Kalispell City Council reviews downtown banner policy proposal

Kalispell City Council heard the details of a proposed new downtown banner policy at its Monday work session.

The proposed policy would allow banners deemed to promote Kalispell, publicize events sponsored by the city or its business improvement districts and “highlight activities, general messaging or seasonal displays occurring in or around the city of Kalispell.”

The policy would also see the creation of a banner review committee, which would include representatives from the city Parks and Recreation Department, City Clerk’s Office, Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District and Business Improvement District.

The city and the improvement district officials have been working on the policy for about a year, according to Development Services Director Jarod Nygren.

Previously, nonprofits could apply for banner consideration. Under the proposal, groups must be sponsored by either of the business improvement organizations to go before the review committee.

Downtown Business Improvement District Director Pam Carbonari asked Council to approve the policy. She said she looked forward to seeing banners hanging above Main Street and the Parkline Trail brighten the downtown area.

“The banners will add color when the flowers are no longer in season,” Carbonari said, referring to planters that currently hang from light poles during spring and summer.

COUNCIL ALSO reviewed a proposal by city staff to hand off its Community Development Block Grant and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development Intermediary Relending Programs to Montana West Economic Development.

The economic development authority has a dedicated loan officer who has indicated that funds transferred from the city would be quickly loaned out and put to use, Nygren said in a briefing.

Although the city has about $650,000 in funds earmarked for business development loans, the money has not been loaned out for at least several years, according to Nygren.

Nygren attributed the underutilization of the money to a lack of promotion by the city and what were described as previously low interest rates making private lending options more attractive to local businesses.

Mayor Mark Johnson said he’d approve of the move in an effort to see the money loaned out.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.