By Michael Howell
The Town of Stevensville created a Tax Increment Financing District (TIFD) on the north edge of town in November 2010. In November 2013, it created a Targeted Economic Development District at the Stevensville Airport. On February 11, the Town Council held a public hearing to take public comment about forming a joint board to oversee both districts. The formation of the joint board was approved unanimously on second reading at the regular Council meeting later that evening.
Julie Foster, Executive Director of the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA), said that it would be beneficial to carry over the knowledge and experience of the present board, which was formed to oversee the TIFD, to do essentially the same type of work for the TEDD.
The board’s job, in both cases, involves producing an annual work plan based on estimated revenues and to create and prioritize a list of proposed projects.
The joint board will be composed of seven members: one appointed by the Airport Board for a three-year term, three citizens appointed by the Town Council for three-year terms, one from the town’s Planning and Zoning Committee, one Town Council member selected annually, and it will include the Director of RCEDA. The board works in an advisory capacity only and cannot enter into contracts. The board simply makes recommendations to the Town Council for action. Unless it has some need, the board will only meet quarterly.
In other business, the Town Council adopted on first reading an ordinance amending the Parks and Recreation codes to include rules specifically regarding conduct at the Skate Park and Bear Mountain Playground. Both are located within Lewis and Clark Park which allows smoking but smoking will be prohibited in the Skate Park and the Bear Mountain Playground.
The Town Council also adopted on first reading an ordinance creating and adopting swimming pool and spa rules as Article XV of Chapter 6 of the Stevensville Municipal Code.
An ordinance in Article XIV was also amended. The amendment would prohibit the use of alcohol in all town parks except as part of special event permits. Currently alcohol under 12% is allowed in the parks.
The Council also adopted a section from the Uniform Building Code that was inadvertently left out having to do with the abatement of dangerous buildings. It includes the enforcement, permitting and fee sections of the code. A public hearing has been scheduled for February 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
The Council amended the Town’s personnel policy to make it compliant with the Uniform Services Employment and Re-employment Act concerning paid military leave.
The Council confirmed the Mayor’s veto of the resolution passed at the last council meeting approving a budget amendment of $28,000 for the purchase of a ladder truck and associated equipment. A hearing date of February 25 was set to consider the matter again. The Mayor vetoed the resolution because a different amount of money was listed on the public notice for the last hearing.