At its final meeting of 2020, the Kalispell City Council tonight will consider a developer’s appeal in a sidewalk matter and talk about system upgrades to the city water utility.

The council is poised to vote on a proposed resolution to reject an appeal from the developer of Woodland Apartments, LLC, near Woodland Park. At the council’s Dec. 7 meeting, Paul Bardos of Woodland Apartments appealed a decision by the Kalispell Site Development Review Committee that requires him to cede part of his property in order to meet city standards regarding sidewalks.

Bardos said he felt the condition for his nine-unit apartment complex on Woodland Drive and Shady Glen Drive was an unfair requirement for such a small development.

But after discussion, most council members seemed to agree with the Site Development Review Committee’s previous stipulation. Council members will have the opportunity to finalize their denial of the appeal through a formal resolution.

The council also will consider awarding a utility project to Neely Electric Inc., of Missoula. Kalispell’s budget for fiscal year 2021 allocated funds to update systems used for public water facilities in the city.

One component of this project would be an upgrade to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, which is described as “antiquated.” in the council report.

The report also states, “the upgrades will allow operators to manage and program the system internally through remote access and technology advancements.”

The updates would also bring the city’s telemetry system into compliance, since the current telemetry radio system is reportedly “no longer supported by the industry.”

The city received four bids for the first stage of the upgrade project. A bid for $141,237 from Neely Electric seems to be the most affordable option.

There are also two personnel matters before the council Monday.

One is an appointment to the Tourism Business Improvement District Board. The TBID, which was renewed this year, consists of a seven-member board of trustees, appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council. Members serve four-year terms and represent either small, medium or large properties within the district.

Joseph Alexander with the Red Lion Hotel recently resigned. Robert Hall, the general manager of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and Andy Matthew, owner of Montana Basecamp RV Resort, both applied for the opening.

The final item on the agenda is a recommendation that Kalispell Police Chief Doug Overman be appointed to the recently formed 911 Operations Board.

The Flathead Emergency Communications Center (FECC) Special Tax District was created this fall by a local ballot measure. The FECC Board is required to set up an Operations Board for the new organization. The seven-member board is selected by the Flathead County Commissioners, and must include one member from the Kalispell Police Department.

Therefore, the council will decide whether to recommend Overman to the Flathead County commissioners. The recommendation would also likely include the provision for Overman to select his own designee.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. via Zoom videoconference.

To join the Zoom meeting Monday, register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IbJhw_AWSImzhFvNwhku1g. Public comments will be accepted verbally during the meeting or via email at publiccomment@kalispell.com.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at (406)-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.