By Michael Howell
Hamilton Mayor Jerry Steele issued a proclamation last week declaring the week of July 1st through the 7th “Independents Week,” a week dedicated to celebrating all the locally owned businesses that are integral to the unique flavor of the city making it “the place we want to live and work.”
The proclamation notes how much locally owned independent businesses give back to the community in terms of goods, services, time and talent. These businesses also generally spend a lot of their profits locally, churning more money back into the local economy.
Steele invited the public to come to downtown Hamilton during the week to show support for “the businesses owned by our friends and neighbors” that make the downtown such a special place to shop.
At its June 16 meeting the Hamilton City Council approved on second reading an ordinance amending Section 10.12 of the Hamilton Municipal Code regarding parking, renaming the Downtown Parking Business District the Downtown Parking Area, and renaming the Parking Control Officer with clarification of enforcement duties. Following approval of the first reading on June 2, the Council also approved three accompanying resolutions related to parking issues: a resolution establishing Reserved Parking Spaces near the Bitterroot College on 9th street and near the Rocky Mountain Laboratories on the south side of town; a resolution establishing a two-hour time limit for parking in the downtown area, except for a few exceptions such as on Main Street between 4th and 5th streets, and a Bail Schedule for parking violations.
The Parking Ordinance was approved on a 4 to 1 vote with Councilor Ken Bell voting against it. Bell also voted against the parking resolutions. He consistently maintained the position that the City should not be involved in establishing parking limits and that downtown businesses should govern it through a parking commission.
At its June 2 meeting the Council unanimously approved an agreement related to administration of the Big Sky Trust Fund grant to Applied Training Resources, Inc (ATR). The $228,000 grant is expected to create 32 jobs over the next two years.
The Council also authorized the Mayor to sign contracts as a ministerial act once the projects have received approval from the Council. A copy of the signed contract will then be distributed to the council members.
The Council awarded a contract for $43,010 to Specialty Excavating for construction of the Montana Street waterline by-pass project. As part of the project an unmetered line serving Rocky Mountain Laboratories will be cut off. According to city officials the line would be inaccessible in its current location if it failed. The unmetered line to the lab will not be replaced, leaving the remaining metered service as the only water service to the lab.
The Council approved the sale and disposal of property that has no further use or value.
At its June 16 meeting the Council approved an emergency ordinance that will go into effect immediately for 90 days, allowing the use, under limited circumstances, of golf carts on city streets. Registration of the vehicles is required and the driver must be properly licensed to operate a motor vehicle on public roads. Insurance on the vehicle is also required. Use of golf carts is prohibited on Highway 93 and Main Street, as well as Marcus, State and Pine Streets. Designated crossings will be established at those streets and on the highway. The golf carts may only be used during daylight hours and must be equipped with headlights and are limited to carrying two people at most. No jail time is associated with the violations; tickets will be issued for any violations. The state, however, requires citations be issued for any violations of the insurance requirement.
The Council approved a request from Steve Boshae for Hamilton High School Annual Fireworks Show on June 26; a request from Dominic Farrenkopf for Sapphire Lutheran Homes Fireworks Show on July 2; and a request from the Hamilton Post Office to waive the $50 Encroachment Permit fee for placement of a mailbox on the 100 block of South 7th Street.
At a Committee of the Whole meeting held on June 9, the Council discussed a resolution to increase water and wastewater rates by 1.6% to cover the cost of living expenses based on the Consumer Price Index. The City has completed a program of rate increases in which water costs increased 5%, 5% and 13% over the last three years and the costs of wastewater service increased 8% annually for three years. The program did allow for future adjustments based on the cost of living increases and this is what will be considered at a public hearing scheduled for July 21.
The Council got an update from Public Works director Keith Smith about the sewer smell complaints at the north end of town. Two of the city’s sewer mains serving the area had been checked and no blockage or smell was discovered. Individual complaints in the area were investigated and the odor is reported to be located or emanating from certain specific areas of the affected buildings. The smells may have separate origins or multiple origins, according to Smith, including vents being located too close to air intake pipes and or coming from storm water pools and ponds located nearby. Investigations are continuing with the public works department ready to return for an on site investigation when the smells are actually occurring.