C. Falls council discusses road repairs, park proposal

A run-down of a proposed park along the Flathead River and a schedule of must-do street repairs in Columbia Falls helped the city council focus its vision of the future Monday night.

In a special workshop session, Public Works Director Lorin Lowry explained in detail the $53,800 street overlay project for 2007, which is focused on Council Bluffs and Crescent Drive, Vans Avenue, Eighth Avenue EN and 11th Street West.

He explained that, of the city streets needing repairs in the next decade, 55 percent are rated as having no useful life remaining. And more than 18 percent of those scheduled for repairs have six years or less.

Thanks to a $1.1 million levy voters approved in June, the city will be able to start an aggressive road-builidng program next spring on Talbott Road, Veterans Drive and First Avenue West, and will tackle more roads as money is available.

Lowry outlined the city's entire chip-sealing and repair program for its 28.6 miles of roads, focused on he immediate areas with the worst potholes first.

The bulk of discussion at the meeting paved the way for a final vote on the park-land purchase, expected on Aug. 6, the council hashed out concerns about whether to borrow $945,000 from its own Cedar Creek Trust Fund principal or to leave it to earn interest for other city projects.

Paul Badgley, the Coldwell Banker Wachholz and Co. agent for Kenneth and Carole Bell who are offering 27.8 acres of riverfront property to the city, outlined a number of public partnerships used in Whitefish and in the Lake Kookanusa fisheries program to establish public recreation.

In all of them, though, he said "land was the most important ingredient."

Kathryn Price, who is active in Columbia Falls community sports programs, urged the council to focus on park development. City Manager Bill Shaw has identified a couple locations on the Bells' property that could accommodate softball or soccer fields, and a natural pond that could be used for youth fishing programs and ice skating.

"This is a great opportunity to buy now at a reduced price," Price said. The land has been appraised at $956,000 and is sure to cost more than the city can afford in another 10 years, she said. "I think this is a win-win."

Bill Dakin, ReMax Mountain View Realtor who represents the city in land dealings, said three or four of the eight city-developed lots among the Cedar Creek Reservoir parcels could be under contract by this fall. Those land sales would add to the $1.5 million now in the trust fund; Shaw has pegged its eventual net worth at $2.8 million.

Shaw outlined permitted uses for the trust fund principal, as voted by the council in July 2005 - keep it in the trust, invest it to earn interest, make grants or loans on projects for the greater city good, or buy land or buildings with long-term city benefit.

He told the council this is a rare opportunity to have city-owned riverfront land.

"I think the future of the city would (be served) best if they have control and they have access," he said.

The land is not heavily wooded, Shaw said, so would not be expensive to clear. Several places along its 894 feet of river frontage offer easy access for boaters. Most of it lies in the 100-year flood plain, but recreation fields are an approved use. It's within walking and cycling distance for most residents, he said, and could be included in the city's bike path system.

He laid out a development schedule if the city buys the land - fence it, install picnic tables and portable toilets to accommodate simple river access, build 2,400 feet of road from the intersection of Fifth Street and Fourth Avenue, build ball fields and eventually restrooms, and finally install a parking area. Total cost could be $600,000 or $700,000.

Council member Mike Shepard said he would be glad for an alternative to the heavily used Teakettle river access, but questioned loss of wildlife habitat and urged tight controls to be sure that any development promises are delivered intact.

Council member Don Barnhart illustrated his financial concerns by citing the city's commitment to develop the Pit-to-Park project along the railroad tracks near Plum Creek once the timber company has finished filling the area with log and lumber waste and handed the land over to the city. It could come as soon as two years, he noted.

"That is just one of many commitments we've made over the years," Barnhart said. "My point is, we've committed our resources (elsewhere)," and this park-land purchase could siphon money from those.

He also questioned flooding on the land - Dakin later said he saw no sign of flows there - and how much of the riverfront actually is usable through four seasons for the city's desired recreation uses.

"When we developed the trust it was to get a pool of money to benefit the citizens for a long time," Barnhart said, with city finance director Susan Nicosia adding that the fund now earns about $175,000 in annual interest.

Barnhart recalled that his intention at the time of creating the Cedar Creek trust fund was not specifically to buy land, although that was recognized as a potential use for the money. He encouraged the rest of the council to keep the principal intact for now so it can gain interest.

"The citizens of Columbia Falls have $175,000 to do something with until something extraordinary comes along in the future," he said.

Mayor Jolie Fish explained the council's original decision was colored by a reluctance to let go of real estate in the Cedar Creek Reservoir, with the intent being to "trade land for land."

Council member Doug Karper added that real estate was the only thing considered worth spending the principal on, so the city would enjoy that interest until good land became available. It now has, he said.

Shaw said the trust should be built back up to $1 million in five years, even with the June vote to use $1.1 million for a street-building program that gradually would draw down the principal.

Council member Julie Plevel asked Dakin for a flood map including the 1975 and 1993 100-year floods, as well as 1964's 500-year flood. She also questioned the city's commitment to rebuilding Columbus Park tennis courts, and learned that if grants come through then the city has agreed to pitch in $50,000.

"This purchase is going to be challenging and unpopular with some citizens," Plevel said, "but I am a forward thinker. There are going to be fewer and fewer chances to have a piece of the Flathead River.

"This is one of the jewels of this community. It needs to be promoted and embraced and moved forward."

Reporter Nancy Kimball can be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com