Representatives from Missoula County's community councils used Wednesday’s meeting to report local priorities and recent activities ranging from community events to development concerns.

Reagan (West Valley) said the council hosted four speakers including county staff and zoning presenters, discussed the Welcome to Frenchtown sign, and is planning Winterfest and a late-December polar plunge event. "We had a heavy agenda, but we got through all four speakers in about two hours," Reagan said.

Danica (Lolo) said the council ran three open houses over recent months to gather public input on the county growth-policy update; attendance varied by night but the staggered approach captured a broader cross-section of residents, and Lolo plans to skip December and resume in January.

Stephanie (East Missoula) reported a light meeting but said residents are closely following Missoula City’s rezoning process, particularly the large Aspire subdivision (city jurisdiction) with a final vote expected Dec. 22.

Bonnie and Clinton council members summarized outreach by Missoula County Public Health: staff sent about 4,000 postcards and received 388 responses to a short solicitation, with respondents reporting roughly 90 percent vaccination among those surveyed; council discussion also touched on water-testing resources and forming a subcommittee to invite a state legislator to speak.

Jane (Bonner) said Bonner is following a developer proposal for a gravel pit and a possible asphalt plant above the Blackfoot River that neighbors oppose, and noted the Blackfoot Crossing redevelopment plan and a grant-funded new Bonner School playground. "It started out as a proposed gravel pit and now they're talking asphalt plant also," Jane said.

The round robin closed with reminders of council schedules: several councils will not meet in December and will resume in January, and county staff promised follow-up communications and assistance for social-media and finance transitions tied to the pending ordinance.

Next steps: councils were reminded of the county's Dec. 4 public hearing on the community council ordinance and the councils' Dec. 17 meeting date.