Pay raises for firefighters up for approval
A collective bargaining agreement that gives pay raises to Kalispell firefighters is up for approval at tonight’s City Council meeting.
The last agreement expired in June. Negotiations for a new agreement have been ongoing since May.
The proposed three-year agreement has been approved by the International Association of Firefighters Local Union 547. It includes some changes to promotion requirements and to the promotions board and grants base salary increases of 2 percent for fiscal years 2015 and 2016.
Total compensation with longevity would increase 1.3 percent in fiscal year 2014 and 3.3 percent in fiscal years 2015 and 2016. The estimated financial impact is $22,000 in 2014, $62,000 in 2015 and $65,000 in 2016.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the City Council will vote on a resolution to schedule a Nov. 4 public hearing for proposed increases in Kalispell’s water impact fees.
The proposal being considered has been under review for most of the last year and would increase the minimum water impact fee from $2,213 to $2,567.
A proposed amendment to the Willow Creek planned unit development is on tonight’s agenda. The 471-lot subdivision is located between Foy’s Lake Road and Ashley Creek on the city’s west side. The amendment deals with the location and design of a bike and pedestrian trail system and in part eliminates a need for developer Wayne Turner to route a bike path underneath an access road into the subdivision using a box culvert.
The proposed amendment to the planned unit development has the support of both the developer and Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana, according to Kalispell Planning Director Tom Jentz.
Council members also will consider appointing Pamela Mower to the Kalispell Urban Renewal Agency. The advisory board oversees the use of money from Kalispell’s tax increment financing districts.
Tonight’s City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. It is open to the public.
Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.