[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6074171,"mediaKeyId","2986495-962c2d2a23f3fb1e55d0bedcb8d79bd1","parentId",2986495,"title","Whitefish council awards $874,314 viaduct improvement contract despite budget concerns; vote 3‑2","audioSeconds",2231,"startMs",1591000,"endMs",3822000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2986495-962c2d2a23f3fb1e55d0bedcb8d79bd1&start=1591&end=3822","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2986495-962c2d2a23f3fb1e55d0bedcb8d79bd1/thumbnail_1591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6074171/Whitefish/Flathead-County/Montana/Whitefish-council-awards-874314-viaduct-improvement-contract-despite-budget-concerns-vote-32","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074171-f60e69dcfc17771006b269136ab4c482/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164340&Signature=DR4KzljSQBdUzrLjdXIrCcKFcSw8mEXjC8-5t8~PhegW3hP8tlm5TXqIwboZdGtpZkRGMj~HNNAMBkmp76zjBTukiDHv0980TkyoSyaNZk58326ZrNB7U8oVk1SV821YBkfNIwkLQW7OV9mCZ1ydw3~JLUsK0fq2iwLjkw9c0EKUQakNmRfEcRn9ShHDCp2PNfkiFAzD3fi5QHm6qm~g1TcI3v5L6P6g6ZSaB7OIOtyYfqnt2vacNMl0biTO~kj5NWzvRXZwjgTMpeFFGB5nrEZbP012rhVLfe9rvg-VJ2RvHen30-GcrwOFeRunAzESgwusqBRwj8hyF5uIpJG8kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MT / City of Whitefish","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Whitefish City Council voted 3‑2 on March 17 to award the viaduct improvement construction contract to RAS Construction of Bellingham, Washington, for $874,314.25, a figure the city’s public works director said is 24–25% above the engineer’s estimate and about $250,000 above the city’s FY25 street fund line item.

Public Works Director Craig (last name not specified in the transcript) summarized the project and procurement history: the viaduct improvements are identified in the downtown master plan and the Connect Whitefish Bike and Pedestrian Plan to better link the north and south sides of the viaduct. The city rebid the project after work with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and BNSF to secure permissions; two bids were opened on Feb. 20. The engineer’s estimate was $702,912; RAS submitted the low bid of $874,314.25 and Knife River submitted $1,050,381. Craig said the FY25 budget included $700,000 for the project, and that the street fund has a sizable reserve that staff believes can absorb the additional expenditure.

The contract covers four main elements: relocating Jersey barriers to widen the shared path; removing the southbound slip lane on the west side and restoring Railway to two‑way traffic (and adding angled parking on Railway); new decorative street lighting on the approaches (the city purchased additional lights outside the bid); and gateway landscaping (trees, beds, irrigation). Craig and councilors discussed bid line‑item variances — including a high mobilization line item in RAS’s bid and a large discrepancy in traffic‑control and irrigation costs between the two bidders — and the difficulty of estimating a multi‑component project with few comparables.

Council debate split around safety urgency and fiscal prudence. Supporters argued the primary safety gain is widening the shared path by moving Jersey barriers and that further delay risks injury; opponents said the award exceeded the budgeted amount and urged rebidding or breaking the work into components to seek more local participation. Councilor Frank moved to award the contract; the motion was seconded by Councilor Fury and carried on a 3‑2 vote. Councilors Caltabiano and Quinell recorded their votes in opposition.

Public Works staff said local subcontractors will likely perform a substantial share of the work (electricians, trucking, aggregate) even though the general contractor is out‑of‑state, and that certain costs (for example replacement of crash attenuators and curb work) are triggered when the Jersey barriers are moved.

Funding and next steps: staff recommended awarding to the lowest qualified bidder per procurement statute and said the street fund reserve can absorb the projected $250,000 overspend without an immediate supplemental appropriation; staff will return with standard contract documents and manage construction oversight. The council directed staff to proceed with contract award and construction scheduling.

