Council to hold hearing on water and sewer plan

Following the planned growth for South Kalispell comes a water treatment plant to facilitate that development.

The Kalispell City Council tonight will hold a public hearing on the new water and wastewater facility plan for South Kalispell. The plan supplements the 2008 water and wastewater facility plans.

The plan, prepared by KLJ Engineering, examines an area bordered by Cemetery Road and Lower Valley Road to the north, Rocky Cliff Drive to the south, Flathead River to the east and Ashley Creek to the west. The plan follows the expected growth laid out in the city’s growth policy, which expects to see more than 10,300 people in the area by 2030.

In order to reach the level of water distribution needed to suit the forecasted growth in commercial and residential with city services and fire fighting needs, the plan recommends that existing mains be upgraded other infrastructure be expanded. The updated plan also recommends further analysis and a master plan be completed to determine which of the options offered would best fit South Kalispell’s water distribution needs.

When looking at sewer flow in South Kalispell, the updated plan found that the existing infrastructure constructed along U.S. 93 already has the capacity to sustain future growth, although the plan developers note that lift stations may need to be added in the future. Their recommendations include evaluating the U.S. 93 and Bypass intersection as a location for a new gravity lift station to connect wastewater from the area north of the Kalispell Bypass to the wastewater treatment facility in South Kalispell.

AFTER THE public hearing, the council will vote on the second hearing of the amendment to the disturbing the peace ordinance. The amendment aligns the ordinance more closely with the statewide disorderly conduct law, adding more specificity to the measure.

The council will also vote on a fundraiser proposed by the Kalispell Parks and Recreation department. The fundraiser aims to encourage people to buy a sponsorship brick with their name to help fund improvements to the electrical system and cosmetic improvements to the gazebo.

The parks department in 2006 held a similar fundraiser, where the funds were planned for the shell backdrop for the bandstand. After nine years, the 23 people who purchased bricks didn’t reach the minimum 100 bricks needed to obtain the manufacturer’s quoted price, so the department is now offering those participants the chance to have their donations refunded or directed toward the new improvement projects. The total amount available to for refund is $1,700.

In the last item of business for tonight’s meeting, the council will call for a public hearing on Sunset Boulevard LCC’s request that the city vacate an easement on West Wyoming and U.S. 93, behind J2 Office Supply.

The council meets at City Hall tonight at 7 p.m., 201 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

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