Kalispell council considers sewer issues
The Daily Inter Lake
A familiar topic - sewer service on the outskirts of the community - raises its head once again tonight during the Kalispell City Council's final regular meeting of 2004.
The council has debated various sewer issues on almost a monthly basis throughout the year. Tonight, it is expected to authorize the expenditure of up to $44,000 for a preliminary engineering study needed to extend municipal sewer lines north along Whitefish Stage Road.
The move is being prompted by the massive Two Rivers master plan amendment, which received a favorable recommendation from the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday. If approved by the commissioners, the amendment would allow higher density commercial and residential development to take place on 1,836 acres located north of Kalispell and Evergreen.
The engineering study will analyze the feasibility and cost of extending sewer lines north of West Reserve Drive. The lines would be available to serve some portion of the Two Rivers area, although exactly how much has yet to be determined.
Other items on tonight's agenda include:
. Awarding a contract for extending utilities and other improvements along the west side of the city airport. Five bids were received; the staff is recommending that the contract go to Windy Ridge Construction Co. of Plains, with a bid of $86,933.
. A public hearing regarding the preliminary plat of Cascade Business Park, an eight-lot commercial subdivision on 11 acres located just north of Gateway Cinema.
The former Crop Hail building currently occupies one of the lots. The develop has asked the city to help pay for upgrading Financial Drive. This would cost Kalispell about $42,500, which would be paid for using tax increment revenue from the Westside Urban Renewal District.
In return, the developer estimates that about $9.4 million would be invested in building out the remaining seven lots.
Following the public hearing, the council will take action on the preliminary plat and the cost-sharing request.
. A developer's extension agreement with West View Estates, a 127-lot residential subdivision located at the northeast corner of West Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road.
The agreement is intended to offer an incentive to extend sewer and water lines about a mile, from the Lowe's Home Improvement across the Section 36 school trust lands to his subdivision.
The project is expected to cost about $1 million, all of which would be paid by the developer. In return, the city would add a surcharge to the connection fee paid by future users when they tap into the system. The surcharge is based on how much line capacity these future users require; it would go to the developer to provide a return on his initial investment.
. Authorizing the city to participate in a Board of Investment revolving loan program in the amount of $91,500. The money would pay for some equipment for the Parks Department, as well as for a new pavilion/restroom facility in Woodland Park.
The council meeting takes place in City Hall, beginning at 7 p.m. More detailed information on the above agenda items can be found on the city's Web site, at www.kalispell.com/mayor/agenda.cfm