Whitefish seeks to broaden false alarm law

Citing false burglar, hold-up and fire alarms as an ongoing challenge for first responders, the city of Whitefish has proposed a broader city law to deal with false alarms.

The proposed ordinance is the focus a public hearing planned Tuesday at the Whitefish City Council meeting.

City law currently deals only with false fire alarms, yet in 2013 there were 124 false fire alarms and 285 false burglary, robbery and intrusion alarms, according to City Manager Chuck Stearns’ staff report.

There are many reasons for false reports, he said, such as workers entering a wrong alarm code, homeowners leaving doors and windows open that trigger an alarm, bank employees inadvertently pushing a panic alarm, and mechanical malfunctions.

The new law defines false alarms, property owner responsibilities, licensing of providers and fees, appropriate responses by emergency personnel and a penalty section.

Another public hearing will consider repealing the city’s 2009 weed management plan.

The weed plan calls for the use of Dead Eye in Soroptimist Park. The vinegar-based product doesn’t discriminate between noxious weeks and grass, though, and must be applied meticulously, Parks Director Maria Butts noted in her staff report.

Weed management has been an ongoing problem in Soroptimist Park, and neighbors historically have helped pull noxious weeds.

During the August Park Board meeting, the board moved to recommend repealing the weed plan, allowing for the Parks and Recreation Department to oversee weed management as needed.

Two other public hearings are scheduled: one to formally establish a city Planning Board and the other to consider a resolution requesting that the Surface Transportation Board and Montana Department of Environmental Quality hold public hearings in Western Montana, including Whitefish, during the review process for the proposed Tongue River Railroad and Otter Creek Mine in Southeast Montana.

The council will hold a work session from 5 to 7 p.m. During the first hour the council will discuss gates on private roads; at 6 p.m. the discussion turns to a parking assessment district and whether a Business Improvement District or construction special improvement district for downtown business cost contribution should be considered.

Both the work session and regular meeting at 7:10 p.m. will be held at Whitefish City Hall.