10-30-15 City Manager ReportCITYOF _ City of Kalispell
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
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Information Memorandum
10/30/2015
1. Information Services
IT staff repaired the audio mixer in the Courtroom. The audio mixer now operates
normally without the loud noise. AV staff replaced a malfunctioning broadcast
component to remove the reddish pink hue that had been displayed when Council and
Planning board meetings were broadcast on the City's government access channel 190.
The IT Director attended the MT-ISAC October meeting in Helena at the Capitol
building and approved revised security policies. The City of Kalispell IT staff will work
from these policies as templates to develop local security policies. Agencies have 3-5
years to come into compliance with these policies.
IT staff continue to work on the public access website for the building permits. Building
staff started testing the site and documenting changes needed for implementation.
IT staff is working to connect the WWTP to the City Hall network. Through this process,
the network addresses at the WWTP changed and IT staff had to update a data recorder
after it was no longer able to produce the data reports.
2. Parks Department
Eagle Scout candidate Nate Burnham led a crew of volunteers at Buffalo Head Park in
the installation of two benches and a culvert around one of the two ponds. The
installation of the culvert is to reduce erosion of the walking path at the outflow of the
pond. Nate fundraised for the benches and materials for the project. We appreciate the
improvements and the work it took to install these items.
Crews have finished winterizing the restrooms throughout the parks. Portable restrooms
have been put in place at Lawrence and Woodland for the winter
months.
Parks Superintendent, Fred Bicha, was awarded the Citation of
Merit Award by Montana Trails, Recreation and Park
Association for his leadership. This award honors significant
contributions from either an individual or organization whose
involvement has had a positive impact on parks and recreation at the regional, state, or
national level. Since joining the KPR team in July of 2014, Fred has substantially
increased our programming, special events, volunteer participation and forestry
programming. Fred has brought new life and ideas into the department and the City of
Kalispell, such as our annual Arbor Day Celebration. This celebration began with two
3rd grade classrooms (approximately 50 children) and Fred has expanded it to involve all
the 3rd grade classrooms in School District#5 - 330 children, teachers, chaperones,
dignitaries, green organizations and volunteers celebrating Arbor Day in Lawrence Park.
Flathead Valley Hockey Association plans to start operation of the Woodland Ice Rink on
Sunday November 1, 2015. For more information about upcoming events or daily
activities you can visit their website; http://www.flatheadflames.org/home.
With only a few more weeks of Little Dribblers and Little Squirts basketball left to play,
our Recreation Department is preparing for upcoming events. Some of the programs to
look forward to are; Camp Freeze Out, Santa's Calling, and ice skating lessons. Updates
will be posted to our website as we near the registration times.
3. Public Works
TSS-Traffic Detection System Replacement
Traffic Signs and Signals Staff completed the installation of the above ground traffic
Wavetronix Radar Detector on the north leg of the intersection at 5th Ave W and Center
St. The below ground traffic detection system, also known as a loop system, was
damaged during the pavement milling process and required replacement with a new
system.
As a standard practice, when the antiquated below grade traffic detection loop systems
require replacement at the signal lights, they are replaced with standardized above ground
radar traffic detection. The above ground radar traffic detection systems provide
improved operation and maintenance by:
1. Superior detection for traffic control
2. Ability to detect multi lanes of traffic and turn lanes with one unit
3. Adaptability for intersection improvements
4. Ease of maintenance vs underground systems
5. Not being affected by weather or temperature
6. Operate in conjunction with loop detection allowing intersection upgrading as
needed
Upgrades to the traffic detection on the other legs of intersection will be considered in the
future as required for replacement and to improve the function of the intersection
operations as traffic volumes increase.
Proposed Water and Sewer Regulations Amendments
Mailings to all the utility customers advising of the proposed amendments for the sewer
and water regulation and public hearing date will be sent out the first week of November.
2
The announcement can be viewed on the Kalispell Website at www.kalispell.com under
Mayor and City Council/Agenda, or under Departments/Public Works.
4. Fire Department
Since the last update, the Kalispell Fire Department has received 134 calls for service and
has conducted 7 outreach trainings with approximately 250 individuals in attendance.
