TIF Staff Report Public Projects 051024STAFF REPORT KRD 24-01
WEST SIDE -CORE AREA PUBLIC PROJECTS
REQUEST FOR WEST SIDE -CORE AREA TIF ASSISTANCE
KALISPELL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MAY 10, 2024
This is a report to the Urban Renewal Agency and Kalispell City Council regarding a request for Tax Increment
Finance (TIF) Assistance for public street and stormwater infrastructure projects in the West Side -Core Area
Tax Increment Finance District. A public meeting on this matter has been scheduled before the Urban Renewal
Agency for May 15, 2024, beginning at 4:00 PM, at Kalispell City Hall. The Urban Renewal Agency will
forward a recommendation to the Kalispell City Council for final action.
TIF Assistance Program Overview: The City of Kalispell Development Services staff is requesting
funding for street and stormwater infrastructure projects within the West Side -Core Area TIF District. This
report will analyze the proposal in accordance with state law and adopted city policies. On December 17,
2012, Kalispell City Council adopted the Core Area Plan as an amendment to the City of Kalispell Growth
Policy 2020 by Resolution No. 5601A. The Core Area Plan addresses needs and priorities affecting
redevelopment of the Core Area. Additionally, the Council adopted the West Side Urban Renewal -Core
Area plan by Ordinance 1717 (Original Ordinance 1259) and the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan by
Ordinance 1816. The City of Kalispell utilizes a Tax Increment Finance District (TIFD) within the urban
renewal plan boundary as part of the overall strategy to meet its needs of eliminating blight, promoting
economic development, improving area employment opportunities, improving area housing opportunities,
and expanding the community's tax base in addition to other needs identified in the Montana Code
Annotated.
The Kalispell City Council Amended West Side — Core Area TIF Assistance Program in 2019, by Resolution
5955. The TIF Assistance Program was developed to support redevelopment activity and advance the goals of
the West Side -Core Area Urban Renewal Plan. The statements of policy within the TIF Assistance Program
shall be utilized by the Urban Renewal Agency (URA) whenever it gives recommendations to the City Council
regarding project funding.
Further, the West Side - Core Area Tax Increment Financing Assistance Program identifies Public
Infrastructure Programs as recommended by the Council. Such project activities as allowed under City
policy and Montana state law include the improvement of public improvements or infrastructure, as
authorized by Title 7, chapter 12, parts 41 through 45; Title 7, chapter 13, parts 42 and 43; and Title 7,
chapter 14, part 47. The Council previously held a work session on the proposed projects and directed staff
to bring them forth for URA consideration and recommendation. It should be noted that the projects
summarized below are already designated projects within the West Side -Core Area urban renewal plan;
therefore, plan amendments and associated urban renewal processes are not necessary.
Applicant: City of Kalispell
201 1st Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
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Proposed Projects: Staff is requesting $200,000.00 (annually) in TIF Assistance for public road and storm
water projects, which are all eligible projects per the adopted City of Kalispell Public Infrastructure Program
and State Urban Renewal Law. The Montana Department of Revenue reported the 2023 Certified Incremental
Value for the Westside-Core Area TIF as $5.1 million. The projects are located within the West Side — Core
Area boundary and would reconstruct roads that are currently not to city standards and are in poor condition.
The projects and estimated fiscal year of improvement consist of the following:
Construction
Year Est.
CIP Name
24
Underhill Court (W Arizona St to W Arizona St (U))
24
W Center St (7th Ave W to 5th Ave W)
24
3rd Ave WN (W Idaho to W Washington St)
24
5th Ave E (Center to 1 st St E)
25
3rd Ave E (Center to 1st St E)
25
Two Mile Drainage, Street Improvements,
25
Glenwood Drive (Hwy 2 to Two Mile Drive)
26
W Montana St (Main St to 1st Ave W)
26
7th Ave EN - Idaho to South end
26
5th Ave EN (Idaho to E Montana)
26
1st St E (Main to 3rd Ave E)
27
6th Ave EN - Idaho St to Washington St
27
1st Ave EN (Montana to Washington)
27
Teton St from Hawthorn to Irish Ct (including Irish Ct)
27
5th Ave WN (Idaho to Center St)
27
1 st St West -9th Ave W to 10th Ave W
28
2nd Ave E (Center St E to 1 STSt E)
29
8th Ave WN- Idaho St to W Rail Road St
30
7th Ave WN - Idaho St to W Washington
30
1st Ave WN - Idaho to Mall Parking Lot
30
W Montana St (8th Ave WN to 7th Ave WN)
31
W Washington - 5th Ave WN to 6th Ave WN
32
1 st St West - 2ndAve W to 3rd Ave W
These project are eligible under MCA 7-15-4288 (4) the acquisition, construction, and improvement of
public improvements or infrastructure, publicly owned buildings, and any public improvements
authorized by Title 7, chapter 12, parts 41 through 45; Title 7, chapter 13, parts 42 and 43; and Title 7,
chapter 14, part 47, and items ofpersonal property to be used in connection with improvements for which
the foregoing costs may be incurred; and
7-15-4283(4) 'Infrastructure" means tangible facilities and assets related to water, sewer, wastewater
treatment, storm water, solid waste, and utilities systems including natural gas, hydrogen, electrical and
telecommunications lines, fire protection, ambulance and law enforcement, workforce housing, streets,
roads, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, pedestrian malls, alleys, bridges, and other transportation needs,
including but not limited to parking, park and ride facilities and services, and bus, air, and rail service.
