[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6218539,"mediaKeyId","3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186","parentId",3626957,"title","Missoula proclaims National Gun Violence Awareness Day; Moms Demand Action and student group urge safe storage and community rally","audioSeconds",208,"startMs",556000,"endMs",764000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186&start=556&end=764","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186/thumbnail_556000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218539/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-proclaims-National-Gun-Violence-Awareness-Day-Moms-Demand-Action-and-student-group-urge-safe-storage-and-community-rally","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218539-87dc4b5833ae7da83a0214966009fb64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146978&Signature=Shrmrt1DhRY5JPecMuf~M2Av3gtjqqQ0zvRxZMVhKaayM~StmisAlxM-XkJFZ-6DQnHhBZ32WeGUeFY8ilNFSKIRlPxDcPFwDq7pe~MeTTDwmMuFKEf3mbX3qHSdPFxH-WKUdVbcQ3IV3AJPiEH4cVYQnUbHqDYbVz8X1KmFxgbWHPDKVxlRd1bYLynYdYFUgqxJ3brECR2PIRRVDQMSS0tqXBjtc570CQiEa2A2p1GzLKm-iZwxEmzMpnyFgwLU6YWKOCRrNKqxeGCxqF~dz4urtFw8lg~bw7MGuc4jZ5zuSX2p~s9VzjpyX69gZcUdkJEUAT2HHhMTvZbevCiKGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MT / Missoula City ","date","2025-06-03T04:03:00Z","article","Missoula city leaders joined a joint county-city proclamation on June 2 declaring June 7, 2025, National Gun Violence Awareness Day and invited residents to observe the day by wearing orange and supporting safe-storage practices.

Roxanne Weichel, introduced as a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, thanked the council for the proclamation and described the group's national and local membership. \"We wear orange to demand a future free from gun violence. Orange symbolizes the value of each person's life,\" Weichel said, and she urged secure storage of firearms to reduce unintentional shootings and suicides.

Cora Barnes, a student who leads a Students Demand Action chapter in Missoula, told the council: \"Every day, 25 people are killed from guns in the U.S.\" She argued that differences between the United States and other countries with much lower gun-violence rates include law and policy choices, and she urged secure storage and community advocacy. Barnes announced an orange-wear rally on Saturday and offered to distribute gun locks at the event.

The proclamation text read during the meeting included local and national statistics cited by staff: that firearms are a leading cause of death for children and teens and that Montana has a high share of firearm suicides. The proclamation honored victims and encouraged residents to \"pledge to wear orange on Saturday, 06/07/2025 to raise awareness, promote responsible gun ownership, and safe storage.\"

Councilor Jordan thanked the presenters and said his family had moved to Australia in part because of safety concerns related to gun violence; he called for more sensible gun laws while acknowledging Montana's strong hunting culture.

The proclamation was read and entered into the record during the special presentations portion of the meeting and organizers invited residents to a community awareness event on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the bridge above Clark Fork Market.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Missoula City Council Meeting June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Missoula city leaders proclaimed June 7, 2025, National Gun Violence Awareness Day during the June 2 City Council meeting and invited residents to wear orange and attend a community rally.","taxTitle","Missoula, Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218553,"Missoula City Council recognizes pride flag as an official city flag after public hearing",6886,2995000,9881000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186&start=2995&end=9881","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186/thumbnail_2995000.jpg","/articles/6218553/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-City-Council-recognizes-pride-flag-as-an-official-city-flag-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218553-cdccda529b9259e4120ce307377ecb9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146978&Signature=D6E5FMPaUCqwW1Xr~dhvAYPdI8E1543awW-BaZLSSbWiPgxqGinsKXHaNFmhLyCGVNeaprohkJjnFALnuDQICSlnRvhhqYsNTdt69qc7enQ~fcFwVKXmNOX9CLICZbtYhUZcRaEvjmPTrZKWVwB2XvdIOCcXClyBgJ9JvImyqm2JbNt50AWOkTV6cI33W1HFCSrShdIJd74iSIgCkykBy98Se6EjuOeWsOQdz~RM8ZEdUiJdQXorEGUKJ8p8G0FEIvdejsELSMhu5zYboy1uUt~d~IdL4rY7oQsE1JSgrFTwJe75n2FdijGxcBfaqi-jO-~P6-ZI6WP5dzPwhjROlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missoula City Council voted 9–2 on June 2 to adopt a resolution recognizing the pride flag as an official flag of the city of Missoula.

The move came after public comment from students, teachers, school trustees and community members and amid passage this spring of House Bill 819, state legislation that limits which flags may be displayed in certain government buildings and public schools. Council sponsor Jennifer Savage said she pushed the resolution because she and other residents were asked to act quickly after the state law took effect.

