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Welcome to the City of Kalispell, Montana Overlooking the City of Kalispell, Photo by: Bret Bouda This guide was designed to help you navigate city services available from the Kalispell municipal government. ---PAGE BREAK--- Welcome! On behalf of the city council members and staff, I wish to extend to you a very cordial welcome to our great city and the Flathead Valley. This welcome packet includes information on water and sewer utilities, trash services, dog licenses, a service directory and more. We hope you will enjoy your new home in Kalispell. If we can be of service do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for making your home with us. Sincerely, Doug Russell Kalispell City Manager Kalispell is a dynamic community located within thirty-minutes of Flathead Lake, Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, Glacier National Park, several National and State forests and parks, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. Kalispell is the retail, professional, medical, and governmental center of the Flathead Valley serving approximately 140,000 people in Northwest Montana. With a population over 20,000, economic invest- ment in the City is steady and tourism is a strong economic driver. Kalispell boasts fantastic Public Schools including two High Schools, five Elementary Schools, a Middle School, a VoAg Center, an Education Center and award-winning Flathead Valley Community College. Five private elementary schools and one private High School also serve Kalispell. Kalispell is the historical hub of the valley offering a glimpse of the past with the Conrad Mansion and Central School Museum. Art lovers can visit the Hockaday Museum of Art or any of many galleries. Concerts, farmers markets, art fairs, and festivals flourish in Downtown Kalispell. WWW.KALISPELL.COM Page 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- City Council Members We want to hear from you! [EMAIL REDACTED] Ward 1 Sandy Carlson (406) 261-3480 Kari Gabriel (406) 257-4112 Ward 2 Chad Graham (406) 250-7600 Sam Nunnally (406) 334-7755 Ward 3 Ryan Hunter (406) 758-7756 Kyle Waterman (406) 871-4885 Ward 4 Tim Kluesner (406) 758-7756 Sid Daoud (406) 471-6723 WWW.KALISPELL.COM Mayor Mark Johnson (406) 253-7467 Photo by: Greg Flathead Beacon Back Row Left to Right: Sid Daoud, Kyle Waterman, Mayor Mark Johnson, Sam Nunnally, Chad Graham, and Sandy Carlson. Front Row: Kari Gabriel, Tim Kluesner, and Ryan Hunter. Page 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- Participating in Your Government The City of Kalispell welcomes participation and wants to keep citizens informed. Kalispell residents can become members of volunteer advisory boards, volunteer for city events, and provide feedback to the Mayor, Council and staff on current issues or concerns. Keep informed about current issues through our Notify Me portal on the city website at www.kalispell.com on the home page. + Emergency Alerts + Bids and Proposals + Job Postings + Meeting Notices + Public Service Announcements and Press Releases The City is also on social media. Follow for current news, events and features. Facebook.com/CityofKalispell Twitter.com/CityofKalispell Linkedin.com/company/city-of-kalispell instagram.com/cityofkalispell The City Council holds a regular public meeting the first and third Monday of every month and a work session meeting the second and fourth Monday of every month. Meetings occur at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Avenue East. Upcoming agendas and materials can be found on the city website under City Council. The public is always welcome and will have an opportunity to speak or can e-mail the council at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Regular Council meetings are streamed live on the city website, under Meetings on Demand and aired live on Charter Cable, Channel 190. Many city documents are public records and available on the website under Archives. Contact the City Clerk’s office for more information at (406) 758-7756 or [EMAIL REDACTED]. WWW.KALISPELL.COM We look forward to hearing from you. Page 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- Employment with the City of Kalispell With an average of 180 employees, the City of Kalispell is one of the larger employers in the area. Employment with the City of Kalispell comes with competitive wages, health and dental insurance benefits, paid holidays, vacation days, and retirement benefits. The City of Kalispell is an equal opportunity employer. All employees are subject to a minimum six-month probationary period at the start of employment. Background