Residents press Lewistown commission on sidewalk parking, stop signs and Centerfest scheduling

Several residents used the non‑agenda public‑comment period to press the commission on neighborhood parking and traffic safety issues.

Keith Cer (615 Idaho Street) described chronic sidewalk parking on Idaho Street, saying narrow street width forces residents to mount the curb, creates access problems for garbage trucks, snow plows and emergency vehicles, and questioned whether enforcement has been applied unevenly. Roger Olsen (706 West Idaho) said residents still clear snow and argued that parking near their homes is necessary. An anonymous caller reported long‑term vehicles parked near the hospital and behind downtown businesses.

Houston asked the commission to consider additional stop signs at Walnut/Southwest Ash/Derby adjacent to the high school and raised concern about recent pavement markings that may not align with winter plow paths.

Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and invited public participation in the ordinance committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday (time specified in meeting notes). Commissioner Robertson said practical solutions are needed to balance sidewalk accessibility for people with limited mobility and on‑street parking demands. The commission said code enforcement is complaint driven and will review patterns of citations; staff will take the public comments to the ordinance committee for further consideration.

Separately, commissioners discussed an application to reserve Creekside Pavilion and Park for exclusive use by Centerfest on the first weekend in August; a written request from Brent Clark was noted and commissioners said they would review the policy and related letters from event organizers.

No ordinance or enforcement change was adopted at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to research options and report back.