12-29-23 City Manager Report1
City of Kalispell
OFFICE OF THE CITY
MANAGER
Information Memorandum
12/29/2023
1. Public Works
Public Works Permitting
In 2023, the Public Works Department
received 278 submittals for right-of-way
permits (230 issued in 2022) and 142
submittals for stormwater construction permits
(143 issued in 2022).
Right-of-way permits are required for any
work within the right-of-way and can include
driveways, sidewalk, and utility work. Right-of-way permits are required on most
residential construction as well as commercial construction.
Construction stormwater permits are required on
any project disturbing more than 1,000 square
feet or 5 cubic yards. This permit is also issued
for most residential or commercial projects.
Neither of these permits would be issued on a
remodel or tenant improvement that is
completely interior to an existing structure.
The public can find more information regarding these permits and how to apply for a
permit on the City’s website https://www.kalispell.com/268/Permits.
Street Department
The presence of basketball hoops on the streets presents a
notable challenge during winter weather events, impeding the
efficiency of snow removal. Our crews annually educate the
community on this issue by distributing informational
handouts to the relevant locations. The Public Works
Department encourages the community to actively participate
in ensuring clear and accessible roadways, particularly in the
winter months. Taking steps to secure basketball hoops away
from the streets not only streamlines snowplowing operations
2
but also enhances the safety and convenience of our neighborhoods as a collective effort.
Solid Waste
In 2021, the solid waste department sought bids
to replace one of its 2010 side-arm garbage
trucks. However, bids received on November
30, 2021, were rejected due to pricing and
budget constraints. This prompted the city to
reissue bids in 2022, aiming to replace both
aging 2010 side-arm garbage trucks. On
September 20, 2022, the city successfully
awarded bids for the replacement of both 2010
trucks, with an estimated two-year delivery. On December 20, 2023, the city received the
delivery of the two new side-arm trucks. These trucks were chosen for their modern
design, characterized by simplified operations and an anticipated reduction in
maintenance costs.
The decision to replace the older trucks was driven by
the maintenance costs associated with the current body
design, which included expenses for hopper covers,
pack panels, and floor repairs. Additionally, the existing
design required drivers to open side doors and clean
trapped fluids and garbage from behind the pack panel.
The new trucks feature a packing system similar to rear-
load trucks, eliminating internal components in the
body that could be damaged and reducing internal
maintenance requirements. With this improved packing
system and hopper design, there is no accumulation of
garbage or fluids in and around the packer, streamlining the cleaning process for drivers.
This not only enhances safety, but also saves time for drivers at the landfill. Notably, all
packing controls and hydraulic cylinders are located on the outside of the body, providing
better visibility for issue detection and facilitating easier maintenance.
2. Planning Department
At the City Council meeting on December 18, the Council changed the Planning Board to
the Planning Commission, which is one of the first steps under the Montana Land Use
Planning Act (Senate Bill 382). There are no scheduled public hearings for the January
Planning Commission meeting, although there are a few items they will address. First
will be updated bylaws, and second will be a work session on the draft public
participation plan. The plan will provide the framework for public involvement in the
land use plan, zoning regulations, and subdivision regulations as we move forward.
3. Building Department
We have issued 114 single family permits for the year, compared to 136 at this time last
3
year. We have also issued 515 multi-family housing permits this year, compared to 466 at
this time last year.
There were a total of 187 combined building and/or fire inspections completed in the last
2 weeks.
Residential – 27 Plumbing – 23
Commercial – 22 Mechanical – 17
Electrical – 14 Fire – 84
4. Community Development
In 2019, the City adopted the Downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District and made
updates to the West Side/Core Area TIF program. Since that time, cost increases at all
levels of development have emerged. Due to these increases, the Urban Renewal Agency
voted to recommend the following expenditure limit increases for the Downtown and
West Side TIFs as follows:
• Street Tree Placement Program grant increase from $5,000 to $10,000;
• Sidewalk Placement Program grant increase from $5,000 to $15,000;
• Historic Façade restoration projects grant increase from $50,000 to $150,000;
• Façade Improvement Program loan program increase from $50,000 to $250,000;
• Rehabilitation/Code Compliance loan program increase from $50,000 to
$250,000;
• Site Demolition/Preparation/Cleanup loan/grant program from $50,000 to
$250,000;
• Technical Assistance Program grant increase from $5,000 to $20,000; and
• Threshold for a third-party analysis of financial feasibility increase from $100,000
to $200,000.
This recommendation will go to the City Council for consideration.
5. Fire Department
From December 12 to December 26, the Fire Department had 159 responses. Of these,
there were 121 medical incidents, 2 haz-mat incidents, 4 motor vehicle accidents with
injuries, 1 house fire, 6 fire alarm activations-smoke scares, 4 public assists, and 21
dispatched and canceled enroute.
Car Seat safety technicians completed their annual refresher training with Flathead
County Health Department.
Firefighters will be hosting a pancake breakfast Saturday morning, December 30.
Crews have been assisting/attending fire safety school inspections with Fire Inspector
over the school’s holiday break.
4
One of our newer hires, Chris Albrecht, has been cleared to work on his own, passing all
department, state and local requirements.