From the Vine

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Thank you for visiting From the Vine. The City has archived this page to simplify the ways that you can ask questions and provide feedback to the City. 

Questions and answers previously submitted through this page will remain available for you to view.


If you need help with a City service, please use the My Helena App to submit a service request. You can visit https://www.helenamt.gov/Requests/Request-Help-for-City-Services to get started.


If you would like to provide comment to the City Commission, please visit https://www.helenamt.gov/Government/City-Commission and use the General Public Comment form.


Finally, if you have questions or need help finding information, please feel free to email communication@helenamt.gov. 


Click Here to View the Etiquette & Moderation Policy

Questions and answers previously submitted through this page will remain available for you to view.


If you need help with a City service, please use the My Helena App to submit a service request. You can visit https://www.helenamt.gov/Requests/Request-Help-for-City-Services to get started.


If you would like to provide comment to the City Commission, please visit https://www.helenamt.gov/Government/City-Commission and use the General Public Comment form.


Finally, if you have questions or need help finding information, please feel free to email communication@helenamt.gov. 


Click Here to View the Etiquette & Moderation Policy

Thank you for visiting From the Vine. The City has archived this page to simplify the ways that you can ask questions and provide feedback to the City. 

Please submit one question at a time to make it easier for others to search previous questions and responses. Questions that include offensive or derogatory language may receive a private response.

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    Hello City of Helena. Some of my neighbors and I are concerned about traffic speed btw Helena High and Helena Middle on Billings Ave. We'd like to explore the idea of installing an island at the intersection of Billings Ave and Dakota Ave. How can we initiate the process to include a project like this in the City's 2023 budget/priorities?

    m.s.pettit asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question.

    The City has a Traffic Calming Program, which was created to provide residents an avenue for addressing neighborhood traffic concerns. Information on the program, as well as the application to initiate the process, can be found at https://www.helenamt.gov/Departments/Transportation-Systems under the department's Forms. The program begins with a traffic data analysis period, which would impact how quickly a project might be included in the budget process. 

    If you have questions about the program, please don't hesitate to contact the Transportation Systems Department.

    streets,transportation
    streets transportation
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    How can we get an abandoned car hauled away? It's on Enterprise drive and has been there several months and now has two flat tires.

    K Wilson asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question. Abandoned vehicles can be reported to the Police Department using the My Helena App, which can be downloaded on your phone. You can also submit a report by visiting http://www.myhelenaapp.com/.

    • To complete a report:
    • Select the "Request" icon in the bottom of the page
    • Create a Request
    • Select a Report Type - Helena Police
    • Under "Tell us more details", "Issue Type" - Abandoned Vehicle


    The system will provide you with status updates as staff respond to your request. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Police Department at 406-447-8479.

    police department
    police department
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    Many cities share the cost of sidewalks with the homeowner. Has the City considered this as an Avenue for getting homeowners to participate ? Many cities do this type of bust sharing.

    Mary Harlow asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question.

    The City has discussed the possibility of moving to a cost sharing model for funding sidewalks. As the Commission continues the conversation in the future, City staff plan to continue offering it as a possible option. 

    transportation,streets
    transportation streets
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    I read in the IR today that the City of Helena has a no interest revolving loan for residential rooftop solar projects. I'm looking for more information on this. Thanks!

    Betsy asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question.

    More information on the Solar Loan program can be found at https://helenamt.gov/government/departments/public-works/city-sustainability. Program information is located at the bottom of the page, including the resolution that established the program and provides more details on the terms of the loans. Please feel free to contact the Public Works Department if you have further questions.

    public works
    public works
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    Is Helena water treated with fluloride?

    Martha asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question.

    The City does not add fluoride to its treated water. Fluoride is not detected in water from Ten Mile or Eureka. There is a trace of naturally occurring fluoride in water used from the Missouri River, which supplements the City system during peak demand summer months.

    public works
    public works
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    If I decide to turn the downstairs of my house into a short term rental (such as an Airbnb), what are the requirements if it's inside Helena's city limits? Where can I find the information? Thank you!

    KK asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question.

    The City of Helena does not have permit requirements for short-term rentals. If the house is being converted into a two-dwelling unit, there could be some building regulations that would require permitting. There are fire rated separations required for walls and floor/ceiling assemblies that separate the units. Separations would also be required for mechanical systems.

    Egress windows, smoke and CO detectors, and other code related items would be required and verified. More information on building code requirements can be found at www.iccsafe.org. 

    community development,housing
    community development housing
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    Hello, I have found the ordinances in regard to cannabis cultivation and retail facilities. However, they are strictly for medical use, I was wanting to know if Helena allows for recreational? Thanks!

    Brenden Dallas asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question.

    Yes, there are retail and cultivation facilities currently licensed for recreational use marijuana in Helena. The State has imposed a moratorium on new licenses from January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. For a retail facility to receive a license for recreational marijuana, they had to already hold a medical marijuana license or have an application pending with the Department of Public Health and Human Services by November 3, 2020. Applications for new dispensary and cultivation licenses will be available July 1, 2023.

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    I couldn't quite hear the last agenda item in the 7/6 Commissioner meeting (SRO officers). Are the SRO contracts being renewed for another year with the schools? Is there anymore information you can give about how far along this process is or where I could get more updated information on it? I believe I heard them mention that a document was being sent over to be reviewed and signed. Thank you!

    MM asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question.

    Currently there is not an agreement in place, so the memorandum of understanding that the City is working on with the school district would create a new agreement. The new MOU is expected to be a 3 year agreement. The agreement is near complete, with some minor language modifications being finalized. The goal is to have the MOU approved and signed by the start of school. 

    police
    police
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    Today someone was driving a van in front of me and clearly was trying to drive alot slower than the speed limit in an attempt to be ignorant to us behind them, they stopped at the stop sign and no one was coming but they didn't move until I honked and then they still wouldn't go anyways and then started moving very slowly again, my questions are ,is that careless driving or reckless driving? Can they be ticketed if I have it recorded too?

    Stop ignorance asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question.

    If someone's driving behavior causes a hazard to traffic, in general, then it may be citable or worthy of a ticket. This could mean that the driver is not keeping with the flow of traffic or doing something erratic causing a dangerous situation. 

    If a person records this type of driving behavior and it fits the legal definition of a traffic crime, then a ticket could be issued. If the witness is willing to sign a statement and can legitimately identify the driver and the vehicle that they were driving, an Officer can use that information to speak with the driver and if probable cause exists, cite the driver.

    police,transportation
    police transportation
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    Has the quiet zone for BNSF/MRL changed? We live one block away from the Henderson underpass, and recently the trains have been blowing their horns quite a bit. Any idea why?

    Mike asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question.

    There has not been any change to the railroad quiet zone. 

    If you believe a train is violating the Quiet Zone requirements, Montana Rail Link accepts complaints using the Contact Us form at https://www.montanarail.com/contact-us/. Be sure to provide as much detail as possible. Understanding it may be hard to provide specific details at night, at least indicating the exact time is important. Other details that can help, when possible, is the direction of the train, type of train, and train number. MRL can review their records and video to determine if the trains are complying with the quiet zone.

    transportation
    transportation