Local News
By City Manager, Grant Grager
It's hard to believe that Memorial Day and the start of summer are one week away! Before we know it, the Farmer's Market (June 4th) and Fishing Derby (June 7th) will be here!
But, before that, we've got several informational opportunities for the community to learn more about City projects and operations. As detailed below, we've got a downtown capital project meeting on May 28th and community meeting to share the great work of the Livingston Police Department on the 29th.
And, let's not forget this Tuesday's City Commission meeting! The agenda is a full one that includes recognition for our Public Works and Emergency Medical teams, the award of an engineering contract for planned 2028 improvements to Montana Street (between 7th and 12th Streets), a continued discussion on new water meters and review of a handbook to guide members of the City's advisory boards and commissions. It's going to be a great kick-off to the summer and I hope you can join us!
Alley Construction Planned
This summer, City contractors will be working in the alley between Main and Second Streets to upgrade utilities and install storm water improvements. Join us for a public meeting to learn more about this year's downtown capital improvement project. On Wednesday, May 28th at 5:30 pm in the Community Room at the City-County Complex, project team members will be on-hand to talk about the project and answer your questions.
Tips for Reducing Outdoor Water Use
As the grass grows and weather warms, some community members have inquired about their irrigation. With rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future, it's probably a little early to start irrigating. However, when residents do set their irrigation, the City urges everyone to take a moment to evaluate their outdoor water usage. Doing so will help ensure that the City's system can keep up with our needs this summer. A few easy steps you can take are:
• Check sprinkler system run times - When you start-up your system, check the programming to ensure that you are not over-saturating your lawn or watering hardscaped areas. This can prevent excess water runoff. Visual inspections after the first few watering cycles will make apparent any necessary changes.
• Don't water in the sun - Watering landscapes overnight or when in the shade will help reduce water loss. In the daytime sun, less water will be available to plants due to loss from evaporation. So, be sure to set your start times when the grass is not in direct sunlight.
• Fix leaks - On the first few cycles, check your sprinkler system for broken sprinkler heads and damaged irrigation lines. A well-maintained system will save both money and water.
As a reminder, the City instituted a drought management plan in 2024. More information is available on the City's website to help ensure all residents have adequate water this summer.
Happening Around Town...
Question: I engaged in the Parks Master Plan process last fall. I haven't seen a final report yet. When is that expected?
Answer: The City has received initial draft plans for most of the parks from the design team. We are reviewing those plans internally to ensure that they reflect the initial public input. After that initial quality review, the City will solicit additional public input before sending the Parks Master Plan to the City Commission for review. The plan is intended to increase accessibility of the park system and to ensure that the amenities desired by the Community are included.
Have questions you'd like us to answer? Submit them on our website at https://www.livingstonmontana.org/contact, and we'll include them in the next newsletter posted on our website!
Community Meeting
Join the Livingston Police Department for a community meeting on Thursday, May 29th from 5:30 to 7 pm in the Community Room at the City-County Building. Residents will have an opportunity to hear directly from the Chief, review recent crime statistics, learn about ongoing community policing efforts and share questions or concerns during an open Q&A. The evening will also highlight future initiatives and ways to stay involved. All residents are encouraged to attend and be part of the conversation.
A New Member Joins the Livingston Police Department
On Friday afternoon, the City of Livingston swore-in a new member of the Police Department. Sergeant Eric Daniels (center) joins the department after a lengthy law enforcement career that has most recently included a stint in Yellowstone National Park.
We are excited to have Eric on the team and, more importantly, we're thankful to have a fully-staffed Police Department to support the community as the summer season starts.