Although much of last Wednesday’s Ronan City Council meeting focused on a dispute between the Ronan Police and Lake County Sheriff’s Department regarding coverage responsibilities (see separate story), the council also addressed other business.

Mission West Community Development Partners staffers Taylor Lennox and Brittany Simonich gave a presentation about Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) planning grants. 

“This is the first of two community needs assessment meetings,” Lennox said in explaining the process of applying for funding from the Montana Department of Commerce.

Applicants for a CDBG must fit into the categories of planning, public or community facilities, affordable housing, or economic development. 

“Projects need to be shovel-ready, well-planned and reflect community needs,” Lennox said.

Ben Davis, executive director of Friends of the Children, said his organization plans to apply for a CDBG to help renovate the exterior of their 124 Main Street building and to replace the roof. The nonprofit deals with 32 children and families in an effort to break the chain of generational poverty and trauma. 

In addition to the Friends of the Children Clubhouse, projects mentioned included the city’s sewer lagoon, which is 17 years out of compliance for ammonia and would need a $10.8 million upgrade to correct the issue; a new structure for the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department; and streets, sidewalks and walking paths in downtown Ronan. Other suggestions included Main Street and off Main Street parking, sidewalks connecting to the city parks, attractions, replacing trees, and public transportation.

Those who want input on the CBDG grant process or have other suggestions of community needs are encouraged to contact Mission West.

Public Works director Dan Miller asked the council to approve matching funds in the amount of $31,900 for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning grant to improve local pedestrian and biking infrastructure. The motion passed unanimously.

The council gave permission to Arlene Templer of Lighthouse Church to hold an event called Celebrate Ronan in the park pavilion on Wednesday, July 8, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. with approval for electricity use and open garbage cans.

This is the event’s fifth year, Templer said. The church offers free hot dogs, cotton candy, snow-cones and bouncy houses for kids, followed by music and a Samoan pig roast for families.

The next meeting will be held June 10.