A Brief History of the Missoula Neighborhood Council System

In 1994, citizens of Missoula elected a seven-member Local Government Study Group to examine the City's form of government and recommend changes. After a year and a half of study and a number of public hearings, the commission proposed a new charter for the City. The charter contained optional provisions for (1) creating a neighborhood council system as part of the city government, and (2) making city elections nonpartisan.

The charter and with both options were approved by Missoula voters on the June 4, 1996. The new charter stated that the Neighborhood Council system "shall provide a structure for increased citizen participation in the governance of the City, and shall build cooperation and improved communication between citizens and City officials." The City Council immediately appointed a Neighborhood Councils Planning Committee to develop recommendations for fleshing out the framework set forth in the charter. The Planning Committee submitted its final report on March 31, 1997. On May 19 following, the City Council adopted Ordinance #3030 (becoming chapter 1.18 of the Missoula Municipal Code), which formally established sixteen Neighborhood Councils and the Community Forum.

The City contracted for neighborhood coordination services to begin organizing the neighborhood councils. The task was completed in August, 1999, when the sixteenth neighborhood council adopted its bylaws. The Community Forum, made up of representatives of each of the Neighborhood Councils, held its first meeting on January 28, 1999. The contract for neighborhood coordination services was extended through fiscal year 2000, to provide ongoing technical support and training for the Neighborhood Councils. The City Council is currently considering a proposal, endorsed by the Mayor, to hire a permanent half-time Neighborhood Councils Liaison and establish an office in City Hall for use by neighborhood organizations.

An Overview of the Missoula Neighborhood Council System

Purpose

The Neighborhood Council system in Missoula is an integral part of the City government and is administered through the City Clerk's office. In this way Neighborhood Councils differ from neighborhood associations that have arisen spontaneously over the years. Neighborhood associations continue to exist in parallel with the Neighborhood Councils, but are outside of the government structure.

The Neighborhood Council system encourages participation of citizens in the governance process, providing a mechanism for them to convene regularly on a neighborhood basis and giving expression to their concerns and interests through regular reports to the City government, including minority reports by dissenters. Leadership teams are encouraged to "build opportunities for neighborhood communication, neighborhood-initiated projects, interaction, and problem-solving."

Each Neighborhood Council selects one representative and an alternate to attend meetings of the Community Forum. The Community Forum is an arena where Neighborhood Councils can share skills and information, seek community-wide support for projects and goals, and discuss issues and projects that have community-wide or multi-neighborhood impact. The Community Forum makes recommendations to the City on neighborhood and citywide issues. It can also recommend changes in the structure or operation of Neighborhood Council System to the Neighborhood Councils, City officials, and the City Council. The Community Forum meets monthly and reports directly to the City Council and Mayor following each meeting.

The existence of Neighborhood Councils and the Community Forum in no way precludes individuals or groups from normal independent participation in city government.

Boundaries

The boundaries of the sixteen Neighborhood Council districts are based on a map drawn up by the Neighborhood Councils Planning Committee in 1997. By law, however, the Neighborhood Councils are required to review their boundaries once every two years and make recommendations for boundary changes to the Community Forum, which has jurisdiction in that matter.

Funding

All Neighborhood Councils and the Community Forum have small budgets to cover operating expenses, but participation in and leadership of the Neighborhood Councils is strictly voluntary. Neighborhood Councils and the Community Forum may submit yearly budget proposals for review and approval by the Mayor and City Council. They may also independently acquire grants funds and donations. Expenditure of all funds must comply with City and State ordinances and policies and is subject to oversight by the City Council.

Bylaws and Leadership Teams

Each Neighborhood Council has adopted bylaws concerning the conduct of its business which are approved by the City Council. Neighborhood Council bylaws, among other things, establish a means of selecting and organizing a Leadership Team of five to seven persons who carry out administrative and coordination tasks on behalf of the councils.

Membership and Meetings

The Neighborhood Council ordinance states that "All residents, property owners, and one representative from each business, school or other organization physically located in a neighborhood district shall be eligible for voting and decision making in the Neighborhood Council." Each Neighborhood Council may establish its own meeting schedule, but each must meet at least once per calendar year. Matters that are reserved for full Neighborhood Council voting and may not be decided by the Leadership Team or any subcommittee include:
· Selection of Leadership Team members
· Selection of Community Forum representative
· Budget Proposals
· Advice to City government

The City's Responsibilities

The City of Missoula is bound by the city charter to strengthen neighborhood participation in city governance, most importantly by providing advance information about City-initiated projects and even altering project schedules to give neighborhoods time to respond in an informed manner.