\"The pride flag symbolizes inclusion,\" Councilor Jennifer Savage said. \"When a public school teacher flies it in his or her classroom, it says to the student that has already come out that they are welcome.\" Savage said the flag also signals safety to students exploring their gender or sexual identity.

City Attorney Ryan Sudbury told the council the new state law allows certain government entities to display their \"official flag,\" and he offered a restrained reading: the council can adopt an official city flag by resolution but acknowledged there is legal ambiguity about whether a municipality may adopt multiple \"official\" flags. \"The way I read the bill is that it states that the city can fly the official flag of the city,\" Sudbury said, adding that the city would work with council to clarify how displays would be handled.

Public commenters emphasized mental-health risks and the day-to-day effect of visible support in classrooms. \"Queer youth who live in very accepting communities attempt suicide at less than half the rate of those in unaccepting ones,\" said Stacy Hunt, a Missoula resident and small-business owner who addressed the council during public comment.

Representative Melody Cunningham, who testified on the bill in the Montana House, told the council she believes the state law was written in a way that would remove pride flags from school classrooms. \"I think it deliberately causes removal of pride flags from school classrooms,\" Cunningham said during public comment.

Council debate focused on local control and legal risk. Some members said they viewed the resolution as a necessary, local response to state action; others raised concerns about the council taking an explicitly symbolic position. Council members repeatedly asked staff for clarification about how the city would handle displays and whether the resolution limits or precludes other communities from requesting their own official flags; Ryan Sudbury and Chief Administrative Officer Dale Bickle said staff would work with council on implementation details.

The roll-call vote was 9 in favor and 2 opposed. Votes recorded in favor were Councilors Carlino, Farmer, Jones, Jordan, Nelson, Nugent, Savage, Cheryl and Bassara. Councilors Sika and Campbell voted no.

The adopted resolution names the pride flag as an official flag of the city and states the city \"recognizes a distinction between official government displays such as those on flag poles or within council chambers and personal areas or spaces that are clearly decorated by individual employees, which are not and shall not be construed as official government displays.\" City staff will work with the council on implementation details for municipal displays and any administrative procedures required.

The resolution takes effect immediately. City officials noted the action could prompt follow-up questions about interpretation of the state statute and said they will continue coordinating with the school district and other local entities on next steps.","The Missoula City Council voted 9–2 on June 2 to adopt a resolution recognizing the pride flag as an official flag of the city of Missoula.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218543,"City council adopts fourth-quarter FY2024 budget amendments after audit; staff called changes year‑end 'true-ups'",319,1308000,1627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186&start=1308&end=1627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186/thumbnail_1308000.jpg","/articles/6218543/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/City-council-adopts-fourth-quarter-FY2024-budget-amendments-after-audit-staff-called-changes-yearend-true-ups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218543-f9b4f63e579a902823607f1af44a065d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146978&Signature=KhLoHT3-ZzW~8kjmBNCvmMNwo6F6UZRnc61RqSjBfZQ1jRAyRBMvDKsy8kt8acwN1oTv84gqFUEa92KJc5QIa2zuIgFPOhzdQGS-dTJiYnXr~OzQ-8ugCF1Z1kQPrh549x4zIslOiIqd5gHDv2gHCtVjDR3xkUezLdFD8j8vY47vxC5o0DiLSdc8yLTAMDOSdxx06XzwA8NKRXEw7qN-zlfxRNwaIkwmDdLuhkJ7HoIZdMdFi9Iw4obFnoAEQvlFnypkcj4ZlA8TkViHKhCo4gV-9LHkbAPAWdkw~Na8g4JlymV1G7CccbOoWcmc6EYzFoyZNmx-3OdGbI15RPESUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missoula City Council unanimously approved a resolution on June 2 adopting fourth-quarter fiscal year 2024 budget amendments, following a staff presentation and a public hearing with no public comment.

Lee Griffin, presenting the item for finance, told the council that state law permits the city to amend its budget during the year provided a public hearing is held. The finance presentation said amendments are routine year-end \"true-ups\" and sometimes follow audit adjustments; the staff exhibit attached to the agenda lists affected funds, revenue sources and expenditure accounts for each amendment.

\"State law allows us to amend the budget throughout the year as long as we notice the hearing and have a public hearing,\" Lee Griffin said during the presentation. Griffin said the city postponed fourth-quarter amendments this year until after a delayed audit so staff could incorporate any necessary adjustments.

The agenda exhibit — posted with the council materials — contains line‑by‑line entries for individual amendments, carryforwards and transfers; the staff presentation described the items as year-end adjustments but the transcripted numeric totals were unclear and not cited verbatim in committee. The resolution adopted by the council authorizes the listed amendments and finalizes FY2024 appropriations as described in the exhibit.

