Should an effort to map out Kalispell's long-range plan for extending water, sewer and stormwater services be put up for bids?

The Kalispell City Council chewed that question Monday without arriving at an answer.

The city's staff wants to update plans and policies to guide how these utilities should be extended into areas that Kalispell might annex - most likely to the north, west and south of town.

That forecasting is complicated, because though Kalispell does not aggressively seek to annex areas, homeowners, businesses and developers approach the city on their own timetables to seek annexation.

Two engineering planning firms - HDR Engineering and Morrison-Maierle - did the original planning in 2002. However, Kalispell's rapid growth is prompting the city to upgrade that plan.

City staff recommend that HDR Engineering and Morrison-Maierle be rehired for the updating, contending that those firms did well in 2002 and they are familiar with the issues facing Kalispell today. Both firms likely are better-qualified for the project than most Flathead Valley companies, said Jim Hansz, city Public Works director.

However, council member Bob Hafferman contended that the city should issue a request for proposals - arguing that awarding such a contract without seeking bids would raise suspicions about the city government's conduct in the matter.

Other council members gave no obvious indications Monday about whether they supported either position.

Hansz said putting out a request for proposals and evaluating bids likely would add from six to eight weeks to the updating and mapping out of a utilities-extension plan.