Loading...
07-06-26 City Manager Report, KFD Report1 City of Kalispell OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Information Memorandum 7/6/2026 Parks & Recreation Park staff have completed flail mowing of tall grass in non-irrigated areas at Western Park, Dry Bridge Park, the hillside above Woodland Water Park, and the creek corridor south of the Archie Roe and Kalispell Lakers baseball fields. Weed management has also been completed at all City playgrounds to maintain safe and attractive recreational spaces. In addition, staff completed string trimming along the nature trail at Lawrence Park, improving visibility and enhancing the overall experience for park visitors. At DJKYAC, staff have taken advantage of the interval between major tournaments to complete several facility improvements. Maintenance activities included adding clay and conditioner to nine baseball pitching mounds and applying infield mix to correct low spots throughout the infields. Staff also painted and installed new trim boards on the backstops of the Majors baseball fields. Following the Firecraker Tournament 4th of July, staff will have a limited turnaround to restore the fields to playing condition in advance of the 9U–12U State Tournament scheduled for the following week. The Urban Forestry crew continues its systematic pruning of mature street trees along 6th Avenue West. In addition to routine pruning operations, crews have completed pruning and mulching of trees throughout the core downtown area to promote tree health and enhance the appearance of the streetscape, while also responding to numerous tree-related work orders throughout the community. As warmer, drier weather continues, staff have also begun watering approximately four hundred City-planted trees to support their establishment and improve long- term survival. Adult Tennis continues each Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. on the south courts at FVCC. The program provides adults of all skill levels with an opportunity to stay active, develop their tennis skills, and connect with others through recreational play throughout the summer. 2 The 35th season of Picnic in the Park kicked off on June 24 with a performance by the Kenny James Miller Band, drawing approximately 350 attendees. In conjunction with the evening concert, a drop-in community art activity hosted by Jenna Justice Art Studios attracted approximately forty-five participants. Beginning July 1, the series expands to a full day of programming, including a noon concert by the David Walburn Duo, afternoon community art projects hosted by the Glacier Art Museum, drop-in lawn games and family activities, and an evening concert by the Brent Jameson Duo. This expanded schedule will continue each Wednesday through August 5. On July 8, Park Side Credit Union will sponsor a special Community Ice Cream Social as part of the event. Camp Woodland continues to provide engaging, hands-on educational and recreational experiences for participants throughout the summer. During Nature Week, campers participated in an interactive presentation by the Flathead Lake Biological Station, exploring local ecosystems and environmental science. During STEAM Week, campers enjoyed a field trip to the Amazing Fun Center and participated in interactive science demonstrations led by STEM educators from Flathead Valley schools. Upcoming camp themes include Western Week, Animal Week, History Week, Water Week, Carnival Week, Hero Week, and others, offering a diverse range of activities designed to promote learning, creativity, and outdoor recreation throughout the summer. The Girls Flag Football Camp was held June 22–25 at Lawrence Park. Led by Flathead High School Head Flag Football Coach Jess Hensley, with assistance from members of the Flathead High School Flag Football Team, the camp welcomed thirty-seven participants. Throughout the four-day program, participants developed fundamental skills, built confidence, and were introduced to the rapidly growing sport of girl’s flag football. Skateboard Camp was also held June 22–25 at the Woodland Park Skatepark. Led by Lindsey Taylor of Spirit Skate Shop, campers participated in age- and skill-appropriate instruction designed to build confidence and improve skateboarding skills. Campers also enjoyed a surprise visit from Officer Haworth, who joined them for a skate session and handed out stickers for their skateboards. 3 The 3v3 Basketball League began June 16 at Thompson Memorial Park. The league provides sixth- and seventh-grade boys and girls with organized recreational competitions, with staff facilitating five games each evening throughout the season. Registration remains open for several upcoming recreation programs, including an additional session of Skateboard Camp, Youth Tennis Lessons beginning the week of July 13, UK Soccer Camp, Intro to Kayaking, and a variety of other summer recreation opportunities. The first session of swim lessons concluded on June 26, with nearly two hundred children successfully completing the program. Three additional swim lesson sessions are scheduled throughout the summer, providing continued opportunities for youth to develop essential water safety and swimming skills. Open swim began on June 16. Despite the temporary closure of the Lazy River during resurfacing improvements, attendance has remained strong. The Lazy River is currently being refilled, with water quality testing and mechanical system evaluations underway in preparation for reopening. Public Works Capital Project Review-Engineering: Public Works engineering staff are currently managing more than twenty active capital projects across the City’s water, sewer, storm and street systems, representing roughly a budget of $33.1 million in active construction value. The sections that follow summarize projects by utility and distinguish projects