3. Annexation of Wholly Surrounded County Properties1 /2/ 007
TO:
Mayer Pamela B. Kennedy
And Kalispell City Council
FROM: Randy Brodehl, Fire Chief
James H. Patrick, City Manager
SUBJECT: Annexation of Wholly Surrounded County Properties
COUNCIL WORKSHOP DATE: 118/2007
BACKGROUND: Over the past several years, the City of Kalispell has grown so that
several county residential areas are wholly surrounded by the city but are not in the city.
This has been reviewed by staff and Council on several occasions over the years, and one
or two areas were annexed. Since then, no action has been taken to annex wholly
surrounded county properties unless requested by the property owner. (See attached Cily
of Kalispell Wholly Surrounded Properties map)
There are three significant issues that come to the front during emergency responses to
wholly surrounded "county islands'.
• [wring a fire emergency, these `islands' of county property are protected by the
adjacent fire districts with no response by the Kalispell Fire Department, even
though these districts must drive through the city to get to the emergency, and often
must drive by a Kalispell fire station when responding. This means that lives and
property are at greater risk, because the closest available resources are not being
sent. Responders to these areas respond from home or work to their fire station,
then bring fire apparatus to the emergency. There are areas such as the North
Haven sub -division that are less than a half mile from a Kalispell fire station, while
being several miles from West Valley Fire and Rescue's closest station. As can be
imagined, this means that not only is there a significant response distance to be
considered, but there is also the delay required while the firefighters in those districts
respond to the fire station.
• The current dispatch system does little to assist the dispatcher in determining where
the city limits are, versus the fire district lines. While this information is available, the
current system takes 2-3 minutes to show the correct response agency that should
be dispatched. Dispatchers make most of those decisions based on memory or a
general feel of where the line is. A recent example is a structure fire in the 100 block
of South Meridian (See attached Structure Fire Media Release, December 13, 2006)
where the dispatcher initially guessed that the house fire was in the city and sent
Kalispell Fire, then cancelled Kalispell and sent Smith Valley Fire District when the
dispatch map indicated that the 9-1-1 call originated from a County residential area
that is wholly surrounded by the city. The dispatcher, after being contacted by Smith
Valley Fire, then requested that Kalispell continue to assist Smith Valley who was at
their Christmas party in Marion. Two hours later, we confirmed that it was actuary
just inside the city limits. During that time, command of the fire went from Kalispell,
to Smith Valley, and back to Kalispell. Fire operations are significantly different
between the departments. This lack of consistency in city limits had a direct effect on
the safety of firefighters and added significant confusion to the scene.
► Council has occasionally annexed only a sub -division, and not the adjacent street or
road, or has annexed only to the center line of the street of road. This was done
with the thought that police patrol and emergency response would be minimized.
However, this causes significant confusion for Dispatchers and for fire and EMS
responders who are often not sure of which side of the road or intersection a motor
vehicle crash has occurred. Annexation of the entire street or road adjacent to sub-
divisions being annexed would eliminate this concern.
Again, the focus of this information is directed toward fire emergencies, since ambulance
response is already provided to these areas by the Kalispell Fire Department, and the
Kalispell Police Department responds to these areas regularly, through a joint response
plan with the County Sheriff.
There are several small residential areas which, when added together, include
approximately 118 parcels. There is a seconds larger area, called Green Acres which
includes approximately 247 parcels. This totals approximately 355 residences that are
wholly surrounded by the city.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
General fund revenue:
Annexation of wholly surrounded properties would allow the city to collect tax
revenues for these properties. According to Flathead County Tax Department
Supervisor Susan waggener, a home valued at $200,000 could anticipate paying an
additional $1135 in city taxes, if annexed into the City of Kalispell. if all 365
residences are annexed, and if the average home value is $200,000, the city general
fund could anticipate additional revenue of $414,275 per year.
• Other revenue such as sewer and water are not addressed here because these are
enterprise funds and no additional revenue can be expected for the city general
fund.
