More than 40 people crowded into the Polson City Commission chambers and the adjacent hallway for Monday night’s meeting. Most were there to speak on behalf of the Polson Farmers Market remaining at its current downtown location, even though the matter wasn’t on the commission agenda.

But before hearing public comment, Mayor Eric Huffine presented the Polson Treasure/Community Service Award to longtime Polson businessman Jim Duford, a former city commissioner and owner of The Flagship clothing store on Main Street (now Two Nineteen Main and owned by his daughter, Tali).

“I remember it from when I was a kid and as I was raising my own kids,” Huffine said. “Jim always had a warm and welcoming smile … He's just a great guy.”

Duford’s son-in-law, Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron, pointed out that Jim’s contributions went well beyond his roles as a businessman and commissioner. “He was a community person and he truly does deserve congratulations for that,” he said.

Commissioner Carolyn Pardini noted that Duford’s nomination was the first made by a member of the community – Janet Young. “Keep in mind that we have a way for the commission to recognize people who are making great contributions to our lovely little lake town,” she told the audience, noting that Polson Treasure nomination forms are on the city’s website.

A steady stream of people then took turns at the microphone to emphasize their support for the Polson Farmers Market and its location on the first block of Third Ave. West. While there’s no formal move to relocate the market, the matter has come up at recent meetings.

The market was initially moved to Riverside Park this spring due to road reconstruction on First St. West, and before it moved back to its current spot, commissioners had discussed other possible locations, including Salish Point.

Neither vendors nor shoppers at Monday’s meeting appeared to favor a move. Joe Arnold, who owns Flathead Lake Cheese with his wife, Wendi, said he’s had plenty of experiences at “crappy farmers markets.”

“Polson is not one of them. You have a jewel here,” he said, and one that would be hard to replicate. “This is a golden goose. Don't kill it.”

Others spoke about how hard it can be for a market to regain traction once it changes location. One vendor from Missoula said she’s had firsthand experience with a market that changed location and struggled to recover.

 She predicted that if the Polson market moves, “the people who show up week after week, year after year to help participate in making this the jewel it is, they will be financially hurt hard for a long time.”

For Hillary Lozar, a lifelong Polson resident, the market has “a very symbiotic relationship” with the Main Street business community – a sentiment echoed by Tali Barron, owner of Two Nineteen Main. She praised the “huge trickle-down effect” of downtown events, and encouraged market managers and the city to consider expanding it to the block of Third Ave. E. in front of  the CSKT Natural Resources Department.

LuAnne Hoskinson, president of the Polson Farmers Market, gave a brief history, noting that the market was originally located in the parking lot of the Masonic Lodge, where parking “was horrendous.” Some local businesspeople “pleaded” with them to move downtown.

Hoskinson said the market has since grown from 20 to 50 vendors, and cited the market’s visibility, paved surface (as opposed to grass or gravel) and longevity as pluses.

“It's hard to get something good established,” she said. “And what we have here in Polson is good.”

The only person who mentioned moving the market was David Sherick, who sits on the board of the Polson Flathead Lake Museum. He noted that if a move became necessary, the museum could offer the market a new home at 708 Main St. with ample parking, a large outdoor space and indoor bathrooms.

“I would encourage the people who actually are organizing the market and the city to take a look at us,” he said.

Rezoning & attorney fee

In other business, the commission, by a 6 to 1 vote, approved the first reading of ordinance to rezone three newly annexed parcels on Haack Road from Rural Residential (a county designation) to Low Density Residential. The new designation is consistent with the Polson Development Code and according to the city planning staff, “most accurately reflects the neighboring residential land uses.”

The property is currently for sale, and the city hasn’t received any applications for development.

Commissioners also reviewed the expense of $16,604 incurred by hiring attorney Jordan Crosby last spring to help navigate the appointment of a city judge. City Manager Ed Meece reminded the commission of the circumstances that led them to approve the hiring of Crosby.  

City attorney David Miche had been reluctant to provide his services because he also prosecutes cases in city court and Meece said his “strained professional relationship” with previous city judge Mike Larson disqualified him from serving as a facilitator.

The commissioners roundly praised Crosby for her accessibility and guidance in helping them understand the legal issues involved, oversee the appointment process, and make the decision to move to an elected judge in the next election cycle.

Only Pardini expressed concern about the price tag. “I’m going to have a very difficult time explaining to my constituents how the city administration got us into a position where we had to spend over $16,000 on a part-time lawyer,” she said.

“Given what a cluster that situation had become, her services and what she charged was worth it,” said commissioner Jake Holley, while Laura Dever praised Crosby’s “considerable experience in municipal law.”

The commission meets at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, for a preliminary discussion of the budget. Meece told commissioners that what began as a $400,000 deficit has been whittled down to $20,000 by reducing such capital expenditures as a new police car, computer hardware and software, and some staffing positions. The whittling will continue until they arrive at a balanced budget, he said.

    Mayor Eric Huffine honored Jim Duford with the Polson Treasure/Community Service Award during Monday's Polson City Commission meeting. Duford is a lifelong member of the community who served on the City Commission and owned the Flagship clothing store on Main Street for many years. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)