The Holden Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing Monday night at City Hall to hear public comment on an application filed by Dusty Anstine requesting to reclassify the zoning from R-1 to R-2 on the property located at 500 E. Tenth Street.
Unfortunately for those gathered, no recommendation  could be made as the commission lacked a quorum.  Only three members of the eight-citizen board were present.  In attendance were Jack Wharton, Wanda Brown and Reed Hough.
If the R-2 zoning designation were passed by the City Council, it would allow Anstine to pursue erecting duplexes on the property at Tenth and Clay.  An earlier application for R-3 had been disapproved by the council, but the developer has scaled back his proposal from four-plexes to six duplexes.
Several of the questions and “worries” about the re-zoning came from Ernie Taylor, a city councilman who is assigned as a non-voting member of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  He asked about sewer and flood water issues, if the project were built, since he stated that there was already a problem with storm water runoff.  Although those issues had been answered in previous council meetings, Dennis Mason of O&M Enterprises was at the hearing and explained to the group that the eight-inch line, even if Eagle Crest was fully developed, would more than handle any sanitary sewer issues brought about by the development.  He also stated that the developer, before any plat could be approved, would have to address runoff issues.
In a previous preliminary plan, builder Scott Adams of SJA Inc. had told the city council that a water retention pond would be built to catch the storm waters and release them more slowly.
On several occasions during the hearing, city engineer Travis Kieffer reminded those assembled that the hearing was only to decide whether the property could be rezoned and not to approve a building project.  He said that it was a process and this was only the first step. 
Another question brought up in the meeting was whether zoning of one piece of property could be rezoned (spot zoning).  Kiefer suggested that the question be posed to city attorney Joe Willerth.
The only other area of business for the P&Z board was a discussion of the business park plat.  That was also tabled due to the lack of a quorum.
By Steve Sullins
Editor



Holden city council members passed a balanced budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year at a special meeting held Tuesday night at City Hall.
Projected expenses of $1,125,407 was offset by expected revenues of $1,125,429.
Both administrative and police funds were reduced with the largest reduction coming from administration.  The largest increase was in the street fund, which was upped approximately $43,000.  The fire fund was raised $9,000.  Minor increases were made in both the park and building fund while the new category of capital improvements was introduced for the first time in the city’s budget.  The new fund will begin with a $10,000 balance and will be designated strictly for capital improvements according to mayor Mike Wakeman.  He also said that the fund will not be used until it reaches $50,000.
A brief recap of major budget categories includes:
Street Department - Category was increased from $266,656 last year to $310,211 for 2008-2009 which includes $40,000 for the Clay Street repaving.
Fire Department - The fire fund increases from $72,680 to $81,847 due to recent increases in fire calls according to fire chief Larry Miller.
Administrative - City employee salaries, general insurance and professional consulting make up two-thirds of the administrative fund’s $230,839 budget for 08-09.  That figure is a $16,165 decrease from last fiscal year.
Police - The largest of Holden’s budget categories totaling nearly 39 percent of the city’s operating expenses, the police fund has decreased $4,724 from last year.  According to the mayor, one officer position has been cut.
Park - The park fund’s budget was increased by $600 over last year when there was an ending -$1,277 balance.   According to the mayor, however, there has been a lot of improvements at the park over the last year including signs, lights, new tables and bleachers.  He also said that the general fund will have to take on a larger part of the park fund’s monies since it has previously been funded by cigarette taxes and those have continually reduced over the recent past. 
By Steve Sullins
Editor



Holden’s annual Chamber of Commerce Rodeo will be held July 11 and 12 at the Holden City Park arena.
Both nights’ festivities will kick off with mutton bustin’, which begins at 7:30 p.m.  This is open to children, ages seven and under.  The entry fee is $15 each.  The top three mutton busters each performance will return to compete for a championship Montana Silversmith belt buckle at intermission of the Saturday night rodeo.
Regular events begin at 8  each evening.  Chuck and Regan McKellips of CR McKellips Rodeo Company will be the contractor this year.
Friday night’s special attraction will be the wild horse race.  This consists of a team of three people who will work together to halter, saddle and ride a wild horse to the other end of the arena.  There is a limit of three teams for this event.  To pre-register, please call 816-732-4156.  The cost is $60 per team and the winner will receive all the proceeds.
Saturday night’s special attraction will be a calf scramble, in which a ribbon is tied to a calf’s tail and the calf is turned loose in the arena.  Area children, ages 12 and under, will attempt to untie the ribbon and win a t-shirt.  There is no charge for this event.
The Chamber will be selling frisbees each night for a dollar each, and during the night three large hoops will be placed in the center of the arena.  When the announcer says “go”, everyone purchasing a frisbee will try to throw their frisbee into one of the hoops.  The first one to get their frisbee completely into one of the hoops will win $100!  Also Jillian Gregg from Q104 will be on  hand Saturday night to sign autographs and visit with everyone.
Advance tickets are on sale now through July 10.  Advance tickets are $7 for adults, $9 at the gate; children four through 12 advance tickets are $3, and $5 at the gate; children ages three and under are free.
Advance tickets are on sale at Bank of Holden, F&C Bank, Fastop, Country Creations, Lloyd’s and Holden Package.
Please come out and support the local Chamber and enjoy some family fun!  For more information, call 732-4156.