Kalispell City Council poised to vote on panhandling proposal

Kalispell City Council is expected to vote on a proposal to ban panhandling and other transactions in municipal roadways at its Monday meeting.

The proposed ordinance, inspired by a similar law in Springville, Utah, would prohibit the exchange of money or property between pedestrians and drivers or passengers while a motor vehicle is within a roadway or on publicly owned property used as an entrance or exit to a roadway. The language carves out an exception for when a vehicle is legally parked.

Violators could face a fine under Kalispell municipal code.

Last year, there were 33 police responses under the city’s existing panhandling ordinance. Two citations were issued, according to data provided by Kalispell Police Chief Doug Overman.

The existing law prohibits panhandling within 20 feet of an intersection, on mass transit, at a bus stop or on private property. It also prohibits behaviors that could be considered aggressive, such as following, blocking or harassing while soliciting donations.

At the body’s March 13 work session, several members of the public opposed the ordinance, though it has received support in the form of several emails to Council.

Critics argued that the Council would be overstepping its duties by criminalizing donations by motorists while making life more difficult for panhandlers.

Supporters wrote that they’d back anything that cracked down on panhandling, with some calling for stronger enforcement of the city’s existing laws.

CITY COUNCIL will also consider increases to parks and recreation fees as well as modifications to the Parks Department’s special event permits.

The department is proposing an increase in certain fees, including swim lessons, swim classes, and private party rentals, as well as a 10% increase in special event and group reservation permit fees across the board.

Department head Chad Fincher is proposing a $1 increase to the current $5 pool access fee, which he said is well below the nearly $18 it would cost per head to operate the pool at the break-even point.

Individual swim lessons would cost $42 and group lessons would cost $25 for residents under the proposal.

Councilors have said they wanted to keep fees low to ensure working families in the community retain access.

Fincher is also recommending that Council sign off on increasing annual permit vending fees to $100. The permits have cost $50 annually since 2003, when they were established.

Also proposed is an increase from $10 to $25 for the special event vending permit, and redefining the permit to only last for a maximum of three days.

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