Call to Action: Need for Public Opposition Regarding Vacation of Easements

Dear All,

Annette Marchesseault, from the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, on behalf of Miramonte Companies, has filed an application for the vacation of easements within the proposed Midtown Commons property. This request will likely go before council on September 14th. The vacation of these easements would give the city the authority to reroute/culvert the 1800ft of irrigation canal and cut down the cottonwood grove, along with all of the other mature trees that currently line the canal. This destruction would destroy the current riparian area. The rerouting of the irrigation canal also means that the City of Missoula would assume perpetual liability for any harm that may take place in the canal moving forward. This is a HUGE liability for the City to be assuming.

Given that there is a pending legal complaint that has not been ruled upon by the judge, our group is encouraging people to give public comment and/or write to city council and Mayor and ask that this vacation be put on pause until a ruling has been made.

Opportunities to do this are limited, given there is no city council meeting next week, September 7th. 

Here is how:

Tonight: Monday, August 31st at 6:00PM, either in person at City Council Chambers, or virtually, please find the agenda and steps for logging in virtually here

Monday, September 14th at 6:00PM, either in person at City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine (agenda and virtual access not available yet). 

Immediately: write in to council via this form to ask that the vacation of easements be delayed until there has been a legal ruling on the complaint. You can write the mayor at this address, staffm@ci.missoula.mt.us

Thank you!!

REJ