Kalispell on track to renew tourism district
The Kalispell City Council will decide whether to re-establish the Tourism Business Improvement District at its meeting this evening.
The Tourism Business Improvement District expires on June 30, 2020. Property owners representing more than 97% of the district submitted petitions to the council to renew the district.
The Tourism Business Improvement District uses funds generated by resident property owners to support tourism promotion for the district. Hotels and motels within the Kalispell city limits charge a $2-per-night fee that is collected by the district and used for marketing efforts. The district has a seven-person board of property owners and the city oversees the organization. Diane Medler from the Kalispell Convention and Visitors Bureau reported these funds have helped generate almost 4,000 room nights for local business events and initiate contact with over 77,000 potential visitors.
The council unanimously passed a statement of intent to consider re-establishing the district on Nov. 4 and held a public hearing on the proposal on Dec. 2. Medler spoke in favor of re-establishing the district at the public hearing, and as of Dec. 11 the council had reportedly received no protests against the renewal.
Re-establishing the district would leave it in place for the next 10 years and also set its regulations. According to the meeting agenda, “the regulations have not been significantly revised from those guiding the original Tourism Business Improvement District.”
The council will also consider updating the policies for the city’s two tax increment finance districts. These policies are intended “to provide guidelines for the Urban Renewal Agency and council to offer monetary incentives for development activities within the two urban renewal districts in the form of TIF assistance funds.”
Currently, the shared utilities program has a maximum limit of $150,000 and does not account for impact fees. The proposed assistance program “has provisions that would allow for a grant related to 100% of all public infrastructure costs, including impact fees.”
These draft policies were presented at a Nov. 25 work session.
At a work session on Dec. 9, the council discussed updating the city’s construction and design standards. The standards are periodically updated to keep up with current regulations and best practices and “to support a sustainable community.”
The proposed changes include the requirement of a post-construction stormwater maintenance permit, waiving the right to protest the creation of a stormwater maintenance district for developments that do not meet requirements and the expiration of municipal facilities exclusions with the preliminary plat, as well as a few updates and clarifications.
The council will vote on a resolution of intent to consider these changes and to set a public hearing on the proposals on Jan. 6.
During the meeting, there will be time set aside for a public hearing on the proposed traffic improvement project at 18th Street and Airport Road. This Urban Renewal Agency project has been discussed at multiple previous meetings. It is intended to improve traffic flow and safety at this difficult intersection.
The project would include the closure of 18th Street west from Airport Road and a new alignment two blocks north at 16th Street West connecting Airport Road and First Avenue West. It would also add 7,500 linear feet of sidewalk in the area and bike lanes along Airport Road. The empty lot at 18th Street West and Airport Road would be converted into an improved public parking facility.
Finally, the council will consider appointing Jon Fetveit to a recently vacated position on the Business Improvement District board. His term would expire on April 30, 2020.
Following the meeting, there will be a reception to honor outgoing council members Wayne Saverud, Rod Kuntz and Phil Giuffrida.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 201 First Ave. E.
Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.