[{"_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",6249910,"mediaKeyId","3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98","parentId",3204522,"title","Columbia Falls moves to engineering and design for Nicholas Avenue sidewalk and parking improvements","audioSeconds",246,"startMs",1624000,"endMs",1870000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98&start=1624&end=1870","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98/thumbnail_1624000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6249910/Columbia-Falls/Flathead-County/Montana/Columbia-Falls-moves-to-engineering-and-design-for-Nicholas-Avenue-sidewalk-and-parking-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249910-987a4f216693980c1016c41b764c7c4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194619&Signature=ZvA1t3PcZ-eHGUAlPS0kC1hIMZ~oMii2mvhZ1kUd9rr7Q2j6SOMLcu2mhhKDTV9vtV7nThWibBwOJw6PlBXbaj77KmgHxgW03M03Em-dLXXYqpCqsa-c08ZAtkgpgW59vdUhaY0pzd5qGSIzQxo~ZShNYJKCtSNqvKGtgcwlNwkyQC8TSvToWK~AUOpEleeHeXPIm0N2OAW1ZqeuoBTKK291F3DClK2Q6XottIPijCZbfJo-AnYmWS~RVElPID~vjGJl~6qI07AflWRp8-a1PKs6qd~AxrfjCOXr6SU-OgCBGkPmhEvTlN15NSR2D~m1XvW~dwhpfBRHTYfe4kVhFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Columbia Falls, MT","date","2025-05-07T00:29:59.003Z","article","City staff presented Phase 2 of a downtown sidewalk and parking improvement project for Nicholas Avenue and recommended moving forward with engineering and design to finish work started in Phase 1.

A staff member described the scope as replacing curb and gutter with sidewalk along designated blocks and noted the purple segments on the map had been completed in Phase 1 while the yellow segments are proposed for Phase 2. The project was framed as completing work the city had planned but could not finish previously due to funding limitations.

Mayor Barnhart and council members asked whether there would be a public meeting on the specific locations; staff said they could bring details to a public meeting although none was scheduled and acknowledged communication on timing had lapsed. A motion was made \"to proceed with the engineering and design\" for the Phase 2 sidewalk and parking improvements; the transcript does not include a recorded vote or the mover/second in the excerpt provided.

Councilors and staff emphasized the need to notify impacted businesses and residents before construction. Staff said they would finalize the design and then solicit contractors to construct the work when funding and schedule allow.

The motion recorded in the transcript authorized the next design step; the project will require additional public outreach and a contractor selection before construction begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Part 1 May 5, 2025 Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council heard staff presentation on Phase 2 of downtown sidewalk and parking improvements on Nicholas Avenue and accepted a motion to proceed with engineering and design; no recorded final vote in the provided transcript.","taxTitle","Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana","taxId",68806,"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},6249915,"Council hears housing needs assessment; planning commission unanimously recommended approval",275,1902000,2177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98&start=1902&end=2177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98/thumbnail_1902000.jpg","/articles/6249915/Columbia-Falls/Flathead-County/Montana/Council-hears-housing-needs-assessment-planning-commission-unanimously-recommended-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249915-497b78aab7e98392fa2b6d27810f197a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194619&Signature=NxJ~77PJn5EN5SOmEGtFshj5l5kOLwtpySrpHMojtZwciB8SBjRN1gYd7YYwY24~9QNmyU4PZDsIGb5OKML08Bf92ZuG4VKE6ke9GS2yq6V41ZtsBZXfbzm67q5qnSLRQ~w-PaixniP~xsa0OjHFyn9oQ-B8Mtzvty3KORET8YWhTlRy-MyIeTqhROD9uSqiktBDreRnJNRRdYA4EWHJnULW1C18Z3sO1WfTtQWMim5zeQtPMJXSzP9wjYP4OKzaAQt3NF2olxEvqQxap-zMu7hjeE4pwDxybQ0tBaDWPS7FpuM8t9rgBQRqmJVDGurFTF1ytHrWUGPto~UYNzlAOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the Columbia Falls housing needs assessment Monday as the first step in updating the city's growth policy, reporting projected housing shortfalls and vacancy data required under state guidance.