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Votes at a glance: Viaduct improvement contract award — Motion to accept bids and award contract to RAS Construction for $874,314.25; mover: Councilor Frank; second: Councilor Fury; outcome: approved (3‑2). Opposed: Councilors Caltabiano and Quinell.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Whitefish City Council Meeting March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended debate about cost and scope, the council voted 3‑2 to award RAS Construction the viaduct improvement contract for $874,314.25. Councilors who opposed the award said the project exceeded the FY25 street fund budget; supporters cited pedestrian and bicycle safety.","taxTitle","Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana","taxId",56558,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074175,"Whitefish adopts Western Region Hazard Mitigation Plan to preserve FEMA grant eligibility",947,790000,1737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2986495-962c2d2a23f3fb1e55d0bedcb8d79bd1&start=790&end=1737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2986495-962c2d2a23f3fb1e55d0bedcb8d79bd1/thumbnail_790000.jpg","/articles/6074175/Whitefish/Flathead-County/Montana/Whitefish-adopts-Western-Region-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-to-preserve-FEMA-grant-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074175-e5edc21fd5e9261b6ec37b7f88d8e1a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164340&Signature=IjUOmsEkKSbKl4aAyVoS014fOXaN1yzyoybVAo9RoMTVLgaj3QVc0uIkcW2d9bmbBd~logzB1t6Bb2dptW~Mx3Id-KteaJa-zWxMAlCFUhuZePf9rvR8uXheAKUrElClBFqu1Fzkxt7Croxuaw-9hqiHEft4OCl3oimztQVC~BObidDJW1acLq7kYjeGkni8WWjJVZn~RWRHh1LyX8XE58~nnrNmZOlL8cJDVnp1R8F7-nIlQ1iyxgvLGXzITsD1i8W0lvbDGz5qklUIksVu0b1zngpk6UjffvmYPnRh6wHWW0VptolZOXAfKyBHHkKPGljCSsO46kbDQuRmGFAQTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whitefish City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25‑7 on March 17, approving the Western Region Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Flathead County annex. City staff said the regional plan was developed to promote consistency across jurisdictions and to ensure eligibility for pre‑ and post‑disaster FEMA mitigation grant funding.

City staff member Dana presented the plan and explained that the State of Montana Disaster and Emergency Services coordinated the regional plans to reduce local administrative burdens and improve grant eligibility. “Approval of this plan will ensure that we’re eligible for FEMA mitigation grant funding both post and pre disaster,” Dana told the council, and noted there are no immediate direct financial requirements for adopting the plan; specific mitigation projects would be considered during normal budget processes.

Juanita Nelson, Emergency Management Planner with the Flathead County Office of Emergency Services, said the Flathead County annex was reviewed by FEMA in February and received approval pending local adoption by jurisdictions in the region. Nelson also answered council questions about jurisdictions that chose not to participate in the regional document.

Speakers during public comment included Richard Dillner, who urged the council to take more time to review the 500‑page packet before adopting, saying some data may be more than two years old; Joan Ehrenberg suggested the council consider an overlay safety zone for logging roads in certain upland neighborhoods. Council members asked staff about the level of department input; staff said multiple departments (fire, public works, planning, IT) contributed to actionable items in the plan and that the plan will undergo an annual review once adopted.

Councilor Andy moved to adopt Resolution 25‑7; the motion was seconded by Councilor Caltabiano and carried unanimously. The adoption makes Whitefish eligible for FEMA mitigation grants under the regional plan; staff said the city will incorporate specific appropriations for mitigation actions into future budget cycles as needed.

