Burnham to Carver Engineering/Proposed Sewer SystemPost Office Box 1997, Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406) 758-7720, Fax (406) 758-7831
June 8, 2009
Tom Cowan, P.E.
Carver Engineering, Inc.
1995 3' Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Re: Proposed Sewer System in Cottonwood Estates
Dear Tom:
As discussed in our meeting with you and the developer on June 4, 2009, the City does not
consider Cottonwood Estates to be an appropriate application for a grinder pump sewer system.
This proposed subdivision is outside the current City limits and outside the Flathead County
Water and Sewer District #1 service area. The grinder pump sewer system does not meet City
standards in this application, for various reasons outlined in our previous letter dated May 11,
2009. We believe our position on this is consistent with the City Council's policy guidance to us.
In the June 4 meeting you expressed your opinion that this subdivision faces only a remote
possibility of being annexed into the City, and therefore should not have to meet City standards,
but rather should meet Flathead County Water and Sewer District # 1 standards.
Our recommendation is that you formally request a waiver of City standards, and address this
request to Jim Hansz, City of Kalispell Public Works Director. The Public Works staff will
present this request to the City Council and then follow their direction.
If you choose to pursue this avenue, please include in the request for waiver the following items:
(1) document specifically what you are requesting, (2) explain. why Flathead County Water and
Sewer District #1 restricts the use of a gravity main and lift station system in this case, and (3)
describe your justification for building a non -City standard sewer system.
The next Council Meeting is on June 15, 2009. If you would like this item to be on the agenda
for this meeting, please provide your information prior to June 10, 2009. The following Council
Meeting is on July 6. Please call me if you have any questions regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
emailed and hand delivered June 8, 2009
Paul E. Burnham, P.E.
Assistant City Engineer