The Kalispell City Council on Tuesday approved a letter asking state and federal officials to help secure public access to local forestlands.

The council is looking for state and federal officials to help preserve public access to the 630,000 acres of forestlands in the Kalispell area pending sale from Weyerhaeuser to Southern Pines Plantations. Mayor Mark Johnson reported he’s also spoken to Sen. Steve Daines about the forestlands.

During the public comment period of the meeting, Kalispell conservationist Ben Long thanked the council for their work to protect the forestlands and encouraged them to consider utilizing the Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program.

In another public recreation discussion, the council approved a new fee schedule for the Kalispell Parks and Recreation fees which increases recreation fees 2 to 4%, rounded up to the nearest dollar, and raises park reservation fees 4%, rounded up to the nearest dollar.

Kalispell Parks and Recreation Director Chad Fincher pointed out all of the fees weren’t increased the last time they were revisited in 2018, but they are looking to increase all of the fees now. He attributed part of the increase to rising fees the city pays for trash collection from the Flathead County landfill and more services maintaining the park pavilions and bathrooms on weekends.

The council also approved three resolutions related to building and development within the Kalispell city limits.

The first was the second reading of a planned-unit development and zoning map amendment request from Spartan Holdings, LLC, for 25 acres of the 56-acre Stillwater Bend development at 2890 U.S. 93 N.

Council member Ryan Hunter expressed his opposition for this previously discussed agenda item because the request includes amendments that cut in half the normally required setbacks of the property from the Stillwater River and U.S. 93.

Council member Kari Gabriel also asked for the developer to be notified there is an active bald eagle’s nest across the river from the proposed development so that they take the necessary measures to protect the nest.

The council also approved a final plat request from Sands Surveying on behalf of Owl Corp. for West View Estates Phase 4, an 18-lot residential subdivision on 7.255 acres west of Taelor Road.

Additionally, the council approved a buy-sell Agreement with Edge, LLC, for the city to sell Lot 4 of Old School Station located at 155 Schoolhouse Loop. The city took over the Flathead County property in 2015 and listed Lot 4 for sale at $293,000 in 2017.

At the end of the meeting, the council also discussed the sleeping in vehicles ordinance, which was approved in October 2019 and will be revisited at their upcoming work session on Monday. Various council members expressed support or dismay over the impending discussion, and council member Tim Kluesner read an email from City Manager Doug Russell about a sleeping in vehicles ordinance incident that occurred last week.

The email explained two individuals were reported for coming and going from an abandoned vehicle on First Avenue WN and one of them was cited for sleeping in the vehicle. The person said he had been sleeping there for a month and was previously warned about the violation. Both of the individuals were then taken to the Flathead County Jail on outstanding warrants for other infractions.

There was discussion over whether this incident indicated the sleeping in vehicles ordinance was unduly resulting in jail time for a civil infraction, which the council originally stated would not be a result of the ordinance, as Russell’s email pointed out.

Finally, Mayor Johnson asked for updates on the utility rate increase feedback and the process with the Montana Department of Transportation to consider building a roundabout at the intersection of Woodland Avenue, Second Street and Conrad Drive. “I’ve received more comments about the roundabout by Woodland Park than anything I’ve received comments on as mayor—including ducks,” Johnson said.

He also explained he does not engage in policy discussions over social media and encouraged citizens to bring their concerns to the public forum provided at council meetings.

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