Councilors had no further questions after the presentation. Councilor Becerra moved adoption of the resolution; the vote was unanimous.

City staff said the resolution will be the final set of amendments for FY2024 and that detailed amendment listings remain available in the meeting packet and the posted exhibit for public review.","Missoula City Council unanimously approved fourth-quarter FY2024 budget amendments after a staff presentation explaining the changes were year-end adjustments made after the audit.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218548,"Missoula raises parking fines, adds escalations to target repeat offenders; changes take effect Jan. 1, 2026",1318,1667000,2985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186&start=1667&end=2985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626957-7c64e63002121ffbbacdda2a1b76b186/thumbnail_1667000.jpg","/articles/6218548/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-raises-parking-fines-adds-escalations-to-target-repeat-offenders-changes-take-effect-Jan-1-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218548-642d0692d79defd719980f5a0a740963/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146978&Signature=I6YA2VFDefpikyHB2KNFVNSY3VcDaSUqSyYADSoYI1ED0Cu5kWNxVSCde24IG2beInVbrAOP7qc6v7qv6A3tLQXrR1PXxd4My8yGha7YKTfusqYJus59hd7A4YaiW34zsKcyMBLVd3ZUeLov70uCTYForvizI1IaUC-78-cpz4yxC4dDpUiRZB3gwCETP52UfBBBoe1Go5wubrdvtr8XWdH4yrKaXFsu8klVVqYe4Zx8Zyg-VWrff8kFkLkdkcvFVrb3shFxNK0hcrcIHvXfM2M4-FrtlpnB6i4tYvpiIgICs3zHOPjnId3Ni1JvX~c8hmod5mmQuIXnROG2Ro~U6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missoula City Council approved an ordinance amendment on June 2 that raises and restructures fines for several parking violations and establishes an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

Jody Pilgrim, director of parking services for the Missoula Parking Commission, presented the changes and said the revisions are intended to discourage repeat offenders and to reduce safety-impacting violations such as blocking crosswalks, bike lanes and bus zones.

\"Parking fines in Missoula were last changed in 02/2012,\" Pilgrim said. She told the council the commission's parking study found the current escalation is not deterring repeat violators and recommended steeper penalties for the smaller subset of habitual offenders.

Under the ordinance that council adopted, meter and overtime violations will keep a $0 first violation (a warning) with escalations stepping by $10 increments to a $40 maximum. Improper parking violations (blocking driveways, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, fire hydrants and bus zones) will start at $20 and escalate by $20 each repeat offense up to a $100 maximum; the residential parking permit (RPP) penalties were aligned to the same escalation scheme. Disabled-parking fines are unchanged at $100 because that amount is set by state law, Pilgrim said.

Pilgrim also summarized enforcement data: in 2024 the Missoula Parking Commission issued 12,089 meter violations to 8,701 unique plates; first-time warnings accounted for 64 percent of meter violations and 82 percent of cited drivers received a single violation that year. \"For others, a steeper escalation to the fine may be necessary to change their parking behavior,\" Pilgrim said.

Councilors and members of the public raised concerns about impacts on low-income residents and employees who must park downtown. A public commenter suggested a sliding fee or voucher for people below the poverty line. Pilgrim responded that the commission offers lower-cost parking options for employees and downtown residents — for example, discounted lot parking at $2 per day and the garage first hour free — and that the commission is sensitive to timing and business concerns; the ordinance was written to delay implementation until Jan. 1, 2026 to allow outreach.

Pilgrim said the parking plan's consultant projected that higher fines can reduce violations and may reduce fine revenue: \"Our consultants stated that there would be a 2% decrease for every 10% increase in fine,\" she told the council, noting the commission expects improved compliance and does not project that fine revenue will increase.

Councilor Becerra moved to approve the ordinance amendment; the motion carried on roll-call vote, 9 in favor and 2 opposed. Supporters in the public hearing included Scott Sprowl, who told the council he supported the increases and praised the commission for outreach, while other commenters urged protections for low-income residents.

The ordinance amendments will take effect Jan. 1, 2026; staff said they will undertake outreach to business owners and the public prior to implementation.","The Missoula City Council approved an ordinance amendment June 2 to raise and restructure parking fines and to add escalations aimed at repeat violators, with the changes to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Missoula proclaims National Gun Violence Awareness Day; Moms Demand Action and student group urge safe storage and community rally

Missoula City Council recognizes pride flag as an official city flag after public hearing

City council adopts fourth-quarter FY2024 budget amendments after audit; staff called changes year‑end 'true-ups'

Missoula raises parking fines, adds escalations to target repeat offenders; changes take effect Jan. 1, 2026