Kalispell council required to shift grant money

The Kalispell City Council will hold a public hearing tonight to consider a budget amendment to transfer grant money from the city’s drug enforcement fund to a new fund in order to fulfill a grant requirement.

The city received a $10,976 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and deposited the money into the drug enforcement fund. However, after review of the grant application, the money must be transferred to a different fund to fulfill the grant purpose.

The grant is earmarked for converting the in-car police camera system to a new system, Watchguard.

IN OTHER NEWS, the council will review a request from the Flathead Valley Hockey Association for the sale and consumption of alcohol at a Craft Brewers Festival and Hockey Tournament. The tournament is planned at the Woodland Ice Center on Jan. 24 from noon to 8 p.m. The hockey association, with Tamarack Brewery, plans to host a fenced area separate from the tournament where craft beer can be sold to and consumed by those of legal age.

The group has filled out a special event permit with an alcohol addendum, and city departments reviewing the documentation deemed it to be in order.

The council also will discuss travel for council members related to the core area redevelopment and state legislative session.

Last year, council members traveled to Washington, D.C., to support the city’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER grant. Since the city did not receive the grant, the council hopes to make the trip again in 2015 to speak to federal representatives and agencies to discuss future options for core redevelopment. The fiscal impact of the trip is estimated at $2,000 per council member, and was included in the city budget.

In addition, the council anticipates two smaller travel expenses. The Flathead County Economic Development Authority requested that Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson travel with authority representatives to meet with BNSF Railway Co. regarding the rail park development, and council members plan to travel to Helena several times for the legislative session. These will be minimal expenses for mileage, meals, and lodging, if necessary.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall.