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Missoula council approves consent agenda including sewer bond, park design contract and amendment to public‑comment rule
Summary
The Missoula City Council on Oct. 20 approved a multi‑item consent agenda by unanimous voice vote that included claims lists, a $5.514 million sewer system revenue bond, a park design contract, a records management purchase, a de‑annexation of Burns Addition parcels and an amendment to council rules on public comment.
The Missoula City Council on Oct. 20 approved a multi‑item consent agenda by unanimous voice vote that included two claims lists totaling roughly $4.87 million, a $5,514,000 sewer system revenue bond, a professional services contract for park design, a fire records management software purchase, a boundary amendment to remove certain parcels known as the Burns Addition from the city limits, and an amendment to City Council Rule 11 to allow two separate opportunities for public comment on items not on the agenda.
Miss Trimble read the consent items into the record. Key items approved included ratification of accounts payable dated Oct. 14 for $3,038,226.01 and approval of accounts payable dated Oct. 21 for $1,834,869.21; confirmation of the mayor’s appointment of Michael Albritton to the Downtown Business Improvement District, zone 1 (term to 05/31/2027); a resolution authorizing a $5,514,000 sewer system revenue bond (DNRC Water Pollution Control State Revolving Loan Program, series 2025B); a professional services agreement with GGLO for design and construction administration of the park on North Scott Street in the amount of $383,162; and the purchase of ImageTrend records‑management software for $72,700.
The consent agenda also included a resolution to amend the city boundary to exclude and remove from the corporate limits certain tracts known as Burns Addition (lots 1–10 of Burns Addition, Section 30, Township 13 North Range 19 West PMM, Missoula County) and a motion to amend City Council Rule 11 to allow two separate opportunities for public comment on items not on the agenda.
Several members of the public addressed items on the consent agenda during the public‑comment period. Kevin Hunt of Ward 1 asked that the rule‑change item be separated from the rest of the consent agenda so voters would clearly see which councilors supported increased public participation. “I would ask that this item be separated from the rest,” Hunt said, adding the change would give the public “a clear idea when the vote comes around and when discussion is occurring.”
James Dodge, who identified himself as an affected homeowner in the Burns Addition, said he was still seeking answers about how his property area was annexed into the city and asked staff to follow up. “How in the world did this unlawful annexation take place?” Dodge asked. He said he learned he was in the city when he received a mayoral ballot and that he had been told he would receive a refund because city taxes were improperly charged. The council indicated staff would follow up with Mr. Dodge to address his questions.
Other public commenters used the general‑comment period to raise separate issues, including downtown traffic and parking tied to the Higgins/SAM project, public safety and homelessness policy, and concerns about MRA spending; those comments were not part of the council’s consent‑agenda approvals.
The council conducted a voice vote on the consent agenda; the mayor called the ayes and announced the motion passed unanimously.
Listed actions approved under consent will be incorporated into the official minutes and the indicated contracts and bond documents will proceed to the administrative steps required by law and city procedure.