Fire department staff had the opportunity to assist the American Red Cross last Saturday
for a fire safety awareness event. This event targeted residential areas located on
Kalispell's west side where crews spent the day providing fire safety information, smoke
alarms and installation, smoke alarm maintenance and also battery replacement when
needed. The preliminary report showed that there were 45 smoke alarms installed, 16
batteries replaced, and an additional 20 homes received information and assistance with
their escape routes. As a reminder, the Kalispell Fire Department provides this service to
any City of Kalispell resident at any time, including smoke alarm installation and home
safety surveys.
Fire department members who staff the Regional Hazmat Team also provided outreach
training to the Libby area fire service. This training provides the initial responders with
the proper notification and hazmat team activation procedures required by the Montana
State Department of Emergency Services.
The Hazmat team received an activation for response last week to the Lakeside area for
an orphaned container of an unknown substance exhibiting properties consistent with a
hazardous materials. Working with local emergency services and other responders, the
incident was mitigated without complications.
5. Police Department
Local Thefts
On September 23, 2015, the Kalispell Police Department collaborated with other local
law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in our continued effort to address the recent
increase of thefts and burglaries in the Flathead Valley. As a result, 14 theft suspects
were identified as being directly responsible for an inordinate amount of the theft related
crimes. All of the 14 suspects identified have been arrested multiple times or were
suspects in numerous crimes prior to September 23, however they could not be
incarcerated because of a lack of jail space.
These 14 suspects were made a priority of law enforcement and as of September 29, the
Flathead County Sheriff's Office and the Kalispell Police Department have located and
incarcerate 8 of the 14 suspects. In a collaborative effort with the courts, prosecutors and
law enforcement, room was made available in the Flathead County Detention Center to
house these suspects once they were apprehended for outstanding criminal charges. As
of October 27, all 8 of those suspects are still incarcerated in the Flathead County
Detention center facing a multitude of crimes.
As a result of this concerted effort the Kalispell Police Department has seen a dramatic
decrease in theft related cases. In a 20 day period prior to the incarcerations, September 9
through September 29, the Kalispell Police Department responded to 162 theft cases, 22
burglaries and 10 motor vehicle thefts. In comparison we measured the 20 days after the
arrests, October 1, through October 20, and we had 101 thefts, 7 burglaries and 8 motor
vehicle thefts. During the same comparison periods the Kalispell Police Department's
Detective Division had a 50% decrease in felony crimes reported, from 36 to 18.
Law Enforcement is continuing our search for the remaining 6 suspects.
CJIN Audit
On October 22, 2015, the State of Montana Department of Justice did an on -site audit of
the Kalispell Police Department's CJIN (Criminal Justice Information Network). The
goal of the audit is to ensure that the Kalispell Police Department is in compliance with
Criminal Justice Information policies, and to provide an independent appraisal of our
records. Preliminary findings were that the Kalispell Police Department is in compliance
with all equipment, security and records requirements. A written report of the findings
will be provided within 3 weeks of the on -site audit.
Spirit of Special Olympics
Awarded to Kalispell Police Officer Jason Parce on September 19,
2015
The Spirit of Special Olympics is the award given to a person who
exemplifies dedication and unselfish efforts associated with the true
spirit of Special Olympics and this year's award winner is Officer
Jason Parce of the Kalispell Police Department. Officer Parce
dedicates his time and talent to the Law Enforcement Touch Run and Special Olympics
Montana. He is involved at every level and participates in local Tip -A -Cops, Polar
Plunges, State Winter Games, Torch Runs, and area games.
6. Community Development
The City of Kalispell was awarded a $10 million TIGER grant from US DOT for Glacier
Rail Park and Kalispell Core Area Development project. Staff will be coordinating with
our partners on the project to begin the process of implementation and project
management.
7. Human Resources
HR attended the local Job Service Employer's Committee (JSEC) meeting. The local
Flathead Job Service Manager reports they have over 550 job orders yet unfilled. The
majority of these jobs are in the service -based industry or special skills category.
Unemployment for the Flathead is hovering around 4.3, which is slightly higher than the
state average of 3.4.
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