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Missoula council approves library living‑roof interlocal after 9–1–1 roll call; public commenters press city to use land for housing and revisit UDC
Summary
City Council approved the Missoula County interlocal for a library living roof 9–1–1 (nine yes, one no, one abstention). Public commenters urged holding city land in public trust for affordable housing and asked the council to reconsider recent Unified Development Code changes that they say reduce neighborhood character.
The Missoula City Council on March 30 approved most consent‑agenda items by voice vote and then approved, by roll call, an interlocal agreement with Missoula County for a living roof at the Missoula Public Library.
On the roll call for consent item 9.2, the vote was nine in favor, one opposed and one abstention. The clerk recorded votes as follows: Anderson, Basera, Crest, Jones, McCoy, Melson, Nent, Pontton and Savage — yes; Campbell — no; Jordan — abstain. Council member Campbell told the council she would vote no on 9.2 because she objected to use of tax‑increment financing funds (she cited $275,000 in TIF as part of the project funding) and said she did not see evidence of blight; Council member Jordan said she would abstain because she works for the granting agency.
Nut graf: The consent agenda included routine approvals — claims/payables, interlocal agreements and items setting public hearings — but item 9.2 drew disagreement on TIF use and a formal abstention tied to a declared conflict. The council otherwise approved the package and set hearings on budget amendments and an amendment to the North Reserve Scott Street urban renewal plan.
Highlights and motions: Claire Trimble read the consent package, which included approval of accounts payable checks dated March 31, 2026 in the amount of $1,140,167.22; authorization for the mayor to sign interlocal agreements (including the library living‑roof agreement); and motions to set public hearings on second‑quarter fiscal‑year 2026 appropriation amendments (April 13) and to preliminarily adopt an amendment to the North Reserve Scott Street urban renewal plan with a hearing set for April 20 (first reading).
Public comment: During the non‑agenda public comment period, Susette Dusso urged the council to stop selling city‑owned parcels, hold land in public trust and use public land to reduce housing costs; she named a local pocket parcel she called “The Grove” and asked the council to preserve it as public trust land. James Crosby (Ward One) asked for details and a timeline on phase two of the Unified Development Code (UDC) updates, criticized recent developments that he said “fill the lot from edge to edge,” and urged the council to revisit parts of the UDC so infill preserves neighborhood character. Online commenter Carrie Shriber thanked the council for new stop signs at a dangerous intersection and urged mindful, safety‑focused infill planning around Midtown Commons.
The council adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Ending: Several items moved forward as scheduled: staff will present details at the scheduled committee meetings and the council set public hearings for appropriations (April 13) and the North Reserve Scott Street urban renewal plan amendment (April 20).
