Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Whitefish high school seniors present Vision Whitefish 2045 proposals on transit, housing and stormwater
Summary
Whitefish High School seniors presented an applied civics project at the Community Development Board work session, outlining proposals on a transportation advisory committee, year‑round transit, electric‑vehicle charging, stormwater mitigation, housing equity and downtown street closures.
Whitefish — High school seniors presented their Vision Whitefish 2045 projects at the Whitefish Community Development Board work session on Jan. 16, proposing a range of local policy ideas including a transportation advisory committee, a year‑round transit network, mandated EV chargers in new construction, permeable pavement and stormwater harvesting, a municipal equity leader, vacancy taxes and incentives for mixed‑use development.
The students delivered short, evidence‑based policy pitches as part of a class project guided by teacher Mr. Webb. The presentations were framed as an exercise in persuasive civic writing and local policy engagement, and drew brief feedback from board members who praised the students’ preparation.
Among the proposals, Whitney Workman proposed formation of “a transportation advisory committee” that would include city and Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) representatives, police, city council members, business owners and residents to improve communication on highway projects. Lauren Rossi urged updating the town’s limited seasonal snow‑bus service into a year‑round public transit network, saying the change would “decrease it by about 23 times the amount of accidents” and open parking for downtown businesses. Ethan Hunsaker argued for updating the city’s parking code to “mandate electric vehicle charging in new constructions” to support tourism and local EV adoption. A student identified as Logan recommended permeable pavement, rain gardens and rainwater harvesting to reduce stormwater runoff, noting that permeable pavement can “absorb up to 5 gallons of water per minute and reduce runoff by about 7%.”
Other student proposals included a municipal equity leader to broaden civic participation (presented by a student who cited demographic imbalance in meeting attendance), a vacancy tax to redirect revenue from long‑term unoccupied homes into workforce and low‑income housing (Kelly Klepper), incentives for mixed‑use buildings to encourage affordable housing and year‑round jobs (Tyler Wick and Griffin Gunlixson), and temporary summer street closures on Central Avenue to boost walkability and local business activity (Jake Dunker and Isaac Gibbs).
Board members thanked the students and several noted the presentations cited useful resources for future planning work. The students’ exercise was described by Mr. Webb as an applied civics project intended to practice persuasive writing and engage young residents with local planning issues.
The presentations were part of the work session and did not generate formal board action tonight; staff and board members said they welcomed continued student involvement in Vision Whitefish planning efforts.
