Whitefish council continues 'doughnut' transition
Whitefish is still dealing with the aftermath of losing planning jurisdiction over the “doughnut” area outside the city. Two of three public hearings tonight will deal with lakeshore regulation ramifications.
The city intends to create its own Whitefish Lake and lakeshore protection committee as a standing city committee to oversee lakeshore issues within city limits. A hearing will be held before the council votes on an ordinance creating the committee.
Whitefish previously had a lakeshore committee that handled lakeshore matters both in the county and city, but that committee was disbanded after the Montana Supreme Court last year gave planning control of the doughnut area to Flathead County.
A related hearing will consider an ordinance amending Whitefish city code to remove references to Whitefish’s previous extraterritorial planning jurisdiction in the doughnut area.
A public hearing is scheduled to consider an application from Whitefish Credit Union to extend the preliminary plat another two years for Lookout Ridge subdivision.
Mike Cronquist, the owner’s representative for the new City Hall and parking structure project, will give a progress report. The demolition of Whitefish City Hall is scheduled for August and September. Both the City Hall and parking structure are scheduled for completion by December 2016.
The council will discuss selecting a Realtor to act as the city’s real estate representative for property purchases, sales, and leases. Five Realtors or teams of Realtors responded to a request for qualifications, and Chap Godsey of RE/MAX of Whitefish has been recommended for approval.
A third-quarter financial report will be given.
During a work session that begins at 5 p.m., the council will discuss the budget and deferred maintenance concerns for Stumptown Ice Den.
The financial requirement to repair, maintain and operate the ice rink for an approved 11-month season is $596,758. The proposed revenue without increasing rental fees is $411,773, leaving the council to consider a $184,985 city subsidy.
To avoid subsidizing the ice rink budget, the council would have to approve a $45-per-hour increase for ice rental. The extended season has been approved to begin Aug. 10.
Stumptown Ice Den has been operating at a deficit for several years, with an average budget shortfall of about $132,000 annually for the years of 2012 through 2014, according to a Parks and Recreation Department report.
Both the work session and regular meeting beginning at 7:10 p.m. are at Whitefish City Hall.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.