Whitefish council mulls skate-park contribution

The Daily Inter Lake

The city of Whitefish's ability to finance a portion of the proposed skate park comes up for discussion tonight before the City Council.

At issue is whether the city can afford to pay for a drainage system and contribute $50,000 to the project, as recommended by the Park Board.

City Manager Gary Marks said it will likely take another budget cycle to make the money available.

"There is no known source of funds at this time from which the Public Works Department can legally draw to complete" the Park Board's recommendations, Marks said.

By June, city staffers will have updated the tax-increment financial plan and reviewed other capital projects for next year's budget.

"At that time, we will be in a better position to determine the city's ability to contribute to this project," he said.

Marks recommends the council remove the Park Board's amendments on financial commitment and then approve a construction agreement.

With the addition of a $100,000 donation to the skate-park project last week, the Whitefish Skateboard Association had hoped to break ground on the park by July 1. The council's decision on the city's contribution could, however, put the project on hold for a while longer.

In other business, a public hearing is scheduled to consider the Whitefish Theatre Company's request to put a readerboard sign on the west side of the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center.

Discussion resumes on a proposed amendment to the 2005 utility master plan consultant contract. The council tabled the item April 4 and will again consider how to provide for an additional $17,642 for aerial photography and topographic mapping work.

Positive Systems backed out of its contract with the city for mapping services; finding an alternate provider will cost more.

The council will consider awarding a $1.2 million contract to Sandry Construction for the BNSF Loop Trail Project and a $680,540 contract to Sandon Construction for the East Seventh Street reconstruction project.

Council member Erik Garberg wants the council to provide a letter of support for North Valley Hospital concerning the hospital's critical-care designation that's currently in jeopardy.

The council meeting begins at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall. The council meets in special session at 5 p.m. Monday to interview numerous committee candidates.