Bigfork Steering Committee - Land Use and Planning for Bigfork, Montana

Minutes: The motion was made to adopt the minutes from June with an amendment adding Joe Brenneman’s name to attendance. (Hanson /Zabaro/Gough) Passed

Treasurer’s Report: Our Balance remains the same, $192.25

North Lake County Planning: This Committee is still writing their regulations. They still meet on the 1st and 3rd Friday’s at Sotheby’s in Bigfork. There will be no public meetings this summer. Lake County has a new Planning Director who is working with them.

Stormwater Committee: This committee has been hard at work finding funds and getting ready to start Phase One to keep Bigfork Bay and thusly Flathead Lake clear of containments. It is very technical and so I asked Sue for a report as she has a better understanding and proper language for the filtering project. Please see her report which accompanies these minutes

Information Committee: No Report

Dark Sky Lighting Committee: No Report

Chamber of Commerce: Sundowner would be held at 5:00 pm that evening.

Chairman’s Report: Craig brought up the subject of the status of the BSC. A rather lengthy discussion ensued as to the need to hold meetings every month. The Committee was revived to rewrite the Neighborhood Plan. That will have to be done in 4 years again, there doesn’t seem to be any issue pending, finances are slim. We all felt that the Web Site is very important to maintain. Sue checked with Mike Callaghan and the Web Sites does receive quite a few hits on a regular basis. (Report attached in notebook) The BLUAC Has stepped forward to aid by giving donations and the BSC Chairman also. The Stormwater Committee which has grant funding can pay for their part. Our Costs are $60.00 in the First quarter of the year, 35.00 a year for Domain Name and $60.00 more in the Last Quarter of the year. More discussion ensued. A motion was made to hold the next meeting in September. (m/sc Hanson/Budewitz ) It was amended to read October due to elections, (m/sc Hanson/Budewitz). Amendment Passed. Motion Passed.

Old Business: Chuck Mentioned the Bigfork Tourist Promotion Assessment is continuing to meet. ( Have had many name changes) They have about $5000.00 to spend and will be continuing to collect funds this year. Flathead Lake Lodge has joined them also. This is the one percent voluntarily collected tax on rooms and bar drinks.

New Business: None.

Announcement: Next meeting will be on October 14, 2010

Meeting was adjourned at 1: 04 PM

Bigfork Steering Committee Minutes

June 10, 2010

Community Forum

Bigforksteering.org

(Amended)

In attendance: Craig Wagner, Pat Wagner, John Bourquin, Jim Losee, Gary Ridderhoff, Steve Zabaro, Bruce Solberg, Joe Brenneman

Chairman Craig Wagner called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m.

Agenda: The motion was made to adopt the agenda. (m/sc Zabaro/Solberg) Passed

Minutes: The minutes for May 13, 2010 were approved as emailed, (m/sc Zabaro/ Solberg)

Treasurer’s Report: Steve reported the treasury remained the same $192.25

There have been no expenditures. Motion to accept the report (m/sc Solberg/Ridderhoff)

North Lake County Planning: No Report

Stormwater Committee (BSAC) Sue was unable to attend and sent a report. I save a copy of her minutes in my notebook. We also use the same email list. Sue also sent a report on the public meeting that was held on June 7, 2010. Present were members of the committee, Joe Brenneman, Russ Kinzer, Superintendent of Bigfork Schools, and members of 48 North Engineering Co.Each gave a talk on the accomplishments to date, and future endeavors. There was a Public Comment session The proceedings were also video taped and will be transcribed at a later date. Comments during the break will be paraphrased and all comments will be on the web site www.bigforksteering.org/stormwater under FAQ’s.

Information Committee: Edd was unavailable due to work commitments but wrote us an email to again say no pictures were forthcoming. Brett Thuma did send a picture of a nice village street with trees and benches along the sidewalk. Edd did write that perhaps there is another way to do this project. We need ideas if anyone has them.

Dark Sky Lighting Committee: No report or call from Drew Hubastek. Jim Losee brought in a small picture of a town using shaded lighting. They used tall fiberglass poles with shaded lamps on either side throwing the light down. It is a very effective system along with easy maintenance.

Chamber of Commerce: Bruce reported the Chamber Board has been busy getting a new phrase to describe our village and a new logo is being designed. The new catch phrase is “Bigfork where Flathead Lake Begins”. We are going to be working with the CFBB on new signage. Craig remarked on the tail end of an announcement he caught on Channel 13 saying “Bigfork A Place for all Seasons” along with a picture. Bruce said there is a group of 12 downtown merchants that have gotten together to promote Bigfork on their own. It was mentioned that the PocketStone Diner is now open for breakfast and lunch. The Wine Cellar and River St Diner are serving dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the summer.

Joe Brenneman (Commissioner): Joe mentioned the new 911 Center had an open house this week and should be operational some time in the next week. He did mention that this was a costly project but they had gotten several grants to help with the funding.

