Missoula City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
City Council Chambers
140 W. Pine Street, Missoula , MT
Members present:
  • Stacie Anderson,
  • Michelle Cares,
  • John DiBari,
  • Heather Harp,
  • Jordan Hess,
  • Gwen Jones,
  • Julie Merritt,
  • Jesse Ramos,
  • Bryan von Lossberg,
  • and Heidi West
Members absent:
  • Julie Armstrong
  • and Mirtha Becerra

von Lossberg -  Today we welcome Linda McCarthy for a presentation on a resolution to adopt the Missoula Downtown Master Plan. 

Linda McCarthy,  Executive Director, Downtown Missoula Partnership  - In 2009 the first downtown master plan was completed with through public/private partnerships.  We have spent last year updating the community vision for Missoula.  Dover Cole and Partners have helped with this.  We have seen engagement by almost 4,000 Missoulians.  Today we are seeking formal adoption of the new master plan.  It is a 10-year community vision for Missoula.  It is a creative, professional, community oriented plan.  The details have been noted in the presentations you have previously attended.  Each of the partnering organizations have adopted the plan.  Yesterday we received endorsement from the Missoula County Commission.  We are working with the City Parks Department on our river trails; we are trying to accommodate use of the trail system.  

von Lossberg - Where is the plan available?

Linda McCarthy - It may be found at this website: https://www.missouladowntown.com/downtown-master-plan/

von Lossberg - Today we are recommending adoption of a resolution of intention to adopt the plan and setting a public hearing on November 4, 2019.

Jones - Thanks for this labor of love.  This is a huge endeavor.  It is a great product.  I'm looking forward to this.

Linda McCarty - We lost project managers and had to switch mid-process

von Lossberg - Public Comment? Seeing None.  I will add that Gwen is absolutely right.  I want to think Spider McKnight at 6 Pony Hitch.  We had discussions about inclusivity and Spider is outstanding at this kind of work.  This work forces us to confront difficult issues and I am thankful for Spider's work int he area.  We are going through change and that is hard.  Exercises like this gets the tension to the surface and that is healthy.  I am proud of this community for engaging.  You are never going to get consensus on every aspect.  

DiBari - Bryan put that well.  I was part of the first plan and I appreciated the process.  I want to thank you all for the work that you have done on this product.  I have reservations around the natural resource part around the river, but I appreciate the huge amount of work that went in to this.

Harp - I had my first Public Art committee meeting yesterday.  Having public art as part of the process including Native American tribes is important.  We have 7 reservations and 13 tribes in the state.  When we have public art we see a decrease in criminal activity.  This is speaking to inclusivity.  

von Lossberg - This will go on the consent agenda for Monday night.

  • Moved by: Gwen Jones

    Approve a Resolution of Intent to adopt the 2019 Missoula Downtown Master Plan as an amendment to the 2035 Missoula Growth Policy, replacing the 2009 Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan, and set a public hearing for Monday, November 4, 2019

    AYES: (10)Stacie Anderson, Michelle Cares, John DiBari, Heather Harp, Jordan Hess, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Bryan von Lossberg, and Heidi West
    ABSENT: (2)Julie Armstrong, and Mirtha Becerra
    Vote results: Approved (10 to 0)

11:44 AM