At a work session this evening, the Kalispell City Council will revisit the controversial no sleeping in vehicles ordinance that was passed by a slim margin in October 2019. The council voted 5-3 in favor of making it a civil infraction, rather than a zoning infraction, to lodge in vehicles in the public right of way on Kalispell city streets.

Proponents of the ordinance argued the change is largely aimed to address out-of-town guests who stay overnight in vehicles on city streets, straining the infrastructure there. But many representatives of local nonprofits and other community members concerned about the homeless population voiced strong opposition to the ordinance and the idea that it penalizes people who sleep in vehicles as a last resort.

At a recent meeting, new council member Ryan Hunter asked the council to discuss the ordinance and the potential to repeal it. Hunter, whose term on the council started in January, campaigned strongly on the promise to try to repeal the controversial ordinance.

The council will discuss the ordinance and take public comments this evening, but won’t make any decisions during the work session.

Also on the docket for tonight’s work session are updates to the Kalispell building and fire codes. The state of Montana recently adopted the 2018 edition of the International Code Council’s code sets, which include building, residential, mechanical, fuel plumbing and the 2017 electrical code.

The city now has the opportunity to adopt these standards as well.

The updates are “generally related to updates in the building codes and construction features that have changed,” according to the agenda. Specific changes include: requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all residential occupancies, schools and institutional occupancies such as assisted living facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, along with adult and child day-care facilities; and new building products and materials and where they may be used within the language and application of the building codes.

“Adoption of the 2018 International Fire Code by the city of Kalispell will provide guidance to developers, engineers, construction trade employees and city of Kalispell Building Department staff in establishing safe and updated construction requirements and general safety provisions for the community,” the agenda stated.

The Kalispell Building Department sent out approximately 84 letters to builders in the community advising them of the new codes in anticipation of adopting the new standards. The city also held a question and answer session at a Flathead Building Association meeting and association members have been notified through a weekly e-mail newsletter.

The work session starts at 7 p.m. in the Kalispell City Council chambers, 201 First Ave. E.

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