Votes at a glance: Helena Commission approves grant, park bid, TIF awards, appointments and permits (5-0)

The Helena City Commission on June 2, 2025 approved a series of motions, mostly by unanimous recorded vote. Major actions included accepting a Federal Railroad Administration railroad crossing elimination grant for $3,200,000, awarding the Kaye McKenna Park tennis court improvement contract to the lowest complete bidder, approving two downtown urban renewal district (URD) tax-increment financing (TIF) distributions, confirming board appointments, and approving right-of-way exclusive-use permits for groundwater monitoring wells.

Why this matters: The votes authorize project planning, funding and contracts that will move infrastructure, park and public-art work forward and secure federal planning funds for a significant grade-separation project on Montana Avenue.

Summary of recorded actions (motions and outcomes)

1) Confirmation of firefighter Patrick Hammond — motion carried 5-0 - Motion: "I move the confirmation of firefighter Patrick Hammond." (motion moved and seconded) - Outcome: Approved (5-0) - Notes: Following oath and brief remarks; mayor and commissioners voted aye.

2) Bid award — Kaye McKenna Park Tennis Court Improvement Project — motion carried 5-0 - Motion: "Move to approve awarding the Kaye McKenna Park Tennis Court Improvement Project, PR25004, to the lowest complete bidder Montana Materials and Construction in the amount of $620,000." (moved and seconded) - Outcome: Approved (5-0) - Notes: Staff recommended post-tension concrete over asphalt for longevity; commission discussion noted life expectancy extension and public safety concerns that prompted the investment.

3) Resolution distributing downtown URD TIF funds to Parks, Recreation and Open Lands for Kaye McKenna Park tennis court reconstruction — motion carried 5-0 - Motion: "I move to approve a resolution distributing downtown urban renewal district tax increment financing funds to the City Of Helena's Parks, Recreation, And Open Lands Department For Reconstruction of the K McKenna Park Tennis Court." (moved and seconded) - Amount: $310,000 (50% of the $620,000 project cost) from the downtown URD - Authority cited in staff presentation: references to Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and downtown URD plan goals - Outcome: Approved (5-0)

4) Acceptance of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) railroad crossing elimination grant — motion carried 5-0 - Motion: "I'll move to accept the Federal Railroad Administration railroad crossing elimination grant in amount of $3,200,000." (moved and seconded) - Amount: $3,200,000 award; city and partners (Montana Department of Transportation and BNSF) will provide matching funds totaling $800,000 among partners, per staff remarks - Staff noted the grant will fund preliminary engineering (approximately 30 percent plans) and NEPA clearance for a proposed grade separation (tunnel) at Montana Avenue and BNSF tracks; subsequent construction funding to be pursued - Outcome: Approved (5-0)

5) Resolution distributing downtown URD TIF funds to Holter Museum of Art for public-art restoration — motion carried 5-0 - Motion: "I move to approve a resolution distributing downtown urban renewal district tax increment financing funds to the Holter Museum of Art for public art restoration." (moved and seconded) - Amount: $6,440 (50% of total estimated $12,880 restoration cost) to restore Richard Swanson's "Redshift Rocker" outdoor sculpture at Cruz Avenue and Lawrence Street - Outcome: Approved (5-0)

6) Board and committee appointments (several appointments bundled, motion carried 5-0) - Appointments approved included Michael Bassett (ADA Compliance Committee, interim term to 09/01/2027), Brian Costigan (Helena Regional Airport Board of Adjustment, term to 10/01/2027), Christina Barbicano (Helena Public Art Committee, interim term to 12/31/2025), and Bob Goodwin (Urban Renewal District TIF Advisory Board, term to 12/31/2026). The commission approved these appointments by a single motion (5-0).

7) Consent agenda and claims — motion carried 5-0 - Motion to approve consent agenda items A and B passed unanimously.

8) Exclusive right-of-way use permits for Resource Environmental LLC (groundwater monitoring wells) — both motions carried 5-0 - Two motions approved exclusive right-of-way use permits: one for 140 square feet along Yellowstone Drive and one for 40 square feet along B Street; annual fee $50 each (city code 7-13-5 minimum applies) - Staff said wells are for characterization and remediation work tied to historic releases near the Phillips 66 terminal and that the Montana Department of Environmental Quality is coordinating on the remediation.

Other votes and motions

- Resolutions of intention: The commission moved to set public hearings and advance work plans for the Business Improvement District (BID) and Helena Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) work plans and budgets for FY26 and scheduled public hearings for June 16, 2025. Motions carried 5-0.

Public comments and staff remarks

During public comment a resident urged the commission to consider lower-cost, temporary street-design changes (tactical urbanism) and single-lane roundabout/traffic-calming alternatives for intersections on Neil Avenue and the Montana Avenue corridor to improve pedestrian comfort and safety. Staff and commissioners acknowledged the comment; no formal directive or motion resulted from the public comment beyond noting the concern.

Ending

Most recorded votes at the June 2 meeting were unanimous (5-0), advancing planning, park reconstruction, public-art restoration and grant-funded engineering work. Several items will return to the commission for follow-up: final construction funding for the Montana Avenue grade separation project, implementation details for sustainability appropriations, and the formal preliminary budget adoption on June 16.