Kalispell
The Kalispell City Council tonight will hear views on whether to establish a tourism business improvement district (TBID) as a way to raise money for promoting the city during a public hearing tonight at 7 p.m. The 2007 Legislature passed a law allowing for a business improvement district to be established that was non-contiguous, but encompassed only a city’s lodging facilities. Over the last several months, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, along with 16 local hotels, have been pushing for the establishment of such a district in Kalispell that would allow those hotels to charge an additional 2.95 percent in total lodging revenue. Those funds would be solely allocated to marketing and promoting Kalispell as a destination.
Hotel guests in Montana already pay a 7 percent tax, consisting of a 4 percent state tourism tax and a 3 percent state sales tax. The new TBID tax would raise the total lodging tax to just under 10 percent. Billings, Helena and Missoula have already established such districts since the state Legislature passed a law allowing for their creation in 2007. No votes will be taken tonight; council members will listen to the public for a decision at a subsequent meeting.
Also on the agenda:
–Ashley Park Phase 9 and Penco Power Products seek a one-year extension for preliminary plats.
–Kalispell Municipal Court has been awarded a $105,000-grant from the state Department of Transportation for the DUI treatment court for adult misdemeanor offenses.
–Kalispell Municipal Court has also received a $12,953-grant from the Montana Board of Crime Control for continued funding of a domestic violence court compliance officer.
Whitefish
The Whitefish City Council has a busy agenda this evening, highlighted by a discussion over the city’s temporary vendor ordinance.
The council is deciding whether to impose a moratorium on the issuance or renewal of temporary vendor permits for food and beverage sales. The vote comes on the heels of a prolonged controversy involving the owner of the Red Caboose and the proprietor of a late-night weekend pizza stand. Along with the pizza stand operator, there is one more food vendor now operating.
In addition to voting on the moratorium, the council is expected to discuss what to do about the existing ordinance. Council could recommend the repeal of the ordinance or the drafting of a new ordinance.
The public meeting begins at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall. There is also a special work session scheduled for 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. for board vacancy interviews and appointments.
At the public meeting, the council will also discuss:
-An urgency ordinance amendment extending a temporary moratorium for medical marijuana establishments and eliminating the exemption for caregivers with three or fewer qualifying patients
-A community-needs assessment for Bresnan Communications’ cable television system franchise agreement renewal
-A resolution to increase the rates for solid waste collection and disposal by $1 per month to offset Montana Waste Systems’ rate increase
-A resolution to increase the rates for the city’s sewer service