City considers new civil infractions

The Kalispell City Council will discuss a number of potential ordinances that would establish additional civil infractions at tonight’s meeting.

The first decision on the agenda for the meeting is a potential zoning amendment for the Town Pump gas station and casino at the intersection of U.S. 93 South and Cemetery Road.

The council previously discussed this issue at a council meeting and an earlier work session. This resolution would add 1.3 acres to Town Pump’s Planned Unit Development District at this location and would allow Town Pump to build a new facility with landscaping improvements.

The council will also consider an ordinance making it a civil infraction to park vehicles in a way that obstructs pedestrian traffic on city sidewalks. It is currently a civil infraction for a parked vehicle to block driveways and alleys, so this amendment would extend that ordinance to also include sidewalks.

There will be discussion on another potential civil infraction that would make it illegal to lodge in motor vehicles on city streets. According to the meeting agenda, “the public and the police are reporting that the public right-of-ways in the city are being increasingly used for the purposes of parking and lodging within motor vehicles.” There is concern this practice “unreasonably increases the intended density of residential use” and strains the sanitation services there.

The final ordinance would establish new procedures for the Kalispell Police Department to dispose of unclaimed personal property. The agenda reported the Kalispell Police Department is currently burdened by excessive personal items that come into their possession, so this resolution would create a process to alleviate the department’s need to store these items.

Finally, the council will also consider appointing City Manager Doug Russell to the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority. This group is “a risk retention pool created by the cities and towns of Montana to manage municipal risks.” It “covers municipal liability and workers’ compensation risks as well as property and employee benefit coverage.”

Kalispell has a permanent seat among the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority’s 15-person Board of Directors. Since Mayor Mark Johnson’s term is ending, the council will consider electing Russell to fill his seat.

More information about any of the agenda items can be found here: https://www.kalispell.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09162019-317

The council will meet at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 201 1st Ave. East.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.