09. Buffalo Commons Sprinkling Connections�J VO'LfhWES�C ' IEQLiJ2CQZ£
Glen Neier
Acting City Manager
City of Kalispell
P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903
RE: IRRIGATION METER CONNECTION FEES
Dear Glen:
As you are aware, we have been having some dialogue problems concerning meter connection fees
for the park areas within Buffalo Commons. We have one large park system served by 5 irrigation
pits. Although we have 5 meter pits, the park system is operated by one entity, the Buffalo Commons
Homeowners Association. The park system includes nearly 2,000 feet of landscaped highway
frontage. Part of the problem involves the available meter styles. Three of our meter pits require a
full size 3/4 inch meter as opposed to the standard 5/8 inch normally supplied by the City. Two of
the meter pits have been adjusted to accommodate 1.5 inch meters to help distribute water long
distances, such as along the highway.
City policy and connection fees are very vague concerning meters for irrigation purposes. As you
know, Northwest Healthcare installed all the infrastructure within the PUD without any monetary
assistance from the City. Landscape and irrigation costs to fulfill city conditions of the PUD approval
have already cost more than $200,000. At one point, we were left with the understanding that there
would be no connection fees, just monthly water charges. David Greer then met with Jim Hansz and
was told that the connection fees would be $600 per "tap" plus any difference in meter costs between
a 5/8" inch meter and larger meter sizes. So at a minimum, the meter connection fees would be
$3,000.00, despite no cost to the city other than the actual cost of the 5/8 inch meter. We have
already extended water to the meter locations and apparently we must also install the meters at our
expense when they arrive, which is the other problem. The meters were ordered [by the city] more
than 3 weeks ago and still haven't arrived. We cannot plant our grass till we have a working
irrigation system and some of the trees and shrubs already planted could begin to die without
irrigation.
We believe the landscaping at Buffalo Commons is a community -wide benefit. We agree that any
water use should be "charged" but believe the meter connection fees are excessive for a system that
310 Sunnyview Lane • Kokspell, Montana 59901 • 406-752-8991
will only be used during the summer months and for something that helps to beautify the north end
of the City. Please consider our request to reduce the connection fees to something considerably less
than $3,000.00.
We look forward to a favorable response to this request from the City Council. Please call me if you
have any questions.
Sincerely,
1 `
inn Oliverson
CEO, Northwest Healthcare
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