🌱 City Council Meeting Gets Heated + Tourism Plan Needs Local Input

Hi all. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Missoula Patch newsletter — here to tell you all the most important things happening in our community.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 91 Low: 54.
• Sunday: An afternoon t-storm or two. High: 85 Low: 56.

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Here are the top three stories today in Missoula:

1. The Missoula City Council issued several different approvals on Monday following heated exchanges during the city council meeting. Early in the meeting, Travis Mateer, an independent journalist, spoke out about the Povorello Center and its leadership. He and another meeting attendee stormed out after Mayor Jordan Hess instructed Mateer to refrain from making personal attacks. The meeting continued, with the council voting to approve funding recommendations from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Council also voted 8-1 to rezone a corner of the intersection at North Inez Street and Idaho Street from a residential to a community business designation, despite area residents opposition. (Subscription: Missoulian)
2. The City of Missoula is considering whether to allow private companies to provide electric scooters and e-bikes as another mode of transportation around the city. City staff members have been directed to work on a potential policy for "micro-mobility," including regulations around access and storage. In 2019, the city council declined an opportunity to partner with LimeBike due to concerns like bikes being left on sidewalks. However, all but one member of the city council has recently expressed an interest in micro-mobility due to improvements in parking corrals and other systems. (KPAX)
3. Destination Missoula and the Missoula Tourism Business Improvement District are seeking the community's input in the development of their destination stewardship plan. This plan will create a map for building a sustainable travel and visitor economy over the next 10 years. The two organizations will be hosting in-person and virtual town halls, and an online survey will also be available. The first town hall meeting is scheduled to take place at the Double Tree on May 23 at 5:15 p.m. with the second portion of the meeting happening on May 24 at 11:30 a.m. (NBC Montana)

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Today and tomorrow in Missoula:

Saturday, May 20

• Nature Adventure Garden Volunteer Clean Up At Montana Natural History Center (9:30 AM)
• Motors 'N' More At Missoula Fairgrounds (10:00 AM)

Sunday, May 21

• Sunday Funday Board Games At Cranky Sam Public House (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Missoula Food Bank and Community Center is looking to hire a new driver/warehouse assistant. If you're passionate about food access and have experience with a box truck, send your application to Gregg@MissoulaFoodBank.org by Jun. 1 to be considered for the role. Click here for more information. (Missoula Food Bank and Community Center via Facebook)
• Registration is now open for the Missoula Art Museum's Summer Teen Art Project! Participants will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Jun. 13 to Aug. 3 to create a public art piece in downtown Missoula. (Missoula Art Museum via Facebook)
• The Missoula Public Library will perform a mock evacuation drill on Wednesday, May 24 at 9:00 a.m. The drill is expected to take about 30 minutes, and the Missoula Fire Department will be in attendance. Patrons who do not wish to participate in the drill are advised to avoid the building during that time. (Missoula Public Library via Facebook)

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.