Neighborhood barbecues, farmers markets and potluck dinners may soon become easier to host on Kalispell's streets and in its parking lots.  

Kalispell City Council on Monday will consider an ordinance allowing the public to apply for a special event permit to organize neighborhood block parties on residential streets and host events in downtown city-owned parking lots. 

Council meets at 7 p.m., Sept. 21 in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. 

City Hall has occasionally received requests for such events in the past, but they've typically been denied because the city lacks clear guidelines for either, according to City Manager Jarod Nygren. 

During an August work session, Council appeared in favor of opening up the public spaces for special events so long as applicants post hefty security deposits to cover any potential damage.  

The proposed ordinance requires applicants to acquire liability insurance and submit a refundable damage deposit of $1,000 with each permit, according to Nygren. 

The ordinance also allows the organizers of events in municipal parking lots within the city's Core Area (B-3) and Central (B-4) business zones to obtain permits to serve alcohol, according to a memo from Nygren.  

Special events include festivals, fairs, concerts, holiday celebrations, races, parades, motorcades and other assemblies that occur in whole or in part on city-owned or maintained properties, such as streets, sidewalks, boulevards and parks, according to the proposed rule.  

COUNCIL WILL also consider authorizing Nygren to ink in a loan for two fire pumper trucks.  

The $1.9 million loan would have a 10-year term and come through the Montana Board of Investments INTERCAP Loan Program, which the city uses to better manage its cash flows, according to a memo from Finance Director Aimee Cook.  

The current interest rate sits at 4.5% through Feb. 15, 2027, and adjusts annually, according to Cook.  

The loan is expected to cost the city about $269,000 per year, with roughly half paid from the general fund and the rest covered by the voter-approved emergency services levy. 

Both pumpers were budgeted for in previous fiscal years and delivered together.  

The city is looking to add some other vehicles to its fleet on Monday as well.  

Council is expected to pay Duval Ford $204,762 for three Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles. The money would come out of the general fund and emergency services levy.  

Council will also award bids for the purchase of a street-cleaning machine and a side loader garbage truck.  

COUNCIL WILL consider issuing bonds to help fund water and sewer improvements within the resident-owned Morning Star Community in Kalispell.  

Council in June 2025 created special improvement districts to help fund such improvements in the community, according to a memo from Community Development Manager Nelson Loring.  

Special improvement districts are designated areas where property owners agree to pay additional taxes on public services that benefit the district.  

The city will initially incur $508,415 for all four loans, but $252,415 will be forgiven once construction is finished. The rest will be paid from an assessment levied against the Morning Star property, according to Loring.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.