Due to the Labor Day holiday, the Kalispell City Council will hold its first September meeting this evening to discuss an increased mill levy and a wastewater facility update, among other city matters.

The council recently discussed raising the mill levy to 5.99 for the county health department. After holding a work session to understand the potential increase, they will decide whether to agree to the county’s request tonight.

The meeting will also include a public hearing on updating the city’s wastewater treatment facility plan. The city’s Public Works department presented an update to the “conveyance portions” of the facility plan in July. The council announced in August there would be a public hearing on the update at the September meeting.

Tonight they will also decide on awarding two city infrastructure projects to local construction companies. They have proposed awarding a $2,085,590 bid for the Four Mile Drive Water Transmission Project to Sandry Construction. According to the staff report, “Sandry was determined to be a responsible contractor, successfully completing projects of similar size and scope in Northwest Montana.” They also proposed awarding a $96,635 bid for the Sylvan Drive Storm Sewer Rehabilitation Project to NCC Neumann Construction. The project is intended to remove excess sedimentation from the regional storm pond south of Sylvan Drive.

Another item on the meeting’s agenda is the Immanuel Lutheran Corporation’s request to change the trustee of their bonds. In 2017, the city issued Housing and Healthcare Facilities Revenue Bonds to Immanuel Lutheran. The organization would now like to switch their trustee from U.S. Bank to Zions Bancorporation, National Association dba Zions Bank.

The council will also revisit Town Pump’s request to rezone their property at 2910 U.S. 93 South in order for their entire convenience store and casino to fall within the city’s planned unit development district. Rezoning would allow them to build a new convenience store and casino on the property, which would involve a number of upgrades including improved architecture and landscaping. The Kalispell Planning Board held a public hearing on this proposal on Aug. 13, and the only public comment came from the applicant in support of the amendment.

At tonight’s meeting the council will also take up a proposal to update the school zone designations, speed limits and signage at Kalispell Middle School, Edgerton Elementary School and the Linderman Education Center. A full list of the proposed school zone changes is available in the meeting agenda at: https://www.kalispell.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032019-309.

The council will also decide on confirming Wesley Barr as a firefighter for the city of Kalispell.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 201 First Ave. E.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.