Whitefish creates fees for owners of alarm systems
The Whitefish City Council will wrap up its tightening of false-alarm laws by holding a public hearing tonight to establish fees for businesses and property owners with alarm systems.
False alarms have been an ongoing challenge for first responders in Whitefish, according to a staff report from Police Chief Bill Dial
The city is recommending a $100 registration fee for businesses with alarm systems, and $25 for private property owners who have structure alarm systems.
A false alarm fee will be charged when the city responds to false emergency services, fire and police alarms more than three times in a year. The city would charge $50 for a fourth false alarm, and the fifth and subsequent false alarms would cost $300 per incident.
Earlier this month the council approved an ordinance amending city laws to include all false alarms and to provide registration requirements for all alarm system companies. A second reading of that ordinance will be tonight.
The council will consider a resolution maintaining the cash-in-lieu payment for affordable housing at the current $8,000 per unit. Developers are allowed a density bonus if they provide affordable housing or pay cash-in-lieu of affordable housing.
Discussion on which corridor plan to pursue next and when to initiate work on it is on the agenda. The city currently is assisting consultant WGM Group with the U.S. 93 West Corridor Plan, but other corridor projects could include Wisconsin Avenue and U.S. 93 South.
An amendment to add $89,895 worth of work and consultant visits to Crandall-Arambula’s contract for the downtown master plan update will be considered. The city wants the consultants to study and provide more information on four topics: Highway contra flow concept, Wisconsin Avenue connection, commercial activity south of East Second Street and Baker Avenue; and a protected bikeway along Spokane Avenue.
A work session from 5 to 7 p.m. will focus on the trust for public land financial feasibility study regarding a portion of local funding for a proposed purchase of the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. conservation easement.
The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m.; both meetings are at Whitefish City Hall.