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11-14-25 City Manager Report1 City of Kalispell OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Information Memorandum 11/14/2025 Parks & Recreation Annual leaf collection operations are ongoing throughout the turf areas of Kalispell’s parks. With the continued favorable weather conditions, crews expect to complete the collection process within the next few weeks. Staff applied engineered wood chips to playgrounds identified during the biannual safety inspection to maintain compliant and safe play surfaces. In the Rose Garden, perennial plantings were mulched with wood chips to provide insulation and protection from winter weather conditions. Taking advantage of the mild fall weather, crews have installed decorative wreaths on City buildings in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. Staff are conducting tree pruning throughout the Dan John’s Youth Athletic Complex to improve mower clearance and promote healthy tree development. Forestry crews also completed the removal of ten dead or declining trees to enhance safety and maintain the overall health of the landscape. With the leaves now off the trees, Forestry staff will begin pruning smaller trees throughout Kalispell to correct structural defects and promote proper form. Pruning young trees at this stage supports strong, healthy growth and allows for smaller, cleaner cuts, enhancing the trees’ natural ability to heal and compartmentalize pruning wounds.The Urban Forestry Committee has begun preparations for Arbor Day 2026, selecting the theme “Don’t Stop Beleafing.” An open house hosted by Michael Terrell – Landscape Architecture in partnership with Kalispell Parks and Recreation will take place on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the Depot Park Building. The event will feature a 60% progress update on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., followed by a formal presentation at 5:30 p.m., and the event will conclude at 7:30 p.m. 2 The 2026 Winter/Spring Program Guide has been distributed throughout Kalispell and highlights several new recreation opportunities for adults. Active and movement-based programs include pickleball, Winter Walkers, and Zumba, while enrichment offerings feature a diverse selection of art classes led by local artist Jenna Justice. Copies of the guide were distributed throughout all SD5 elementary schools, and some nearby rural school districts. Staff are looking to expand distribution with the Summer 2026 program guide. The second annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Depot Park is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025. As of this report, proposals have been received from nineteen crafters, artists, and makers. The event will coincide with the annual Holiday Stroll, which in 2024 drew several hundred visitors to the pop-up during the stroll and tree-lighting festivities at Depot Park. Staff are currently preparing for the Winter School Break Camp and the Kids Holiday Workshop, scheduled for December 24. The Winter Break Camp provides a supportive environment for families while offering children a range of engaging activities. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy field trips, outdoor play (weather permitting, including snow activities), and a variety of structured programs designed to keep children active, socially connected, and fully engaged during the school holiday period. This year’s Fall Little Dribblers basketball program has been successfully delivered across three program sites, with the support of ten dedicated staff members. These staff have worked diligently to create an active, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for participants. Over the course of the program, a total of fifty-two teams have benefited from a structured approach that emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Staff have ensured that each session is not only focused on basketball fundamentals but also fosters personal growth, confidence, and positive social interaction among participants. The program continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to providing high-quality recreational opportunities that encourage children to develop both physically and socially in a safe and supportive setting. 3 Public Works Water Line Service Inventory and Replacement Project: City staff continue to make progress on updating the water service line inventory as required by the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRi). Currently, there are over 10,000 water service lines throughout the city. The inventory has been updated to reflect the following: • 31 confirmed lead service lines • 26 galvanized lines requiring replacement (GRR) • 223 service lines with unknown material Each fall, property owners are notified if their service line is identified as lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or of unknown material. Notification content is tailored based on the specific service line material. Annual notifications will continue until all service lines are verified and no longer classified as lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown. The City has awarded a contract to begin replacement of the identified lead and GRR water service lines. The first phase will address 30 individual water service lines and construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026. A second construction phase, to address a portion of the remaining replacement required service lines, is currently under design and is anticipated to be ready for bidding this winter. Potholes: Public Works encourages residents to report potholes by calling 758-7720. Early reporting allows staff to respond quickly, which helps prevent further road deterioration, even when only a temporary repair can be made. Reported potholes are tracked and scheduled for permanent repair as weather and workload allow throughout the year. Planning The Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 12 and took public comments on the agenda items listed below: 1. File #KPP-25-03 and #KCU-25-04 – LBO Properties, LLLP, has submitted applications for North West View, including requests for (1) preliminary plat approval for 149 residential units (111 detached single-family and 38 attached single-family/townhouse) 4 on approximately 42.58 acres, including lots, roads, and common areas; and (2) a conditional use permit to allow the attached single-family/townhouses. The property is located approximately 750 feet north of the intersection of Stillwater Road and Taelor Road. 2. File #KPP-25-04 – Roger Foley has submitted an application for preliminary plat approval for North Meadows Subdivision, containing 44 townhouse/attached single- family lots (22 parent lots) on approximately 12.13 acres, including lots, roads and common areas. The proposal includes variance requests relating to setbacks from Ashley Creek (generally 200 feet to be reduced in some areas to 100 feet), cul-de-sac road length (generally 600 feet to be increased to about 870 feet), and block length (generally a maximum of 600 feet to be increased to about 900 feet). The property is located at 1859 South Meadows Drive. 3. File # KZTA-25-02 – The City of Kalispell has initiated a petition for a zoning text amendment relating to the revocation of conditional use permits. Current zoning regulations, under Chapter 27.33, detail the processing and review criteria for conditional use permits, as well as the denial or violation of a conditional use permit. This amendment would clarify the process for revocation of an issued conditional use permit. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the applications, which will be forward to Council for their recommendation at their December 1 meeting. The Planning Commission also held a work session on the following item: 1. Staff presented an update on the land use plan update and DRAFT Chapters. The work session was the fourteenth in a series the Planning Commission has held over the last few months. Building In the last 2 weeks we have issued permits for 5 single-family homes and 6 townhouses. That will keep the total of new single-family/duplex and townhouse units for the year at 112 compared to 131 last year at this time. There have been 404 multi-family housing units issued so far this year compared to 27 last year at this time. There were a total of 422 combined building and/or fire inspections completed in the last 2 weeks. Residential – 92 Plumbing – 38 Commercial – 64 Mechanical – 50 Electrical – 46 Fire – 132 5 Fire Incident Summary (10/29/25 – 11/11/25) Type of Incident Number of Calls Details Fire-Related Calls 17 Vegetation, building, vehicle, other Vehicle-Related Incidents 12 2 with injuries, 3 without EMS-Related Calls 145 Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) Other Calls 32 False alarms, good intent, cancelled en route Total 206 Department Updates Numerous training initiatives on going. Rescue task force with KPD as well as Live fire training for KFD members done at the Columbia Falls Fire.