SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Council (SLCC) was informed at its May 9 meeting that a new study would be done on crosswalks across Highway 83 in Seeley Lake. The council's budget and appointed position was also discussed.
The new study is a step toward implementing some of the council's recommendations for pedestrian safety created during its traffic project last summer.
Councilman Duane Schlabach reported that he met with Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Missoula County officials in April. They spent some time onsite looking at the proposed crosswalks.
According to Schlabach, state officials didn't think putting single crosswalks in downtown Seeley Lake was practical. Schlabach agreed because there are so many locations that pedestrians cross. It was suggested that signs could be posted on either end of town stating "Heavy Pedestrian Crossing Next XYZ Feet".
The group visited the proposed crossing at Boy Scout Road. They observed several lumber and chip trucks entering and exiting the highway. Schlabach also noted that a couple of bikes traveling down the path along Boy Scout Road had to cross the highway to get to the path along the east side of the highway.
The state officials agreed that they should do another study on the intersection.
Schlabach explained the council's issue with the previous study. With no crosswalk at the location, it doesn't invite pedestrians to cross. It was suggested that a temporary crossing be established for the purpose of the study.
MDT engineer Shane Stack expressed concerns that the temporary crossing would not meet handicap accessible standards. MDT's legal representative at the meeting felt that having the trail on Boy Scout Road end with no crossing to get to the trail on the other side of the highway opens the state up to a liability issue.
It was decided that a temporary crossing would be established. If a permanent crossing is installed it will have to meet handicap codes.
They then looked at the crossing at Riverview. The state representatives didn't feel that it was busy enough to require a crosswalk. Schlabach explained that the council wanted the crosswalk for kids living down Riverview Drive.
It was determined that a temporary crossing would be put in at Riverview and studied, preferably before school gets out, to see if kids are in fact using it.
The council's speed limit portion of their safety recommendations will be heard at the Transportation Commission meeting May 26 in Helena.
In other business, the council approved their budget request from the county for $1,000 for the next year.
Council Treasurer Klaus von Stutterheim brought up that providing snacks and beverages ahead of meetings in the last year caused the council to run in the red this year.
The council has money that was left over from the previous year that covered the cost overrun but von Stutterheim stated that it is not sustainable.
The council voted to start offering snacks and beverages ahead of its meetings in March of 2015. The idea was to see if they could attract more public to the meetings.
"I think the pizza, which is blowing our budget, is a great idea. It's very popular," said von Stutterheim. "I don't want to give it up. We just need to figure out how to finance it."
The council has already started having a food and beverage donation can at its meetings to offset the cost. Von Stutterheim feels the rest of the deficit can easily be raised privately.
The council felt that, since starting food and beverages, attendance was better. Looking at the council minutes for the previous year, attendance has been increased between two and nine times. Minutes prior to June 2014 don't indicate how many community members were in attendance.
The county commissioner appointed position on the council is nearing the end of its term. Schlabach is currently holding the position and indicated he would seek being reappointed.
If interested in applying an online application is available at: https://www.missoulacounty.us/community/volunteer or call 258-4877 for more information. The application deadline is 5 p.m., May 26.
The next SLCC meeting is scheduled for June 13, 6 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Historical Museum & Visitors Center. Snacks and beverages will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m.
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