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Sign Permit Increase Remains on Hold
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- Created on Thursday, 05 August 2010 10:44
- Written by Press Room
“They said a flat fee based on actual costs,” emphasized County Commissioner Bill Kennedy, to planning staff members about the request of sign companies. Yellowstone County Commissioners sent the planning staff back, last week, to gather more input regarding the fees the department wants to charge to allow businesses to install commercial signs in the county.
Kennedy said he didn’t like the staff proposal to charge a $400 flat fee.
What’s in Store at State Legislature?
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- Created on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 09:34
- Written by Press Room
“The budget is going to be the huge issue in the next state legislature,’ said Jon Bennion, in speaking before members of the boards of the Big Sky Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Big Sky Economic Development Corporation (EDC), last week.
Bennion is the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Montana Chamber of Commerce. “Our mission is to make Montana an even better place in which to do business,” he said.
Montana Transit Harmful to Taxpayers, Environment
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- Created on Thursday, 05 August 2010 10:37
- Written by Press Room
We’re often told that public buses are the most cost effective and energy efficient means of transportation available. But a recent MPI (Montana Policy Institute) study found that this perception doesn’t hold true in rural states like Montana.
When compared to driving private automobiles, public transit in Montana costs more and takes a greater toll on the environment per passenger mile than does driving that same mile in a private vehicle – even when comparing to SUVs or light trucks.
Read more: Montana Transit Harmful to Taxpayers, Environment
RFP Issued for Metra Arena
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- Created on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 09:31
- Written by Press Room
Yellowstone County Commissioners issued a request for proposal on Tuesday for a general contractor to oversee the reconstruction of Rimrock Auto Arena.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 26. They will be opened on July 27 and reviewed by a committee. The Yellowstone County Commissioners will make their final selection on August 3.
Eric Hulteng, Hulteng Construction, who has been hired by the county to advise in the process and prepare the RFP, said that there has been a great deal of interest expressed in the RFP and that he anticipates “a good turn out of qualified respondents.”
Laurel Starts Bus Service
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- Created on Thursday, 05 August 2010 10:33
- Written by Press Room
The City of Laurel plans to operate three buses providing daily (Monday-Friday) service between Laurel and Billings for commuters and daily “demand-response” service Monday-Friday for in-town residents, City Planner James Caniglia said.
Planning Mill Levy Fails to Make Ballot
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- Created on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 09:26
- Written by Press Room
In a vote of two to one, Yellowstone County Commissioners refused to put a mill levy request on the November ballot for the City County Planning Department. Despite wide support from public officials in almost all corners of local government, Commissioners Jim Reno and John Ostlund said that the economic times made it difficult to put the one mill request, which would have garnered $237,000 each year hence.
Commission Bill Kennedy, the dissenting vote, said that he thought the voters should have the opportunity to make the decision themselves. The matter was considered at the regular board meeting of the county commissioners last week.
CTA Named Architect for Metra Arena Rebuild
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- Created on Thursday, 05 August 2010 10:31
- Written by Press Room
From six proposals, Yellowstone County Commissioners have selected CTA as the general architectural design firm to oversee the reconstruction of Rimrock Auto Arena in Metra Park. The county will now enter into negotiation to establish the terms of the agreement. The arena was largely destroyed in a tornado on Father’s Day.
CTA was recommended as the top proposal by a committee which reviewed the applications. Should the county not be able to come to terms with CTA, they will move on to the second ranked firm, Harrison G. Fagg & Assoc.
Nothing is Simple -- Every Day Demands Quick Answers
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- Created on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 09:24
- Written by By Evelyn Pyburn
So far the restoration contractors have hauled away 330 tons of debris from Rimrock Auto Arena.
The process of restoring the tornado damaged facility, however, is one that is fraught with unexpected issues needing immediate answers on a daily basis. With that in mind, Yellowstone County Commissioners have decided to set up a daily time in their schedules so that they are available, as need be, to talk with insurance adjusters, contractors, vendors and staff, in a timely manner that keeps things moving along.
One day last week, the issue was the level of insurance the county would require of the successful design firm that will be chosen to advise, design and oversee construction. Some prospective local firms were claiming that the request is too high. A few even suggested that it was a deliberate ploy, in order to eliminate competitors in favor of a preferred company. The issue needed to be addressed immediately in order to keep the “request for proposals” process moving along at the set schedule.
Read more: Nothing is Simple -- Every Day Demands Quick Answers
