[{"_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",6193624,"mediaKeyId","3866136-1c09c866a145d71b7a293e409d5fda54","parentId",3866136,"title","Council approves Eagle Scout Merrick Fairchild’s memorial garden at Walcott Park","audioSeconds",683,"startMs",1417000,"endMs",2100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3866136-1c09c866a145d71b7a293e409d5fda54&start=1417&end=2100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3866136-1c09c866a145d71b7a293e409d5fda54/thumbnail_1417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193624/Columbia-Falls/Flathead-County/Montana/Council-approves-Eagle-Scout-Merrick-Fairchilds-memorial-garden-at-Walcott-Park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193624-a94139b7be52a0d2d5bbf62528c5e252/orig.mp4?Expires=1776654853&Signature=nj11SCPOtiSyN9ESdFq9DD7y4lfku03Qxzrhn0vJ~cwVrq2ws77d3v2NjbElrmB3UhZ6AkYQ1xcwJCMctPPgzAM72PqRSy89exaHDxm1NocMerU4HjUCSdJ-UYmTvVfTdJx14oWfJjj-QLjc5zRH7p0JSGp-4n4ZBsbtzYx63dkOgtlwkOXA-rCu~RC95PUjX3HjUIelEVElShPUCWdwDHa4mhJN44kgnyv7cBHOmpbE43FOyFhsULadJqVPJAaLvtJv6-qq5bGQZiV31N9w-5w7QlYV1TsbYKRzDIH5d2b1X0~cE7PvthRW71x4bDwrxlRytSPfn25hw3U6mCRPyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Columbia Falls, MT","date","2025-06-19T14:19:57.393Z","article","The Columbia Falls City Council approved Resolution 19‑47, authorizing Eagle Scout Merrick Fairchild to construct a Children's Memorial Garden at Walcott Park and directing city staff to supervise construction and assume ongoing maintenance of the installed vegetation and structures.

Merrick Fairchild told the council he is a Life Scout with Troop 1941 and presented a plan that incorporates existing park trees, new benches, paths, year‑long perennial plantings and maintenance gates. Fairchild said the design received Scouting America district approval in April 2024 and was reviewed and approved by the Parks and Recreation Committee in May 2025 before coming to the council.

City parks staff confirmed the park has an integrated sprinkler system and that Fairchild will supply materials to tie into that system; city staff will perform the installation and then take responsibility for maintenance of the garden plantings. \"We do have an integrated sprinkler system in that park. Merrick will supply the materials to add on to that sprinkler system. We will do the installation of that component,\" a staff member said.

The council voted by roll call to approve the resolution; the transcript records aye votes from councilors and the mayor. Staff will supervise construction to ensure the finished project conforms to the approved design, after which the city’s parks department will assume long‑term maintenance responsibilities for irrigation and plant care.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting June 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Columbia Falls City Council approved Resolution 19‑47 authorizing Eagle Scout Merrick Fairchild to build a Children's Memorial Garden at Walcott Park; city staff will supervise construction and maintain the plantings and irrigation afterwards.","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},6193629,"City manager warns of Horine well outage and pool boiler failure; playground installation delayed to mid‑late July",261,2769000,3030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3866136-1c09c866a145d71b7a293e409d5fda54&start=2769&end=3030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3866136-1c09c866a145d71b7a293e409d5fda54/thumbnail_2769000.jpg","/articles/6193629/Columbia-Falls/Flathead-County/Montana/City-manager-warns-of-Horine-well-outage-and-pool-boiler-failure-playground-installation-delayed-to-midlate-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193629-e73ecd7256f60f798918c3c0b9c4e27d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776654853&Signature=aLmYlX1sNgCr1OLDaREmrbqVbv9wEEK2rovMVOwhB-m8c--Jd-~9ZsDaLXaVbKajs9-STKOu0Qb2NUxwrJsjOvE2Zp1VeVx7TSi7p277WJ3iBLvaioGRNkjd6JMXHVl9xwKsd1gKZHvceSWrq534YEV7d1KRjK~yyXdbVm-BzNIuuniVovea4n4RxvDvE15-4L0a7Jhxtc1~ebjHCygyL8worLeFKJ2FnyK6jQ7dTAXnpH3FtKGsOCE-uBun2KOZklP0HYSmpYomsW8zjbPSflrmOI-8v2YzFsISYoTBfWY5gFQAAbeuAHTL-TN0rPvdMRIyjGqg40glSrlEudy6WQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Mike Hanks told the Columbia Falls City Council that the variable frequency drive (VFD) serving the Horine well has failed and the city could be without the well for as long as 60 days while a replacement or repair is arranged.

\"We could be without the Horine well for up to to 60 days as they reconstruct a new, variable frequency drive,\" Hanks said, noting staff are working with electricians and engineers on backup solutions and contingency plans.

Hanks also reported a pool boiler failure that forced the city pool to close after the weekend opening; pool technicians obtained a replacement component and staff expected the pool to be closed through Tuesday and potentially reopen Wednesday if repairs hold. \"We were able to get a boiler tech out there today,\" Hanks said, describing the boiler as roughly 10 years old with recurring issues.

Other operational updates included: the donated Columbus Park playground equipment is on site and, because of limited public works staffing and summer workload, installation is projected for mid to late July; CPAC is fully funding the diversion ditch liner work discussed with CFA, EPA and DEQ and construction on the liner is expected this summer; and organizers seeking a Saturday market at the end of Nucleus must meet parking and safety requirements for the CB‑2 zoning before the city will issue an event permit.

