The Whitefish City Council last week signed a proclamation vowing support for the North Valley Food Bank and affirming the right to food security for everyone. 

The proclamation, made Nov. 3, was in response to a freeze on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments due to the federal government shutdown. 

“Food security is a core value of Whitefish, and we stand united in supporting the dignity and well-being of every member of our community,” Deputy Mayor Frank Sweeney read. 

Despite court rulings that emergency funds be used to keep the SNAP payments coming, recipients were still going without during the shutdown. 

Currently, the North Valley Food Bank serves 1,200 to 1,500 people, and Executive Director Sophie Albert anticipated a 200% increase in that number if SNAP is not restored. She said food insecurity is a real issue in the community, and it is linked to root causes like housing insecurity and insufficient wages. 

“We want to see those all as holistic issues in our community and address them together,” Albert said. “I think this is a great step in the right direction. I deeply appreciate your support.” 

Whitefish pledged its support and encouraged all residents and visitors to contribute through donations of food, funds or volunteer time. 

“If you know anyone in our city who is experiencing food insecurity, everyone is welcome at North Valley Food Bank,” Albert said. “It doesn’t matter what your zip code is. It doesn’t matter where you live and it doesn’t matter what your background is. You can come to us.” 

Food donations can be dropped off in the lobby of City Hall, located at 418 E. Second St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. or at the food bank, 251 Flathead Ave. 

To make a monetary donation or to volunteer, visit -northvalleyfoodbank.org.

THE COUNCIL approved a conditional use permit for Whitefish Riverfront Hotel to expand its existing hotel into a nearby office building, located at 920 Spokane Ave. 

The Riverfront Hotel was formerly the Pine Lodge Inn, and will expand by creating nine, one-to three-bedroom units with full kitchens, in what is now an office building. 

Whitefish Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring said one of the eight conditions of approval is that the new units must be part of the hotel and cannot be rented as short-term rentals. 

No changes to the mass and scale of the building were proposed, and the new units will have access to the hotel amenities located in the main building. 

The Whitefish Community Development Board considered the item on Oct. 16 and recommended approval. 

There was no public comment, and the council's vote was unanimous. 

The council also approved a conditional use permit for Samuel Dauenhauer to use a beer and wine license at Wild Coffee, located at 309 Central Ave. 

Dauenhauer was allowed to use the license at a previous food service business in 2021. That business no longer exists, so he asked to transfer it to his current business. 

“Right now, it’s our intention to just offer mimosas, with our establishment maintaining our current hours,” Dauenhauer said. 

The council authorized Whitefish Fire Chief Cole Hadley to conduct interviews for a consultant to prepare the City’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan. 

Hadley said the updated plan will be based on a new wildfire risk assessment, identify mitigation strategies, and provide recommendations for future land use patterns. The planning process will include active citizen participation and coordination with county, state, and federal agencies. 

The rating panel and selection panel were also approved. Deputy Mayor Frank Sweeney said he was interested in serving on the selection panel. He will join Hadley, Deputy Fire Chief Will Pederson and City Manager Dana Smith.