Sign up for the free Helena This Week newsletter and stay in the loop on Helena city government, public school meetings, business news and upcoming entertainment and events. Sign up 03/23/2025 Mayor calls meeting at Civic Center to address AG investigation  Helena Mayor Emily Dean has called for a special commission meeting to determine the city’s response to the attorney general’s mandate that it rescind a resolution that prohibits assisting federal immigration officers. The meeting is scheduled for March 26 at the Helena Civic Center auditorium. Because a large crowd is expected, the meeting was moved from the typical location at the City-County Building.  The resolution, passed by the commission in January, calls for local police officers to “avoid” assisting federal authorities with immigration enforcement. But last month, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that the Department of Justice is investigating the city and the legality of the resolution. Knudsen’s office sent a cease-and-desist letter to the city earlier this month. The city will now determine how to respond to the requests listed in Knudsen’s letter, including explaining how the resolution complies with state law and sharing all relevant communications regarding the resolution from the mayor, commission, city manager and police chief. City attorney Rebecca Dockter told the commission at a meeting last Wednesday that her office is currently working to gather those communications. “ The next steps for this commission then would be to schedule a meeting, preferably a special meeting to consider its options, including the option of rescinding the resolution itself,” Dockter said. Additionally, the city has hired a Missoula law firm regarding the attorney general’s demands. The attorneys working on the case will bill the city $225 per hour, according to the terms of the contract obtained by Montana Free Press.   City Commissioner Melinda Reed expressed concern about scheduling the special meeting only a week out and worried that it’s too short notice for the public. Dockter said the meeting next week is needed “to  get it done sooner rather than later.”  Several members of the public, most of whom are part of local advocacy groups, urged the commission during the meeting Wednesday not to rescind the resolution. “ I think it does not take a lot of courage to vote for yes for something when you have 500 people show up and say that they support this,” said Julia Cotter, an organizer with Montana For Palestine. “But this process might take a little bit more courage, and your community will stand by you if you stand by them.”  The special meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be available virtually on Zoom. Public Notice  Lewis and Clark County Public Health will hold free suicide prevention training Monday, March 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Lewis Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch. The training will provide participants with skills to recognize warning signs, engage with individuals in crisis and help connect them with professional help. Those interested must register to participate.  5 Things to Know in Helena  City Transportation Director David Knoepke provided the commission with an update on the preliminary plan for the downtown mini-malfunction intersection. A traffic consultant presented two design models: one showing the intersection with all-way stop signs and the other with a roundabout, which handled traffic better. Knoepke said that he definitely doesn’t want to put something in place that “could potentially be worse than what we have.” Commissioner Julia Gustafson noted that this summer will mark the two-year anniversary of the malfunction of the intersection’s traffic lights, raising some concern among the public. “Do we have to wait two more years to see a decision being made and then two more years to see it actually happen?” Helena Business Improvement District program manager Abigail Dolan said during the meeting. “So would you just make any decision?” City Parks, Recreation and Open Lands Director Doug Smith proposed raising fees for the Helena Civic Center during a meeting last week. Some of the increases include ticket sales service fees, raising them from 10% to 15%. Other increases include a new $5-per-table linen rental fee and new ballroom AV rental fees. Smith told the commission that the increases were needed to help cover operating costs and offset the impact on the city’s general fund. The fee increase proposal will go before the commission at a city meeting March 23. Fee increases for the Bill Roberts Golf Course were also proposed during a meeting last week. The fee increases for season-pass holders include a $150 increase for couples, a $100 increase for adults and seniors, a $50 increase for young adults and a $25 increase for juniors. Other impacts include increases of $50 and $75 for annual golf cart leases. In total, the fees are estimated to bring in an additional $183,866 in revenue and will go before the commission at a city meeting March 23.  City Open Lands Director Doug Smith proposed open land projects that would make changes to four trail areas within the city. The projects include adjusting the DeFord Trail parking lot and adding a new trail route, relocating the Oakes Street trail, improving the trail system at Nob Hill and installing crushed rock on a portion of the North Benton trail. The total cost of the improvements is estimated at about $119,860.  A city ordinance adopting nighttime trailhead parking restrictions will go before the city commission for its initial reading during a meeting on Monday, March 23. The draft ordinance states that it’s unlawful to “operate, leave, stop or stand a motorized vehicle” at the parking lots of the Beattie Street, Cabernet, Dump Gulch, Lime Kiln Road, Mount Helena and Old Shooting Range trailheads. Closures will be implemented between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Members of the public can submit requests for exceptions to the city parks, recreation and open lands director, according to the draft.  New On The Block A new Korean BBQ restaurant, Cupbob, held a grand opening in Helena last Thursday, at 2024 Cromwell Dixon Lane. The restaurant serves Korean BBQ dishes in cups, including deep-fried potstickers, BBQ pork, kimchi and Korean-style chicken katsu. The restaurant is open daily from 10:30 a.m to 9 p.m.  Might Be Fun  The Montana Book Company will host a Flight of Poets night on Thursday, March 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event will feature readings from poets Sean Hill, Melissa Kwansy and Gabriel Furshong. Participants must RSVP to attend. The post City to hold special meeting to determine next steps on immigration policy appeared first on Montana Free Press. ...read more read less