Community councils report local safety, infrastructure and development concerns across Missoula County

Community council representatives across Missoula County used a monthly round-robin update to describe local safety, infrastructure and development issues, including a Seeley Lake volunteer effort to start a Crime Stoppers program and a community cleanup, Lolo’s ongoing growth-plan discussions and Lolo Water & Sewer District briefings, a Highway 200 speed study in East Missoula, a proposed development in Bonner, and a new superintendent announced for the Clinton school district.

Those local reports matter because they show how volunteer community councils are tracking on-the-ground problems — from public safety and cleanup efforts to sewer planning and potential housing development — and requesting county engagement or information.

In Seeley Lake, community representatives said drug-related problems and littering around the school prompted residents to form a volunteer group and to plan a Crime Stoppers program and a May 3 community cleanup with 40-foot containers. "May 3, this group has scheduled a community cleanup day," said Tom Browder, who spoke during the Seeley Lake update. He said the volunteer group has applied for an impact grant of about $4,000 but did not confirm whether funding was awarded.

West Valley reported a presentation from the Frenchtown School District maintenance supervisor on a boiler system; the West Valley representative said technical difficulties limited how much of that presentation could be heard.

Lolo council members said Missoula County staff briefed them on the county growth plan and policy; they will form a small group of citizens to discuss the plan as a recurring agenda item. Council members also said Shane Stack from Missoula County Public Works will present findings from a working group about the Lolo Water and Sewer District at their April meeting. Separately, the Montana Department of Transportation presented a Highway 93 to Florence corridor study; speakers said changes are years away. An engineering firm told the Lolo council that a redevelopment of the old Lolo School site could include 56 single-family units under current guidelines.

In East Missoula, representatives reported a speed study for Highway 200 that appears likely to lead to reduced speeds in residential areas; the study results were posted to their Facebook page and county public works staff planned to attend their April meeting to introduce the new public works director. East Missoula also heard from Friends of the Children Shelter, which operates from the old Mount Jumbo School.

Bonner’s meeting included historical presentations and a Marshall Mountain Park update. A community development update noted that a developer, identified in that meeting as Greg Morris, purchased the log yard next to the mill and described plans variously as "about a hundred" or "256" homes; the final project size and timing were not specified. Bonner representatives said they submitted two impact grant requests: one for a May cleanup day and one for restoration and display work at the Bonner History Center.

Clinton council members said the school district named a new superintendent (expected to start June 30) and that the Clinton Community Bible Church described available community services — from quilting groups to AA meetings and senior classes — and told the council the church could host evacuated students or serve as a gathering place during community emergencies.

Speakers across councils asked county staff for more targeted council training (beyond recordkeeping law) on topics such as grant eligibility, strategic planning and how to run a council. County staff said they would explore a council-only training session and can provide contact help to schedule speakers and walk council members through the county website.

The round-robin concluded with county staff offering follow-up help and noting that councils should reach out if they need assistance with website navigation or county contacts.