General fund expenditures:
• During fiscal year 2006, the Kalispell Fire Department responded to an average of
one fire per 375 residences in the city, which means the department could see an
increase of one residential structure fire per year if all of the wholly surrounded areas
are annexed. The average increase in residential response cost (13 personnel x 2.5
hours plus $1300.00 in apparatus cost assignment) is $2763.00 per year.
Because some street maintenance and polite services are already at least partially
provided to these properties by the city, it is difficult to determine the fiscal impact of
completing these services to these areas. Unless requested by council no further
general fund impact will be provided.
Cost for water and sewer infrastructure, including the installation of fire hydrants,
would be borne by the property owners receiving the benefit, through an S l D or
other cast assignment as determined by Council, so this would not be expenditure
from the general fund.
RECOMMENDATIONS
City Council considers annexation of county properties that are wholly surrounded by the
City of Kalispell. To do this, Council could consider the following options:
• Direct staff to develop a phased plan to annex these county islands. The plan should
include staff led neighborhood meetings hosted by the Planning Department and the
Fire Departrr ent. These meetings would be informational to answer resident
questions and concerns.
• Several of these areas do not have fire hydrants. Fire hydrants would need to be
placed every Soo feet to meet the needs of the fire department and the fire code.
This would mean that some areas would require water mains. During the interim, a
used water tender could be purchased to cover areas that do not already have
hydrants.
• Additional Infrastructure (domestic water and sewer) could have to be provided in
these areas.
• Special improvement districts (SIDs) could be farmed to provide neighborhood
upgrades as needed.
Annexations of sub --divisions should include the entire adjacent streets or roads.
■ Other options as determined by Council.
k
Fundy Brodehl, Fire Chief mes H. Patrick, City Manager
From: F. Ray Ruffafto
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 1:47 AM
Subject: Structure Fire Media Release
December 13, 2005
For more information contact: F. Ray Ruffatto, Prevention Division, 406-758-7953
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
At approximately 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, the Kalispell Fire Department, Smith
Valley Fire Department, West Valley Fire Department, and South Kalispell Fire Department were
dispatched to the 100 Block of South Meridian in Kalispell for a report of a fire in a basement. The
incident was reported via 911.
Kalispell Fire Department personnel staffed three engines, a ladder truck, an ambulance, and
command staff. Additional engines, crews, and a support unit were staffed by Smith Valley, West
Valley, and South Kalispell Fire Departments.
The first arriving engine company encountered smoke showing from the residence. The sole
occupant of the residence had safely evacuated, and reported the location of the fire in the basement
to firefighters. Using a pre -connected hoseline, a crew entered through the back of the residence,
encountering heavy smoke and heat. As they advanced through the residence and dawn the stairs to
the basement, they were met with increasing temperatures and multiple explosions, later determined
to be ammunition. Unable to advance due to rapidly deteriorating conditions, the crew retreated back
up the stairs to find the fire was now also burning on the first floor. Crews from all four fire
departments continued offensive suppression efforts for approximately 20 more minutes before
transitioning to defensive mode (defensive mode means all personnel are called out of a structure
that has been determined unsafe or untenable due to rapid fire growth or structural failure).
Fire damage to the home was extensive, extending from the basement through the roof. No injuries
to civilians were reported. One firefighter suffered a wrist injury as a result of a fall and was
transported by the Marian ambulance to the hospital where he was treated and released. Damage to
the residence is conservatively estimated at $80,000, and damage estimates for contents are
pending. The residence and contents were reportedly uninsured.
Assistance was received from the Kalispell Police Department, Kalispell 911, Kalispell Public Works,
Flathead Electric, Northwest Energy, and Flathead County 911.
Preliminary investigation indicates the fire is accidental in nature, and was caused by a wood burning
appliance in the basement of the residence.
CITY OF KALISPELL WHOLLY SURROUNDED PROPERTIES
miles
0 .25 .5 .75 1
Map produced by:
City of Kalispell Planning Dept.
(406) 751-1850