Babb, O’Leary going to Washington

By Justin Post - 01/03/2008

Two Butte officials are traveling to Washington, D.C., next month to seek federal money for major infrastructure improvement projects.

Charlie O’Leary, chairman of the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners, and Chief Executive Paul Babb are flying to the nation’s capital Feb. 4. They are scheduled to return to Butte Feb. 7.

“It will be a pretty intense trip back there I think,” Babb told The Montana Standard recently.

The two are scheduled to meet with lawmakers to discuss three priority projects: rebuilding the Big Hole River dam at Divide, health and safety upgrades for public buildings and East Butte improvements.

The meetings are being organized by the city-county’s Washington, D.C., lobbying firm, the Russ Reid Co. An agenda for the meetings is being prepared, but wasn’t immediately available Wednesday.

Commissioners voted in September to spend $94,000 in the 2008 budget for a nine-month contract with the lobbyist, which was O’Leary’s proposal.

The city-county has some $60 million in capital improvement projects and O’Leary believes the lobbyist will significantly reduce the amount of that tab that local residents must pay.

The council will review Russ Reid’s performance in June and decide whether to renew the contract.

The trip to Washington, D.C., comes after Russ Reid representatives visited Butte late last year to help local officials prioritize projects they believe are most likely to receive federal funding this year.

The group identified three projects that would cost roughly $8 million.

Rebuilding the crumbling dam and intake structure on the Big Hole River, a source of drinking water for the Butte area, would cost about $3.48 million.

Another $2.5 million is needed for health and safety upgrades and renovations in public buildings such as the courthouse, public works, the library, health department, maintenance center, Civic Center and park bathrooms.

That work also could include elevator upgrades at the courthouse, asbestos removal or capping and replacing a ventilation system at the maintenance center.

Several projects are planned in East Butte from sidewalk and street repairs to moving utility poles and improving the Mercury Street corridor.

The third project represents about $2 million to improve East Butte.

With O’Leary and Babb in Washington, D.C., lawmakers can put a face to the requests and ask questions, said Karen Byrnes, the city-county’s director of community development.

“We want the best chances of getting funding for every project,” she said.

Babb’s administrative aide, Shelly Jones, organized the travel plans, purchased plane tickets and lodging at a hotel near Russ Reid’s offices and the White House.

“I spent days looking for cheaper places because it is so expensive there,” Jones said.

The total cost for the trip is $2,211, which also includes Babb’s meals. O’Leary may submit receipts for his meals and seek reimbursement when he returns.

The two are flying from Butte on Delta Airlines and sharing a room at The Melrose Hotel, 2430 Pennsylvania Ave.

O’Leary said the two also plan to visit with Montana’s representatives during the trip.

Reporter Justin Post may be reached via e-mail at Justin.post@lee.net or by telephone, 496-5572.