Chairman’s Report: Craig addressed the Liability Insurance subject again. The State Attorney, The County Attorney and a local attorney he consulted with also said we didn’t need liability therefore we took an electronic vote to cancel the insurance. Four votes came to cancel the insurance which was a majority, therefore I have a form to fill out which requires 2 signatures as a witness to my signature.

Old Business: See above Chairman’s Report

New Business: None

Announcement: Next Meeting is July 8, 2010

Meeting was adjourned 12:45 PM

Pat Wagner, Secretary

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 13, 2010

Community Forum

Bigforksteering.org

(Amended)

In attendance: Craig Wagner, Pat Wagner, Edd Blackler, Jasmine Linabary,

John Bourquin, Jim Losee, Chuck Gough, Gary Ridderhoff, Julie Spencer,

Chairman Craig Wagner called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.

Agenda: The motion was made to adopt the agenda. (m/sc Gough/Bourquin) Passed

Minutes: The minutes for April 8, 2010 were approved as emailed, (m/sc Blacker/Losee)

Treasurer’s Report: None Balance should be the same as last month.

North Lake County Planning: No Report

Stormwater Committee (BSAC): Sue was unable to attend and sent a report. The first phase of the design is nearing completion which will be the Grand Dr Section. They will have a public meeting for public comment the first week in June (location to be decided) prior to finishing design. After completion of design, the project will be submitted for bids. They anticipate starting this fall as funding is in place from Grant Funding (TSEP, DEQ, DNRC). After completing this project 48 North Civil Engineering will then proceed with the design for the River St./Grand Ave which may connect to the treatment facility on Grand Dr. The feasibility of connecting will be determined through that process. We are in the process of securing funding for River St.

BSAC will be presenting Stewardship Awards to the Bigfork School and Russ Kinzer on June 2, 2010 for their efforts to reduce stormwater flow on to Grand Dr. We are making great progress she reported.

Information Committee: Edd again expressed the need for pictures and ideas. They do not have to be pictures from Bigfork. He would like pictures that show pictures of areas that are pleasing to the eye from communities and perhaps some that are not pleasing to the eye.

Dark Sky Lighting Committee: No Report

Bigfork Water and Sewer: (See Attachment) Julie stated a resolution had been made to go forward securing monies for improvements to upgrade their sewer system. A press release will be appearing in the newspapers. The press release is attached.

Chairman’s Report: Craig spoke on the Liability Insurance question again repeating the news from last month. He is going to consult an attorney or attorneys here in Bigfork for their opinion. Jim Losee suggested having Jeanie from Western States come to a meeting for consultation.

Old Business: None

New Business: A discussion was held on the finances of the BSC with no solution. We have 192.00 in the bank and no visible means at this time of acquiring more. We maintain the web page, Bank account and a P O Box, methods of acquiring funds were mentioned with no immediate solution.

Jim Losee also brought up the signs for the village as they are not very inviting. Craig mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce has a committee that is trying to bring more business especially year round and they are working on that very subject plus more signs from different directions. Also the Chamber has ads on Television and a new Motto, “Flathead Lake begins at Bigfork”

Announcement: Next meeting will be on June 10, 2010

Meeting was adjourned 12:45 P. M.

Secretary, Pat Wagner

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bigfork Steering Committee Minutes

April 8, 2010

bigforksteering.org

Community Forum

(draft)

In attendance: Craig Wagner, Pat Wagner, Steve Zabaro, Jasmine Linabary

Chairman Craig Wagner called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.

Agenda: The motion was made to adopt the agenda. (m/sc Zabaro/Wagner P) Passed

Minutes: The motion was made to adopt the minutes from March (m/sc /Zabaro/Wagner) Passed

Treasurer’s Report: Steve said he had paid two bills, the rent on the US Post Office Box (20.00 and the Rent on the Web Site (60.00). Our balance is $192.25’ The Motion to accept the report (m/sc Wagner P/Wagner C) Passed

North Lake County Planning: No Report

Stormwater Committee: See attached Minutes

Information Committee: No Report

Dark Sky Lighting Committee: No Report

Chairman’s Report: Craig followed up again on the question of liability insurance for the BSC by calling Ed Corrigan, the Flathead County Attorney. Mr. Corrigan passed it on to Jonathan Smith, Deputy County Attorney who sent Craig an email. Craig read the letter which stated that the County does not cover the BSC. (See attached letter). Craig called the Montana State Attorney General’s Office and was referred to Montana Association of Counties ( MACo). MACo took the question to Western States Insurance in Helena. Kim from Western States Insurance called Craig and he read the letter from Jonathan Smith and she said “I would have to agree with the letter. I can write you a policy right now. Craig said thanks we all ready have one and it is with Western States.” She looked in the computer and then found the BSC listed.

Old Business: None

New Business: None.

Announcement: Next meeting will be on May 13, 2010

Meeting was adjourned at 12:30 PM

Pat Wagner, Secretary