Whitefish still studying impact-fee cuts

A public hearing about eliminating some of Whitefish’s impact fees resumes tonight at the Whitefish City Council meeting.

The hearing was continued at the Jan. 22 meeting after a member of the Impact Fee Advisory Committee asked for a continuance so the entire committee could attend. The committee has recommended chopping the City Hall, Emergency Services Center and parks maintenance building impact fees and retaining the water, wastewater, stormwater and paved trail fees.

In 2012 the city charged $6,443 in impact fees per newly constructed single family residence. That includes $2,314 for water, $1,864 for wastewater, $210 for stormwater, $813 for the Emergency Services Center, $771 for City Hall and $29 for the park maintenance building.

The Public Works Department has a couple of projects on the agenda for council consideration. One project proposes an expanded scope of work on the East Second Street reconstruction to include the construction and extension of Dodger Lane from Armory Road to East Second Street.

The second public works project involves stormwater improvements on East Fourth Street, north of Whitefish High School and south of Memorial Park in conjunction with stormwater improvements planned as part of the high school reconstruction project.

The council is being asked to pass a resolution that keeps the Ad Hoc Cemetery Committee in place for two more years as the city continues to contemplate new locations for a new city cemetery.

During a work session that runs from 5 to 7 p.m., the council will focus on parking issues. Among the topics for discussion are the possible lease of five lots south of Craggy Range for temporary parking; reinstating some lease parking in the city lots at Third Street and Central Avenue and/or Second Street and Spokane Avenue; and re-evaluating two-hour parking on Central Avenue between Depot and Railway streets.

The work session also will include a discussion of the city’s water rights, adjudication of existing water rights and applications for new water rights.

The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m.; both the work session and the regular meeting session will be held at Whitefish City Hall.