Mayor John Engen and Gov. Brian Schweitzer blasted in and out of a transportation trouble spot along Russell Street shortly after noon, where the governor asked the mayor to hand over four to-do items.
Engen, who had invited the governor to visit Missoula for a day, tossed back four items - plus one.
That was the final ask. In one way or another, the basis for the other requests are visible from the corner of Russell and Dakota streets, where the 10-minute meeting took place.
So far, redoing the 1.5 miles of road has meant a mountain of process and paper - and little pavement. So Engen asked the governor to help him “stump for process reform” with Montana Department of Transportation director Jim Lynch. That means taking a machete to some red tape.
“Done,” the governor said.
From that corner, the electeds could see the empty site where Intermountain Lumber Co. used to operate. The Missoula Housing Authority is working to build there, and Engen also wants to make it easier for Missoulians to buy homes.
“Put your brain to affordable housing with me,” Engen said.
Schweitzer obliged. He asked a staff member to check how the coal tax fund could help.
Engen also said his engineers needed some flexibility when working on their own turf. But federal engineering standards sometimes crimp local creativity.
“We can use land better, and we know what the hell we're doing,” Engen said.
Then, the mayor pitched the biggie: “Help me pay for some of this stuff.”
So, Schweitzer said, sounds like the city wants federal money with some local control. And he said he was ready to hit up “Max and Jon,” U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester.
“You got a tin cup? I'll help you carry it,” Schweitzer said.
Engen brought two of his people to the meeting. Two folks tailed Schweitzer, and Jag, his border collie, came along, too.
Two years ago, Schweitzer ran afoul of Missoula's leash law and got a call from Animal Control. This time, he bragged about having Jag on a leash in strict Missoula.
But the red leash was unblemished, and city communications director Ginny Merriam said it was brand new. A secretary in the mayor's office had reminded the governor about the rule, she said. The governor obliged and the jokes flew.
Merriam said the governor and the mayor spent about two hours together Wednesday, and that Schweitzer's visit is expected to be the first of several.
Reporter Keila Szpaller can be reached at 523-5262 or at keila.szpaller@missoulian.com.
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