07-02-15 City Manager ReportC.ITYOF _ City of Kalispell
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OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MONTANA
Information Memorandum
7/2/2015
1. Finance Department
For the 5th consecutive fiscal year, the City of Kalispell has been presented the
Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers
Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the fiscal year 2014
comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the
highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial
reporting. In addition, the finance department received an Award of Financial Reporting
Achievement as the department primarily responsible for preparing the award -winning
CAFR.
2. Parks Department
To celebrate the end of another school year, a hundred 51h graders from Edgerton
Elementary went to Lawrence Park to spend several hours volunteering to help beautify
the facility. Mulch was installed around trees for protection and as watering rings, picnic
tables were painted, flower beds were weeded, and the outside of the restroom received a
new coat of stain.
Parks and Recreation held a meeting in cooperation with Costco, Parkside Credit Union,
and Paws to Play to discuss Doggie Dayz that is to be held on September 19, 2015, in
Lawrence Park. Funds raised from this event will go to help build a dog park in
Kalispell.
The Urban Forestry division has now completed our Montana Tree City of the Year grant
award. Funds from the award were used at Court House Park East with the removal of
six dead trees, pruning of eight hazardous trees and the planting of four new trees.
Summer Day Camp is in full swing! Numbers are consistent and all Wednesdays are full
at 100 participants. This week the campers will be taking fieldtrips to Lions Park/Picks
Bowling & Edgerton School/The Wave.
• Week one totals 439
• Week two totals 436
Next Tuesday, July 7, at Picnic in the Park, Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble will be
playing island rhythm music from 7:OOpm — 9:OOpm. On Wednesday, July 8, Ed Boggs
and Duo will be playing bluegrass, country rock, Celtic, jazz and folk music from
11:30am — 1:30pm.
3. Fire Department
Since the last update, the Kalispell Fire Department has received 220 calls for service and
has conducted 3 outreach trainings with approximately 95 individuals in attendance.
Recently fire department staff and other city administration met in regards to cost
recovery options for the fire and ambulance budgets. A review of billed services was
addressed and will be researched further comparing national trends, payment and fee
schedules and also how often these schedules will need to be reviewed and adjusted.
It is also the time of year when city staff will start dealing with tall grass and weed
complaints. As a review, the ordinance reads:
10-8 Removal of Fire Hazards from Private Property Required.
It shall be the duty of the owner, representative or contract purchaser, or the
occupant of real property within the City to remove all dry grass, readily
combustible rubbish or debris from said property so that such material shall not
constitute a fire hazard. After July 1st of each year all weeds and grasses over
eight (8) inches in height constitute a fire hazard for the purposes of this section.
(Ord. 1581, 8-7-2005; Ord. 1617, 8-6-2007; Ord. 1753, 3-2-2015)
This is especially important this season as the fuel moistures are extremely low and the
possibility of a fire ignition is high. With the forecasted weather trends, we will continue
to see these conditions worsen. The fire department is working in conjunction with other
county fire departments and agencies in educating the public of the current conditions
around the valley.
4. Building Department
For the first half of 2015, 25 single family and 2 townhome building permits have been
issued. This compares to 47 single family and 10 townhome permits issued during the
same time period in 2014.
On the commercial side, drawings have been received for the Town Pump convenience
store and casino that will be located on West Reserve Drive just east of Eisinger Motors.
5. Planning Department
The July 14, 2015, the planning board meeting has a light agenda with the election of
2
officers scheduled. A work session will be held immediately after the planning board
meeting to further discuss casinos in Kalispell and a review of the proposed amendments
to the board's bylaws.
6. Human Resources
HR is coordinating with "It Starts With Me, " the company who contracts with Montana
Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA) to perform our annual health screenings each
year, to conduct four (4) health awareness educational training sessions next month in the
City Hall Council Chambers for all employees and dependents.
HR assisted City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst in three presentations of Ethics Awareness
Training for City Employees. Over 72 employees attended the training, which included a
review of Montana Ethics laws and related city's policies, including the Rules of
Conduct. The presentation was also videoed and will be presented to all newly hired
employees as part of their initial orientation.
We received word that XL Insurance, who was the insurer for pollution coverage for
member cities with Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA), now has informed
MMIA that they are cancelling coverage and are not interested in renewing. The plan is
to take the information already submitted by us and other cities and attempt to find other
coverage. Cities across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to find this type
of coverage due to so many unknown liabilities surrounding underground fuel tanks,
abandoned landfills and contaminated soils. Cities who are able to obtain coverage, find
it is usually for limited amounts with various exclusions.
7. Public Works
Parkway Drive Stormwater Correction Project
Downing Underground successfully completed
construction of the Parkway Drive Stormwater
Improvement Project. The project included
constructing a stormwater conveyance system along
the east side of Parkway Drive to alleviate flooding
and erosion on adjacent properties. This project was
funded by the Stormwater Corrections Fund.
2nd Ave WN Water Main Replacement from Montana Street to Washington St
The replacement of 750 ft. of deteriorating and aged water infrastructure in 2nd Ave WN
from Montana to Washington is at substantial completion. The contractor will finish
punch list items in the next couple of weeks.
Pavement Management
The street division has started the 2015 mill and overlay projects. Projects and tentative
schedules for the in-house pavement restoration are listed below:
• 5th Ave W from Center to 6th St W- currently milled, scheduled for pavement the
week of July 6
• Treeline Road For Hwy 93 to west Lowe's approach — project to start July 20
• 4th Ave EN from E Center St to E Idaho- project to start in August
Chip seal projects are scheduled to begin on July 6 (weather dependent). The streets
scheduled for chip seal this summer are:
• 1st Ave E from 5th St E to 12 St E
• Woodland Ave from 3rd St E to Albina St, and Airport Road from Hwy 93 S to
Begg Park Dr.
• Utility patching (from city water and sewer repairs) will be performed in-between
the paving projects as time permits and alley paving will begin upon completion
of the large paving projects.
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