Hanks added that the city will mail temporary construction easements over the next week or two to roughly 60–70 property owners along project corridors for the Gateway to Glacier project to permit driveway and grade connections; the project can proceed without all easements but the letters are part of outreach for affected residents.

The council received the operational briefings and asked staff to continue pursuing both short‑term repairs (pool boiler parts and VFD options) and longer‑term contingency planning for water supply and construction coordination.","City Manager Mike Hanks told council the variable frequency drive for the Horine well has failed and repair could take up to 60 days; the municipal pool closed after a boiler failure but city staff expect to reopen midweek; Columbus Park playground equipment delivery awaits installation in mid‑to‑late July.",{"_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},6193634,"Columbia Falls council approves preliminary plat for five‑lot light‑industrial park with sidewalk, curb variances",597,394000,991000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3866136-1c09c866a145d71b7a293e409d5fda54&start=394&end=991","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3866136-1c09c866a145d71b7a293e409d5fda54/thumbnail_394000.jpg","/articles/6193634/Columbia-Falls/Flathead-County/Montana/Columbia-Falls-council-approves-preliminary-plat-for-fivelot-lightindustrial-park-with-sidewalk-curb-variances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193634-a7d1be15aed1f4002e0bac06c8d4886e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776654853&Signature=mNiUyxqExngW0E1WKEunn6i6g42pvMO-9WKHn0TX1qgIms6Y5bYKkxVSA7V2M-vhxI3aHDKZuZFgtJQg4QjxhG50XVdzHDHbSW40~yU0CbOfEx4BlxjutUV8G-jBjkK0pe27zC6kruUSCKZamFxwfeT9~VRuy5Fbarw7FbT6U1gR1xst6Khf2T5EarfM3rsQgZQQeIE5u74BsEN9piQdY1IqwCWruzY1Z0zR3J1qElcgMC9kwziLxERID5GU4-J94W00C4xn7al5lSTpdXjV~R39O5zINA5aCIfg-hQVroOFDadLuV9dMLlgWL7kkJSbqin-fhdLr153y-IjvqYQqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia Falls City Council approved conditional preliminary plat approval for the TMC/TNC Business Park, a five‑lot light‑industrial subdivision on a 10.47‑acre site at 330 Meadow Lake Boulevard, adopting staff findings and granting variances from internal sidewalks and standard curb‑and‑gutter requirements.

The vote approved staff report CPP‑25‑02 and Resolution 19‑45, which conditionally permits subdivision and requires the developer to follow a geotechnical mitigation plan, construct a pedestrian path on the Meadow Lake frontage, and coordinate any wetland disturbance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Council action follows a staff presentation describing the property as former heavy‑equipment storage undergoing cleanup and noting geotechnical concerns: uncontrolled fill with organic matter, recommendations for mass excavation and replacement of structural fill on several lots, groundwater encountered at 17 to 27 feet below grade in test borings, and the identification of a potential wetland on Lot 5. The staff report said the site is within municipal water and sewer service and that the subdivision is reviewed under Chapter 17.16 (design standards for annexed areas) as a minor subdivision.

Councilors and staff debated design details. Councilors asked why the internal road would be only 24 feet wide and whether that width, combined with the council’s approval of a variance from internal sidewalks, would create conflicts between pedestrians and delivery trucks. Staff responded that the subdivision’s internal road meets the code for light‑industrial internal roads and that the roadway is intended to remain private, with maintenance, snow removal and future repairs managed by an owners’ association rather than the city. \"The road conditions meet the code for light industrial the internal roads. There's no variance to allow them to have a smaller road, so this meets the code,\" staff said.

The consulting engineers included a projected average daily trip count of about 153 for the subdivision; staff did not require a traffic impact study because of that modest traffic estimate. Staff recommended, and the council imposed, a condition requiring an asphalt or concrete pedestrian path along the Meadow Lake frontage because of proximity to Highway 2. The staff report also recommended retaining Alpine Geotechnical to evaluate subgrade for roads and review final plans; condition 4 of the staff report requires conformance with Alpine Geotechnical's recommendations.

The council record shows the findings and the preliminary plat approval passed with a majority vote. The record also reflects questions from council members about the report wording (for example, whether the preliminary plat language \"consists of but not limited to five lots\" binds the developer to five lots); staff clarified that a recorded subdivision specifies the number of lots and that the application is defined by the number filed.

Background: the city growth policy designates the area as multifamily residential, but the property has long been zoned C I‑1 (light industrial), and staff noted that growth policies are not regulatory and cannot change existing zoning. The applicant must contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if any wetland disturbance occurs.

No building permits, excavation or final infrastructure work may proceed until the developer complies with the geotechnical conditions and final plan reviews required by the staff conditions and the city’s subdivision regulations.","The Columbia Falls City Council granted conditional preliminary plat approval for the TMC/TNC Business Park, a 10.47‑acre, five‑lot light‑industrial subdivision at 330 Meadow Lake Boulevard, and approved variances to internal sidewalks and curb-and-gutter with conditions tied to geotechnical remediation and frontage path construction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Eagle Scout Merrick Fairchild’s memorial garden at Walcott Park

City manager warns of Horine well outage and pool boiler failure; playground installation delayed to mid‑late July

Columbia Falls council approves preliminary plat for five‑lot light‑industrial park with sidewalk, curb variances