Missoula County Government: Missoula County Weekly: May 16-20

Missoula MT

18 May, 2022

2:05 PM

Description

Press release from the Missoula County Government: May 16, 2022 With the support of fellow Commissioners Josh Slotnick and Dave Strohmaier, Missoula County Commission Chair Juanita Vero declared a state of emergency Thursday evening, enabling the County to join the community volunteers to remove trash that's accumulated under the bridge due to people living illegally on the property for years. Because the Montana Department of Transportation owns the land where the encampment is located, Missoula County was previously unable to access the property. The emergency declaration, authorized under MCA 10-3-4, allows local authorities to access the property to address the immediate environmental, health and safety concerns in the area while river levels remain relatively steady. Learn more about the Reserve Street cleanup With the cool temperatures Missoula County has experienced this spring, seasonal mountain snow melf-off has been slow. Missoula County emergency officials caution that current snowpacks combined with the potential for a quick warmup could increase the risk of potential flooding in and around Missoula County, especially in lowland areas. OEM encourages the public to begin preparing for potential flooding before river levels start to rise. Learn more about how to prepare for potential spring flooding The Missoula County Elections Office mailed 58,755 ballots May 13 ahead of the June 7 federal primary election. Polling places will be open on Election Day for voters who do not choose to receive their ballots in the mail. Voters can look up their polling places online at www.MyVoterPageMT.com Learn more about the June 7 primary election Missoula County Parks, Trails and Open Lands seeks feedback on the draft Pathways and Trails Plan and will host a virtual public meeting via Zoom from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, to hear comments and questions from the public. The Pathways and Trails Masterplan will direct development and ongoing maintenance of paved pathways and trails to increase active transportation in Missoula County outside Missoula city limits. Pathways and trails include shared-use paths (paved routes that are separated from roadways), major sidewalks outside of Missoula's urban core and similar active transportation facilities. Find out more about the Pathways and Trails plan, join the Zoom meeting and provide comments or questions at MissoulaCountyVoice.com/pathways-and-trails-masterplan Let Community and Planning Services know what you think about the removal of a no access strip in Water's Edge Subdivision located in East Missoula on Waterside Drive. A property owner near the subdivision requested removal of a no access strip along the southern edge of the subdivision. This removal would enable a potential public road connection to the south. The commissioners initially heard the proposal at their May 12 public meeting and continued the hearing to Thursday, June 2. Join the meeting virtually via Microsoft Teams or come to the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 W. Broadway, to join in person. Learn more and submit your comments or questions at MissoulaCountyVoice.com/waters-edge-subdivisions-no-access-strip-removal Missoula County Voice Project: Ordinance updating protections for Missoula's aquifer Let Missoula Public Health know what you think of the updates to the Missoula Valley Water Quality Ordinance. These changes are to make the code easier for the public to follow while bolstering pollution prevention and better protecting the aquifer that is the sole source of the community's drinking water supply. Learn more and submit comments or questions at MissoulaCountyVoice.com/ordinance-updating-protections-for-missoulas-aquifer Cortni Hill, Administrative Coordinator, Technology Department I have been working at the County for nearly eight years, two of those in my current position. As an administrative coordinator, I deal with a variety of tasks and projects for several departments and divisions that fall under the Office of Internal Services, including the Technology and Facilities Departments. The best part of my job is that it's always evolving, and I am always learning. No two days are the same, and I love using my creativity to problem solve and help others. I manage and maintain an inventory of county hardware and licensed software, procure tech equipment and software, process payment applications, do data entry and budget, which involves working with vendors and county employees to determine needs and find cost effective solutions. A few of the bigger projects I have been working on recently include testing and compiling data for a new energy management software that will track county-owned buildings' use of energy. This will help the County find ways to implement and improve the use of green energy. I also help track and pay the invoices to our large contractors for construction projects, most recently the Missoula Public Library and the highly anticipated Rocky Mountain Gardens and Exploration Center – I am most excited for the butterfly house! Outside of work, I spend my time reading, crafting, gaming, drinking boba and hanging out with my fiancé and our cats. Blooms and Brews 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, at the Missoula County Fairgrounds Common Good Founding Celebration 5 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Missoula County Fairgrounds Open Lands Citizen Advisory Committee 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19, via Microsoft Teams Find more events this week on the County's Event Calendar! Missoula County zeroes in on new zoning codes after 50 years Missoula County eyes Wye for urban growth, but infrastructure will take time Missoula's Substance Abuse Prevention Mill Levy Provides over 300K to Local Organizations Missoula County backs efforts to launch crisis receiving center Missoula County launches online platforms to boost community engagement, transparency To join commissioner department, administrative and public meetings via Microsoft Teams and view the agendas, visit the Missoula County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes and Agenda Portal. Please note that agendas for department and administrative meetings are published two business days before the meeting, and public meeting agendas are published the Friday before the meeting. Administrative and public meeting video recordings are available on the Missoula County YouTube page after the meeting, and MCAT plays the public meetings live on their Spectrum Channel 190. Email [email protected] or call 406-258-4877 if you have any questions or comments on an upcoming meeting. Tuesday, May 17 Commissioners' Administrative Public Meeting County Attorneys Update Smurfit Site Update Wednesday, May 18 County Auditor Update Chief Officers Update Thursday, May 19 Chief Administrative Officer Update Sheriff's Office Update Commissioners' Administrative Public Meeting Friday, May 20 No department, administrative or public meetings are scheduled on this day. Monday, May 23 Public Works Update Community and Planning Services Update This press release was produced by the Missoula County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.