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1 STUMPTOWNScoop Quarterly Newsletter • SUMMER 2022 LETTER FROM THE CITY MANAGER City of Whitefish PO BOX 158, Whitefish, Montana 59937 Dana Smith City Manager City of Whitefish CITY HALL 418 E. 2nd St, Whitefish, MT Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-2400 Human Resources.....................863-2407 Legal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-2445 Parks & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . 863-2470 f @Whitefish-Parks-Recreation Planning & Building . . . . . . . . . 863-2410 Public Works/Streets . . . . . . . . . 863-2460 f @WhitefishPublicWorks Utility Billing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-2457 EMERGENCY SERVICES CENTER 275 Flathead Ave, Whitefish, MT Fire Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-2483 f @WhitefishFireDepartment Municipal Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-2440 Police Department . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-2420 www.cityofwhitefish.org LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 862-9914 9 Spokane Ave, Whitefish, MT f @WhitefishCommunityLibrary or whitefishlibrary.org CITY COUNCIL City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month at 7:10 p.m. in the Council Chambers (City Hall, 2nd floor). View live stream meetings online at youtube.com “City of Whitefish” channel. Greetings! I hope you enjoy this issue of the Stumptown Scoop. Inside you will find important updates about ongoing and new public infrastructure improvement projects, the recently adopted bear-resistant garbage container program, and other helpful information as we prepare for the busy summer season ahead. One project at the top of the list is the continued implementation of the 2017 Whitefish Strategic Housing Plan. In 2021, the average home sales price in the 59937 ZIP Code increased from $775,589 in 2020 to $1,142,229. That’s a staggering 47%! The impacts from this extreme growth in home prices has had rippling effects in our community. Many of our local businesses face staffing shortages and have struggled to attract workers as housing options are limited. Some of our long-time community members have faced housing uncertainties as long-term rentals are listed and sold with some homes only to be used as second homes or short-term rentals. While much of this is market driven and a lasting effect from the pandemic, we are not alone in these struggles. Many other mountain towns face similar issues as Whitefish. At the City, we are committed to continue working to address this housing crisis with some recent highlights below: • A new Housing Coordinator/Long Range Planner position was filled to ensure we have dedicated staff working on our housing strategies and to expedite implementation. • The City Council approved regulations updates and increased licensing fees for short-term rentals. Enforcement efforts are continuing to ramp up to address illegal operations that effectively reduce the number of long- term rentals available to workers. If you are operating a short-term rental without a business license, now is the time to contact the City. • Amendments to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations are also in process. Proposed changes include amending the residency requirements to allow the rental of both units, as well as providing incentives for those property owners who voluntarily agree to enter into a long-term lease (12-months or more) with a local worker for at least five years. • Starting in late May, an update of the 2016 Whitefish Housing Needs Assessment and the 2017 Whitefish Strategic Housing Plan will be underway. The City’s consultant anticipates completion in October 2022. • With its partners, the City continues to explore sustainable funding options to support affordable workforce housing programs and projects for the long-term. Along with the housing crisis, we have all felt the pressures from record growth Continue to page 10 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 3 Tree Protective Zone 4 Rescue Care 5 Wildfire Safety Tips 6 Resort Tax Project Update 7 Downtown Hwy Study 8 Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety 9 Noxious Weeds 10 Recycling 11 Whitefish Community Library INSIDE THIS Issue WELCOME City-Wide Switch to Animal Resistant Containers City-Wide Switch to Animal Resistant Containers DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS CITY MANAGER Dana Smith CITY ATTORNEY Angela Jacobs CITY CLERK Michelle Howke FINANCE DIRECTOR Vacant HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR Sherri Baccaro FIRE CHIEF Joe Page LIBRARY DIRECTOR Joey Kositzky INTERIM MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE In Negotiation PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR Maria Butts PLANNING AND BUILDING DIRECTOR Dave Taylor POLICE CHIEF Bridger Kelch PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Craig Workman HELP SUPPORT THE NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION BY PLACING AN AD Ad placements