Kalispell City Council mulls hazard mitigation plan during work session
JACK UNDERHILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 months AGO
Kalispell City Council chambers in City Hall on Wednesday, April 3. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
KALISPELL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION REPORTER Jack Underhill covers Kalispell city government, housing and transportation for the Daily Inter Lake. His reporting focuses on how local policy decisions affect residents and the rapidly growing Flathead Valley. Underhill has reported on housing challenges, infrastructure issues and regional service providers across Montana. His work also includes accountability reporting on complex community issues and public institutions. Originally from Massachusetts, Underhill graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a degree in Journalism before joining the Inter Lake. In his free time, Underhill enjoys mountain biking around the valley, skiing up on Big Mountain or exploring Glacier National Park. IMPACT: Jack’s work helps residents understand how growth, housing and infrastructure decisions affect the future of their community. | June 9, 2025 12:00 AM
Kalispell City Council on Monday will discuss adopting a state-approved hazard mitigation plan after previously postponing the vote to give Councilors time to read the 500-page document.
Council convenes on June 9 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.
The 2024 Western Montana Region Hazard Mitigation Plan is meant to serve as a policy and program blueprint and “identify and reduce long-term risks from disasters or natural events” across Montana, according to city officials. Development of the Flathead County portion of the plan began in 2022 and was approved by the state and Federal Emergency Management Agency earlier this year.
When it last came before the Council in April, Councilor Sid Daoud successfully lobbied his colleagues to delay voting on the plan. He said then that he was uncomfortable voting on it without having read the document in its entirety.
Flathead County, Columbia Falls and Whitefish have already adopted the plan, which opens up grant opportunities for hazard mitigation projects in 2025.
City Manager Doug Russell told Council in April that the city currently has no hazard mitigation projects on the docket.
Reporter Jack Underhill may be reached at 758-4407 or [email protected].
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