Patrick/Old School Station Annexation dated 05/26/05R City of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telepbone (406) 758-7000 Fax - (406) 758-7758
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: James H. Patrick, City Manager
SUBJECT: Old School Station Annexation
DATE: May 26, 2005
At the April 251h Council work session one of the agenda items was a discussion on TIFs. At the
time we discussed the possibility of establishing an industrial TIF. Industrial TIFs may be used
for projects undertaken within or for an industrial district if the proposed industrial district
consists of a continuous area with an accurately described boundary, is zoned for industrial use,
does not include any property included within an existing urban renewal area district, is deficient
in infrastructure improvement for industrial development, and has as its purpose the development
of infrastructure to encourage the growth and retention of secondary, value added industries.
As alluded to that evening, the City has the opportunity to partner with Andy Miller of Montana
Venture Partners, LLC to form a public/private industrial park. Montana Venture Partners wish
to annex to the City, extend water and sewer lines to this industrial park, in return for TIF
assistance in construction of park infrastructure. The attached map shows the location of the
property in relation to the existing City limits. There are several advantages on making this
commitment. There are several property owners interested in annexing to the City along US 93.
This protects the southern entrance into the City and allows us to ensure a good image to arriving
visitors. The tax revenue that this park will generate will assist in developing a sustainable tax
base in future years as well as producing at least 1,000 good quality jobs. At the current time
there are three to four solid prospects creating approximately 400 jobs over the next five years.
Two of these businesses would like to get their footings and foundations in as soon as possible.
This will be a covenanted park that will require quality construction.
The industrial park "Old School Station" has a County Zoning of Industrial and has an approved
County plat for the Industrial Park. Staff recommendation would be to proceed with the
Annexation at the next Council meeting. This will allow the Communications company to take
out a building permit for footings and foundation. It will also allow the City to proceed with the
formulation of a TIF Industrial Park, business plan, zoning, developer's agreements, late comer's
agreement, internal engineering, planning commission approval, and funding. It will be the
developer's signal to start engineering plans and construction for the water and sewer lines to the
park.
Tax increments may be used by the municipality to pay the following costs of or incurred in
connection with an industrial infrastructure development project: land acquisition; demolition
and removal of structures, relocation of occupants, the acquisition, construction, and
improvement of infrastructure that includes streets, roads, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, pedestrian
malls, alleys, parking lots and off street parking facilities, sewers, sewer lines, sewage facilities,
publicly owned buildings and any public improvements; costs incurred in connection with the
allowable redevelopment activities; acquisition of infrastructure deficient areas or portions of
areas; administrative costs associated with the management of the industrial district.
As you are aware, when a T1F District is established, the current tax base is frozen for continued
distribution to the taxing agencies. The new tax base created then goes to fund the necessary
improvements for a period of 15 years or for the length of the bonds. All taxing agencies
ultimately derive benefit from the increased tax base as well as the wealth created in the
community frorn increased wages, services, and jobs that are made.
Respectfully submitted,
ames H. Patrick
City Manager