Frenchtown asks sheriff for help with underage drinking, fight clubs
by Colbert Howell
West Valley Community Council Minutes, November 12, 2009 Council Members Present: Eric Belker, Jeri Delys, Brett Deschamps, Colbert Howell, Secretary/Treasurer, Elizabeth (Betty) Oleson, Chairperson
Guests Present: Michele Landquist, County Commissioner; Sheriff Mike McMeekin; Pat O’Herren, Rural Initiatives
Call to Order and Introductions. Chairperson Betty Oleson called the West Valley Community Council meeting to order at 6:00 PM and gave a brief explanation and purpose of the WVCC. She then introduced County Commissioner Michele Landquist, Sheriff Mike McMeekin and Pat O’Herren of Missoula County’s Rural Initiatives Department. She recognized Frenchtown Troop 1922 of Boy Scouts and their leaders from the Frenchtown Community. The chairperson then introduced the council members. There were twenty community people present.
Minutes.
Chairperson Betty Oleson called on Secretary Howell for the minutes of the October 8, 2009 meeting. Secretary Howell stated a copy of the minutes was placed before each council member at the beginning of the meeting. Secretary Howell asked if anyone wanted the minutes read and indicated copies were available for members of the audience if anyone wanted a copy.
Motion: Eric Belker moved the minutes be accepted. The motion was seconded and passed by a favorable vote.
Treasurer’s Report. Secretary Howell reported the bank checking account at Clark Fork Valley Bank had a balance of $453.21. Motion: Brett Deschamps moved that the treasurer’s report be accepted. It was seconded and it passed.
Communications and Correspondence. Eric Belker requested an update on the Josh Alexander – Frenchtown sign proposal presented at the September meeting, as he was absent for the meeting. Chairperson Betty Oleson gave a brief update. There was further discussion of the sign plans and Commissioner Landquist gave input as to how to further proceed.
Chairperson Oleson also announced the All Community Council Meeting to be held at MCT Theatre on November 18, 2009 at 6:00. She announced a Community Council Handbook would be distributed at that time.
Secretary Howell reminded all present that the County Commissioners would be considering the Health Department’s recommended regulation changes on air pollution and wood burning rules, on November 18 at 1:30 PM.
Chairperson Oleson then requested the WVCC consider signing a letter supporting a grant application for stimulus money to renovate the Nine Mile Community Center. Acknowledging a conflict of interest, Betty Oleson turned the gavel over to Jeri Delys who asked for a motion addressing the request.
Motion: Secretary Howell moved that the WVC Council approve signing a letter of support for a grant to renovate the Nine Mile Community Center. It was seconded and it passed.
Chairperson Oleson then took the gavel and proceeded to introduce Sheriff Mike McMeekin, who agreed to discuss public safety in this area of the County.
Sheriff McMeekin addressed the common problem of underage consumption of alcohol and gang fights. A question from the audience was asked as to how many and when Sheriff patrols were made in the area. He explained a single deputy patrols an area extending from Missoula’s Russell Street west to Petty Creek and north of the Clark Fork River to Arlee. Deputies work twelve hour shifts.
A question about DARE programs in the schools was raised from a member of the audience. Sheriff McMeekin reported the DARE program was discontinued, however, similar programs are conducted by law enforcement departments when there is available funding.
Funding for the Public Safety department was questioned and Sheriff McMeekin explained the dedicated property tax millage for the Sheriff’s Department and the 911 Call Center. Public Safety receives 41.01 mills (the county’s general fund receives 39.68 mills in comparison).
Sheriff McMeekin reported that the biggest Public Safety problem for the department and the community is child pornography on the Internet. He reported the department has one officer working on the problem full time with others assisting as they are available.
“Neighborhood Watches” were brought up and discussed. Sheriff McMeekin stated any town, community or neighborhood that wanted to start a Neighborhood Watch could contact his department and they would be glad to assist. Anyone wanting to start a Neighborhood Watch should contact Josh Clark at 258-3333 of the Sheriff’s department. The Sheriff reported that one could go on line and acquire “tons” of information about the Neighborhood Watch program.
Sheriff McMeekin stated, “Parents need to communicate with their children and stay abreast of what is happening in the community and at school”. He recommends parents get involved with their children at home and at school.
Laura Randall, a Frenchtown High School counselor, brought up the subjects of “fight clubs” and binge drinking on weekends by high school kids. She expressed concern about the potential for tragic accidents resulting from such behaviors. The Sheriff responded his department needs community cooperation in reporting planned fights and drinking parties before they occur. He encouraged everyone seeing underage and suspicious purchases of alcohol to immediately call “911” and give the car license number and description of the car and person.
