The Helena City Commission left its annual Open Lands Major Projects list unresolved Monday after a contentious debate over whether open space bond funds should pay to pave a parking lot at the Davis Gulch trail head. Commissioner Reid moved to approve three of the four recommended projects — the Oaks, Knob Hill, and North Benton projects — while stripping out the Davis Gulch/Middle DeFord trail head parking lot paving, citing concerns that using open space money for parking infrastructure was a mismatch of limited funds. The motion passed 3-1, but the item still failed to advance.

Mayor Dean cast the lone no vote strategically to preserve the commission's ability to revisit the issue. Dean said she did not want to forfeit an already-awarded grant that covers $27,000 of the project's estimated $65,500 total cost — more than 40 percent of the tab. Without the grant, the city's share would rise to the full amount. A follow-up motion by Commissioner Logan to approve all four projects died for lack of a second, leaving the commission without an approved list and the matter heading back to a future administrative meeting.

City staff explained that Open Lands projects are approved by the commission but may wait years on the shelf while staff pursues grant support. Staff noted they had already written three grants for the proposed projects this cycle, with only the Davis Gulch parking lot grant actually awarded at the time of the meeting. Staff also invited commissioners to tour the Limekiln and Dump Gulch trail heads, which serve as models for what the Davis Gulch improvements would look like.

The debate drew sharp public comment. Rob Fryat of 507 First Street, who lives at the base of Davis Gulch and identifies as one of the founders of the original open space bond and the Prickly Pear Land Trust in the 1990s, testified that the bond was created to buy and maintain open space — not to pave parking lots off unpaved dirt roads. Fryat noted that his handicapped daughter cannot independently use the Davis Gulch trail due to large rocks and broken asphalt breaking through the surface, and that federal ISTEA transportation funding was previously forfeited because the trail failed to meet handicapped accessibility standards. He argued existing trails should be repaired before parking infrastructure is expanded. Resident Katie Kelly raised similar concerns about spending priorities.

Commissioner Gustiffson also questioned whether community engagement around the major projects had been robust enough, suggesting the public comment periods may not be reaching enough residents. Staff said grant deadlines are not currently a concern, giving the commission time to work through the disagreement before the item returns.