The Kalispell City Council on Monday unanimously authorized City Manager Doug Russell to sign an interlocal agreement with Whitefish allowing Kalispell building officials to assist Whitefish.

Whitefish asked Kalispell for help reviewing projects that have overwhelmed Whitefish’s current staff.

“Sometimes localities, including us, use other localities to assist with whatever issues we have,” Russell said. Russell said the Whitefish workload was “a little bit higher level and dollar amount than usual interlocal agreements.”

Projects to be reviewed are the new Whitefish City Hall and parking structure complex downtown plus a possible Marriott Hotel. Kalispell will be compensated 50 percent of Whitefish’s total building application fee and reimbursed for time and materials for additional services. The work is not anticipated to exceed $100,000.

Kalispell Planning and Building Director Tom Jentz said it is a good time for the city to engage in work outside its own assignments.

“The hotel is very similar to the project we just had come through and that’s out the door,” Jentz said. “I don’t see this as a five-year commitment. Right now it just works out well.”

Jentz said if the agreed work amount becomes more long-term than expected, the re-estimated contract will be brought back before the city.

Council member Phil Guiffrida said he usually doesn’t approve of interlocal agreements but saw the agreement as a win-win for both cities, especially while Whitefish Chief Building Official Virgil Bench is on extended sick leave.

“I think this benefits both cities. We have a lull and so this will help us from an employee standpoint, and they’re not having to hire on someone because of medical leave,” Guiffrida said.

Jeff Clawson, Kalispell’s chief building official, said he has been working with Whitefish building officials on the City Hall and parking structure complex for the last three weeks.

In other business, Russell said the South Kalispell Urban Renewal plan is reaching the end of the planning process and should be in front of the council in a November work session. The plan includes options for the Kalispell City Airport.

The City Council will hold a public hearing Nov. 16 for new water and sewer regulations. The updates mostly include changes in terminology and the transition from bimonthly to monthly billing.

Next week’s work session will feature presentations by local state legislators and the council will review impact fees. The work session begins at 7 p.m. on Monday at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at [email protected].