A question, “do we need more deputies to patrol problem areas? was asked and the Sheriff answered, yes. However, he expressed doubt taxpayers will support larger tax levies for public safety in the near future. Colbert Howell suggested the community councils need to collectively support an increased mill tax levy be brought before the taxpayers and then work to get it passed.
Lowell Hochhalter gave an update on the Frenchtown Coalition’s activities and elaborated on accomplishments concerning binge and underage alcoholic consumption. He asked for cooperation in promoting the Coalition’s goals in preventing underage purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Public Comment on Non-agenda Items. It was reported the Frenchtown frontage road was not snow plowed from Highway 93 to Huson the morning of November 11. It was said several cars driven by high school students and a school bus slid off the road.
Pat O’Herren of Rural Initiatives encouraged council members to attend the All Community Council meeting. He also stated he had detected some confusion as to the duties of the Rural Initiatives Department and the Office of Planning and Grants. He volunteered to return to a council meeting and talk about the duties and responsibilities of each.
The subject of Communication was discussed. Community Councils have a difficult time communicating with their constituents due to the lack of funding. The cost of postage is a deterrent to mailing newsletters or meeting announcement postcards to all of the citizens in the community. A large number of the citizens do not use the web or Internet to gather information. The Clark Fork Chronicle which covers the rural area from Frenchtown west to the Idaho border only exists online. The Missoulian occasionally prints stories about local government information. Using space in the Frenchtown School District newsletter for WVCC meeting announcements and topics was discussed, particularly the possibility of using space allocated to the Frenchtown Community Coalition.
A special thank you was conveyed to County Commissioner Michele Landquist for her attendance and input on issues brought before the council.
Deferred Agenda Items. Chairperson Betty Oleson announced Roger Millar of Planning and Grants and Shane Stack of the State Highway Department will attend the December 10th meeting. Chris Bryant of the Nature Conservancy, Legacy Project is scheduled for January 14, 2010.
Next Meeting. The next meeting will be 6:00 PM, December 10, 2009 at the Frenchtown Fire Department building. Chairperson Betty Oleson will publish an agenda for the next meeting. Brett Deschamps suggested each Council person bring a friend to the next meeting to ensure better attendance.
Adjourn. Motion: Secretary Howell moved that we adjourn. It was seconded and passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
West Valley Community Council Minutes, November 12, 2009 Council Members Present: Eric Belker, Jeri Delys, Brett Deschamps, Colbert Howell, Secretary/Treasurer, Elizabeth (Betty) Oleson, Chairperson
Guests Present: Michele Landquist, County Commissioner; Sheriff Mike McMeekin; Pat O’Herren, Rural Initiatives
Call to Order and Introductions. Chairperson Betty Oleson called the West Valley Community Council meeting to order at 6:00 PM and gave a brief explanation and purpose of the WVCC. She then introduced County Commissioner Michele Landquist, Sheriff Mike McMeekin and Pat O’Herren of Missoula County’s Rural Initiatives Department. She recognized Frenchtown Troop 1922 of Boy Scouts and their leaders from the Frenchtown Community. The chairperson then introduced the council members. There were twenty community people present.
Minutes.
Chairperson Betty Oleson called on Secretary Howell for the minutes of the October 8, 2009 meeting. Secretary Howell stated a copy of the minutes was placed before each council member at the beginning of the meeting. Secretary Howell asked if anyone wanted the minutes read and indicated copies were available for members of the audience if anyone wanted a copy.
Motion: Eric Belker moved the minutes be accepted. The motion was seconded and passed by a favorable vote.
Treasurer’s Report. Secretary Howell reported the bank checking account at Clark Fork Valley Bank had a balance of $453.21. Motion: Brett Deschamps moved that the treasurer’s report be accepted. It was seconded and it passed.
Communications and Correspondence. Eric Belker requested an update on the Josh Alexander – Frenchtown sign proposal presented at the September meeting, as he was absent for the meeting. Chairperson Betty Oleson gave a brief update. There was further discussion of the sign plans and Commissioner Landquist gave input as to how to further proceed.
Chairperson Oleson also announced the All Community Council Meeting to be held at MCT Theatre on November 18, 2009 at 6:00. She announced a Community Council Handbook would be distributed at that time.
Secretary Howell reminded all present that the County Commissioners would be considering the Health Department’s recommended regulation changes on air pollution and wood burning rules, on November 18 at 1:30 PM.
