Council to look at tourism management

The Whitefish City Council will review its Sustainable Tourism Management Plan draft during a work session tonight at 6 p.m.

A committee has created the plan with the intent of managing the influx of visitation to Whitefish, especially in the summer.

Trends indicate that tourism will continue to increase over the next decade, with concern that growth in tourism comes at a cost to the quality of life for the community and visitors alike. A 2018 resident survey showed that population growth and more tourists are viewed as negatives in relation to housing prices, infrastructure, traffic and community character.

The tourism management plan aims to promote sustainable community-based tourism development that will be beneficial to all.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on the tourism management plan draft after the review.

During the council’s regular meeting, which begins at 7:10 p.m., the Public Works director will present the bids for State Park Road reconstruction. The project will rebuild the road from Haugen Heights Road to the railroad tracks. Two bids were received for the project from LHC Inc., and Knife River.

The Montana Department of Transportation Urban Funds report will also be discussed. Wisconsin and Baker avenues in Whitefish have been identified as “urban routes” by the state transportation commission, with just over $1,200,000 available and an allocation of $157,000 annually.

The Parks and Recreation Director will also ask the City Manager to execute a contract for irrigation and landscape design services. The firm Forestoration has been chosen to help the city decrease its use of non-native plants and grasses on rights-of-way and open spaces. The goal is to add more native greenery to reduce water use and maintenance.

Prior to both meetings, a special session focusing on filling vacant committee slots will run from 5 to 6 p.m.

Tracy Rossi and Leslie Lowe will be interviewed as candidates for the architectural review committee, with Tyler Furry, Sara Seed, Joel Maxwell and Leslie Hunt up for spots on the parking permit implementation committee. Public comment will follow the interviews, after which appointments will be made.

All sessions will be in the City Council Conference Room, 418 East Second Street.