are available through the newsletter. The revenue from these ads helps support the distribution to all households and businesses in the 59937 zip code - over 8,000 mailboxes! Contact Michelle Howke, [EMAIL REDACTED] During the past two years, City staff has worked with Republic Services and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to identify solutions to minimize bear attractants in Whitefish and reduce the risk of human and bear conflicts. Attractants in Whitefish primarily include unsecured garbage and fruit trees that are not properly harvested throughout town. It is important to note that current regulations under Whitefish City Code require residents to either store their garbage in securely latched animal resistant containers, inside of a home or garage, or within another animal resistant enclosure to be set out on collection days. These regulations were originally designed and adopted to reduce the accessibility of solid waste to bears and other animals. Unfortunately, the City has many residential locations that are currently using shared 300-gallon containers in alleys throughout town and along the river corridor, which makes it impossible for those residents and businesses to follow the regulations. Currently, there is not a fully automated 300-gallon container available on the market that meets the bear resistant requirements. On March 7, 2022, City Council directed staff to proceed with a mandatory animal resistant container program for all residential garbage service. The proposal from Republic Services, the sole contractor approved to haul refuse in Whitefish, will increase the service cost to $15.75 for all residential locations (excluding the City’s Administration Fee). The proposal also provides all residential locations with a single 95-gallon bear resistant container to be serviced at the curb, with delivery fee. Unfortunately, the switch to individual 95-gallon carts will require all containers to be serviced curbside due to logistics and the limitations of our alleys. This change in service may be challenging for those residents that are accustomed to alley service with a shared container. While residents will not be required to store the bear resistant container in their garage, it must be pulled away from the right-of-way on the day of service. In discussing the need for curbside servicing with Public Works Director Workman, the City may need to consider making our alternate-side parking standards a year-round requirement to accommodate the individual containers in the City’s right-of-way. The transition period to bear resistant containers is expected to last until the end of August 2022. This timing will secure the once easily accessible solid waste in the City before the bears return in the fall. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 PARKS & RECREATION The boat launch at Whitefish City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park is open for the season! Inspections will be available 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park boat ramps will be closed but not locked after staffed watercraft inspection hours. During times when rangers are not available to inspect boats, boaters must have a permit to launch. An Early Angler Permit will be required to access the launch prior to opening and permits will need to be displayed on your vehicle dashboard. To obtain a permit, visit our website, or scan the QR code above. Boats coming off the lake after hours will be able to exit by removing and replacing the chain (City Beach) or opening and closing the gate (State Park). Boaters that have watercraft with ballast tanks can take advantage of the Late Boater Program which allows users to self-seal their watercraft to avoid a decontamination. Inspection stations are closed October 1st through April 30th. The Decontamination Station is now open on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Decontaminations will also be available Monday through Friday by appointment. Please call 406-212- 0750 to schedule. The Decontamination Station will be open daily starting June 15th. Boat Launch and AIS Boat Launch and AIS When excavation or contruction is planned to take place within 50 feet of a public tree (as shown in the photo), a Public Tree Impact form must be completed and submitted to the Parks and Recreation Department at least 2 working days prior to excavation or construction. Excavation and building permits will not be issued until this application has been approved. The Parks and Recreation Department may complete a site visit prior to approval and will process the application within 2 working days of receipt. Notice of approval will be provided to the Project Manager and other corresponding city departments. For more information, visit our website or scan the QR code to the left. Tree Protection Zone Tree Protection Zone The City of Whitefish is excited to share that Maria Butts, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services was recently recognized as the 2022 Montana Trails, Recreation, and Parks Association