checks are conducted as a part of the pre-employment screening. WWW.KALISPELL.COM Veteran’s Memorial at Depot Park Learn more about working for the City of Kalispell and check for available positions on the city website under Human Resources. You can also sign up for job posting notifications at www.kalispell.com, Notify Me on the home page. Page 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- Parks & Recreation Department Kalispell Parks and Recreation is pleased to offer many forms of recreation such as: Kalispell Parks & Recreation maintains 419 acres of parkland and natural open space including over 28 city parks that include many pavilions, gardens, & green spaces for hosting group events. An interactive map of parks and trails that lists amenities is available at www.kalispell.com under Departments - Parks. For activities such as family gatherings, company picnics, sports events, etc., prior approval and a reservation permit is required. See the city website for details. The Parks and Recreation Department takes great pride, attention and care in its urban forest, and the Tree City USA status maintained since 1987. Trees are a critical part of the urban infrastructure and provide many benefits to the community including air purification, windbreaks, noise reduc- tion, animal habitat, shade and energy savings. The presence of trees is known to reduce stress and provide a mentally healthier environment for citizens. WWW.KALISPELL.COM Picnic In The Park Concert Series Formal Garden in Woodland Park Afterschool Programs Aquatics Outdoor Activities Concerts Special Events Cultural Classes Sports Youth Camps Page 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- Parks & Recreation Contacts General Information Park Facilities Rental General Parks Maintenance [EMAIL REDACTED] (406) 758-7849 Subdivision Development Chad Fincher Director [EMAIL REDACTED] (406) 758-7960 Park Improvements and Developments Urban Forestry Program Fred Bicha Parks Superintendent [EMAIL REDACTED] (406) 758-7716 Boulevard Tree Requests General Parks Information Lisa Simmer Administrative Specialist [EMAIL REDACTED] (406) 758-7715 Recreation Picnic in the Park Concerts Special Events Recreation Superintendent Mark Freidline [EMAIL REDACTED] (406) 758-7717 Aquatics Woodland Water Parks [EMAIL REDACTED] (406) 758-7812 Youth Sports Outdoor and Adult Recreation [EMAIL REDACTED] Aletheia McCurry (406) 758-7849 WWW.KALISPELL.COM Lawrence Park Page 7 Visit the Kalispell Parks and Recreation Facebook Page! ---PAGE BREAK--- Kalispell Police Department The Kalispell Police Department is staffed by professional men and women who strive to make Kalispell a great place to live and visit. We have 41 sworn police officers, ten civilian employees, and multiple volunteers. We are proud of the diverse level of services we provide the community which includes vehicle patrol, bicycle patrol, patrol, SWAT, investigations, crisis negotiations, major crime unit, school resource officers, drug task force participation, crime analysis, child forensic interviewers, and multiple ancillary services provided through community partnerships. We at the Kalispell Police Department are firm believers that the community is a vital part of our success; therefore we offer multiple opportunities for the community to be involved in our department. We offer an eight week “Citizens Academy” and a “Junior Academy” that meets two hours a week for eight weeks to learn about and take part in Police Department activities. We also offer a ride-along program. WWW.KALISPELL.COM Page 8 Police Chief Doug Overman ---PAGE BREAK--- Local Law Enforcement Numbers Emergency 911 Kalispell Police Department [PHONE REDACTED] Press 1 to report a crime or speak with an Officer Press 2 for Administration, Detectives, Records Flathead County Sheriff’s Department [PHONE REDACTED] Northwest Drug Task Force [PHONE REDACTED] Drug related tips to: Crimestoppers [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Adult Detention [PHONE REDACTED] Juvenile Detention [PHONE REDACTED] Kalispell Municipal Court [PHONE REDACTED] Montana Highway Patrol [PHONE REDACTED] or 1-[PHONE REDACTED] Crime Statistics Map An interactive, online, crime statistics map of Kalispell is available to the public. This map provides a spotlight of where certain types of crimes or other incidents are occurring over a one week period. The map can be found at www.kalispell.com, under Departments - Police. WWW.KALISPELL.COM Proactive policing through community education and partnerships ensuring the highest level of public safety while upholding the rights and dignity of those we serve. STRIVING TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS Page 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- Kalispell Fire Department The Kalispell Fire Department staffs two fire stations with a total of 30 operations personnel that work a 24 hour shift and staff three platoons. The Fire Department also has a com- pliment of three type 1 engines, one type 6 engines, one 105’ ladder truck, three ambulances, one water tender and three administrative ve- hicles. Employees of the Kalispell Fire Department are trained in both fire and medical, providing Advanced Life Support and ambulance transport services to the local community with Firefighter/Paramedics. In 2020, Kalispell Fire responded to 3,931 incidents and conducted many hours of public safety instruction. WWW.KALISPELL.COM Services Provided Fire and Emergency Medical Response Technical Rescue Northwest Hazardous Materials Response Team Mutual Aid to Neighboring Jurisdictions Public Education Fire Company Fire Inspections / Pre-Fire Planning Hydrant Inspections Ice Rescue Kalispell Police Special Response Team Advanced Life Support Transport Protecting Our Community With The Highest Level of Professionalism. Page 10 ---PAGE BREAK--- WWW.KALISPELL.COM Home Emergency Escape Planning Plan Ahead. If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire. Draw a home escape plan and discuss it with everyone in your home. Twice a year, practice the plan at night and during the day. Know at least two ways out of every room. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily. Safety check prior to making a hazardous materials entry Page 11 Personnel stand next to a Kalispell Fire Department Ambulance ---PAGE BREAK--- WATER & SEWER SERVICES Applications for water service are available at City Hall, 201 First Avenue East. Water and sewer charges are billed by the 20th of each month. Payments are due by the 10th of the following month. Customers can pay in person at the Water Department, on the first floor of City Hall, through automatic checking or savings with- drawal, through an automated phone payment line at 1-[PHONE REDACTED], or online with Visa or MasterCard at www.kalispell.com. Bills can also be sent through email notification. To set up online billing, automatic withdrawal, or to receive a password for paying online, contact the Water Department at (406) 758-7745. The friendly staff at City Hall are ready to assist you. Learn where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies in the Consumer Confidence Report found at www.kalispell.com, under Departments, Water. Buffalo Hill Water Tower in the moonlight WWW.KALISPELL.COM Page 12 ---PAGE BREAK--- WWW.KALISPELL.COM SEWER AND WATER RATES SEWER Fixed Charge (base rate) $12.65 Volume Charge (per Thousand Gallons) $7.17 WATER Fixed Charge (base rate) $9.08 Volume Charge (per Thousand Gallons) $2.56 SPRINKLING RATE Charged May 1 to Oct. 31 Volume Charge (per Thousand Gallons) $2.56 SPECIAL TERMS & CONDITIONS Out-of-City Water and Sewer Rate is 1.25 times the In-City rate. Certain items should not be disposed of in the sewer system. The following items should be thrown away in your trash can, NOT in the toilet: Flushable Wipes—Diapers—Cooking Grease—Paper Towels—Food— Feminine Hygiene Products. If you experience a sewer backup, call the Public Works Department immediately at (406) 758-7720. After hours call 9-1-1. PLEASE DO NOT discharge sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system. Page 13 ---PAGE BREAK--- Residential Service—Owner Requested A $111 property tax assessment is billed with annual property taxes. 300 and 400 gallon containers are provided in the alleys for custom- ers located in the city service area of an alley. This is defined as those areas of the city where there is an alley in a block or an alley that borders a city block. 100 gallon containers are provided for properties requiring curbside service. The cost for service is assessed annually for one time per week pickup. Request garbage service at the Public Works Office at 201 First Avenue East, or by calling (406) 758-7720. Owner Requested Commercial Service The cost for one time pickup per week for commercial service will be assessed to property taxes and costs $338 per year for a 300 gallon container and $411 per year for a 400 gallon container. Non-owner/Tenant Residential or Commercial The City will provide garbage service to non-owner/tenants. The first year’s billing will be pro-rated on a quarterly basis. Thereafter, the annual rate will be due on or before January 31 of each year and is non refundable. NEW GARBAGE SERVICE WWW.KALISPELL.COM Page 14 ---PAGE BREAK--- OTHER