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City manager proposes alternate Vigilante Parade routes after public-safety review
Summary
City Manager Burton told the Helena City Commission he is considering three alternate routes for the upcoming Vigilante Parade after public-safety concerns from fire, police and street-permitting staff; staff will bring route options to the commission in the coming weeks and the May parade remains scheduled while permit details are finalized.
City Manager Burton told the Helena City Commission that city staff are reviewing alternate routes for the 101st Vigilante Parade after public-safety concerns from fire, police and street-permitting staff.
Burton said recent conversations with public-safety personnel have flagged issues including parade size, large vehicles and fences placed close to vehicle wheels. He said staff are discussing a permit that would modify the parade route from the walking mall to Cruz Avenue for this year and that, in the future, the city will present three standard parade-route options for event applicants to choose from.
"We're in the process of working out the details on a parade permit," Burton said. "We're very seriously considering a permit that modifies the route of the parade from the walking mall to Cruz Avenue." He said the city is coordinating with the Helena School District and public-safety experts, and emphasized the work is being done for safety reasons.
Commissioner Dean asked whether the commission would have a future public meeting to evaluate the options and weigh pros and cons. Burton replied the commission will see the three-route options at a commission meeting and will be able to provide feedback; the upcoming Vigilante Parade permit itself is handled administratively and the commission signs off on permits.
Commissioner Shortliffe asked for a timeline; Burton said staff expect to bring the three-route options to the commission “within the next several weeks” as part of a broader realignment of the city's special-events permitting process.
Burton said the alternate-route work is limited to parade routing and does not refer to other activities on the walking mall. He also said the city is preparing materials that identify public-safety issues for each route so event organizers can select the option that best fits their needs.
The commission offered no immediate changes to the permit process; Burton said staff will return with formal route options and supporting analysis for commission consideration before the May parade.