Professional of the Year! Maria has contributed greatly to the Montana Trails, Recreation, and Parks Association Board of Directors as the Vice President and past Secretary/ Treasurer. Over the past 8 years as the City of Whitefish Director of Parks and Recreation, Maria has been a leader in providing equitable and inclusive recreational programming and conservation of our public parks. Congratulations!! Congratulations!! Hot summer days are approaching, don’t forget to reserve one of our City Beach gazebos! They provide shade, easy access to the water, and a place to grill. Gazebos are available in time blocks (6am-11am, 12pm-5pm, 6pm-11pm) or by the day. Alcohol permits are also available for an additonal fee. Reserve online or scan the code above. We are thrilled with the number of kiddos excited for our Summer Programs. Our staff is working diligently on processing enrollments with the goal of accommodating as many requests as possible. If you are currently waitlisted, we thank you in advance for your patience. We will be in contact with families as soon as possible. Parks and Recreation Department Parks-Recreation f@Whitefish-Parks-Recreation ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 FIRE & AMBULANCE The Whitefish Fire Department would like to thank Nelson’s Ace Hardware for donating a new Traeger grill to the station. Our firefighters sincerely appreciate your generosity! No one should hesitate to call an ambulance during an emergency. When seconds count, the care you receive may save your life. If you are worried about the potential cost of ambulance service, give yourself and your family peace of mind with the Rescue Care program. Rescue Care protects your entire household against unexpected bills for emergency and medically necessary ambulance transportation provided by the Whitefish Fire Department in and around the City of Whitefish. If you do need to call an ambulance, Rescue Care bills your insurance and covers the balance. There are no complicated claim forms to complete. The Rescue Care program runs annually from July through June. You can become a member of Rescue Care anytime during the year, and the fee is the same regardless of when you enroll. All memberships will start July 1 and expire the following June 30. When you invest in Rescue Care, your dollars stay in Whitefish and support the Fire Department’s comprehensive emergency fire and medical response system by providing advanced training and lifesaving equipment. For more information, call (406) 863-2490, email [EMAIL REDACTED] or visit our website at cityofwhitefish.org/247/Rescue-Care The Whitefish Volunteer Fire Depertment was created in 1907 as the all-volunteer department. In 1989, with the creation of the Whitefish Fire Service Area, homes outside the city that previously independently contracted with the fire department for fire protection were now part of this new fire service area. To this day, the Whitefish Fire Service Area continues to contract for fire protection with the City of Whitefish. The Whitefish Fire Service Area does not contract for ambulance service. EMS is provided through a separate contract between the City of Whitefish and Flathead County EMS, to an area larger than the City of Whitefish, the Whitefish Fire Service Area, Olney Fire District, and portions of the Flathead Fire Service Area combined. As the calls for service increased and the number of volunteers dwindled, the fire department changed from an all- volunteer department to a combination department. In 1993, the City hired its first Fire Marshal. In late 1995, it hired its first career Fire Chief followed by hiring two firefighters. The process slowly continued until in 2009 when, with the help of a FEMA Safer Grant, the City was able to hire enough firefighters to provide 24-7-365 coverage with five firefighters assigned per shift, a staffing level that remains today. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 FIRE & AMBULANCE Create Defensible Space Around Your Home During a wildfire, thousands of embers can be carried more than a mile by the wind. Embers can easily start a fire if they become lodged in something on or near your house, including pinecones, pine needles, tree and shrub branches, wood piles, and wooden shingles. Here are some tips for creating a defensible space at your house: • Maintain the yard area within 30 feet of your home on all sides • Remove plant debris from your roof, rain gutters, flower beds, and deck • Mow grass over four inches within 100 feet of your residence • Use lava stone or gravel instead of wood chips within five feet of a structure • Prune tree limbs so the lowest branches are six to ten feet from the ground • Detach “ladder fuels”, like vines, that can carry a ground fire to treetops • Do not allow vegetation to touch any structure walls on your property • Replace or repair loose and missing shingles or roof tiles • Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening in your chimney and roof vents • Keep firewood and propane tanks at least 30 feet from your home • Have 100 feet of hose readily available and connected to an exterior faucet • Preserve the safety zone around your home in the spring, summer, and fall You are welcome to call the Whitefish Fire Department at (406) 863-2490 anytime you have questions about home fire safety. ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 PUBLIC WORKS School Traffic Safety Resort Tax Project Update Edgewood Place Reconstruction Project White’s Civil Contracting resumed final construction activities on Edgewood Place between Wisconsin Avenue and Texas Avenue this spring. The work is expected to be completed by the end of June 2022. Edgewood Place will be closed to through traffic from Colorado Avenue to Texas Avenue during this time. Residents that live within the closure area will be allowed to drive through the construction area to access their properties. The Edgewood Place project was delayed last summer due to significant difficulties in pipe procurement. Texas Avenue Reconstruction Project The Texas Avenue Reconstruction project will start in early July 2022 and is expected to be done by the end of October 2022. The project has been awarded to LHC, Inc. The work involves the reconstruction of Texas Avenue from Edgewood Place to Denver Street and Edgewood Place from Texas Avenue to the eastern city limits. The Texas Avenue project will include a shared use path on the west side of the road, stormwater management improvements, decorative lighting, and street trees. During this construction Texas Avenue, from Edgewood Place to Denver Street, will be closed to through traffic. Residents that live within the closure area will be allowed to drive through the construction area to access their properties. Edgewood Place will remain open to through traffic, but flagger delays should be expected east of Texas Avenue during working hours. To avoid construction delays like those experienced last summer the City pre-purchased pipe materials. There was extensive public outreach during the design of the Texas Avenue Reconstruction project. Information presented at public meetings, past newsletters and current updates can be found at o r g / 5 2 3 / E d g e w o o d - a n d - T e x a s - Reconstruction-Projec. If you have questions about the project, contact our Public Works Office Manager, Tammy Omundson, at [PHONE REDACTED]. The Public Works Department, Police Department, and School District staff have been working on improvements at intersections near the schools. The City will be installing four permanent “BlinkerSigns” at the pedestrian crossings at Pine Avenue & 6th Street and Ashar Avenue & 7th Street intersections. The City will also provide the school district with six crosswalk signs with rubber bases for the crossing guards to set up each morning and afternoon within intersection crosswalks. Please watch for pedestrians and bicyclists while driving, especially during school drop off and pick up times. Also, if you are interested in joining the parent group to support safer walking and biking to our schools, or for additional information on school traffic safety, contact Karin Hilding, Senior Project Engineer, at [PHONE REDACTED]. Spokane Avenue Water Main Replacement Project The Spokane Avenue Water Main Replacement Project, which includes the replacement of the city-owned water main between East 2nd Street and East 13th Street, will not be completed this spring as initially planned. City Council voted on March 7, 2022, to reject the single bid that was received for the project, which was approximately 70% higher than the engineer's estimate. Instead, the project has been re-bid with a phased construction approach. Bids for round 2 were accepted and the contract was awarded to Sandy Construction in May. • The revised construction schedule is planned as follows: • Phase 1: Start construction at the end of August 2022 and complete construction in late fall. • Phase 2: Start construction in late March 2023 and complete construction on the water main by May 31, 2023. • MDT Repaving Project: Anticipated in June 2023 (final schedule to be determined by MDT). ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 PUBLIC WORKS The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and consultant Robert Peccia and Associates (RPA) have finalized the Downtown Whitefish Highway Study, which identifies Concept C as its preferred concept based on identified screening criteria. However, after public feedback was gathered at an open house in late September 2021, MDT and the City of Whitefish have decided not to move forward with a reconstruction project at this time. During the study, elected officials, staff, and community representatives from the City of Whitefish participated and provided input during progress meetings. Discussions included a new concept proposal, Concept G, that would work to address the concerns of the community and the needs of MDT. However, given the screening criteria used during the study, Concept G was not identified as the preferred concept. “Simply put, the City and community is not willing to