By Michael Howell
The third time was the charm for Hamilton City Council President Jenny West who, following three rounds of voting last Tuesday, January 3, was finally selected to serve a second term as Council President.
West and Councilor Lynette Helgeland were both nominated for the position, which comes up for election annually. With no discussion, a secret ballot was taken which resulted in a 3 to 3 tie. Again without discussion, a second ballot was cast, also resulting in a 3 to 3 tie.
At this point it was decided to hear from the two nominees.
Councilor Helgeland said, “Jenny did a pretty good job as president. I think I could do a pretty good job. But here’s the thing, I think I have the time to put into it and I know Jenny’s got a lot on her plate. I would love the opportunity to learn from everyone and step into that role.”
West said, “As Council President for a year, I know pretty well what’s going on and I enjoy running the meetings. I know Nancy (Hendrickson) served two years when she was president.”
On the following vote West won by a 4 to 2 vote.
The City Council also approved an amended sign ordinance on a 5 to 1 vote, with Councilor Helgeland dissenting. The ordinance establishes size restrictions on canopies and awnings and canopy signs. It also establishes a seven and a half foot minimum clearance from the street or sidewalk for all signs, including canopies and awnings. It limits the placement of political signs to no more than 90 days and requires that wall graphics be approved by the Council.
Helgeland told the Bitterroot Star that she voted against the amended sign ordinance not because she was against the specific changes being made, but because she is against unchanged aspects of the sign ordinance, in particular the restrictions on animated signs that she believes are unfair to existing sign owners.
The Council also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Montana Department of Transportation for an Air Quality Equipment grant to purchase a mechanical sweeper and a large vacuum sweeper for $400,000. The city’s contribution to the purchase of the equipment would be 13.42 percent, that is $54,286. It was noted that the council had already budgeted about $50,000 for such purchases.
In other business the City Council:
– approved a subdivision agreement with Harding Family Properties, LLC and the release of a letter of credit from L. Darryl and Jacalyn M. Osburn;
– appointed Gerald Anderson and Roberta Anderson to the Park Board;
– appointed Councilor Al Mitchell to serve on the Planning Board;
– appointed Councilor Mel Monson to serve on the Zoning Commission;
– appointed Councilor Lynette Helgeland to serve on the Park Board;
– approved (at the December, 20 2011 meeting) an audit contract with Jennifer Cote and Associates for Fiscal Year ending 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012 in the amount of $9,915.