Commission, respects. • (2) City Commissioners for four-year terms City Manager and other City advisory bodies • Size - Political signs may be no larger • (1) City Commissioner for a two-year term on all governmental affairs and services having an effect on the area the than 16 sq. feet in area and four feet in City commissioners and the Mayor shall take neighborhood council represents, including, height. office the first Tuesday after January 1st in the but not limited to, public finance, public • Time -Signs may be placed no earlier year following the election. works, public safety, planning and zoning, than 60 days prior to any election. and public health and sanitation. Signs must be removed within seven • Neighborhood Districts - Composition of consecutive days after an election. Citizen Involvement Councils, Election: There are nine (9) neighborhood council districts within the • Where/Setbacks - Signage may be The city commission may establish and appoint City of Great Falls. The residents of a district placed on private property with the persons to boards, councils, committees, shall comprise the electorate for that owner's permission. The sign must be commissions, and other bodies of an advisory district. Each district shall have a council placed at least 12 feet from the back of comprised of five (5) members, elected to a or substantive nature to assist the commission the curb. Vehicular and pedestrian two (2) year term at the election held in in the exercises of its duties. The City of Great sight distances must be unobstructed. Falls encourages citizens to participate in these conjunction with the City's general election. Signage is not allowed on public bodies by serving as members, attending Nominees for election to a neighborhood property in City boulevards, on meetings, or other similar methods. council must be residents of their designated neighborhood district, and must boulevard trees, utility poles, street Neighborhood Councils be qualified electors. lights or signs, traffic poles or other public property. In 1996, the citizens of Great Falls approved an Open Government amendment to the Great Falls City Charter Additional In/ormation reinstituting a neighborhood council program. Records of the City Commission, Neighborhood In 1997, the Great Falls City Commission Councils, and all boards, councils, committees, Additional election information can be found at: adopted Ordinance 2727 providing for the and commissions of the City, shall be open to establishment, organization and operation of the public as provided by Montana law. All the councils, as well as the establishment of a meetings of such bodies shall be publicly http://departments.cascadecountymt.gov/ neighborhood liaison function known as the announced in advance and shall be open to the elections Neighborhood Council Coordinator that is now public as provided by Montana law. under the direction of the City Manager's http://sos.mt.gov/Eiections/index.asp Office. Filed thls__ day of ______,20 __ Declaration for Nomination and Document# ________________________ Oath of Candidacy By: _______________ Deputy or Filing Officer OEC:Ar.ATlON ANO OA'rH FOR PRIMAP.V ELEC.TlON TO .BE FILED Vllf:~ 0 SECRErAAY vF S r.~Ti: o·cOUNTY ELEi.TlCIN .\lJMINI!" i"MTOK Filing for office of: ____________________________________________________ o __________ 0 Nonpartisan Full name of office Including district and/or department numbers if applicable Name of Pofitica I Partv Candidate Name (printed exactly as It should appear on the ballot):______________________________________________________ _ Mailing Address:---------------------------------­ Street or PO Box City Zip Residence Address: