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Commissioners approve contracts, bids and zone changes; table Canyon code amendments
Summary
At a March 4 Flathead County commissioners meeting the board approved multiple contracts, bid awards, and two zoning map amendments, and voted to table proposed Canyon area land-use code changes for clarification.
Flathead County commissioners on March 4 approved a package of contracts, bid awards, and two zoning map amendments, and they tabled proposed amendments to the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System for further clarification.
The actions approved included a memorandum of understanding with Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to provide rapid tests at the county STD clinic; authorization to solicit qualifications for veterinary services at the county animal shelter and to solicit proposals for a rodeo stock contractor; a letter of support for House Bill 490 concerning wildfire liability protections for electric utilities; award of a low bid for Fairgrounds North Bleacher site work to Mountain Trades Contracting LLC; authorization to publish a two-step RFQ/RFP for a public safety facility general contractor/construction manager; a master services agreement for architectural and engineering services with Cushing Terrell; signature authorization for the county HR director on documents related to the sworn deputy 457 plan; award of a gravel-crushing contract for Bushpit to LHC (see separate article for details); acceptance of an amended FLAP funds transfer agreement for a North Fork Road landslide mitigation project; and final plat approval for Lower Valley Estates (formerly Danford Farms).
The board also held two public hearings on zoning map amendments and approved both: the Schaeffer zone change (Evergreen Zoning District) and the Weil zone change (Bigfork Zoning District). Both were forwarded with positive recommendations from staff and planning boards and carried before the commissioners.
One item was tabled. Commissioners voted to table proposed text amendments to the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System (resolution 1049S) so staff can clarify how duplexes and short-term rental rules should interact; the issue was raised during public comment and by planning staff.
Several agenda items carried on unanimous voice votes recorded in the meeting minutes as “Aye” with no recorded opposing votes. The meeting included routine documents for signature and procurement steps intended to move capital projects into the contracting phase.
Votes at a glance (motions taken as read at the meeting): - Document for signature: DPHHS STD clinic and rapid testing MOU — motion carried. - Authorization to publish RFQ for veterinary services (animal shelter) — motion carried. - Authorization to publish RFP for rodeo stock contractor (three-year term with two one-year options) — motion carried. - Letter of support for HB 490 (wildfire liability protections for electric utilities) — motion carried. - Award low bid, Fairgrounds North Bleachers site work to Mountain Trades Contracting LLC, $294,000 — motion carried. - Document for signature: Mountain Trades contracting LLC North Bleacher site work agreement — motion carried. - Authorization to publish RFQ/RFP for public safety facility general contractor/construction manager (preconstruction services; April 2 submittal deadline) — motion carried. - Document for signature: Cushing Terrell architectural and engineering master services agreement — motion carried. - Authorize HR director as signatory for sworn deputy 457 plan documents — motion carried. - Award bid: Bushpit gravel crushing to LHC with negotiated terms (see separate article) — motion carried. - Document for signature: U.S. Department of Transportation FLAP funds transfer agreement amendment, North Fork Road landslide mitigation project — motion carried. - Final plat approval: Lower Valley Estates (formerly Danford Farms) and subdivision improvement agreement in the amount of $81,000 — motion carried. - Schaeffer zone change (Evergreen Zoning District), resolution number 797IY — motion carried. - Weil zone change (Bigfork Zoning District), resolution number 956 — motion carried. - Text additions and amendments, Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System, resolution number 1049S — tabled for further work on duplex/short-term rental language.
Ending: Commissioners recessed periodically during the meeting for short breaks and adjourned after the final plat vote. Several items move the county into procurement or contracting stages and other items (notably the Canyon code amendments) will return to the board after staff and legal review.