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Votes at a glance: Resolution 25‑7 — Motion to adopt Western Region Hazard Mitigation Plan (including Flathead County annex); mover: Councilor Andy; second: Councilor Caltabiano; outcome: approved unanimously.","Council adopted resolution 25‑7 adopting the Western Region Hazard Mitigation Plan (including the Flathead County annex). Staff said adoption preserves eligibility for FEMA mitigation grants; council approved the resolution after brief public comment and discussion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074180,"Whitefish council approves conditional-use permit for bar at Larch House, 304 E. First Street",480,280000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2986495-962c2d2a23f3fb1e55d0bedcb8d79bd1&start=280&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2986495-962c2d2a23f3fb1e55d0bedcb8d79bd1/thumbnail_280000.jpg","/articles/6074180/Whitefish/Flathead-County/Montana/Whitefish-council-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-bar-at-Larch-House-304-E-First-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074180-ae0d2896365493366789f50e7044ea0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164340&Signature=isSoLwroDo2T97IDEBIURjguzl2uK8U-6vZWuG920RX~KSJFBDnkWRZdDIpLvBQHUEVEN-ftqwBLEkEnMrUeZZfsp4GpXuYGqWJWaieMFZjxbC81lFjTDd5B9wjUCFSxDKT8fyhJcG6WKkBq1obqsuUwcHd111saaZz1b22~uJ4akNBWKVs2xLhNN2oMnuoVaKzsFXtJU6xv9pLPrPuc~c91p6k8P59sEO7q4XvOTwKVJp5vrBt1fKi8EPocLxsMTi5sSZuXvGeYEGsSJOILAO4bwdXgxUhMLtoSvrDmYdb1MV~O0ilEM7lZ9ElVV8QRhnuRfOT0tuTCafdI~Zt-UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whitefish City Council on March 17 approved a conditional-use permit allowing a full beverage bar at the Larch House hotel, 304 East First Street, authorizing bar service in the lobby, private dining, a lower‑level speakeasy, rooftop seating and outdoor patio dining.

City Community Development Director Dave Taylor told the council that the property is zoned WB‑3 (general downtown business), that the proposal meets the downtown business district master plan and the city’s zoning standards, and that the project received architectural approval and a building permit. “Staff does recommend approval,” Taylor said, noting that the community development board unanimously recommended the permit and that staff received one supportive email with questions.

The applicant’s representative, Doug Petmire of TDNH Engineering, said he and the owner — Daniel Fuller, online from Dallas — had worked with staff and were available to answer questions. Fuller described the venue as “meant to be sort of quiet” and “not meant to be a rowdy place,” saying the food-and‑beverage areas were located away from the hike‑and‑bike path.

Several members of the public spoke. Joan Ehrenberg, 744 Hidden Valley Drive, raised concerns about outdoor amplification near nearby homes and the bike trail, and questioned whether the additional angled on‑street parking would be adequate for a project of the stated scale. Taylor replied that WB‑3 has no off‑street parking requirement downtown and that the developers planned additional angled on‑street public parking on First and Railway streets.

Councilor Giuseppe moved to approve WCUP 25‑02, adopting the findings of fact in the staff report and the five conditions recommended by the Whitefish Community Development Board on Feb. 20, 2025; the motion was seconded by Councilor Quinell and carried unanimously. The council did not identify additional conditions during the hearing.

The permit allows the applicant to pursue the full beverage license and to proceed with the portions of the project described in the staff packet, subject to the five recommended conditions and the city’s code requirements. The staff report and the Community Development Board materials are on file with the city; the council recorded the action as WCUP 25‑02 and indicated the standard permit review and compliance process will follow.

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Votes at a glance: WCUP 25‑02 — Motion to approve findings of fact and five recommended conditions; mover: Councilor Giuseppe; second: Councilor Quinell; outcome: approved (motion carries unanimously).","After a public hearing, the Whitefish City Council unanimously approved WCUP 25-02 permitting a full beverage bar at the under-construction Larch House hotel. Staff said the proposal meets downtown zoning and the Community Development Board recommended five conditions of approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Whitefish council awards $874,314 viaduct improvement contract despite budget concerns; vote 3‑2

Whitefish adopts Western Region Hazard Mitigation Plan to preserve FEMA grant eligibility

Whitefish council approves conditional-use permit for bar at Larch House, 304 E. First Street