the City delivers in -house from those led by a consulting engineer of record. The following summarizes the status of each project. Value of In-House Engineering A significant portion of the City's capital improvement program is being designed, bid, and managed in house by City engineering staff without a consulting engineer of record. Six in house designed projects, representing approximately $4.2 million in construction value, are currently under construction, with an additional five projects in design or preparing for bid. Things to Note: City consultant led projects have averaged engineering costs of approximately 21 percent of construction value. Applying that rate to the current $4.2 million of in house work represents an estimated $880,000 in avoided consultant fees, with additional savings expected as projects currently in design advance to construction. These savings reflect consultant costs the City did not incur, offset by staff time. In house engineering allows more capital dollars to be invested directly in infrastructure while improving responsiveness, reducing project delivery time, and maintaining greater control over project quality. 4 City staff have the capability to deliver many projects from field survey and design through construction and closeout. However, larger or more complex projects requiring specialized expertise, such as structural, electrical, or instrumentation and controls engineering, or projects generally exceeding $3 million, require consultant support due to staffing capacity and resource limitations. Even on consultant led projects, City engineering and maintenance staff remain actively involved in design review, construction oversight, change orders, pay applications, traffic control, public communications, testing, progress meetings, and review of consultant deliverables to ensure the completed infrastructure meets the City's long term operational and maintenance needs. Sewer In-House Projects • Lift Station #36 Upgrade (Strods Contracting; AE2S provided specialty design support & construction inspection) is a major upgrade to one of the City’s key lift stations. Staff are managing construction with AE2S. Pump and generator deliveries have pushed the completion of this project; completion is anticipated in November 2026. • 2025 Inflow & Infiltration Mitigation (Insituform; WGM provided construction inspection services) rehabilitates sewer mains to keep groundwater out of the collection system. Designed in - house, the project is substantially complete, with staff issuing final substantial completion. • Sewer Shop Roof Replacement (Ace Roofing) is one half of a single in-house-designed roofing contract. The Sewer Shop scope roof removal, decking replacement, insulation, TPO replacement, and half of mobilization. • 2nd Alley W Sanitary Sewer Replacement was designed in-house; plans are in internal review ahead of submittal to MDEQ. Consultant-Led Projects • Biosolids Disposal at the wastewater treatment plant (Swank; AE2S) is nearing completion, with punch-list work identified by staff and the engineer underway. Completion is anticipated at the end of summer 2026. Water In-House Projects • Lead Service Line Replacement, Phase 1 (Utilities One) was designed in-house to remove lead service lines in compliance with federal requirements. Staff are coordinating the start of service replacements; completion is anticipated in October 2026. • Lead Service Line Replacement, Phase 2 is designed in-house and is being prepared to bid. • Grandview Well Roof Replacement (Ace Roofing) is the companion scope to the Sewer Shop roof in the same in-house-designed contract — roof removal, decking replacement, TPO replacement, and half of mobilization. • 6th St W Water Main Replacement (Mike Coleman Construction) was designed in-house and is under construction. 5 • 10th Ave W Water Main Replacement (KG&T Septic) was designed in-house; submittals are in review and contract time begins July 6, with completion anticipated in October 2026. Consultant-Led Projects • Lower Zone Reservoir 1 (Preload; MMI) is in close-out, with staff overseeing the final punch list and repainting of the tank dome. Completion is anticipated at the end of June 2026. • Lower Zone Reservoir 2 (Preload; MMI) is progressing, with site piping and this week’s disinfection and flushing underway. Completion is anticipated in March 2027. • Emerging Contaminant Water Supply Wells (Coldwater Drilling & Pump; RPA) advances the City’s PFAS response. Development of the NE well was completed June 19 and well -sealing is next; completion is anticipated in December 2026. • Emerging Contaminant Water Transmission Mains, Schedule 1 (Neumann Construction; RPA) is complete, with staff completing the final walkthrough and issuing substantial completion. • Emerging Contaminant Water Transmission Mains, Schedule 2 (Sandry Construction; RPA) is paused for the season while staff and the engineer finalize a realignment design, with construction set to resume in the fall. Completion is anticipated in spring 2027. ($1.50 million) • Emerging Contaminant Water Transmission Mains, Schedule 3 (Sandry Construction; RPA) is progressing, with service tie-ins between 6th and 8th and main installation continuing south of 8th Street. Completion is anticipated in September 2026. Storm & Streets In-House Projects • 8th Street W Drainage (Wesco) was designed in-house and is awaiting contractor submittals. ($920,327) • Grandview & Hwy 93 Storm (AE2S providing modeling support) is set to begin design later this fall, pending additional information from MDT following staff’s recent coordination meeting. • Sherwood–Wedgewood Storm is being designed in-house, with stormwater modeling and design underway. • 3rd Ave E (Center to 6th) was designed in-house and is being prepared for bid, planned for late July with award anticipated in September. • W Montana St Improvements is designed in-house and ready to bid pending the go-ahead. • Wyoming Alley will be designed in-house and will likely be constructed by the Streets Division. The project is currently being surveyed. • 50/50 Sidewalks Program (Sandon)is managed in-house. Construction includes 50/50 work orders as well as work orders for water, sewer, and street utility projects. (~$100,000+ annually) • Milling and Paving (LHC, Inc.) is managed in-house. Engineering staff support the bidding, construction contracts, work order management, as-constructed quantities, and pay applications($84,280). • Chip Seal (Pavement Maintenance Service, Inc.) is managed in-house. Engineering staff support the bidding, construction contracts, work order management, as-constructed quantities, and pay applications ($196,408). 