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Sidney may apply for regional CRDC program after Richland County declines

Sidney City Council members unanimously decided during Monday’s City Council meeting to send a letter to Mark Simonich, director of the Montana Department of Commerce, to inquire about Sidney’s eligibility for participation in the Certified Regional Development Corporation program since Richland County opted out of the program.

By Ellen Robinson

Sidney Herald

http://sidneyherald.com/articles/2004/05/19/news/news01.txt

"I would like us to send a letter to Mark Simonich at the Montana Department of Commerce to see about the flexibility of the program and if we can join in even though the county decided not to since half of the county’s population lives in Sidney," council member Cal Oraw said.

The City of Sidney sent a letter in support of the six-county region CRDC to Eastern Plains RC&D in response to Eastern Plains RC&D applying for the formation of a region on behalf of Prairie, Wibaux, Carter, Dawson, Fallon and Richland counties.

Richland County opted out of the program and is one of two Montana counties not in a region. The region development will continue with five counties.

"I understand Richland Economic Development’s interest in protecting Richland County, but at the same time there is money out there and we could use it," Sidney’s Mayor Bret Smelser said. "The county opted out because they were concerned that joining could lead to diluting their resources to other counties."

"It really concerns me because we have been fortunate to have Eastern Plains RC&D here in Sidney. They do good things over there, and we have always benefited from having them," Oraw said. "That’s four jobs here in Sidney, and I don’t want to see them pack up and go to another county. I know Wolf Point and Glendive both want the Eastern Plains RC&D office. I don’t think it will happen, but I know they want it to."

"Is that one of the concerns, they might go somewhere else as a result of Richland County not joining?" council member Deb Gilbert said.

"That is what I believe Mike Carlson (Eastern Plains RC&D) eluded to in the paper," Smelser said.

"The other county not in a region, Flathead, Simonich said (in the May 4 meeting in Sidney) they were preparing to join a region, so Richland County might be the only one," Oraw said. "The main point is this is an opportunity to get additional money from the state for regional economic development."

Smelser said he feels it’s important for Sidney to show support for Eastern Plains RC&D.

€ In other news, ordinance 477, which enables Sidney to move forward with the construction at South Meadow Subdivision for a new softball field, was passed. The ordinance allows the city to amend zone usage designations of lots 15 through 42, the ninth block, South Meadow Subdivision to provide use of the lots to construct an additional softball field, a future bathroom/concession facility, and a playground next to the adjoining Meadow Park Complex.

€ Richland County Youth Hockey Association asked the council for permission to host a "club boxing" event at the hockey dome in Sidney, June 16. The council decided to table the proposal until the group had insurance and other details available.

€ Smelser informed the council about the library’s future with the county.

"It’s just about a done deal. We own the inventory and insurance on it which will be the county’s responsibility in the future. We hope to flatline everything to the county at $75,000 for 10 years," Smelser said.

Smelser added, "I would like to have this done by June 30. The bottom line is we will save money, and we have no control over the library anyway, it has a board."

€ The Nutter statue is scheduled to be in Veterans Memorial Park by Memorial Day weekend.

€ Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo told council members the department has applied for a school resource grant.

"We would like to have an officer just for Sidney public schools," DiFonzo said. "We want to get someone who is involved during school hours and in extracurricular activities. The grant has no match, it is fully funded."

The grant is $110,000 for three years.

€ The city approved a motion to advertise for bids for the Sidney Trails Project and for the SID 101A program.

"We are looking at paving around the Western Apartments section over near Lyndale Park," Smelser said.

€ The city granted permission to the swim team for camping in Veterans Memorial Park for the June 24-25 swim meet.

€ The city decided they would like a report on the lighting schedules for the baseball field at Moose Park from American Legion and Babe Ruth Baseball or they have threatened to cut funding.

The lighting cost for Moose Park has risen from $1,800 to $4,000 a year over the past 10 years, and the council is concerned about efficient use of lighting. The city provides the programs with $5,600 a year and pays for the lighting.

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