[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6572582,"mediaKeyId","3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f","parentId",3225570,"title","Parks staff outline maintenance backlog, trail funding limits and park-improvement plans","audioSeconds",1351,"startMs",1485430,"endMs",2836685,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f&start=1485&end=2836","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f/thumbnail_1485430.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6572582/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Parks-staff-outline-maintenance-backlog-trail-funding-limits-and-park-improvement-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572582-c25108f982f9fde83f19ecce8b37e2ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1775316001&Signature=EbTSxvaLau1eByJ6j9-bn85lHJgUmQ47S2rk8BnF8gQw1ZykvYXVviSsYZ~fyTQEyQtfMN8bvh0csQd2YdIucWwnYatuV3tyhgmHg7sM2pBYaVc53bstz7zuAp-Go5NWGXGT5~aArhCI0BE5Z3ftlJMgZ1mITW5yqLZLJ6qNAgFLWjlu6ktbtvGbRq~ZNpSGrAGP5p9DaV7UP~op3I-qJ8j7PUKB8YmFPu0081wKn2Uf6u232sL1FpgG6iMjy4LFG33dYazEKVSY68wGEWytx2epWFkL8aRikoDlCn-Hm7IKljsnCspILWQ61OeNpWPq0OU9-wFP~irRWg42Fb2Nyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kalispell, MT","date","2025-05-02T15:25:52Z","article","Parks and facilities staff told the Kalispell City Council that playground equipment, trails and park infrastructure are aging and that funding available in the coming fiscal year is limited for full rehabilitation.

Staff said many playground structures are near the 25-year expected life and that several pieces are failing; images and close-up photos were discussed during the meeting. One staff member described a structure as reaching the end of its life and said replacement costs can be high. The parks master plan will guide prioritization and capital requests for replacement, staff said.

Trail maintenance and resurfacing drew repeated concern from councilors. Staff said the current proposed budget contains modest trail-maintenance funding (one line referenced approximately $2,000 for a specific trail segment), and councilors urged a larger, ongoing funding source to maintain miles of city trails. \"This doesn't cut as far as ceiling overhang or anything like that. It would be miss the method,\" a council member said, urging more funding for existing trail upkeep rather than new builds.

Staff also described drainage problems at the dog park that limit usability in some seasons and said park partners and volunteers sometimes help with improvements. For one park, staff said fundraising and small donations are being used for incremental improvements, but that larger replacements would require formal estimates and capital budgeting.

Capital equipment needs included a proposed chipper/truck replacement. Staff showed a vehicle from 2006 with structural rust and mechanical issues and said a replacement with a new box would cost in the roughly six-figure range; staff cited an estimate of about $104,000 to replace the chipper truck chassis and box. Staff said the purchase would reduce wear on older equipment and improve operational capacity.

No council votes were taken on park capital or equipment purchases; staff said the master-plan process will produce a prioritized list for the coming budget year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/7/25 Kalispell City Council Budget Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Parks staff reported aging playground structures, trail maintenance shortfalls, drainage issues at the dog park, and a proposed master-plan-driven capital program; staff also described limited funds for resurfacing and a proposed chipper-truck purchase.","taxTitle","Kalispell, Flathead County, Montana","taxId",61441,"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},6572586,"Fire chief and staff describe equipment orders, staffing and levy limits",337,519584,857335,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f&start=519&end=857","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f/thumbnail_519584.jpg","/articles/6572586/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Fire-chief-and-staff-describe-equipment-orders-staffing-and-levy-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572586-489a51b773bbd4f5644d0aaa7f851412/orig.mp4?Expires=1775316001&Signature=dqOZjHY4B~WiPWX9nBVhdH44MqRsb-PQQhEpyQz0beQMFge14QbbMe4k02YujEnEVW7WD45XbEf5RQh35M71Fxqh21uyBkQPmLdmwekRumlMrDYTi3fbaFde2Gv2VmdgYKA2sp~f-cFTIFEsBskafnz2TyytCM9DlDqly0b0p~6d-s2DcE2~wjkWLEoXTpzgzCbqJJwbMz-Y~XY07Zvk6VywMi1NY6V2TtTqjKkUnldLj-pV0bBGxA8YipfM3Y0iuHT5YCmniAni~b7VLpZA2kKocwU85s~6zRG1vUNS0x6St9jTtOT9HiXzrdze2SghVFY-AgadUavotICRKpNz4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire department leadership described equipment orders with multi-year lead times, facility maintenance needs and the department's position on a proposed levy during a Kalispell City Council meeting.

Chief Hagen, introduced by staff as the new fire chief, reviewed capital equipment timelines and staffing plans. He said the department placed engine orders with long lead times and is phasing in equipment purchases and personnel over multiple years. \"We got 2 year plus lead time, so we try to structure that,\" the chief said.

Staff described facility projects including heating improvements for apparatus bays and roof repairs across the public complex, noting roofs are more than 20 years old and that work will happen over several years. The department also said it set aside funds for apparatus and that overtime and vacancy management have been used to maintain coverage while hiring continues.

On levy policy, a city speaker stated explicitly: \"we will not use the levy to reduce the transfer. That's That was always never a part of discussion.\" Staff explained the levy is intended to support capital and dedicated funds rather than offseting general-fund transfers for routine operations.

