City Council discusses reclassifying Havre as class two city

A resolution to reclassify Havre as a class two city was tabled at Monday's meeting of the Havre City Council to give the public a greater opportunity to learn about the matter before it is voted on.

City Finance Director Doug Kaercher said this matter is being brought up again due to a misunderstanding by a previous city council that resulted in a lack of action taken to address the issue.

Kaercher said Havre's population was shown in the 2000 Census to have dropped to fewer than 10,000 people, requiring it to reclassify as a class two city, but before the council could do that the Montana Legislature passed a bill stating that cities with a population between 9,000 and 10,000 people could still be considered class one through an exemption.

He said the previous council, believing this rule change had resolved the matter, did not pass a resolution to reclassify.

However, according to state law, he said, regardless of which they choose, the city must pass a resolution to either reaffirm their status as a class one city or shift down to class two.

Along with members of the council, Kaercher said the reason they were contemplating moving to class two was because a great number of grants are available to class two cities that class one cities can't even apply for, and this money could potentially be a significant boon to Havre.

Council members also attempted to make clear that the designation of class one and class two is strictly one of population size, not of prestige or quality.

When asked how much the city could potentially be given, Kaercher said he couldn't give an estimate because grants are never a guarantee, but without being class two they won't even have a chance for these grants, many of which could help fund infrastructure projects.

However, the resolution drew vocal opposition from city firefighters, many of whom argued that because the grants are not guaranteed the potential benefits were not worth it compared to how the reclassification would affect their department.

Many who spoke against the resolution appeared to be under the impression that the reclassification was being made in order to allow the city to cut fire department services.

Unlike class one cities, class two cities are not required under Montana state law to have a paid fire department.

Havre Firefighter Cody McLain said that this is the only difference between class one and class two reflected in state law, and this is why he and so many of his fellows are wound up about the potential change.

Havre Mayor Tim Solomon, as well as the members of the council, said they have no intention of changing how the fire department operates when it comes to services and compensation, and their only concern is access to grant dollars.

McLain responded to this statement of intent by saying even if that is true, another city council and mayor may feel differently and the reclassification will give them the ability to cut the fire department.

Others criticized the way the resolution was noticed to the public, with wording that made it sound like they were required by law to reclassify as class two.

While the resolution drew opposition it was not without support.

Havre resident David Brewer said Havre is currently at the bottom of class one, competing for funds with places like Great Falls, but if they move to class two not only will they have access to more grants, but they will be part of a smaller group of cities competing for those dollars and will be at the top of class two.

Brewer said the idea that the city would cut the fire department seems unlikely, given how vital it is to the community, especially with the city having just signed an agreement with Rural Fire District 1 to provide them fire suppression.

Rep. Ed Hill, R-Havre, also spoke in favor of reclassifying as class two, echoing many of Brewer's sentiments and agreeing with the council about the importance of these grants and the infrastructure improvements they can bring.

He said he understands the concerns of the fire department, particularly McLain who called him about the issue recently, but reassured them that council is not out to hurt them with this effort.

Former city council member Bob Kaul also spoke in favor of the reclassification, which he said he has supported since his time on the council.

While many members of the council indicated their support for the reclassification council member Karen Swenson said given the misunderstandings regarding the resolution and the motives of the council it seems wrong to pass it without giving the public a chance to understand the matter better, which the council needs to do a better job of.

Council member Lindsey Ratliff said she supports the reclassification but agreed that the public should have a bit more time to ask questions and find out more.

The council voted 5-2 to table the resolution until next month's meeting with council members Andrew Brekke and Denise Brewer voting no, council member Derek Eldridge excused and all others voting for tabling the issue.

The council also passed a resolution to authorize submission of a Community Development Block Grant application and an ordinance amending city policy on dealing with code violations for abandoned structures.

Brekke said under this amended policy buildings that have had utilities shut off for one year, or have been boarder up for six months are eligible to have their owners contacted by public works so they can proceed with determinations about what needs to be done to bring it up to code.

Both passed unanimously.

The council also unanimously passed a zoning ordinance change requested by Jim Treperinas, converting the properties between 14th and 16th streets and Fifth and Sixth avenues to commercial local, which allows some businesses to be operated in properties in the district.

At the end of the meeting Havre resident Don Stein came to the council saying he's been having serious problems with Havre's deer population which has been causing accidents, eating people's plants and generally being a nuisance in his neighborhood.

Stein said he's afraid the issue is going to get worse, and is quickly becoming a sanitation problem.

He said he talked to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to find out what he's allowed to do, but Solomon said the council is doing the same thing, researching what they can do and working with FWP on a plan that would including trapping.

Solomon said they still have research to do and are looking at how far they can go with things like the upcoming archery season, but it is an issue the council and he are keenly aware of and are working on.

The council's ordinance committee also met after the city council meeting was adjourned.

See more about this meeting in Wednesday's edition of the Havre Daily News.