FAQs

What is the DCIP Timeline?

See DCIP Timeline below under Supporting Documents.  

Category: New Rec Facility
What types of issues can be addressed by the complaint form?

Reportable issues may include, but are not limited to:

  • Trash/Litter
  • Weeds/ Grass
  • Abandoned Vehicles
  • Domestic Animal
  • Noise
  • Snow Removal
  • ADA Compliance
  • Road/Traffic
Category: Citizen Complaint Form FAQ
When does the City Commission meet?

The City Commission meetings are on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Their meeting place is the Commission Chambers located on the second floor of the Civic Center.

A City Commission work session is usually scheduled immediately preceding the regular meeting. The work session usually begins at 5:30 p.m. and these meetings are currently being held in the Gibson Room 212. However, once in a while a meeting is moved to either another room or location. Watch the web site and/or local newspaper for any changes in locations.
 

Category: City Commission
Where can I obtain permit and registration forms and pay my fees?

For all permits and registrations, at the Shelter. Registrations may also be obtained from a participating veterinarian.

Animal Shelter Fee List

Category: Animal Ordinance
Where is Municipal (City) Court?

Municipal Court is in the basement of the Civic Center, #2 Park Drive South.

Category: Police
Where is the Animal Shelter?

The Animal Shelter is located at 1010 25th Avenue NE

Category: Animal Ordinance
Where is the C.M. Russell Museum?

♦ The C.M. Russell Museum is located at 400 13th Street North.

Category: Visitor Information
Whom do I contact regarding Municipal Court matters?

Clerk of Municipal Court at (406) 771-1380, located in the Civic Center, 2 Park Drive South, Room 2, Great Falls, MT  59401.

Category: City Clerk
Why did the City Commission create Neighborhood Councils?

One of the most common misconceptions regarding the Neighborhood Councils is that the City Commission or City Staff created them. The Neighborhood Councils were a result of the 1996 Local Government Study Commission's work. The Montana Constitution allows all self-governing bodies the opportunity to review their form of government once every ten years. This review is initiated by a vote of the public, and a study commission is elected. In 1996, the voters chose to review our City Commission/Manager form of government. As a result of the work of the Study Commission, it was felt that our form of government works well and is efficient, but it gives the perception of being inaccessible.

In an effort to improve accessibility, the Study Commission recommended three changes to the City's Charter on the November 1996 ballot. Those recommendations were to 1) increase the size of the Commission from a mayor and four commissioners to a mayor and six commissioners; 2) lengthen the term of mayor from two years to four years for more continuity; and 3) re-establish neighborhood councils as a formally recognized advisory board within the City Charter. Of the three recommendations, only the Neighborhood Council amendment to the Charter was passed by the voters in November 1996. The Charter Amendment for creation of the Councils included a sunset provision that required a ratification vote in 2001 during the City General Election. The sunset was approved by a 9 to 1 ratio by the voters, and the councils are now a permanent part of the City Charter.

Category: Neighborhood Councils FAQ
Does the City Attorney’s Office offer free legal advice?

No. The City Attorney represents the State of Montana’s interests in criminal prosecutions within the City Limits of Great Falls and represents the City of Great Falls and its various divisions in legal matters. Any requests for legal advice should be directed to attorneys in the community and/or Cascade County Law Clinic. Contact information for private attorneys can be found in the telephone directory under Attorneys.

Category: City Attorney
How do I report a complaint?

Complete and submit a Citizen Complaint Form. Please note, forms submitted with invalid or incomplete reporting party information will constitute a false report and not be processed.  

Two Ways to Submit the Form:

  1. Fill out and submit the Online Complaint Form.
  2. Fill out the Print/Submit Complaint  Form. The form can be completed electronically with Adobe Acrobat Reader.  (Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free of charge from the Adobe web site.)

Mail forms to:

City of Great Falls
ATTN: Citizen Complaint/Request
PO Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403

OR -- Drop off at any City Office (addresses listed below)
 

City Department Locations:

  • Animal Shelter: 1010 25th Ave NE, 59404
  • Civic Center: 2 Park Dr S, 59401 (Administration, Finance, GIS, Human Resources, Legal, Mansfield Center, Planning & Community Development, Utility Billing)
  • Community Recreation Center: 801 2nd Ave N, 59401
  • Fire Department: 105 9th St S, 59401
  • Housing Authority: 1500 Chowen Springs Lp, 59405
  • Library: 301 2nd Ave N
  • Park and Recreation: 1700 River Dr N, 59401
  • Police Department: 112 1st St S, 59401
  • Public Works: 1005 25th Ave NE, 59404 (Engineering, Streets/Weeds/Potholes, Sanitation, Utilities)

Please Note:

  • If this is an immediate safety concern or hazard, refer to the Department Directory and call the department directly.
  • For life-threatening emergencies, please call 911.
Category: Citizen Complaint Form FAQ
How is Malmstrom Air Force Base (MAFB) involved and will they be part of the daily operations?

