City Council appoints interim municipal judge
Judge Rich Hickel is presented with his robes by his wife Wanda after his swearing in before Kalispell City Council on November 8, 2022. (Adrian Knowler/Daily Inter Lake)
Kalispell City Council appointed Rich Hickel interim municipal judge in a unanimous vote at Monday’s meeting.
Hickel, who recently retired from his position as attorney for the city, said the need for continuity at the court made his decision to sacrifice time at home an easy one.
“I might not be able to do lawn work during the middle of the week anymore,” Hickel joked.
Hickel was sworn in immediately after receiving council’s approval, and his wife Wanda was on hand to present him his judicial robes.
Hickel has disavowed seeking reelection to the position when the seat next goes before voters in November 2023 and will instead serve until the end of his term in January 2024. He said that the interim period should give those interested in succeeding him time enough to learn the ins and outs of municipal court.
He begins work Nov. 9.
ALSO PASSED was a resolution approving a modification to the Meadows Edge subdivision plat. The developer successfully sought the addition of four plots to the subdivision as part of subsequent development phases.
Council gave the green light as well to city staff to seek a $212,950 loan from the INTERCAP Loan Program for a side loader for the Public Works Department. The vehicle already is part of the city fleet and officials noted that the loan’s interest rate is “advantageous” when it comes to the municipality’s cash-flow management goals.
The council convenes again Nov. 14 for a work session. Its next meeting is set for Nov. 21.
Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at aknowler@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4407.