Chairperson Oleson then requested the WVCC consider signing a letter supporting a grant application for stimulus money to renovate the Nine Mile Community Center. Acknowledging a conflict of interest, Betty Oleson turned the gavel over to Jeri Delys who asked for a motion addressing the request.
Motion: Secretary Howell moved that the WVC Council approve signing a letter of support for a grant to renovate the Nine Mile Community Center. It was seconded and it passed.
Chairperson Oleson then took the gavel and proceeded to introduce Sheriff Mike McMeekin, who agreed to discuss public safety in this area of the County.
Sheriff McMeekin addressed the common problem of underage consumption of alcohol and gang fights. A question from the audience was asked as to how many and when Sheriff patrols were made in the area. He explained a single deputy patrols an area extending from Missoula’s Russell Street west to Petty Creek and north of the Clark Fork River to Arlee. Deputies work twelve hour shifts.
A question about DARE programs in the schools was raised from a member of the audience. Sheriff McMeekin reported the DARE program was discontinued, however, similar programs are conducted by law enforcement departments when there is available funding.
Funding for the Public Safety department was questioned and Sheriff McMeekin explained the dedicated property tax millage for the Sheriff’s Department and the 911 Call Center. Public Safety receives 41.01 mills (the county’s general fund receives 39.68 mills in comparison).
Sheriff McMeekin reported that the biggest Public Safety problem for the department and the community is child pornography on the Internet. He reported the department has one officer working on the problem full time with others assisting as they are available.
“Neighborhood Watches” were brought up and discussed. Sheriff McMeekin stated any town, community or neighborhood that wanted to start a Neighborhood Watch could contact his department and they would be glad to assist. Anyone wanting to start a Neighborhood Watch should contact Josh Clark at 258-3333 of the Sheriff’s department. The Sheriff reported that one could go on line and acquire “tons” of information about the Neighborhood Watch program.
Sheriff McMeekin stated, “Parents need to communicate with their children and stay abreast of what is happening in the community and at school”. He recommends parents get involved with their children at home and at school.
Laura Randall, a Frenchtown High School counselor, brought up the subjects of “fight clubs” and binge drinking on weekends by high school kids. She expressed concern about the potential for tragic accidents resulting from such behaviors. The Sheriff responded his department needs community cooperation in reporting planned fights and drinking parties before they occur. He encouraged everyone seeing underage and suspicious purchases of alcohol to immediately call “911” and give the car license number and description of the car and person.
A question, “do we need more deputies to patrol problem areas? was asked and the Sheriff answered, yes. However, he expressed doubt taxpayers will support larger tax levies for public safety in the near future. Colbert Howell suggested the community councils need to collectively support an increased mill tax levy be brought before the taxpayers and then work to get it passed.
Lowell Hochhalter gave an update on the Frenchtown Coalition’s activities and elaborated on accomplishments concerning binge and underage alcoholic consumption. He asked for cooperation in promoting the Coalition’s goals in preventing underage purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Public Comment on Non-agenda Items. It was reported the Frenchtown frontage road was not snow plowed from Highway 93 to Huson the morning of November 11. It was said several cars driven by high school students and a school bus slid off the road.
Pat O’Herren of Rural Initiatives encouraged council members to attend the All Community Council meeting. He also stated he had detected some confusion as to the duties of the Rural Initiatives Department and the Office of Planning and Grants. He volunteered to return to a council meeting and talk about the duties and responsibilities of each.
The subject of Communication was discussed. Community Councils have a difficult time communicating with their constituents due to the lack of funding. The cost of postage is a deterrent to mailing newsletters or meeting announcement postcards to all of the citizens in the community. A large number of the citizens do not use the web or Internet to gather information. The Clark Fork Chronicle which covers the rural area from Frenchtown west to the Idaho border only exists online. The Missoulian occasionally prints stories about local government information. Using space in the Frenchtown School District newsletter for WVCC meeting announcements and topics was discussed, particularly the possibility of using space allocated to the Frenchtown Community Coalition.
A special thank you was conveyed to County Commissioner Michele Landquist for her attendance and input on issues brought before the council.
Deferred Agenda Items. Chairperson Betty Oleson announced Roger Millar of Planning and Grants and Shane Stack of the State Highway Department will attend the December 10th meeting. Chris Bryant of the Nature Conservancy, Legacy Project is scheduled for January 14, 2010.
Next Meeting. The next meeting will be 6:00 PM, December 10, 2009 at the Frenchtown Fire Department building. Chairperson Betty Oleson will publish an agenda for the next meeting. Brett Deschamps suggested each Council person bring a friend to the next meeting to ensure better attendance.
Adjourn. Motion: Secretary Howell moved that we adjourn. It was seconded and passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.