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CITY MANAGER’S REPORT July 28, 2020 COVID-19 PANDEMC UPDATE The City continues to respond to complaints regarding violations of the new face covering regulations. The City is working closely with the Flathead City-County Health Department regarding complaints about businesses within City limits. Anyone can submit a complaint at www.cityofwhitefish.org/covidcomplaint or with the County at violation-report/. As of today, we have not issued any civil citations or revoked any business licenses. Starting July 17th, all COVID-19 testing sites in Flathead County were suspended. Unfortunately, the time for results to be returned from the lab far exceeded two weeks. If availability for processing improves, then testing may resume. We will work hard to make sure Whitefish is one of the first sites to be operational again. The Montana Business Adaptability Grant Program was recently expanded to provide for reimbursement of eligible costs up to $10,000 with up to two applications for Montana based businesses. This grant covers costs related to communication, remote work equipment, cleaning supplies, tools to enhance social distancing and sanitation, and more. As announced by the Governor in early June, the local governments are eligible for reimbursement of certain COVID-19 expenses through the CARES Act funds received by the State of Montana. Last week the City submitted its first request for reimbursement of eligible expenses related to COVID-19 in the amount of $688,671. The amount requested covers the costs of remote work equipment, sanitation and cleaning supplies, cloth face coverings, public information through our crisis communications team, and roughly three months of wages for police officers and firefighters. We hope to have confirmation of the total approved amount to be reimbursed before the final budget adoption in mid-August. Once these funds are received, there are options on how we utilize the freed-up funds on hand. I anticipate recommending a mixture of the following: a reduction is property taxes, eliminating the loan proposed to partially fund a new ambulance, and completion of the LED lighting project at the Emergency Services Center to save on operating costs of electricity and maintenance while meeting a goal of the Climate Action Plan. Furthermore, with the potential for high overtime costs should our police department or fire department have confirmed cases of COVID-19, some of the funds should remain in reserves. CITY COUNCIL GOALS UPDATE On April 15, 2019, the City Council adopted 29 goals for Fiscal Year 2020, which ended June 30, 2020. Included at the end of this report is a chart that shows the adopted goals by Department with a brief quarterly update and the estimated date of completion. While the chart identifies goals completed and in progress, it is important to remember that there are other significant projects ongoing, such as the Baker Avenue Underpass, analysis of future tax increment districts, and the Highway 93 South Corridor Plan. The City Council adopted new goals for Fiscal Year 2021, some of which were rolled over from Fiscal Year 2020. ---PAGE BREAK--- NEXT COUNCIL MEETING The next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, August 17th in the City Council Chambers. A work session is tentatively scheduled to review a draft ordinance regarding shared mobility devices, golf carts, etc. Respectfully submitted, Dana M. Smith, CPA City Manager ---PAGE BREAK--- FY20 WHITEFISH CITY COUNCIL GOALS 4th QUARTER UPDATE Department/Goal Update Estimated Completion Date Administration 1. Create a Finance Plan for Economic Downturn Complete. Staff will continue to update the financial figures annually. June 2020 2. Create a Resort Tax Education and Reallocation Plan Met with City Council in a work session to discuss extension and re-allocation of resort tax. Staff is working to update proposed language based on City Council direction. City will continue to focus on education through public outreach. June 2021* 3. Create a Cemetery Plan Search for an appropriate site continues. Long-term/Ongoing* Fire Department 1. Implement Long-Range Master Plan for Fire Department The FY21 Proposed Budget includes $40,000 for this project. The Request for Qualifications has been drafted and is ready to publish once the budget in approved in mid-August. June 2021* 2. Provide City Council Emergency Management Training Training delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic as in-person meetings were cancelled. Training is anticipated to occur in early FY21. December 2020* Parks & Recreation 1. Depot Park Redevelopment Phase II and Phase III Project Complete. The owner of the railroad statue has decided to relocate the statue to the Stumptown Historical Society property. The Park Board approved moving the Whitefish Rising statue to the Central Ave location. June 2020 2. Bike/Ped Master Plan Wayfinding Sign Implementation Project Complete. There