SANITATION SERVICES Christmas Tree Pick up The City Parks Department with the help of community volunteers will pickup Christmas Trees beginning around January 2. Place the trees upright at the street in the boulevard area. The City will either chip or dispose of the trees for a two week period. Alley Cleanup The City of Kalispell will remove minor debris from alleys as time and man power permits. Sod, grass and garden trimmings, leaves, lawn trimmings, and other normal spring and fall home cleanup will be removed. Place in the alley behind your house ten feet away from the garbage container. Please break down and flatten cardboard boxes and bag other yard debris. Recycling Several private recycling agencies have services available. Prior Water Dept. at 312 First Avenue East, now Public Safety WWW.KALISPELL.COM Help Keep Kalispell Beautiful... Remember to Recycle whenever possible. Page 15 ---PAGE BREAK--- SNOW REMOVAL A primary system of snow routes has been established for effective snow removal. Plowing will begin when snowfall of 3 inches has oc- curred or is expected overnight. A list of Primary Snow Routes is available from the Public Works office Online under Departments, Pub- lic Works. First Priority: Any hour service by the Street Division. Second Priority: Will receive immediate attention following plowing of first priority routes. Other Residential Streets: Depending on severity, these streets will be plowed within 48 hours of the end of snowfall in excess of 3 inches. Alleys: Alleys will not be plowed except to maintain essential services. City Owned Parking Lots: Plowed within 12 hours of the end of a snow event. (Parking lots and sidewalks administered by the Kalispell Parking Commission are not covered by this policy.) Central Business District Parking: Snow moved from on-street park- ing within 24 hours of snow event depending on severity of occurrence. Sidewalks: Sidewalks at City facilities shall be cleared within 36 hours of end of snow fall. Sanding/Ice Control: Street sanding abrasives and ice-melting solu- tions shall be used sparingly and only when application will produce a proven result. In order to reduce dust pollution, sanding abrasives will not be used except when ice-melt solutions will be ineffective. Private Driveways: It is strictly forbidden for a City plow to clear snow or ice from private driveways or property unless it must be done for emergency vehicle access. WWW.KALISPELL.COM * * * IMPORTANT * * * PLEASE DO NOT let children play in snow piles in the right of way. They may be difficult to see and could be harmed by passing vehicles or snow clearing equipment. Page 16 ---PAGE BREAK--- Clearing sidewalks is everyone’s responsibility and is an important civic duty that helps ensure walkable, vibrant neighborhoods. Property owners need to clean sidewalks in front of and adjoining their property within 72 hours of a snow event and central business district owners should remove snow by noon on the day that snow accumulates. Don’t forget to help out your elderly or handicapped friends, family and neighbors. If you notice an address where a homeowner or business is forget- ting to shovel their sidewalks, please give Public Works a call at (406) 758-7720 so they can help remind them. Pushing snow from private prop- erty onto the public streets, alleys, or sidewalks is prohibited by City Code. Plowing & Parking in Residential Areas In central Kalispell, plow operators will clear Avenues on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and Streets on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If you must park on the public street, please park on the nearest adjacent Street or Avenue on the days when plows are operat- ing. Please note: Plow operators will attempt to clear snow from curb to curb. Where access to the curb line is blocked by parked cars, owners should expect snow to accumulate around the parked car as the plow passes the vehicle. City crews will try to avoid plowing snow against a parked vehicle. However, if it does happen they will not be able to assist in removing the piled snow. WWW.KALISPELL.COM Clearing Sidewalks is Everyone’s Responsibility Page 17 If we all work together we can keep Kalispell an inviting, accessible place to visit and live. ---PAGE BREAK--- PETS Dog Licensing City residents must purchase a Flathead County license for all dogs over the age of four months within 30 days of moving into the County. The application can be found online at the Flathead County Animal Shelter website. The fee for this license is $45. for a lifetime. Please call the County Shelter at (406) 752-1310 with questions. FALL LEAF REMOVAL