Kalispell City Council is expected to start the process of replacing outgoing City Manager Doug Russell on Monday.  

Russell was named city manager of Lakewood, Washington last month. He is expected to step into his new job on Aug. 25.  

A subcommittee of four members of Council will be formed to facilitate the search for a new city manager, an effort that could include hiring a recruitment firm.  

Council meets July 7 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

COUNCIL WILL vote on approving an accessory casino at a forthcoming downtown steakhouse.  

Truyen Tran, on behalf of 214 Main Kalispell LLC, is seeking a conditional use permit to open a casino inside the future 214 S. Main St. restaurant.  

Known as the Mountain Prime Steakhouse, the restaurant is expected to take up about 11,000 square feet while the casino – separated with walls – will come in at 960 square feet.  

The property is located within the central business zoning district which allows restaurants and bars but requires a city-issued permit to run a casino. No exterior changes to the building are expected to be made.  

Tran is also the owner of Blue Samurai Sushi Bar and Grill downtown and several other ventures in and around Kalispell.  

The Kalispell Planning Commission gave the green light to the proposal following a public hearing in June, but some board members expressed reservations about placing a casino on Main Street.  

The Corwin Motors dealership is also seeking Council approval to expand in North Kalispell.  

The Corwin Brothers Properties, LLC is asking for business zoning and annexation of 7 acres of land running up along the Stillwater River. The project would include construction of a car reconditioning shop.  

The proposal earned the Planning Commission’s support last month. 

COUNCIL WILL consider revising police and fire impact fees after a new report recommended raising them to fund capital improvement projects. 

The body held a work session in May and a public hearing in June regarding the fees.  

Councilors were divided over raising them so public safety departments could meet the level of service required versus keeping costs low with the goal of attracting more development.  

Impact fees are one-time charges on new developments to compensate for the burden added to public infrastructure and services. The fees shift some of the cost onto new customers, saving preexisting users from bearing the brunt of development.  

Council is expected to decide whether to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 547 after the most recent agreement expired in June. 

The association represents all 32 firefighters for the city, according to the union’s website.  

The agreement will run through June 30, 2028 and establish a first-year base wage based on a market analysis, with a 4% adjustment for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, according to a memo from Russell. 

It would also allocate training funds for paramedic certifications.  

COUNCIL IS expected to vote on reimbursing expenditures for upgrades to the city wastewater treatment plant from State Revolving Fund bonds.  

The city has completed preliminary designs for the upgrades and is looking to hire a construction contractor, according to a city memo.  

Reporter Jack Underhill may be reached at 758-4407 or [email protected].