Kalispell eyes investment in first responder equipment
The Kalispell City Council will consider adding new equipment for the city’s first responders at its meeting tonight.
The council will vote to approve a $10,279 Justice Assistance Grant for the Kalispell Police Department. The grant, which would be provided by the U.S. Department of Justice through the state of Montana based on violent crime statistics, would be used to purchase a satellite phone with pre-purchased minutes, a drone and a mobile data terminal for the police department. These purchases would reportedly replace aging technology and allow the KPD to “conduct police business in a safer and efficient way.”
The council will also take up a bid proposal for a new ambulance. On Nov. 7, the city solicited bid proposals for a new Ford F-450 Type I ambulance. Out of three proposals, Sawtooth Emergency Vehicles reportedly submitted the lowest bid at $182,000.
The city’s stormwater system will be another main topic at tonight’s meeting. The council will hold its second reading on a new stormwater ordinance that combines two existing ordinances, pursuant to the city’s five-year permit with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The council previously discussed this change at a work session and an earlier council meeting.
In a separate resolution, the council will also vote to approve a new six-step enforcement response plan for the stormwater management system.
In other business, the council will consider approving a final plat and subdivision improvement agreement for Southside Estates on Airport Road. Jackola Engineering has submitted the request on behalf of Team Development LLC, for the 30-lot development on 9.6 acres at 2100 Airport Road.
The council originally approved the preliminary plat on March 5, 2018, with 23 conditions. A city staff report noted all 23 conditions have now been met or adequately addressed, so the council will consider moving the project into the final plat phase and approving a $176,771.50 subdivision improvement agreement.
The final item for council action at the meeting is a $200,000 grant application from the Airport Users Association for runway lighting at the city airport. The Airport Users Association is seeking to apply for a grant from the Montana Department of Transportation for the lighting. Due to the organization’s lease with the city for the airport, the city would have to be the applicant for the grant. The agenda for the meeting reported the city has applied for similar grants for KidSports and other projects in the city. There would be no financial obligation on the city along with the grant.
Recipients of the 2019 Architectural Awards from the Kalispell Architectural Review Committee will also be recognized at the city council meeting. The awards are meant to “acknowledge quality development in the community,…encouraging originality and innovation to protect and enhance the city’s character and appeal.” This year’s award winners are Immanuel Lutheran’s Villas at Buffalo Hill, Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s Digestive Health Institute and Children’s Center, Great Northern Dental off Whitefish Stage Road and Distillery Square on Sixth Avenue West.
The full meeting agenda is available at https://www.kalispell.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11182019-351
The meeting will take place 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.