Council members and staff discussed where levy proceeds and capital funds would be allocated and how the department will manage hiring and capital needs without drawing down the general fund. No formal vote on levy language or reallocation took place during the meeting.","Fire department leaders reported multi-year equipment orders, capital needs for station heating and maintenance, and reaffirmed that a proposed levy will not be used to reduce general-fund transfers.",{"_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},6572591,"Police staff report radio upgrades, evidence-room move and multiple grants; evidence-locker work due July",305,153795,459240,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f&start=153&end=459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f/thumbnail_153795.jpg","/articles/6572591/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Police-staff-report-radio-upgrades-evidence-room-move-and-multiple-grants-evidence-locker-work-due-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572591-b6ff3ad94049a343592d5ddb0e301225/orig.mp4?Expires=1775316001&Signature=De0zUNDWqOa~v-yVKNrEKFRbetMq9u3fbtEp5vmnby2k~9~SlHCR2SXrcyFIOx6cEIoRAxlmg2T0zqoR-aq3~pllr7frjLhVO32G3ZzGttUkL739coQbkBlANDnMpDMU15mPp1OXzNMvXha793H2eVYERjiN2FZJ-TLIaNYNT~88J2XIR6a5TGOKU6SF8m5-hkts24Fclpk5fXatLh~fu-FAgCur23yPpeo7--AEW2UoQ0a7YvzEvq4MCaiPADd4S2tZRqyCTvTne-mMi3VDGrnuQxCkR5UO7dpEybdxJTfRwmr9IpQnnsH08IC038w6Mbst2xsIAihgMcEOUq2HJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police staff described equipment upgrades, grant-funded overtime and equipment, and a planned evidence-room move during a departmental report to the Kalispell City Council.

Staff said the police department is working toward a radio upgrade and broader video system improvements. \"Vision vehicles placed a few to 2 vehicles, continuing to work toward radio placement ... up to 8 megahertz radio system,\" a police presenter said, characterizing an ongoing, multi-year radio and video project the department is phasing in.

On the evidence-room and records move, staff said the project is progressing and expected to be finished in early summer. \"It should be finished by July 1 of this year,\" a presenter said, adding the department expects to move in within the first three to four weeks after completion. Staff said the change will consolidate case information and provide additional locker-room space needed for dispositions and detective operations. Staff estimated facility-related costs for lockers and related work at about $50,000 (staff supplied a range: \"$25,000. With 50. Right around 50,000\").

Several grants were described. Staff said grants fund overtime and equipment for drug enforcement and task forces and that the department receives and passes grant funds through state programs. One staffing grant was described as funding a full-time position to return patrol capacity; another grant provides equipment and overtime allotments (staff reported figures such as $3,000 in equipment and an additional allotment for overtime). Staff also noted the department uses federal or state grant funds for radios and other equipment purchases where eligible.

There was no formal council action on these items during the meeting; council members asked clarifying questions about timing, costs and how grant-funded positions affect ongoing staffing. Staff said some purchases will be paid from existing grant awards and budgeted capital lines.","Police staff told council they are upgrading radios and video systems, expect an evidence-room project to be complete by July, and described several grants covering overtime, equipment, and drug enforcement support.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572595,"City staff outline server storage and Office update plan amid stability concerns",87,160,88050,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f&start=0&end=88","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225570-20160e00e327b9a007ae00fdca6cc96f/thumbnail_160.jpg","/articles/6572595/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/City-staff-outline-server-storage-and-Office-update-plan-amid-stability-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572595-51462d6552e5dbde3d2264b214e340a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775316001&Signature=jXNvM-iA6qy2NZ1dhIA-xWdzZXuW6yKh4kSa8agp2Kna17Bn8cEWEmvrjZOypiM-5RtvnZn6baxWN7f6y6QThrCXy~RRn2OVvYROzqRXY7kdWI2WOhZrnWIlHBauooBbas-klprKJR2TEEVd0WT~Ynymc2hdSZn~BGp1~F9bwro7SIkJa4A7~xIKiyKxgIufKzk0~VT07jyRn-~DBfcD03Ij911r3Z69xxwruoumEs0AzS3gdGq5wx1mh5-KpHIidFJltRFAc6sVDafspX1VmB1jsLyQLA9m4g5HBXzulXfyxsUPbNc~IlR2Bmt--Lv6ukdIgT5cXIEJdpo1lqpO8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City information-technology staff told the Kalispell City Council that they are planning a redesign of how virtual servers store data and are managing recurring Microsoft Office and Teams update problems.

IT staff said the city intends to consolidate underlying storage so virtual servers will not carry their own attached drives. \"This can be underlying data storage for all of our virtual servers,\" a staff member said, describing a move from multiple physical drives to a single network-attached storage device accessible by servers. The staff member said the work is a \"complete overhaul of a lot of design\" but that the project is not yet finished.

Problems with frequent Office and Teams updates also came up during the discussion. One IT staff member advised a conservative approach to updates: \"Anytime there's a problem with Teams or any office applications, our first objection is go through the version and most likely that it's stable.\" Staff said some users continue to experience crashes after updates and that the department is working through version and configuration issues.

Separately, staff reported they renewed software warranty/licenses on at least one system to avoid a costly repurchase and are evaluating whether additional systems need warranty coverage. No schedule for completion of the server redesign was provided.

Council members asked logistical questions about how the storage change would affect departments and whether any purchases require a purchase order; staff said some equipment will be retired and licenses or warranties will be renewed where appropriate.

The discussion was informational; no formal action was taken and no ordinance, contract award, or budget amendment was proposed during the exchange.","City IT staff reported plans to move virtual servers to consolidated storage and to manage Office/Teams update issues, saying a storage redesign and license renewals are planned but not yet complete.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks staff outline maintenance backlog, trail funding limits and park-improvement plans

Fire chief and staff describe equipment orders, staffing and levy limits

Police staff report radio upgrades, evidence-room move and multiple grants; evidence-locker work due July

City staff outline server storage and Office update plan amid stability concerns