Whitefish council approves annexation, Verizon lease amendment, addressing policy and several appointments

The Whitefish City Council approved a slate of routine and substantive items at its Nov. 17 meeting, voting unanimously on an annexation, a cell‑tower lease amendment, adoption of an addressing and road‑naming manual and several appointments.

Annexation and rezoning (resolution 25‑36) Wendy (city planning staff) presented a staff report recommending approval of an annexation and rezoning for approximately 2.02 acres at 632 Lund Lane to WR‑1 (the staff memo notes the property has a county R‑3 underlying zoning designation and the proposed easement will preserve existing structures within the easement footprint until abandoned or demolished). Steve moved to approve the resolution following a brief public‑hearing period with no public comments; Councilor Sweeney seconded and the motion carried unanimously. (Materials in the council packet included a site plan and survey follow‑up requested at the Sept. 15 meeting.)

Verizon license amendment (resolution referenced in packet) Angie (city attorney) summarized a proposed second amendment to the 2015 license agreement that governs Verizon equipment at Memorial Park. Under the negotiated amendment the initial annual rent in the first term is approximately $26,644 and future five‑year renewal terms would increase by 12% per renewal term; the amendment reduces what the city would have received under the original 2015 escalation formula. The Glacier Twins organization receives roughly 78% of the Verizon rents (about $20,000), which supports maintenance of Memorial Field; councilors said they negotiated additional transparency from the Twins (more detailed accounting statements) and the measure passed unanimously after a motion and second.

Addressing and road‑naming manual (resolution 25‑37) Michelle (addressing coordinator) explained a proposed city manual for assigning addresses, naming or renaming roads, and coordinating signage and GIS with the county and USPS. The manual preserves a council role when a road rename would require a public hearing. A councilor moved and Councilor Cornell seconded adoption; the measure passed unanimously.

Appointments and consent items Council approved the consent agenda and then appointed Thomas (Tom) Shea as a resident representative to the Whitefish Housing Authority for a two‑year term and reappointed Mike Kopitsky and Mary Ellen McCarthy to the urban supervisor positions on the FCD Board of Supervisors; both appointments were approved unanimously.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded in meeting) - Annexation (632 Lund Lane): motion to approve; mover: Steve; second: Councilor Sweeney; outcome: approved unanimously. - Verizon license amendment (second amendment): motion to approve; mover: Speaker 12; second: Councilor Sweeney; outcome: approved unanimously. - Addressing and road‑naming manual (resolution 25‑37): motion to adopt; mover: Speaker 8; second: Councilor Cornell; outcome: approved unanimously. - Appointments: Thomas Shea to Whitefish Housing Authority (approved unanimously); Mike Kopitsky and Mary Ellen McCarthy reappointed to FCD board (approved unanimously).

Why it matters: The annexation and addressing manual affect land use, addressing and emergency response; the Verizon amendment alters long‑term rent revenue and how funds are reported to a nonprofit partner that maintains Memorial Field.

What’s next: Staff indicated the Verizon matter may be revisited if counsel’s letter from the Glacier Twins is placed on a future agenda; zoning and growth policy updates will continue under the schedule outlined by the city manager.