New city manager on board for tonight's council meeting

The Daily Inter Lake

The Kalispell City Council will address diverse issues tonight, during its first regular meeting with incoming City Manager Jim Patrick on board.

The agenda items include:

. A resolution that would allow subdivisions located outside the Evergreen sewer district to connect to the district's utility system and utilize Kalispell's treatment plant capacity, so long as the city owns any new sewer extensions.

This issue was tabled in August to give the council and the Evergreen sewer board time to try to work out a compromise. However, that effort seems to have failed. The city staff is therefore recommending that this item be tabled indefinitely.

. A resolution authorizing the expenditure of $228,000 in tax increment funds to extend utility services along the west side of the city airport. The work is expected to encourage new hangar leases and construction at the airport. Tax increment revenue can only be used for specific purposes within a specific urban renewal district.

. Scheduling a Dec. 6 public hearing on a proposed budget amendment that would transfer $65,000 in general fund revenue into the Woodland Water Park account to cover a deficit in this year's pool budget. Any potential increase in pool fees needed to resolve this deficit permanently would be addressed during next year's budget preparation cycle.

. Scheduling a Dec. 6 public hearing and passing a resolution of intent to annex portions of Granrud Lane, Woodland Avenue, Woodland Park Drive and Willow Glen Drive. Kalispell has assumed ownership of these roads over the last several months and is now formally incorporating them into the city.

. Final plat approval for Leisure Heights Phase I, which creates 35 residential lots on 12 acres located on the east side of Willow Glen Drive, just north of Kelly Road.

. Authorizing voluntary city employee participation in the International City Manager Association's retirement health savings program. The program allows retiring employees to receive their vacation and sick leave severance pay tax free. The money would go into an account that could be used for health insurance premiums or medical expenses.

. Authorizing City Manager Jim Patrick to sign on the city's bank account.

. Adopting the International Energy Conservation Codes. This is a housekeeping item that's required to keep the city ordinances in conformance with state rules.

. Filling an opening on the Kalispell City Planning Board. Three people have submitted letters of interest. They are: John Knopik, a senior financial analyst and consultant for Hewlett-Packard; Kevin Mikelson, who works at Semitool in product marketing and management; and Bryan Schutt, a local architect.

. Filling an opening on the Conrad Mansion Museum Board. Five people have applied. They are: John Knopik (see above); Gary Havens, a retired Kalispell firefighter and small business owner; Janet Monk, a landlord and part-time instructor at Flathead Valley Community College; Frances Ollendike, a retired paralegal; and Jeremy Presta, the president and CEO of Parkside Federal Credit Union.

. Filling an opening on the Kalispell Street Tree Commission. There are two positions available; Betty Albright is requesting re-appointment and no other letters of interest have been received.

The council meeting takes place in City Hall, beginning at 7 p.m. It will be followed immediately by a work session to discuss goals, questions and comments for the new city manager.