accept the preferred Concept said Mayor John Muhlfeld. “We’ve worked hard to create an environment of livability and walkability in downtown Whitefish through the careful implementation of our Downtown Business District Master Plan that promotes active transportation and preserves the vibrant character of our town.” The Whitefish community, especially downtown, has experienced significant population growth in recent decades, which has increased traffic to levels that US Highway 93 and the downtown corridor were not originally built to accommodate. Highway 93 runs through the center of the Whitefish community and serves as the primary travel route through the city for residents, visitors, and other traffic. It also serves as an international trade corridor for commercial vehicles and tourists. When backups occur on the highway, the effects translate into delays and congestion on local cross streets, ultimately making it more difficult to travel through town. This congestion is what led the City of Whitefish to approach MDT to initiate a study of this highway through the Downtown Whitefish Highway Study, which began in July 2018. “MDT entered this study with the goal of reducing congestion in downtown Whitefish and our preferred concept reaches this goal in the most efficient way,” Bob Vosen, District 1 Administrator at the Montana Department of Transportation, said. “However, we do not want to push anything forward that the community does not want. This has been agreed upon with the City, and we are proud to have worked together to come to this decision.” Concept C features two northbound lanes and one southbound lane on Spokane Avenue between 13th Street and Second Street. It also includes two southbound lanes and one northbound lane on Baker Avenue between the same cross streets. In this concept, Second Street continues to have one eastbound and one westbound driving lane, and 13th Street would have two eastbound lanes and one westbound travel lane. Although MDT will not move forward with the preferred study concept at this time, MDT has promised to work collaboratively with the City of Whitefish to maintain the Highway 93 Corridor. MDT will be constructing a pavement preservation project to extend the life of the highway in its current configuration and improve sidewalks in the next year. MDT Finalizes Downtown Whitefish Highway Study In the City of Whitefish, sidewalk maintenance and repair are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. Clean, clear, and well-maintained sidewalks serve as visual reminder of a community that considers walking to be a desirable mode of recreation and transportation. The City of Whitefish has adopted a resolution to assist property owners in repairing sidewalks that meet the criteria for repair/ replacement. For more information, please visit org/274/Sidewalk-Cost-Share, or email [EMAIL REDACTED]. For more information on projects and city regulations, visit the City’s website: ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 POLICE & PUBLIC SAFETY Vehicle and Pedestrian Safety My name is Hunter Boll. I was born in Kalispell, MT and grew up in Bigfork, as one of 6 siblings. I graduated from Bigfork High School in 2005. As a teenager, I looked up to my oldest brother for his service in the United States Marine Corps. His service inspired a need to serve in myself. At the age of 20, I enlisted in the United States Air Force as a tactical aircraft maintainer (fighter jet mechanic). As an Airman 1st Class, I was placed into the 333rd Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter wing. Our mission was to maintain fighter jet availability to ensure the new pilots were trained to be mission ready. I quickly advanced in rank and as a Staff Sgt, became the lead maintainer for the squadron. In 2013, I was selected to lead the fitness program for the four maintenance squadrons on the base. In July, 2015 I was honorably discharged and returned to the Flathead Valley. I spent a short time working construction but still feeling the desire to serve my community, I applied for and was hired as a patrol officer with the Whitefish Police Department in July 2015. As well as performing patrol duties within the city, I also serve as a Crisis Response Officer and a Field Training Officer, training new police officers. I spend my off- duty time enjoying all things outdoors with my family. Officer Boll Meet Your Police Department Know the Basics – Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Safety Tips for Drivers Safety Tips for Pedestrians • Always look out for pedestrians everywhere • Follow the rules of the road • Use extra caution when driving at nighttime or during bad weather • Walk on sidewalks whenever available • Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk • If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible • Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks • Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, look for cars in all directions • Never pass vehicles on the left that are stopped at a crosswalk • If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic • Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs • Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and judgment • Follow all speed limits • Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots • Be extra cautious when backing up • Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation Bicycle Safety When a crash occurs between a vehicle and a bike, it is the cyclist who is most likely to be injured. A large percentage of crashes can be avoided if motorists and cyclists follow the rules of the road and watch out for each other. Be Prepared Before Heading Out • Ride a bike that fits you • Ride a bike that works • Contain loose clothing that can get caught in the bike chain such as shoelaces and pant legs • Plan your route, choose routes with less traffic and slower speeds • Wear equipment to protect you and make you more visible to others; helmet, bright clothing, reflective gear, white front light, red rear light, reflectors ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 PLANNING & BUILDING When Do You Need a Building Permit? Keep an Eye Out for Noxious Weeds It’s spring construction season. Are you planning a building project? A city building permit is needed for all new construction in city limits, including but not limited to both residential and commercial buildings, additions, remodels, roofing (if sheathing is being replaced), residential storage buildings over 200 square feet, retaining walls, and decks. Permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems are also required. The Whitefish Building Department is always here to help with questions related to your building project and when a permit is needed. Please contact us at 406-863- 2410 or by email at buildingdept@ cityofwhitefish.org or visit the city website at www.cityofwhitefish.org for more information. The City of Whitefish requires that all properties inside city limits take steps to eradicate the growth and spread of noxious weeds by either mowing, pulling, or applying herbicide. Property owners are also required to maintain any adjacent public boulevard, green strip, borrow pit or roadside. The most common types of noxious weeds around town are Canadian Thistle, Knapweed, and Orange Hawkweed. We also have a new, extremely invasive noxious weed called Japanese Knotweed now taking root in the City that is very quick to multiply and very difficult to kill that is generally found along riverbanks. If you have any questions about the best way to remove weeds or you wish to report noxious weeds inside the city limits, please contact the City Code Compliance Officer Michael Samdahl at [PHONE REDACTED] or email [EMAIL REDACTED] Canadian Thistle Orange Hawkweed Japanese Knotweed Knapweed WE ARE HIRING! The City of Whitefish is a professional organization providing many valuable municipal services to residents and visitors of the City. We have temporary, seasonal and full-time positions available. Not only does the City offer an attractive benefits package, holidays, and vacation, it also provides an opportunity to work with an amazing group of individuals who are professional and caring of their co-workers and the citizens of Whitefish. Visit our website for positions that are available. careers/whitefish ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 One-Way Traffic - Lakeside Boulevard & Skyles Place in visitation and building in Whitefish. City projects designed to prepare for and address this growth include: • The adoption of the Highway 93 South Corridor Plan, that sets forth specific policies for land use, development, and growth at the southern entrance to Whitefish. Implementation of the plan is in progress. • An update of the City’s Growth Policy is set to begin in late summer. • The update of the City’s Transportation Plan is close to completion. • The City continues to implement strategies in the Sustainable Tourism Management Plan. With the hard work of our partners, volunteers, community members, staff, and elected officials, we will tackle these difficult issues together as we have done in the past. Wishing you all a fun filled and enjoyable spring and summer! The Whitefish City Council decided to permanently close the Central Recycling Site as of January 31, 2022. The site was opened in 2015 as a temporary location to consolidate the three existing neighborhood recycling sites and to streamline operations for North Valley Refuse (now Republic Services), the refuse contractor who provides recycling services for the City. The property where the site is located is being repurposed for affordable housing. City Council has considered several opportunities to continue to provide recycling services for the City. Alternatives included a new Central Recycling Site on Monegan Road, as well as residential curbside recycling services. Options for future recycling services will be further evaluated by the City Council, but it was determined the costs to continue to operate the existing site exceed the benefits of recycling during the final few months