Kalispell City Council meets at 7:00 p.m. tonight to vote on increased Parks and Recreation fees, as well as a number of other minor items. After the meeting, council will discuss the highly controversial implementation of road impact fees in a work session, at which no votes are allowed. Mayor Pam Kennedy has requested that the public limit its comments during the impact fee session so council members will have ample time to discuss the issue amongst themselves.
For more info on road impact fees, check out my story on the council’s Jan. 12 work session here.
Parks and Recreation fees usually account for about 70 percent of each program’s cost, according to a memo from Parks Department Director Mike Baker to city council. Baker’s department has taken the brunt of the cuts made by the city as it deals with a major budget crunch and construction slowdown. In the fiscal year 2007-2008, $458,875 was generated by the fees, surpassing the $439,500 anticipated. In the current fiscal year, $205,000 have been collected so far, with anticipated year end revenue of $476,000. Most parks fees are increasing slightly, or not at all. The after school program costs remains the same, while summer day camp fees increase from $23 to $28 per day for non-Kalispell residents and from $19 to $22 for city residents. For a full list of fee changes, go to the Kalispell’s Web site.
Also on the agenda:
–Council will grant final approval to New Vistas Assisted Living, LLC for a zoning designation allowing low density residential apartments on 10 acres located on the south side of Three Mile Drive.
–Staff recommends awarding a bid to Parsons Tractor & Implement of Kalispell for a skid steer loader for $52,881.
–Staff also recommends awarding a bid to DeMarois GMC of Missoula for a 5500 flatbed four-wheel-drive truck with hoist and plow for the Public Works Department.
–Council will decide on whether to correct the final plat of Westwood Park to more accurately depict the location and dimensions of several storm water drainage easements.
–A new closing date of Dec. 31, 2008 must be set for the issuance of revenue bonds for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 99 single-bedroom units at Glacier Manor Apartments and Treasure State Plaza.