Great Falls' Independent News Source
City staffers are proposing changes to municipal code to expand the Board of Adjustment/Appeals’ jurisdiction. The board currently hears requests for variances to zoning and land development codes, among other issues. City staff told board members during a training session last week that they’re planning to recommend that the BOA jurisdiction would include appeals to administrative decisions, as well as
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The election is pushing the City Commission meeting to Wednesday, when they’ll consider a labor agreement with the Plumbers and Fitters Local No. 41, which covers five employees in three city departments–Park and Recreation, Planning and Community Development and Public Works. The agreement includes a 3.5 increase to wages through a 3 percent cost of living adjustment and 0.5 percent
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City of Great Falls offices will be closed Tuesday in observance of Election Day. The Great Falls Public Library and the Great Falls Animal Shelter will also be closed. There will be no changes to the residential or commercial sanitation collection schedule next week. The Natatorium will be open for their normal operating hours, which are 6 a.m. to 8
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The city is moving forward with plans to temporarily suspend its Design Review Board in an effort to relieve some stress on the planning staff. City Manager Greg Doyon is requesting a six month hiatus for the DRB and explained his reasoning during the Oct. 16 City Commission work session. City recommending temporary halt to Design Review Board in effort
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There are two vacancies on the city’s Board of Adjustment/Appeals and without filling those spots, North 40 Outfitters’ request for a variance can’t move forward. Three residents applied for those vacancies and the City Commission is being asked to make the appointments during tonight’s meeting. The applicants are Joe McMillen, Aspen Northerner and Kelly Buschmeyer. City staff has interviewed all
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City Commissioners voted Tuesday to postpone a decision on Wheat Ridge until their Jan. 15 meeting. The decision was made largely to give city staff time to review revised storm water plans submitted by the developers late last week and on Tuesday afternoon. Commissioners also had concerns about public safety access to and from the development. Commissioner Owen Robinson moved
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The City Commission is scheduled to vote tonight on the proposed Wheat Ridge Estates subdivision. Developers are requesting the annexation of 20.98 acres for a residential subdivision behind the Wal-Mart on 10th Avenue South. City staff is recommending denial of the project due to public safety, transportation connectivity and storm water concerns as well as potential conflict with operations at Malmstrom
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The nationwide paramedic shortage is being felt in Great Falls and on Tuesday, the City Commission will consider an amendment to an ambulance transport contract that’s needed to adjust to a staffing shortage. The city contracts with Great Falls Emergency Services for ambulance transport. In July, GFES notified the city that due to a paramedic shortage it wouldn’t be able
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City staff have been continuing their effort to update the municipal code. Up next, Title 10. That section of the city code pertains to vehicles and traffic and most of the updates proposed by staff are non-substantive but some are substantive changes. During the Aug. 21 work session, Assistant City Attorney Joe Cik walked City Commissioners through the proposed changes.
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Swimmers of all ages lamented the planned closure of the Natatorium and asked the city to reconsider during Tuesday’s commission meeting. For roughly an hour, residents said they use the Nat, love the Nat and want to keep the Nat, but commissioners said the plan remains the same. The Natatorium will close by Dec. 31 and be razed shortly thereafter.
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