Kalispell crews remove leaves from City streets during fall. During fall, residents and business owners are encouraged to rake leaves from boule- vards onto the street two feet away from the curb. This distance is important to allow the leaf machines to operate efficiently. Vehicles must be removed from curbsides during leaf pickup operations. Leaves are removed from Avenues on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Crews will work on Streets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Outlying residential areas will be done daily. City Street personnel will make every effort to remove leaves as quickly as possible. WWW.KALISPELL.COM * * IMPORTANT * * * PLEASE DO NOT put rocks, dirt, cans, bottles, branches, and other items of this nature in the leaf piles. This can cause bodily injury to personnel or bystanders and damage to machinery. PLEASE DO NOT allow children to play in boulevard leaf piles as they may be hard to see and could be injured by passing vehicles or equipment. Page 18 ---PAGE BREAK--- Pet Etiquette Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length when out and about in the city. Vicious dogs are not allowed in the city limits, and it is unlawful to have more than four dogs. Please refer to Kalispell’s City Codes for the rights and re- sponsibilities of pet owners including what animals are not allowed to reside in City limits. City Codes can be located on the city’s homepage under Municipal Codes. WWW.KALISPELL.COM Littl’ Bit Page 19 Building Department The City Building Department performs plan reviews and inspections on all commercial and residential projects within the city limits. Permits are required for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, tenant improvements and fire suppression systems. Our website includes the requirements and forms needed for new construction, remodels, additions, tenant improvements, detached garages, and decks. In addition, the department is responsible for conducting Fire Life Safety inspections and fire/alarm plan review of commercial prop- erties within the city. Planning Department The Planning Department provides professional planning assistance to the city and serves the public interest by providing a forum for open dialogue, identification of issues and goals, creative problem solving, plan development, and implementa- tion. We work to educate, coordi- nate and facilitate strategies that protect and maintain property values, public investment, built and natural environment, and the quality of life. ---PAGE BREAK--- WWW.KALISPELL.COM Community and Economic Development Department Page 20 The Community & Economic Development Department works to build a strong community and drive economic growth in Kalispell. The Department offers a number of economic development tools to support these efforts: Brownfields Program – Assessment & Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund The Kalispell Brownfield Program is voluntary. Eligible public or private property owners can use grant funds to address regulatory agen- cy requirements, complete the sale of their property, or to learn more about their property should they consider selling it. The assessments are completed at no cost to the property owner, and information about the presence/absence of contamination is provided to the owner upon completion of the work. In addition, sites assessed by the City are potentially eligible for low-interest, environmental cleanup loans. Revolving Loan Fund – Low Interest Microloans for Businesses The City of Kalispell's Redevelopment Loan Program is intended to provide a financing mechanism for businesses that are located in the city limits for real estate improvements to their place of business. This program is designed to assist businesses by making low interest, long term fixed rate financing for general improvements to the property. Tax Increment Financing District Loan Funds – Low Interest Loan Funding Expenditures of TIF-generated revenues are subject to certain restrictions. The funds generated from a TIF district could be used to finance a variety of eligible improvement projects including: City-made low interest loans and/or grants for on-site infrastructure needs, land- scaping, parking, and decorative street lighting; and public construction of off-site infrastructure needs. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 21 Kalispell Core & Rail Redevelopment Project The City is excited to be a partner in The Core & Rail Redevelopment Project which provides a vision for a tomorrow that embraces the realities of the 21st century. The project created a rail-served industrial park (Glacier Rail Park) on the eastern outskirts of Kalispell, and is building a beautiful new linear park with biking and walking trails through the historic rail road corridor opening up the Core Area and historic downtown to new business and development opportunities. For more information about this project and the business/development opportunities available please visit the project website at www.kalispellcoreandrail.com or: Core Area Development Glacier Rail Park Katharine King Christy Cummings Dawson City of Kalispell FCEDA [EMAIL REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] (406) 758-7713 (406) 257-7711 ext 4 For more information regarding funding availability and program guidelines for any of these development tools, please contact the Community & Economic Development Office at (406) 758-7713 or [EMAIL REDACTED]. WWW.KALISPELL.COM The 2 mile Kalispell Parkline multi-use trail going through the core area of Kalispell is currently being built. Construction is anticipated to be completed in Spring, 2022. The Parkline runs west to east from S. Meridian Road, past Depot Park and then Woodland Park, and across the railroad bridge over US Hwy 2/Idaho Street. ---PAGE BREAK--- WWW.KALISPELL.COM Page 22 Municipal Court Services Kalispell Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, search warrants, city ordinance violations, mu- nicipal infractions, Orders of Protection and civil cases. The city website has information regarding court sessions, jury services, assistance with domestic violence, payment information and forms. You can also fill out a request for court records online. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need a city business license? No— the city does not require a general business license, but please follow all zoning requirements and state statutes. If an address lists the city as Kalispell, does that mean it is in the city limits? No— Many homes list Kalispell, but are actually in Evergreen or in the jurisdiction of the County. Check city limits in the city’s interactive map at www.kalispell.com, under Departments - Building. How do I determine the zoning for a particular area of Kalispell? The City has an interactive map with 10 layers that can be added like zoning, city limits, subdivisions, etc. The map can be found at www.kalispell.com under Departments - Building. How do I look up city laws and codes? A searchable database is available at www.kalispell.com, under the Municipal Codes tab on the home page. I am not sure what department to call with my non-emergency question—Who should I contact? You can call the City Clerk at (406) 758-7756 to be directed to the proper department. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 23 Contact Information Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1997, Kalispell, MT 59903 City Hall – 201 1st Avenue East, Kalispell, MT 59901 City Manager Doug Russell (406) 758-7703 [EMAIL REDACTED] Airport Doug Russell (406) 758-7703 [EMAIL REDACTED] Building Jeff Clawson (406) 758-7734 City Attorney Charles Harball (406) 758-7977 [EMAIL REDACTED] Clerk & Communications Aimee Brunckhorst (406) 758-7756 [EMAIL REDACTED] Community Development Katharine King (406) 758-7713 [EMAIL REDACTED] Finance Rick Wills (406) 758-7755 [EMAIL REDACTED] Human Resources Denise Michel (406) 758-7757 [EMAIL REDACTED] Planning Jarod Nygren (406) 758-7942 [EMAIL REDACTED] Public Works Susie Turner (406) 758-7720 [EMAIL REDACTED] Utility Billing [EMAIL REDACTED] (406) 758-7745 Public Safety Building – 312 1st Avenue East Life and Safety Emergencies Dial 911 Fire Chief Dan Pearce (406) 758-7760 [EMAIL REDACTED] Police Chief Doug Overman (406) 758-7786 [EMAIL REDACTED] Municipal Court Lori Adams (406) 758-7705 [EMAIL REDACTED] Parks & Recreation – 306 1st Avenue East Parks & Recreation Chad Fincher (406) 758-7849 [EMAIL REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- This brochure was published and distributed by the City of Kalispell For additional copies please contact [EMAIL REDACTED] or (406) 758-7756. An online version with hyperlinks is available at www.kalispell.com.Version 16, updated July, 2021 The City of Kalispell Mission is to Provide the Services, Resources and Competitive Environment that Enhance the Quality of Life for all Citizens. Core Values: Individual Responsibility: Take personal accountability for actions, words and deeds. Honesty: Represent yourself with credibility and integrity. Respect: Treat every individual with dignity, fairness and compassion. Personal & Organizational Growth: Strive for excellence through ongoing learning and development. BUILDING A COMMUNITY THAT EXPECTS EXCELLENCE