Eric McKinney, the planning director, said the city selected consultant Wendy Sullivan and her team last fall to conduct outreach and compile census, permit and business-survey data. McKinney said the consultant’s report estimates between 250 and 385 homes will be needed over the next 10 years depending on growth assumptions, which the report translates to roughly 32 homes per year under a 10-year horizon.

McKinney told the council the planning commission reviewed the report and \"recommended approval unanimously\" and that the document is \"3 82 compliant\" as referenced in the meeting. He recommended the council move forward with designating the housing assessment as the basis for the upcoming land-use plan, and said the council would consider a resolution to adopt the document at a subsequent meeting.

Daniel Sitter, executive director of Housing Whitefish, spoke during public comment and urged the city to identify near-term actions that could increase housing supply quickly, such as zoning code adjustments to allow modest infill or accessory units. Sitter said the report highlights underutilized lots and that the city should prioritize infill where utilities already exist to limit future taxpayer liabilities.

The housing study also included counts of short-term rentals: staff cited 223 active vacation-rental licenses in the Columbia Falls area, with 83 inside the city limits. McKinney said the report will inform the next step, a land-use plan that will include greater public engagement and pose specific policy options for council review.

The council did not take a final adoption vote at the meeting; staff said a resolution adopting the assessment will be placed on a future agenda.","Columbia Falls staff presented a housing needs assessment required by state law; the planning commission unanimously recommended the document and the council signaled intent to adopt a resolution at a future meeting.",{"_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},6249920,"Resident urges moratorium on short-term rentals, says enforcement gaps leave neighborhoods vulnerable",1367,894000,2261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98&start=894&end=2261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98/thumbnail_894000.jpg","/articles/6249920/Columbia-Falls/Flathead-County/Montana/Resident-urges-moratorium-on-short-term-rentals-says-enforcement-gaps-leave-neighborhoods-vulnerable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249920-12661919d064596b4024b7817dc28ee1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194619&Signature=Qvn3x3I-H8Ikr-DLmVBU-zK8rQS6APvDsGEE9pwJd8G~NRn3V8AggoZv6FpwFnPtvLoRJcX-ZU~ufAe9ewyubzPQa0L8Aw0WTb6nS7fSgRbWawTAKGpfLkDOOo53ep-jjqnwq7nA2xmBHzorJmOugjG6GyA6c2EE7GxZRx2YDBL9BXbrRQT8Bye91Oo2hbAkZAu5WCyVV8kuOl45yn~glWwU~4-SboFlOR0jCXCXsHbe6T4Os7ZJaGqHyHBO2Qbrd6O1YUd1Y0Q0H4nEeAGNlPTxz7zV9gaqUz2mDWcbIuYCcLnJK-CsL2nURH6UTnibJ0haebDis-eupD4djSmy3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Columbia Falls resident asked the City Council Monday to impose a moratorium on short-term rentals, citing what he described as unclear oversight and inconsistent enforcement between city and county authorities.

\"I'm asking that there's a moratorium be put on these short term rentals that has taken place in the city,\" said Matt Jefferson, a homeowner who identified several houses he believes operate as vacation rentals without adequate inspection or follow-through on permit conditions.

Jefferson told the council he had tracked a specific permit where the owner had been given one year to correct issues but, he said, three years later the conditions remained. He said city and Flathead County staff told him each other was responsible for enforcement, leaving residents unsure who to contact. \"Who’s taking care of and inspecting the rules?\" he asked the council.

Council and staff members who responded in the meeting did not announce a moratorium or a specific enforcement action during the public-comment or agenda discussion. The housing study presented later in the meeting reported there are 223 active vacation-rental licenses in the Columbia Falls area and 83 inside the city limits; those figures were cited by staff during the housing presentation and may inform future policy deliberations.

