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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

HELENA – The Helena City Council went into discussions on finding a new location for the Helena Public Library during a regularly scheduled work session before a council meeting on Monday, Jan. 27.

The council’s discussion of the library was the first item on the work session agenda following a regular report from Mayor Brian Puckett, and was a span of time that saw each of the members discuss the major need for a new location, where it would be placed and how much it would cost.

Helena City Council member Alice Lobell shared that she and the rest of the members on the council see the need that is facing them, and that they are actively in the process of trying to find the library a new home.

“Our library is too small and so we definitely know we need one,” Lobell said. “We’re going to explore those possibilities, but we’re all just looking into all the pros and cons. The one thing all of us agree on is that we do need a new library.”

During the work session, one possible location that was mentioned was on the third floor of the new City Hall, however, nothing is official and the council is continuing to explore other locations.

In other news, the council discussed the matter of the vacancies on both the Helena Old Town and TAG boards during the work session, deciding to further discuss it on Feb. 7 and make their appointment decisions following that meeting.

Also in the work session, the council decided that Council member Laura Joseph would serve permanently as the President Pro Tempore. Joseph had been acting in the position since Chris VanCleave’s departure from the council, and was decided to be made the permanent holder of the position after a short discussion with the new full council.

The council also decided on who should fill the vacancies of the council liaison positions for four of Helena’s boards. The members came to the conclusion that Andy Healy will serve as the council liaison for both the TAG and DEI boards, Hewy Woodman will be the liaison for the Helena Beautification Board and Chris Willis will serve as the liaison for the Helena Utilities Board.

In addition, the council continued its discussion on modifying the salary for the mayor. While the decision has been officially tabled until the next meeting, the council has come to a consensus that the base salary will be in the range of $85,000 and $95,000, with the inclusion of a $5,000 health stipend and transportation package.

During the meeting, the council approved the appointments of two new members of the Helena Historic Preservation Committee. The members casted votes and confirmed the approval of Andy Klein and Kristi Averette to the committee.

In other news, the council also made a proclamation to declare Jan.24-31, 2025 as National CRNA Week, with an appearance from Kyle Vanderford, a local CRNA.

Finally, the council did its first reading of an ordinance to renew its MCImetro franchise agreement, which it will act on at the next meeting.