Helena, Montana
Upcoming
Helena City Commission Bylaws Worksession 3
The Helena City Commission is holding a third work session to discuss its own bylaws, focusing on meeting procedures, officer roles, and public participation rules. The agenda contains only procedural guidelines and standard administrative items rather than specific policy votes or contracts, making this a boilerplate procedural review. Residents can attend to observe how commission meeting protocols are discussed.
- Review of City Commission bylaws covering meeting procedures and officer duties
- Updated public comment rules, including a two-minute speaking limit per agenda item
- Guidelines for Zoom participation and microphone etiquette
- Standard administrative items including department reports and commission direction to the city manager
Regular City Commission Meeting
The Helena City Commission is reviewing three fiscal year 2026 urban renewal district work plans and considering a zoning change for a residential property. Commissioners will also vote on proposed updates to city parking enforcement, sidewalk regulations, and garbage disposal fees at the transfer station. Other agenda items include a bid award for Fire Station #2 renovations and grant agreements for local trail projects.
- Public hearings on Downtown, Capital Hill Mall, and Railroad Urban Renewal District Work Plans for FY26
- Ordinance proposing a zoning change from R-2 (Residential) to PLI for an unspecified property
- Resolution to vacate portions of Livingston Avenue, Sanders Street, and an alley in block 32-A of the Conrad-Stafford Addition
- Fee changes for garbage and refuse disposal at the City of Helena Transfer Station
- Bid award for Fire Station #2 Renovation & Fire Suppression Project CF26002
Recent meetings
City Commission Administrative Meeting
The City Commission will review several departmental updates and city management items. Discussion topics include public safety funding, urban renewal work plans, and park planning.
- Consideration of Public Safety Mill Levy
- Overview/Update of the Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan
- Urban Renewal District Work Plans for FY26
- CDBG Sponsorship of YWCA Helena
- Updating Resolution 19800 – Fire Service Cost Recovery
Regular City Commission Meeting
The Helena City Commission will vote on distributing Capital Hill Urban Renewal District tax increment financing to D&M Development for the former mall property, adopt the preliminary budget for FY 2026-2027, and hold public hearings on an alley vacation and budget. They will also consider revisions to parking and sidewalk codes and repeal criminal penalties for certain code violations.
- Consider resolution distributing TIF funds to D&M Development, LLC for Capital Hill Mall redevelopment
- Consider resolution adopting preliminary budget for FY 2026-2027 and setting Municipal Court Judge salary
- Consider Transportation Systems - Parking Code Revisions
- Consider Proposed Sidewalk Code Revisions
- Bid awards for water meter replacement ($25-25), water main replacements on Butte/Missoula Ave (#25-06) and Walnut St-Airport Rd (#25-07), and fire hydrant replacement (#25-13)
City Commission Administrative Meeting
The City Commission will hold an administrative meeting to discuss and provide direction on several items, including the Helena Citizens Council's FY27 budget recommendations, a public safety mill levy, and updates to engineering standards. No final votes are scheduled; this is a discussion session.
- HCC FY27 Budget Recommendations – review of proposed budget for fiscal year 2027
- Consideration of Public Safety Mill Levy – discussion on a potential tax levy for public safety funding
- Update of 2013 City of Helena Engineering Standards – Chapter 5 – proposed revision to engineering standards
- Public Art Community Collaboration Grant Presentation – presentation on a grant for public art
- City Manager Evaluation Process Update 2026-2027 – update on the evaluation process for the city manager
Regular City Commission Meeting
The Helena City Commission will consider the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2027, approve workplans for business improvement districts, and vote on resolutions regarding parking, alley rights-of-way, and fee adjustments.
- Increase appropriations by $1,864,000 for Fiscal Year 2026
- Resolution to increase permitted angle parking at 1620 Aspen Street
- Resolution of Intention to vacate alley right-of-way and easement in High School Block 1
- Resolution of Intention to vacate Cooke Street right-of-way between High School Blocks 1 and 2
- Resolution establishing a contingency reserve for unforeseen expenses
Helena City Commission Bylaws Work Session - 2
This is a special meeting of the Helena City Commission billed as a work session on its bylaws. The only substantive discussion item is a second work session on general rules, meeting procedures, and officer roles. The remainder of the agenda consists of standard procedural items (call to order, commission comments, department reports, public comment, adjournment). No votes or binding decisions are scheduled.
- Commission Discussion and Direction to the City Manager on bylaws
- City Commission Bylaws Discussion - Work Session 2: General Rules / Meeting Procedures / Officers
City Commission Administrative Meeting
The Helena City Commission will hold an administrative meeting to review board appointments, receive the city manager's report, and discuss several policy updates including a budget amendment, parking code revisions, and sidewalk code changes.
- FY2026 Budget Amendment Overview
- Transportation Systems - Parking Code Revisions
- Proposed Sidewalk Code Revisions
- Open Lands Major Projects for 2026
- Pay Plan Presentation with Policy Updates
City-County Joint Budget Work Session
The City-County Joint Budget Work Session will cover funding for support services, transit, and city operations. Officials will present budget details for departments including police, IT, and the library.
- Support Services and 911 budget discussion
- Capital Transit/East Valley Bus System funding
- City-County Building Administration budget
- Lewis & Clark Library budget presentation
- Youth & Adult Community Service Program budget
Regular City Commission Meeting
The City Commission will hold public hearings regarding the FY 2027 work plans, budgets, and property assessments for the Helena Tourism and general Business Improvement Districts. The body will also consider a safety action plan and the disposal of surplus vehicles.
