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Kalispell council approves MOU with Bibler Legacy Foundation to explore west-side park
Summary
The City of Kalispell unanimously adopted Resolution 6236 Dec. 16, 2024, authorizing the city manager to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Bibler Legacy Foundation to explore development of a public park on a remnant rail‑line parcel on the city’s west side. The MOU formalizes cooperation but does not transfer land or require an endowment.
The City of Kalispell unanimously adopted Resolution 6236 on Dec. 16, 2024, authorizing the city manager to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Bibler Legacy Foundation to explore development of a public park on a remnant rail‑line parcel near Meridian on the west side of town.
City staff presented background on the proposal, telling the council the parcel was identified under the Westside urban renewal plan and described it as a remnant from an old rail line. City staff recommended the MOU as a first step to formalize public–private cooperation while clarifying that the agreement is general in nature and does not obligate the city to transfer land or require an endowment for maintenance. Staff said the city must complete land acquisition before any development work can begin and that further design and approval steps will return to council.
“I move we adopt Resolution 6236, a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign the memorandum of understanding with the Bibler Legacy Foundation for a public park development project,” Councilor Hunter said when making the motion. The council chose Councilor Fisher to second the motion by acclamation. Council discussion focused on gratitude to the Bibler family for past community gifts and the project’s potential to add parkland on the west side.
A roll‑call vote recorded all present council members in favor: Hunter, Nunley, Carlson, Graham, Dowd, Dahlmann, Fisher and Mayor Johnson voted "Aye." The motion carried unanimously.
Next steps identified by staff include concluding acquisition of the identified parcel (staff said they expect to close by the end of February), continuing coordination with the foundation’s architects and landscape designers, and returning to council with specific design and implementation proposals.
The MOU authorizes continued collaboration and planning; it does not itself authorize land conveyance, construction contracts, or a maintenance endowment. Any such actions would require separate council approval and, if necessary, related budget or procurement steps.