6 Consultant-Led Projects • Decant Facility (Jackson Contractor Group; RPA) is in construction, with the engineer adding code-required battery-backup lighting. ($1.86 million) • 2 Mile Drive Reconstruction (MMI) is in design. Planning The Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on July 14 for the Birchwood Planned Unit Development. Birchwood is a residential development consisting of approximately ninety-five (95) residential units including townhomes, cottages, and detached single-family residences on approximately 21 acres located west of Northland Drive, south of Four Mile Drive, east of the U.S. Highway 93 Alternate (Kalispell Bypass), and north of Northridge Drive. Building In the last 3 weeks we have issued permits for 13 single-family homes, 17 townhouses, 1 duplex, and 1 ADU. That will keep the total of new single-family/duplex and townhouse units for the year at 131 compared to 63 last year at this time. There have been 96 multi -family housing units issued so far this year compared to 35 last year at this time. There were a total of 362 combined building and/or fire inspections completed in the last 3 weeks. Residential – 82 Plumbing – 31 Commercial – 41 Mechanical – 69 Electrical – 33 Fire – 106 Community Development The City accepted the obligation of funds for the Montana Disaster & Emergency Services' Montana Resiliency Funding Grant. The award is for the installation of a backup generator at the public safety building. The Economic Revolving Loan Fund Committee met June 25th regarding loan terms for the Outpost at Kalispell TIF project. The committee approved the loan and the developer is planning to begin construction of the project later this summer. Communications Social Media Audience & High-Impact Content The City’s primary audience has grown to 13,900 followers on Facebook and 5,290 followers on Instagram. Recent high-performing content highlights the broad reach of our community updates, public safety recruitment, and hearing notices: 7 •Montana Law Enforcement Memorial Parade: A video reel capturing the parade achieved exceptional reach, surpassing 57,500 views, after 95 shares on Facebook, and 1,800 views on Instagram. •Public Safety Recruitment: A reel announcing four open firefighter positions had 6,100 views with 77 link clicks back to the city job page on Facebook and 1,600 views on Instagram. •Community Engagement: A June 25 feature highlighting Officer Cat Edson spending time with Girls on the Run garnered 12,200 views on Facebook and 1,200 views on Instagram. Girls on the Run then spoke with NBC Montana offering details and the following story ran garnering additional positive outreach: Police officer runs with campers after harassment scare at camp •Public Notices & Infrastructure: o A public hearing announcement regarding city facility plans reached 1,800 views on Facebook and 444 views on Instagram. o A critical construction alert for Three Mile Drive generated 9,000 views on Facebook and 415 views on Instagram. In addition to Facebook and Instagram, residents can find official city updates, video coverage, and professional listings on our growing YouTube and LinkedIn channels. Connect With Us •Facebook: facebook.com/CityofKalispell •Instagram: @cityofkalispell •YouTube: Kalispell.com/YouTube •LinkedIn: Kalispell.com/LinkedIn Stay Informed: "Notify Me" Alerts Residents are encouraged to sign up for direct notifications delivered straight to their email or smartphone. Subscriptions are customizable and cover a wide variety of municipal topics, including: •Press Releases, Announcements, and News •The twice-monthly City Manager Report •City Council Agendas •Advisory Board and Committee Agendas •Construction Alerts To customize your notification preferences, visit kalispell.com/NotifyMe. Photo Caption: It's not always crime fighting at KPD! KPD is passionate about building community relationships. Officer Cat Edson spent time with Girls on the Run Western Montana this week. Kalispell FD MT Address: 312 1st Ave E, Kalispell, MT, 59901 Incident Count by Primary Incident Sub Group 06/10/2026 - 06/30/2026 PRIMARY INCIDENT GROUP / PRIMARY INCIDENT SUB GROUP COUNT Fire 9 Fire - Outside Fire 2 Fire - Structure Fire 4 Fire - Transportation Fire 3 Hazardous Situation 7 Hazardous Situation - Hazard Non-Chemical 1 Hazardous Situation - Hazardous Materials 4 Hazardous Situation - Investigation 2 Medical 226 Report ID: 118208 This report was generated on : 07/01/2026 07:46 AM Page: 1 of 2 Incident Count by Primary Incident Sub Group Kalispell FD MT Address: 312 1st Ave E, Kalispell, MT, 59901 PRIMARY INCIDENT GROUP / PRIMARY INCIDENT SUB GROUP COUNT Medical - Illness 161 Medical - Injury / Trauma 62 Medical - Other 3 Public Service 31 Public Service - Citizen Assist 28 Public Service - Alarms (Non Medical)5 No Emergency 25 No Emergency - False Alarm 12 No Emergency - Cancelled 13 Total 298 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) Report ID: 118208 This report was generated on : 07/01/2026 07:46 AM Page: 2 of 2