Jefferson also raised a question about the relationship between short-term rentals and resort taxes and whether rental growth competes with motels that contribute to local taxes. The council did not take action on the request during the meeting; any policy change would require staff analysis and a formal council motion.","A Columbia Falls resident asked the council to pause issuing or renewing short-term rental permits, saying city and county roles are unclear and enforcement has been inconsistent.",{"_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},6249925,"Columbia Falls residents ask council about police translation policy and Border Patrol collaborations after nearby detention",1527,117000,1644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98&start=117&end=1644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204522-d5a88aceb2fb953c92d7623d62eb2f98/thumbnail_117000.jpg","/articles/6249925/Columbia-Falls/Flathead-County/Montana/Columbia-Falls-residents-ask-council-about-police-translation-policy-and-Border-Patrol-collaborations-after-nearby-detention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249925-8dc9d509b337a7015a6ada8e16fff216/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194619&Signature=ltC84qfmOX6TLXu0PSRwJfSGmCOzfz0N9IKIRzeMyW5bnNvMkz4QszxGGcPq3IMjKIwchFhfUzEhE~dcZDwuGCiyxftpFdcb9z6pR9op1GNBGtIdthQ3M9JbtYXqAMDgMyhHDGOuVAZF71tqvSHWxWNn0ZLvgKH9s2N~PAG3eF2G84rgvNTBXNXavXM2oLWQRLCinGTuNS05LYBP0C~skzQp4lQjn2DIo2xW3pJ2qkSacKsiNbv4E7hKgiL7BECv-e~LzVHHna4p68JETB7lLGqBqgG9Wjv~ek~ZJGeoLFScgPAINpfVbfpRHc8joYguCsPDT~AEz04OLRULz4g1ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Columbia Falls residents used the city council public-comment period Monday to press the council for clarity about local police translation policies and any formal collaboration with U.S. Border Patrol, citing a recent detention in a neighboring community.

The residents said the incident—described in public comment as the stop and subsequent detention of a man identified as legally residing in Montana—illustrated risks when language and immigration status intersect with routine traffic enforcement. \"Speaking Spanish is not a crime in America,\" said Lea Naga Laws, who opened public comment and asked the council two direct questions: what the police department's policy is for translation when someone speaks a language other than English, and what constitutes reasonable suspicion for contacting Border Patrol.

The issue drew additional speakers. Colton Little, who identified himself as a concerned resident, framed the episode as a due-process and civil-rights issue and urged the community to protect everyone’s access to legal process. November Blackburn, who spoke later, said she represents immigrant neighbors and asked the council to record community concern about profiling and collaboration with agencies that detain Native and Latino residents.

City officials did not provide a written policy or a decision during the public-comment period. Council members acknowledged the concerns and said they would note the comments; no formal motion or resolution on police translation policy or Border Patrol cooperation appears in the provided transcript.

The comments came during the council's public-comment period and were not presented as part of any specific agenda item. Residents asked the council to clarify whether the Columbia Falls Police Department has a standard procedure for using interpreters or translation services for non-English speakers and whether there are guidelines limiting contact with federal immigration authorities.

Councilors did not announce follow-up steps in the transcript excerpt provided. The issue is likely to require staff follow-up to identify existing written policies, any memoranda of understanding with federal agencies, and whether a formal council direction or ordinance is needed to change local practice.","Several residents urged the Columbia Falls City Council to clarify police translation practices and limit local law-enforcement cooperation with Border Patrol after a recent detention in a neighboring community.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Columbia Falls moves to engineering and design for Nicholas Avenue sidewalk and parking improvements

Council hears housing needs assessment; planning commission unanimously recommended approval

Resident urges moratorium on short-term rentals, says enforcement gaps leave neighborhoods vulnerable

Columbia Falls residents ask council about police translation policy and Border Patrol collaborations after nearby detention