will continue to be new signs and adjustments to existing signs as the path system develops as ongoing maintenance. October 2019 3. Explore Possible Funding Sources for Maintenance of Parks/Public Spaces Staff continues to enter data into Cityworks and work on dashboards for managing data. Long-term/Ongoing 4. Armory Park Redevelopment Phase III We had a site visit with representatives from FWP. We will be revising the grant budget to reflect all changes. We have entered into a small works contract with RPA for surveying and drainage for the playground that will be installed later this summer. An RFP will be issued for engineering services for the remainder of the project in the fall, with construction anticipated to begin next spring or summer. November 2021* 5. Urban Forestry Management Staff continues to manage the City's urban forest by zones. Zones 1 and 2 are nearing completion. Long-term/Ongoing ---PAGE BREAK--- 6. Long-range Operations and Maintenance Trail Strategy with WLP Pending initial meeting to determine goal and process. Extended completion date from June 2020 to December 2020. December 2020 Planning Department 1. Affordable Housing Implementation Contract with Whitefish Housing Authority for development of the City’s snow lot was executed. Committee resumed meeting in July 2021. Long-term/Ongoing* 2. Parking Plan for Downtown Area New parking ord. in effect 7/1 that prohibits re- parking on the block face and requires construction permits for on-street spaces. Staff developed informational brochure and hand delivered to downtown businesses. Staff developed info card to use with warnings and citations. Long-term/Ongoing* 3. Update Architectural Review Standards Reviewed language, photos and drawings, clarified problem areas, incorporated multi- family and mixed-use standards where appropriate, and worked on layout. October 2020* 4. Update Landscaping and Tree Retention Standards Project pending available staff time. Department is down one planning position. March 2021* 5. Update Zoning Ordinances for Downtown Area Project pending available staff time. Department is down one planning position. December 2021* Police Department 1. Increase Capabilities of Police Department New officer hire has been delayed to FY21 due to COVID-19, minimal interest, and lack of qualified applicants. Testing is currently in progress. Long-term/Ongoing* 2. Analyze Policing Needs if Big Mountain is Annexed (in 2023) Continue strategic planning and preparing a needs assessment to determine policing needs. January 2023* Public Works Department 1. Design and Construct Wastewater Treatment Plan Upgrades WWTP is under construction. Reactor walls have been poured and pre-cast building panels set. Fall 2021* 2. Water Capacity Improvements and Reduce Unaccounted for Water Loss Bidding completed and project awarded to Swank Enterprises for $9.327M, which was about $300K below the final construction estimate. Work is expected to begin in August. Ongoing* 3. Create Sidewalk Assistance Program Completed bidding for FY21 sidewalk assistance program. Contract was awarded to Knife River. Long-term/Ongoing* 4. Reduce Number of Illegal Sump Pump Connections Continuing outreach and education. Additional letters mailed to property owners and inspections scheduled. Long-term/Ongoing* 5. Complete State Park Road Improvements LHC is currently in their summer shutdown in order to allow gas, power, and other utilities to relocate. Road work will resume in September with final completed expected in November 2020. November 2020 ---PAGE BREAK--- 6. Construct Viaduct Improvements Baker Ave. Underpass is under contract with construction to being in August 2020. Evaluated improvements across the viaduct and determined they cannot be achieved during this phase of work due to complexity in obtaining urban funds. Viaduct improvement will be reconsidered at a later date. November 2020 7. Construct Birch Point Quiet Zone Improvements Set meeting for early August with MDT and BNSF to discuss quiet zone. Birch Point neighborhood is also organizing and plans to work with BNSF on an alternative to the at- grade crossing at Birch Point. June 2020* 8. Construct Multi-modal Transportation Hub Project Complete. June 2020 9. Update Transportation Plan Held scoping meeting with KLJ and organized a kick-off meeting with MDT. First public meeting will be late summer/early fall. April 2021* 10. Continue Looking into Improving Recycling Efforts with CAP Steering Committee Continued discussions with Republic Services regarding contract changes surrounding recycling site. Staff is preparing a request for proposals for recycling services of the City’s central site (new location TBD). Ordered new magnetic signs for recycling site. Long-term/Ongoing* 11. Continue Working on Whitefish Lake Septic Leachate Concerns with WLI Discussed septic study with Representative Fern. Continue to work with WLI. Long-term/Ongoing* *Included as City Council Goal in Fiscal Year 2021.