A vote to approve four recommended Open Lands Major Projects fell apart at the March 23 Helena City Commission meeting after commissioners split over whether open space bond money should be used to pave a parking lot at the Davis Gulch/Middle DeForest trailhead.

Commissioner Reid moved to approve three of the four projects — work at the Oaks, Knob Hill, and North Benton sites — and exclude the DeForest project, arguing that paving a parking lot amounted to "parking discipline" rather than trail maintenance. That motion passed 3-1, with Commissioner Logan voting no. But Mayor Dean then also voted no, producing a 2-2 tie and killing the motion.

A subsequent motion by Commissioner Logan to approve all four projects failed for lack of a second.

The commission reached informal consensus to bring the item back at a future administrative meeting. City staff confirmed that grant deadlines are not currently at risk.

The contested DeForest project pairs a $27,000 grant with an estimated $38,500 local match for paving. Staff said paving is necessary to create painted parking stalls and also serves as the required grant match.

Two residents raised concerns during public comment. Rob Fryat of 507 First Street, who said he helped create the original open space bond in the 1990s, questioned whether paving a lot off an unpaved dirt road was the right use of bond funds. He also raised accessibility concerns, saying his disabled daughter cannot independently use the trail due to surface conditions including rocks, asphalt chunks, and cement debris. Katie Kelly of 1600 Livingston Avenue also cited traffic speeds on Davis Road and questioned the project's fit with open space priorities.