Meet Lyn Hellegaard, Ward 4

AGE: 49
OCCUPATION: Executive director of community affairs for the Missoula/Ravalli Transportation Management Association and coordinator of the Montana Transit Association
MARITAL OR PARTNERSHIP STATUS: Married with two kids and a dog
EDUCATION: Sentinel High School graduate
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Nineteen years as an AVP at First Interstate Bank and seven years in her current position; adult instructor for the American Institute of Banking, where she conducted classes in lending, marketing, and customer service
MILITARY EXPERIENCE: None
PUBLIC SERVICE: Missoula Youth Court Community Council, the Small Urban and Rural Transit board and the Rural Transportation Advisory Program board
PARTY AFFILIATION: Nonpartisan
ENDORSEMENTS: Missoula Organization of Realtors, Missoula County Republican Party, Councilman Dick Haines; Missoula Chamber of Commerce rating: 2.6 out of 3.0.

Questions and answers

What qualifies you to be on the City Council?

“My 18 years experience in the financial industry, managing a non-profit agency and owning a small business with my husband should prove valuable to developing positive solutions for Missoula’s future. My position at the Missoula Ravalli Transportation Management Association has required an ability to work on “both sides” of the aisle to secure sustainable funding.”

What are the best and worst things the City Council has done in recent years?

“Worst: Allowing the City Administration to keep the fees collected for fire hydrant maintenance and reallocating it rather than refunding to the citizens.
“Best: Requiring city staff to present their oversight committee’s recommendations to council, rather than staff recommendations.”

What one thing would you most like to accomplish as a member of the City Council?

“The community’s wishes seem to be ignored. For example the Broadway Road Diet, the aquatics project, and fire hydrant issue. These processes have created a very deep sense of resentment and distrust in our city government that could be detrimental to all future projects. Also, the fact that we are ignoring our infrastructure and setting nothing aside for a major failure could put an enormous burden on future generations.”

What can the city do to attract better-paying jobs?

“I believe the local government should take a very active and supportive role in encouraging business development as this creates a solid tax base, taking some pressure off of residential taxes. Incentive programs that have been successful in other communities that need to be considered are fast track permitting, fee deferral programs and a procurement technical assistance center incorporated with fiscally responsible spending priorities.”

What should the city do to encourage the development of more affordable housing?

“I believe that a review of city policies, streamlining of permit process and consistent application of zoning ordinances should all be incorporated into our strategies to address attainable housing issues. Affordable housing for some of our citizens will be rentals. We need policies in place that will ensure the rentals are safe places to live.”

Should Missoula endorse a troop withdrawal from Iraq? Why or why not?

“Foreign policy is not under the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Missoula City Council. Missoula has some major issues that council does have the authority to address and our time should be spent on those issues.”

What is Missoula's most pressing traffic problem and where should the city turn for the money to solve it?

“Russell/South Third road project. Fixing Russell could minimize some of the issues on Reserve Street. If this is a top priority then funding may need to be taken from lower priority projects. We were able to secure an earmark from Senator Baucus for the bridge work, now we need to institute some sound fiscal policies to identify other funds.”

Should the city encourage or discourage more housing in existing city neighborhoods? Why or why not?

“If the city wants to change the structure of a neighborhood, then they should be required to seek a super majority of property owner’s approval. People purchased home in certain neighborhoods because of the character or structure of those neighborhoods. They bought believing the covenants and zoning would be protected the integrity of the neighborhood.”

Should the city limit the number of unrelated people who may share a house?

“In circumstances where the number would create unsafe/unhealthy living conditions for the occupants or where they are in violation of current ordinances there should be a limit.”

What specific problems in your ward would you like to see solved?

“Hillview Way SID and road improvement.”