Former Kalispell councilman Rod Kuntz appointed to Health Board
This Dec. 1, 2020, file photo shows the building that houses the Flathead City-County Health Department at 1035 1st Ave. W. in Kalispell. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson selected former Kalispell City Council member Rod Kuntz as the city’s representative for the Flathead City-County Health Board at a meeting on Monday.
Kuntz served on the council for five years, until he lost his Ward 3 seat to Ryan Hunter in 2019. Kuntz ran again in 2021, losing narrowly to Jessica Dahlman by just eight votes.
Mayor Johnson said he selected Kuntz for the position because he wanted someone from outside the council who is nonetheless known to the community.
Kuntz’s appointment was approved by the council on a 7 to 2 vote, with council members Sid Daoud and Ryan Hunter opposed to the mayor’s selection.
In October the Flathead County commissioners unanimously voted to ratify an agreement that gives the cities of Whitefish and Columbia Falls formal representation on the Flathead-City County Health Board. The three city councils also unanimously approved the agreement.
Previously, Kalispell was the only one of the three incorporated cities with the power to appoint a council member to the board. Under the new agreement, Kalispell can appoint a Health Board member from the city at-large.
Kuntz will replace Kalispell City Council member Kyle Waterman on the Health Board.
THE COUNCIL also approved new ward boundaries.
Under the new map, large portions of Ward 1 in North Kalispell will be transferred to Ward 2, and a few small portions of Ward 1 will become Ward 3.
The portion of Ward 2 that currently extends south of the Parkline Trail will become Ward 3, while the adjoining portions of Ward 3 along the trail will become Ward 2.
Finally, two small sections on the border of Ward 3 and 4, which are currently part of Ward 3, will become Ward 4.
Four development proposals got the green light from the council on Monday as well.
Bish’s RV requested annexation of 8.36 acres at 3100 U.S. 93 South. The RV business asked the council for a planned-unit development overlay of the annexed property and an adjacent 12.58-acre parcel already within city limits. Plans for the exact use of the annexed property are yet to be determined, but possibilities include retail space, office space or further expansion of the display space.
On the residential side, a 138-unit development known as Junegrass Place received a conditional-use permit to build on 5.82 acres at 1079 N. Meridian Road.
A multi-use development called The Harper also received a conditional-use permit. The comprehensive project includes 40 dwelling units on 1.23 acres at 1280 U.S. 2 West, as well as a new Jiffy Lube business. The Mudman Burgers restaurant on the property also will be incorporated into the development.
The final development proposal to receive approval was APEC Engineering’s final plat request for the Alder Homes Subdivision at 1221 Sixth St. W.
Lastly, the city agreed to pay a $227,315.66 change order to KLJ Engineering for unanticipated costs from building the Kalispell Parkline Trail.
The city originally paid the project engineer $7,507,882.10 for the project.
In addition to the change order, the city decided to add the costs for water impact fees for the connection of two ¾-inch and two 2-inch water services lines serving the trail. The impact fee cost is $25,000.
Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.