Kalispell City Council to examine parking fees

The Kalispell City Council tonight will consider parking-ticket costs.

A resolution before the council, the product of consultation among the council, the Kalispell Police Department and the Parking Advisory Board , would maintain parking violation tickets at $10 in areas that the Advisory Board supervises.

The board asked to maintain the fee to keep parking tickets from discouraging shoppers in the downtown area.

All other parking tickets, aside from handicapped parking violations, would be set at $15, while state law allows municipal judges to impose a more costly fine if deemed appropriate.

The council also will discuss updating motor vehicle regulations that are outdated, need to be amended or are already covered by state law.

Redundant ordinances to be discarded include requiring a driver’s license and license plates to drive a vehicle within the city, driving recklessly, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and several more.

The third item on the agenda will be an announcement of a public hearing on new flood-plain rules and regulations promoted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The city must adopt these regulations to remain eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program.

The council meeting starts at 7 p.m. today at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.