Helena City Commission approves slate of confirmations, contracts and plans in 5-0 votes

The City of Helena City Commission on March 24, 2025 voted unanimously on a package of appointments, contract awards and planning actions, including the confirmation of two Helena Police Department officers, confirmation of an assistant fire chief, award of a water-main replacement contract, acceptance of the city's fiscal year 2024 financial and federal single audit, and adoption or initiation of several planning items.

Why it matters: The actions finalize personnel additions for public safety, commit $312,000 in enterprise funds to a water-main replacement project, complete required financial reporting and audits for the previous fiscal year, and move several land-use and civic-facility items forward for implementation. Together they reflect routine governance business and near-term capital and planning work that affects city operations and service delivery.

What the commission approved (motions, outcomes and key details):

- Confirmations: The commission confirmed two Helena Police Department officers, Toby Erickson and Brendan Colburn, following introductions and brief remarks from Police Chief Petty and the officers. The motion to approve the confirmations carried 5–0 (Commissioners Shurtleff, Dean, Reid, Logan and Mayor Wilmot Collins voting Aye). Evidence: presentation/introduction (approx. tc_start 00:10:09–00:10:50) and vote (approx. tc_start 00:17:06–00:17:27).

- Fire department appointment: The commission confirmed Jason Wenzel as assistant fire chief and chief of training. Wenzel took the oath of office on the record. The confirmation motion carried 5–0. Evidence: presentation and oath (approx. tc_start 00:17:47–00:20:00) and vote (approx. tc_start 00:22:08–00:22:28).

- Board appointment: The commission appointed David Saba to an interim term on the Citizen Conservation Board; the interim term expires 02/28/2026. Motion carried 5–0. Evidence: presentation and motion (approx. tc_start 00:23:07–00:23:25) and vote (approx. tc_start 00:23:53–00:24:02).

- Contract award (water main): The Centennial Drive main replacement project (project 24‑19) was awarded to low bidder Helena Sand and Gravel Inc. for $312,000, funded from the city's enterprise fund. Staff said the line had nine breaks in three years and needed replacement. Motion to award carried 5–0. Evidence: presentation (approx. tc_start 00:24:22–00:24:46) and vote (approx. tc_start 00:25:14–00:25:24).

- Fiscal-year audit acceptance: The commission accepted the City of Helena’s fiscal year 2024 audited financial statements and federal single audit; staff reported an unmodified (clean) opinion. The staff presentation noted the audit was late because of an accounting system conversion and that federal reporting thresholds apply when more than $750,000 in federal grant expenditures occur. Motion to accept the audit carried 5–0. Evidence: presentation (approx. tc_start 00:31:49–00:32:45) and vote (approx. tc_start 00:39:21–00:39:27).

- Civic Center fees: The commission approved a resolution of intention to establish new fees for use of the Helena Civic Center, repeal Resolution No. 20,819, and set a public hearing for April 7, 2025. Motion carried 5–0. Evidence: presentation and motion (approx. tc_start 00:39:28–00:40:15) and vote (approx. tc_start 00:41:53–00:42:03).

- Openlands major projects: The commission approved the 2025 Openlands major projects list as presented. Motion carried 5–0. Evidence: presentation and motion (approx. tc_start 00:42:03–00:42:35) and vote (approx. tc_start 00:43:44–00:43:52).

- Zoning and planning items (see separate articles): The commission approved a zone change for Peaks Phase 1 (Crossroads at Mountain View Meadows) to R‑4 and adopted the Railroad District Neighborhood Plan into the 2019 growth policy; each of those items included separate presentations and public‑hearing processes and passed 5–0. Evidence: Peaks Phase 1 presentation and vote (approx. tc_start 00:44:13–00:56:16 and 00:55:59–00:56:16); Railroad District presentation and vote (approx. tc_start 00:56:33–01:29:07 and 01:25:25–01:27:22).

Meeting context and next steps: Several items were routine confirmations and contract awards that allow staff to proceed (appointments, award contract mobilization). The Civic Center fees will return for a public hearing April 7, 2025. The audit acceptance fulfills statutory reporting requirements and staff indicated follow-up with quasi‑governmental entities (BID/TBID) on audit recommendations. The zoning and neighborhood plan items will now guide future permitting, zoning updates and implementation projects.

Votes at a glance (summary table): - Police confirmations (Toby Erickson; Brendan Colburn) — Outcome: approved 5–0. - Fire assistant chief confirmation (Jason Wenzel) — Outcome: approved 5–0. - Citizen Conservation Board appointment (David Saba, interim to 02/28/2026) — Outcome: approved 5–0. - Centennial Drive main replacement (Project 24‑19) — Award to Helena Sand & Gravel Inc., $312,000 — Outcome: approved 5–0. - Acceptance of FY2024 audited financial statements and federal single audit — Outcome: approved 5–0. - Resolution of intention to set new Helena Civic Center fees; public hearing set for 04/07/2025 — Outcome: approved 5–0. - Approval of the 2025 Openlands major projects — Outcome: approved 5–0. - Peaks Phase 1 zone change to R‑4 (Crossroads at Mountain View Meadows) — Outcome: ordinance approved 5–0 (final passage). - Adoption of Railroad District Neighborhood Plan into the 2019 growth policy — Outcome: approved 5–0.

Quoted on the record: Police Chief Petty introduced the two officers and asked the commission “to confirm these two officers tonight.” Planner Michael Alvarez spoke during the Peaks and Railroad District items and read the Railroad District vision statement into the record during the plan presentation.

Reported votes and procedural notes are drawn from the official transcript and on‑record motions and roll calls recorded by the clerk.