that the City has access to the property. “The existing site has been plagued by contamination and overuse, and the proposed fees to continue the operation of the facility are not cost effective. I believe permanent closure of the current site is in the best interest of the City as we continue to pursue the best option to provide recycling services to our residents and business owners,” stated City Public Works Director Craig Workman. Recycling services will remain available to those interested through private vendors and county-operated drop off sites located throughout the valley. For a full listing of recycling options you may visit: recycle/#where_to_recycle Continued from page 1 On June 7, 2021 the Whitefish City Council adopted Ordinance 21-07 designating one‐way traffic on a portion of Lakeside Blvd. and Skyles Place. The purpose of this change is to create a two-way bicycle and pedestrian way to accommodate high levels of active transportation on the roadway. Appropriate signage, striping, and delineators will be used to create the bicycle and pedestrian way. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this notice, please visit www.cityofwhitefish.org or call the Public Works Dept. at (406) 863-2460 stay informed SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS THROUGH ‘NOTIFY ME’ PORTAL OF THE CITY WEBSITE CITY NEWS, CITY MEETINGS, PRESS RELEASES, TRAFFIC ALERTS, EMERGENCY ALERTS AND MORE!!! cityofwhitefish.org PUBLIC WORKS Continued ---PAGE BREAK--- 11 LIBRARY Whitefish Community Library (WCL) Whitefish Community Library 9 Spokane Ave Whitefish, MT 59937 (406)862-9914 Library Hours Monday: 10 a.m.- 7 p.m Tues - Thurs 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday: 11 a.m to 5 p.m Saturday 12:00 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: Closed Follow us on Facebook for updates: Follow us on Facebook for updates: @ @ Whitefish Community Library Board of Trustees Sarah Ericson Chair Deb Bond Vice Chair Trevor Gonser Treasurer Richard Hildner Trustee Jessica Tubbs Trustee Director Joey Kositzky Secretary The library recently received a generous donation from the estate of Connie and Jake Heckathorn. The Board of Trustees will begin to prioritize the allocation of funds for projects that may include new lighting and carpeting. The library is grateful for the generosity and support of both Connie and Jake over the past years. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to their daughter, Martha and the Heckathorn family. The WCL Board of Trustees welcomes Kelly Peppmeier and Terry Peterson as the new Trustees-in-Training. Whitefish Library Association was awarded a Flathead Electric Co-op “Round-up for Safety” grant to add two additional security cameras. Thank you Flathead Electric Co-op, for your continued support of the library. Due to the success of the book disucssion groups, we are adding another group. The groups will meet the second Wednesday of every month at 1pm and the last Wednesday of every month at 6pm in the Community Room. Everyone is welcome. We are excited to bring back the popular “R.E.A.D.” (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program. R.E.A.D. is an Intermountain Therapy Animal sponsored program whose mission is to improve children’s reading and communication skills by reading to a dog. Dogs do not judge, laugh or criticize, and are less intimidating than their peers. Trained therapy dogs and their owner/handlers will visit the library every Tuesday from 3:30-5pm. Contact the Library to sign-up for a 15-minute visit.Walk-ins are welcome. Youth Services Librarian, Mary Drew, is creating an exciting Summer 2022 Reading Challenge. Check the library website or call the library for current information on the Challenge. The Board of Trustees is continually reviewing and updating the Whitefish Community Library policies. Click “About Us” on our website for a complete list. After 23-years our loveable, plush ‘snowfolk’ have found new ‘forever homes’. Children and adults played Bingo and were able to pick out a snowman/woman to take home. Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2022 Whitefish Community Library survey that was provided online and in-house. The library creates a survey every 2-3 years to determine if we are meeting the needs of the community. Results will be compiled and posted on our library website. Don’t forget to visit our website for summer events, Check out Your Account, Access the Montana Shared Catalog, and for Book Reviews and follow us on facebook @WhitefishCommunityLibrary ---PAGE BREAK--- STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Towne Printer City of Whitefish PO BOX 158 Whitefish, Montana 59937 Subject to membership eligibility and credit approval. Offer valid for new or used vehicle loans completed by August 31, 2022. Refinancing of a current Whitefish Credit Union loan is not eligible for offer. Interest will begin to accrue when loan funds are disbursed. Federally insured by NCUA. WhitefishCU.com/90Days Car. Truck. Boat. RV. ATV. GET MOVING ON SUMMER ADVENTURES