The DCIP Grant was submitted through joint collaboration of MAFB representatives and the City of Great Falls.  Like residents of the City, MAFB Airmen and their dependents will utilize the facility to meet their recreational needs. MAFB and the Montana Air National Guard will also utilize the facility to fulfill water training requirements for pilots.

Category: New Rec Facility
How much time does a meter give and how much is a parking ticket?

Parking meters will allow you to park up to 2 hours at a cost of $1.00 per hour. If your meter runs out of time or you exceed the time limit, and you have not received a ticket within the previous 12 months, a courtesy ticket will be issued. For the first offense after a courtesy ticket, the ticket will cost $5.00; the second offense after a courtesy ticket will cost $10, the third will cost $15, and the fourth and subsequent tickets will cost $20.  A Handicap Parking ticket is $100.00, and all other types of violations are $20.00 (Fire Hydrant, Wrong Side to curb, End Zone, Boulevard, etc) If you have a question about a parking ticket, please call 406-455-8430.

Category: Parking
If I search for a phrase (e.g. alarm permit), will the results only show exact matches?

No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.

Category: Search Tips and Tricks
What does the block captain do?

Block captains serve as the main contact for their neighborhood. They update block maps when a change occurs in the neighborhood, purchase NW signs, and encourage reporting of suspicious activity. They also welcome new residents to the area and share the Operation ID Kit with the NW participants.

Category: Neighborhood Watch
What if I find a cat that is hurt?

If the cat allows you to approach it, you can visually assess if you think it needs to be seen by a veterinarian. If you believe the animal needs immediate assistance you may:

  1. Call Great Falls Police Departments Animal Control at 406-727-7688 and press option 1 for dispatch. They will assess the situation and, if needed, will have Animal Control Officers contact you.
  2. If you are able to safely contain the animal, you may take it to the vet at your own expense. Please use caution and discretion when handling an unfamiliar animal with unknown health and vaccination history.

If it is not in need of immediate assistance, follow the Feral, Stray, Pet Flow Chart to decide your next steps.

Category: Community Cats FAQ
What is the role of the Neighborhood Councils?

The Neighborhood Councils were established to provide advisory input on all areas of government that affect their neighborhood. These could include areas such as finance, parking, planning, zoning, police, and parks, but they are not limited to these topics. The Councils are advisory to the City Commission, City staff, City Boards and Commissions, and other government entities as well. The Councils have also been utilized as sources of community outreach/education and input by private entities such as Energy West, Inc. and Benefis Hospital.

Category: Neighborhood Councils FAQ
What other assistance programs can I find out about?

Visit the Opportunites Inc website or call them at (406) 761-0310 to see what they may be able to help with. 

Category: Human Resources FAQ
When will CodeRED be used?

Any message regarding the safety, property or welfare of the community will be disseminated using the CodeRED system. These may include AMBER alerts, notifications of hazardous traffic or road conditions, boil water advisories or evacuation notices.

Category: CodeRED
Where can I access Public Meeting Agendas, Minutes, and Commission Actions?
Category: New Rec Facility
Where is the Juvenile Detention Center?

1600 26th Street South

Category: Police
Where is the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center?

♦ The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center is located at 4201 Giant Springs Road.

Category: Visitor Information
Who is my Commissioner?

In Great Falls, all the Commissioners are elected at-large. This means that you vote for five, and you have five representing you on the Commission.

 

Category: City Commission
Whom do I contact regarding my vehicle title or license plates?

Cascade County Motor Vehicle Department, at (406) 454-6860, located at 121 4th Street North, Suite 1B-1, Great Falls, MT  59401.

Category: City Clerk
Why is a building permit required?

Besides being a legal requirement, obtaining a permit helps to protect you, your family and your property.  Trained and certified staff will review plans before construction begins and will perform inspections during the project construction. While this does not guarantee a "perfect building," it does add protection and value to the structure.

Category: Building

Pages