Kalispell City Council to weigh energy goals, projects as part of bid for federal funds

Kalispell City Council on Monday will consider energy efficiency goals for the municipality as part of an effort to secure federal dollars for the erection of solar powered lights in the parking lot of City Hall, among other possible green projects.

Kalispell stands to receive about $76,000 through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy, according to a memo by City Manager Doug Russell. To receive the dollars, officials must submit an application and include an energy efficiency and conservation strategy, which the city lacks, Russell wrote. 

Of the suggested goals the city could aim for as part of its strategy, Russell recommended Council look at reducing energy use by 50% by 2050. It is an outcome the municipality is already working toward, he wrote. 

“As we have engaged in energy savings efforts through LED light retrofits and energy audits at our facilities it seems that the goal of reducing energy use by 50% by 2050 or sooner is the logical fit into our current efforts,” Russell wrote. 

Council will meet for the work session at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E., at 7 p.m. For more information on how to attend or participate, including remotely, visit: https://www.kalispell.com/agendacenter.

As for what the money would eventually go toward, Russell said that decision remained in the hands of Council. City staff recommend Council buy solar powered lights for the parking lot at City Hall at a cost of $30,314.

If the municipality moves ahead with the parking lot lighting undertaking, the remaining roughly $46,000 could then go toward solar powered pedestrian crosswalk warning systems at $11,000 per site or solar powered driver feedback systems — illuminated signs showing how fast a motorist is approaching — which come in at $13,000 per site. 

Russell wrote that officials were considering several stretches of road for the driver feedback system, including Oregon Street between U.S. 93 North and Whitefish Stage Road, Airport Road near Rankin Elementary School, Second Street West by Petersen Elementary School, Four Mile Drive at the Kidsports Complex, West Wyoming Street by Russell Elementary School and Appleway Drive between Meridian Road and U.S. 2. 

As for solar powered crosswalks, staff had identified the intersections of Fourth Avenue West and Fifth Street West by Elrod Elementary School, Meridian Road and Parkway Drive, Woodland Avenue near Conrad Mansion and two locations on Whitefish Stage Road near Edgerton Elementary. 

City staff are asking that Council provide guidance on energy efficiency goals, determine what mix of projects it wants undertaken and at what locations. 

CITY STAFF also are seeking Council’s direction on whether to grant a non-exclusive access and utility service easement through a section of Heritage Park to allow for the development of private property in the area. 

The property targeted for development is located at 375 College Ave. and is owned by David and Sharon Young, according to a memo written by PJ Sorensen, senior city planner. The land, which abuts the east side of Heritage Park, currently houses a trailer and old storage building, he wrote, but lacks access to a city street or municipal services. 

The Youngs have entered into a contract with Jeremy Peterson for the site’s development. Peterson has indicated to city staff he plans to erect a single family home, which is permitted under the property’s R-3 residential zoning.

The easement is a possible solution to the problem of lack of access, Sorenson wrote. If Council were to move ahead with the option, Peterson would take responsibility for preparing the necessary documents and undertaking any surveying.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.