Registration plan a matter of safety
Fire fighter/paramedic Doug Schwartz demonstrates how the way emergency responders use knox boxes. The boxes, which contain building keys, are secured to the outside of businesses and allow fire fighters to access the building without causing additional damage by breaking down doors.
Increasing public safety is the main reason the city of Kalispell is proposing to start licensing businesses, according to City Manager Jane Howington.
That’s because a license registry would include information vital during an emergency, such as contact names and phone numbers and a way to enter the building.
Howington said that some local businesses have Knox Boxes — lock boxes that contain the emergency information — but a lot of businesses don’t have them.
In the case of home businesses, the city may not know the number of people inside or if any flammable liquids are present.
Howington said requiring a business license has been talked about over the years, and that Kalispell did require businesses to be licensed many years ago.
Howington said the subject of re-instituting business licenses came up in April when the City Council was considering banning any new marijuana-related business, which it ended up doing. Three medical marijuana dispensaries and five medical marijuana growing operations are currently allowed in the city because they existed prior to the new ordinance.
“Members of the public and council were surprised that we didn’t require business licenses,” Howington said.
Kalispell Fire Chief Dan Diehl said there are at least 1,400 businesses in the city, but noted that is a conservative estimate as the city is not sure how many there are. There are at least 300 Knox Boxes.
Each box contains a key to the building and also could include contact information and information on alarm and sprinkler systems and any hazardous materials.
The city’s original proposal for business registration fees was $30 per year with renewals at $20 per year. In addition, medical marijuana licenses would run $200 a year for first-time registrations and renewals.
Many other cities in Montana already require business licenses. Bozeman has done so since 1893, according to Carol Neibauer, Bozeman’s licensing clerk.
Neibauer said the fee for both initial and renewal licenses in Bozeman is $25. That fee applies to both home-based businesses and out-of-town firms, but commercial operations with floor space open to the public pay inspection fees of up to $225 based on the size of the open space.
Bozeman just passed an ordinance that adds medical marijuana establishments to its business licensing program. The fee is $150 a year, which includes $125 for inspections. It went into effect Aug. 25, Neibauer said.
Kalispell plans to hold a public meeting on the proposed business registrations. The date of that meeting hasn’t been set yet.
Reporter Caleb Soptelean may be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at csoptelean@dailyinterlake.com