County seeks city help applying for $30,000 grant
The Kalispell City Council tonight will consider sponsoring a $30,000 grant request for Flathead County to evaluate the condition of its senior centers and develop a plan to address their deficiencies.
That includes the Kalispell Senior Center on Second Avenue West and centers in Bigfork, Columbia Falls and Whitefish. All are aging county facilities operated by senior organizations.
“Flathead County wishes to evaluate the existing conditions of its system of senior centers through a preliminary architectural report,” Kalispell Community and Economic Development Manager Katharine Thompson wrote in a memo to the City Council.
“This report would determine existing building conditions at each site, assess needs at each facility and investigate options for meeting the needs of Flathead County seniors through these facilities.”
Flathead County commissioners would provide a $10,000 local match required for the Community Development Block Grant.
The county already has an active planning grant in process for the Gateway Community Center, so it is not eligible to apply and must ask Kalispell to apply on its behalf for the additional funding.
In a letter to the City Council, Commissioner Pamela Holmquist said the county is committed to completing the report and closing out the planning grant within one year to ensure Kalispell is eligible to apply for a grant in the fall 2014 funding cycle.
“The senior center facilities throughout Flathead County are aging and limited funds available to support building improvements,” Holmquist wrote. “Accessibility and health and safety challenges exist at some centers. A number of facilities have space limitations, making it difficult to increase service to the growing number of seniors in our valley. Thoughtful evaluation of the centers is necessary to develop a successful course of action to ensure that funds are invested wisely to protect the future of the senior centers.”
Holmquist added: “The Kalispell Senior Center is at the top of the list of sites that need attention. The building is over 100 years old and in desperate need of updating. There are issues with space limitations, accessibility, parking and health and safety concerns.”
IN OTHER BUSINESS tonight, the City Council will:
• Consider appointing Kalispell resident Lance Isaak to the Kalispell Street Tree Commission.
• The second and final reading of an ordinance to amend the planned unit development for Willow Creek, an undeveloped subdivision along Foy’s Lake Road. The amendment deals with plans for a future bike path through the property.
Tonight’s 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.