Further, these projects fits into the adopted West Side — Core Urban Renewal Plan, including on page 31,
35 and 36 (see snippets below).
Policies:
1. Increase the presence of higher density housing in the
plan area.
2. Upgrade/replace aged and/or inadequate infrastructure
(water, sewer, fire flows, sidewalks, streets and street
connections) to accommodate higher density housing.
3. Work to improve constraints to housing by removing
blighted buildings, improve lighting and pedestrian
access.
B. Street Improvements
The streets within the Core Area vary greatly in both their built
standards and functional vehicle carrying capacity. Portions of the
two most heavily traveled highways in the county, Highway 93 (Main
Street) and Highway 2 (Idaho Street) are both within the Core Area.
Their intersection is in the approximate center of the boundaries of
the Core Area Plan. Both Main Street and Idaho Street are maintained
by the Montana Department of Transportation and include four travel
lanes with sidewalks on both sides of the streets.
In addition to Main and Idaho, there are many other city streets in
the Core Area where current vehicle carrying capacity varies greatly
as does the current built design.
A large majority of the streets in the Core Area do not include curb,
gutters and sidewalk. These improvements are standard now for all
new streets within the city.
Those sections of the streets which lack the curb, gutters and
sidewalks detract from the appearance of the neighborhood since the
overall integrity and design of the street helps to define the quality
and appearance in a particular neighborhood.
This could translate to perceived property value decline for
surrounding commercial and residential properties. In addition,
stormwater management is compromised where urban density
streets lack curb and gutter and pedestrian safety is at issue where
sidewalks are not provided adjacent to busy streets.
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Strategy:
1. Upgrade existing streets to meet or exceed city street standards.
Policies:
1. The city should take the lead in improving the existing streets in
the Core Area.
2. The city should take the lead in establishing a priority list for the
upgrade of existing streets based on community input.
3. The city should work with adjacent landowners to acquire
additional right-of-way, if necessary, for street improvements to
allow for the construction of complete streets.
4. Incorporate traffic calming techniques into design and
improvements of the local street network to enhance pedestrian
safety.
The original, March 14, 1997, West Side Urban Renewal Plan included the following specific references to
potential projects identified in this request:
• Pg 3, North Meridian Neighborhood Plan: "...the Neighborhood Plan looks at the needs of the
neighborhood regarding infrastructure, such as roads, pedestrian access, water, sewer, and storm
drainage, and sets general policies toward supplying those services. "
• Pg 4, North Meridian Neighborhood Plan: "Storm drains, sewer mains, and water mains should be
extended to those areas not served by such improvements. The City could possibly assist in the
construction of these improvements with tax increment funds. "
• Pg 5, Infrastructure Improvements: "Storm drainage and flood plain management are two other critical
areas that need analysis to develop and implement solutions. "
• Pg 6, Financing Options for Urban Renewal Projects: "The tax increment maybe used to pay any costs
ofor incurred in connection with the urban renewal projects as allowed by law .... 4. The acquisition,
construction, and improvement of streets, roads, curbs, gutters improvements for which the foregoing
costs may be incurred. (Section 7-15-4288, MCA). "
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Location of Property:
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CONCLUSION:
The proposed public projects do comply with the expressed intent and the goals, policies, and recommendations
of the West Side — Core Area Urban Renewal Plan and the Tax Assistance Program Policies as outlined above.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City of Kalispell Urban Renewal Agency adopt staff report KRD-24-01 as findings
of fact and recommended to the Kalispell City Council that the four public projects be approved as provided.
ATTACHMENTS:
Tax Increment Assistance Program
Core Area Plan/Original West Side TIF Plan
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