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Kalispell council roundup: annexations, collective bargaining pact, biosolids reimbursement and other actions
Summary
On July 7 the council approved multiple land-use annexations and zoning ordinances, ratified a firefighter collective bargaining agreement, authorized reimbursement intent for a biosolids project, and set a public hearing on a growth-policy amendment; a proposed change to police and fire impact fees failed.
At its July 7 meeting the City of Kalispell City Council took votes on a range of routine and contested items, approving several annexations and zoning actions, ratifying a labor contract and authorizing bond reimbursement intent. A proposed update to police and fire impact fees failed (see separate article).
Key outcomes and votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (approved): Council approved minutes for two June meetings, awarded the Depot Building roof replacement project to Ace Roofing for $213,243 and approved work change directives and change orders for the Fermentor Rehabilitation project. The consent agenda passed on voice vote.
- Anderson Ranch (see separate article): Annexation (Resolution 62-62), PUD amendment (Ordinance 19-38) and preliminary plat (Resolution 62-63) were approved after staff presentation and council discussion.
- Reserve at Johnson Ranch (Resolution 62-64): Council adopted a resolution of intent to set a public hearing on July 21, 2025, to consider a proposed growth-policy amendment for properties near Old Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road. Motion carried unanimously.
- Corwin Motors annexation and initial B-2 zoning: The council approved Resolution 62-65 to annex two tracts (totaling 7.183 acres) to be known as Corwin Motors Addition and adopted Ordinance 19-39 to zone the property city B-2 general business. The annexation and zoning were approved by roll call.
- Biosolids deep-watering project reimbursement (Resolution 62-67): Council declared intent to reimburse certain original expenditures related to equipping an advanced wastewater treatment plant from future tax-exempt bond proceeds; motion carried.
- Collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 547: Council approved the ratified agreement with the Kalispell firefighters' union, a three-year contract that includes a market reset and then 4% adjustments in years two and three, increased paramedic pay and training reimbursement; motion carried.
Items left for future action or follow-up:
- Police and fire impact fee update (Resolution 62-66) failed on roll call; existing fee schedules remain in place.
- City manager recruitment: Council held initial discussion and several members volunteered to serve on a subcommittee to work with HR and advise the council on recruitment steps and potential use of an executive search firm; no final subcommittee membership was formally voted at the meeting.
Procedural notes: Several motions passed by roll call with unanimous ayes among councilors present; where staff recommended conditions (for land-use approvals and the CUP), approvals were conditional on those staff-listed items being met. Councilors asked staff for follow-up on technical items including traffic-warrant analyses, geotechnical updates and the status of grant or levy funding for capital projects.
