Gina Brown

The meeting commenced with a land acknowledgment for the Aboriginal territories of the Salish and Callispel people and instructions for public comment procedures, including time limits and remote participation methods. Proclamations were read recognizing March 2026 as Women's History Month and March 2026 as March for Meals Month, highlighting contributions of women and support for Meals on Wheels services. Public hearings addressed petitions for annexing six properties into the Missoula Rural Fire District, which the board moved to approve. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the consideration of an offer to sell Red Fern 2 (Kalisoga Park), a 4.47-acre common area. Discussions covered the property's history, maintenance cost transfers, zoning changes to limited industrial, an appraisal value of $155,000 (contrasting with a much higher assessed value), and the terms of the purchase offer from Young Automotive Group, which included owner financing.

The discussion centered on enriching community services provided by the Missoula Public Library, led by the Library Director. Key topics included the library's unique Swedish culture house model, which collocates the library with other nonprofits like Spectrum Discovery Area and the University of Montana Living Lab, operating on a collective impact philosophy. Specific successful collaborations, such as the 'changing of the brain project' targeting teens, were highlighted. The conversation detailed the library's extensive programming, including events like Indigi Palooa and regular story times, cooking classes, and book clubs. The library's 'Library of Things,' offering checkouts of items like telescopes and auto diagnostic kits, and a Culture Pass program for free access to local attractions were also discussed. Furthermore, the strategic focus on serving specific demographics, including the indigenous community, teens, refugees, immigrants, and geographically isolated/rural populations, was detailed, emphasizing the recent acquisition and deployment of a modern bookmobile to decrease isolation. Other mentioned services included maker space activities (3D printing, laser engraving, sewing), genealogy resources, pain management workshops, and a monthly resource access day offering direct connections to essential social services.

The discussion focused on transportation planning, specifically development west of Reserve Street, and concepts related to "15-minute cities" to improve neighborhood efficiency and reduce reliance on long drives. The Commissioners also discussed the safety study for Reserve Street and its role in accommodating projected growth, including 10,000+ units of housing in the Switkin area. Further conversation covered planning for the Brooks Street corridor, which serves as a major connection point and currently presents significant challenges for pedestrians and transit, noting a recent pedestrian fatality. The discussion also touched upon the Transform Brooks project addressing transit and street permeability, and managing snow removal impacts on accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. Finally, plans for Highway 200 improvements in East Missoula were reviewed, focusing on adding sidewalks, lighting, and turn lanes to improve safety and support neighborhood development. The issue of parking and the use of roundabouts versus traffic signals for efficiency and safety was also debated.

The administrative meeting addressed the appointment to fill a vacant term on the Florence Carlton Cemetery Board, with Brad Porch being motioned for appointment. Discussions included reviewing a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Homeward for gap funding, amounting to $65,000, for their Trinity Project using unspent County Tribal Matching Grant funds designated for architectural and engineering fees. Commissioners also discussed recent legislative actions, specifically a bill (HB636) concerning adjusting tax rates which shifts the tax burden from residential homeowners to centrally assessed properties, noting concerns about potential overall revenue impact and the complexity of the underlying tax calculations. Finally, there was a report on federal legislation proposing an increase in the population threshold for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), which could negatively impact the City of Missoula's access to CDBG funds, though it might not affect the MPO's federal transportation funding.

The presentation provided an epidemiological update regarding COVID-19 case data, noting that the incidence rate was plateauing just below the Harvard Global Health Index tipping point of 25, currently resting at an incidence of 8 per 100,000 population, classified as community spread. Discussion shifted to changes in the age distribution of active cases, moving from 20-29 year olds to the 30-49 age groups. The speaker highlighted Missoula County's achievement as the number one county in the state for vaccine productivity, achieving 58% vaccination in the eligible population (age 16+). Furthermore, metrics for lifting the mask mandate were discussed, contingent upon reaching 60% vaccination and the date of May 11th. The efforts of the community in mitigation were credited for keeping total cases 25-38% lower than the state average. The status of hospitalizations, which remain active, and the effect of vaccination on quarantine requirements for close contacts were also reviewed.