- Resolution of Intention for Helena Tourism Business Improvement District FY 2027 budget and assessment
- Resolution of Intention for Business Improvement District FY 2027 budget and assessment
- Adoption of the Greater Helena Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Comprehensive Safety Action Plan
- Resolution to declare city-owned vehicles as surplus property for disposal
- Resolution to set fees for the Transportation Systems Department
Helena City Commission Bylaws Work Session - Articles I & II: Officers & General Rules
The City Commission will hold a work session to discuss the first two articles of the City Commission Bylaws. This discussion covers Officers and General Rules.
- Work Session: City Commission Bylaws Articles I & II (Officers & General Rules)
City Commission Administrative Meeting
The City Commission will hold an administrative meeting to discuss and provide direction on the FY2027 budget, including follow-up questions, department presentations for Human Resources, Transportation Systems, and Public Works, and a preliminary budget wrap-up. Additionally, presentations on the FY27 Business Improvement District and Tourism Business Improvement District workplans and budgets are scheduled.
- a. FY2027 Budget Follow Up Questions and Answers
- b. Department Budget Presentations: Human Resources, Transportations Systems and Public Works
- c. Preliminary Budget Discussion: Wrap up of Preliminary Budget Presentations; Commission Comments & Recommendations
- d. FY27 Business Improvement District Workplan and Budget Presentation
- e. FY27 Helena Tourism Business Improvement District Workplan and Budget Presentation
Regular City Commission Meeting
The Helena City Commission will consider withdrawing from the Helena/Lewis and Clark County Consolidated Planning Board and dissolving the City Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment. Other actions include setting new Transportation Systems Department fees with a public hearing scheduled for May 18, 2026, adopting an amended Community Development Public Participation Plan, and pre-zoning property to B-2 prior to annexation. Bid awards for the 6th Ward ADA Curb Ramps Project and the Broadway Storm Sewer Project are also on the agenda.
- Bid award for TSD-26-19: 6th Ward ADA Curb Ramps Project
- Bid award for Broadway Storm Sewer Project #25-04
- Resolution to withdraw from Helena/Lewis and Clark County Consolidated Planning Board
- Resolution to dissolve the City of Helena Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment
- Consideration of pre-zoning to B-2 (general commercial) for Tract A-1-A-1 prior to annexation
City Commission Administrative Meeting
The Helena City Commission will review board appointments, discuss the Safe Streets for All funding opportunity, and receive budget updates from various city departments. The meeting will also include a public comment period.
- Board Appointment Review
- Safe Streets for All (SS4A) - Funding Opportunity
- Department Budget Presentations: Parks and Recreation, Open Lands, Urban Forestry, Golf, Civic Center, Fire Services, Police Operations, and Community Facilities
- FY2027 Budget Follow-up Questions and Answers
- Update of 2013 City of Helena Engineering Standards
Regular City Commission Meeting
The Helena City Commission will meet to discuss the confirmation of a probationary officer, updates from the City-County Board of Public Health, and the award of transportation system construction bids. The agenda includes a public hearing on a resolution to annex land in the McHugh Subdivision and a request to alter the Grandstreet Theatre's leased premise.
- Confirmation of probationary Officer Tommy Wells
- Bid award for 2026 Chip Seal project
- Bid award for 2026 Sidewalk Improvement Program
- Consideration of Façade Easement Approval for the Gold Block
- Resolution amending annexation of Lot G1-A-1 in McHugh Subdivision
City Commission Special Meeting
The Helena City Commission will hold a special meeting to discuss the City Commission Bylaws and take public comment. The meeting will be held at the City-County Building and online via Zoom.
- City Commission Bylaws Discussion
- Public Comment on action items
- City Manager's Report
- Commission Discussion and Direction
- Presentations
City Commission Administrative Meeting
The Helena City Commission will hold an administrative meeting to discuss the City Manager's evaluation process, a request by the Grandstreet Theatre to alter its leased premises, and department budget presentations for the upcoming fiscal year.
- City Manager Evaluation Process Update
- Grandstreet Theatre lease alteration request
- General FY2027 Budget Overview
- Finance Department Budgets
- Parking Budget
City-County Joint Work Session
The City-County Joint Work Session will feature presentations on the MPO Long Range Transportation Plan, a Joint Infrastructure Study Update, and the Journey Home housing initiative. Mayor Harris of East Helena will join the discussion.
- MPO Long Range Transportation Plan presentation
- Joint Infrastructure Study Update presentation
- Journey Home Update by Many Rivers presentation
- Public comment period
- Upcoming events and announcements
Regular City Commission Meeting
The Helena City Commission will hold public hearings and consider resolutions on golf course and civic center fees, property conveyance for Fire Station #3, and final passage of zoning and subdivision ordinance updates under the Montana Land Use Planning Act. They will also consider annexation and preliminary plat approval for a 44.8-acre tract (Trinity Center subdivision) and first passage of pre-zoning for that property. Consent agenda items include approval of claims and an audit firm.
- Final passage of ordinance updating zoning ordinances (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 16, 22, 25, new Chapter 27) under Montana Land Use Planning Act
- Final passage of ordinance updating subdivision regulations (Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, new Chapter 7) under Montana Land Use Planning Act
- Resolution to authorize conveyance of real property for construction of Fire Station #3
- Annexation and preliminary plat for Trinity Center Minor Subdivision (44.816 acres), with pre-zoning to B-2 (general commercial)
- Bid award for 2025 Pipe Storage and Maintenance Shop Project #25-19