Kalispell meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Kalispell council agenda: budget, levies, and 95-unit development

The Kalispell City Council's Aug. 17 agenda included the FY 2026-27 budget, a $4,613,323 emergency responder levy, and a 95-unit planned unit development. No minutes have been published for this or other recent meetings, so no vote tallies or formal decisions are available.

Budget and levies

The council's Aug. 17 agenda included:

• A public hearing on the Fernwell Apartments (20 4th Avenue East) for community housing need and a potential property tax exemption.
• Ordinance 1954: Birchwood Planned Unit Development, 95 residential units on 21.32 acres west of Northland Drive.
• Resolution 6343: Emergency Responder Levy of $4,613,323.
• Resolution 6344: Annual mill levy for FY 2026-27.
• Resolutions 6346-6351: Storm sewer, urban forestry, light, street, and solid waste district assessments.

No vote tallies are available because minutes are not yet published.

Naming policy and parking zone

At an Aug. 10 work session, the council discussed a proposed policy for naming or renaming city-owned parks, facilities, and public assets. The policy prioritizes geographic, historical, functional, and individual/organization names, requires 15-day public notice, and final City Council approval. It was prompted by a request to rename the Kidsports facility.

The council also received an update on the Westside Parking Management Zone, established by Ordinance 1759 in 2015, with restricted areas added in 2018, 2023, and 2026. Residents get two free parking permits; students and teachers must purchase permits. Parking is restricted to one side of streets. No fiscal impacts were anticipated.

Development reviews

The Site Development Review Committee met Aug. 13 to review several projects, including the Flathead County Detention Center at 225 Snowline Lane, Timberwolf Residences (six apartment buildings and a clubhouse on Stillwater Bend Road), Bruyer Heights (a 12-plex at 95 Village Loop), Silverbrook Village (multi-family at 417 E Swift Creek Way), and Lincoln Square (commercial/retail/restaurant at 380 Cascade Loop). The committee also heard preliminary comments on the FVCC Trades Facility and North Complex Parking Lot.

The Architectural Review Committee met Aug. 11 to review a shop addition for Kalispell Volkswagen at 2845 US 93 S.

Two procedural meetings on preliminary plats, conditional use permits, and variances were held Aug. 10 and Aug. 17. No specific applications were listed in the agendas.

Other boards

The Conrad Mansion Museum Board of Directors met Aug. 18 to approve July minutes and the treasurer's report and receive executive director and committee updates. No major decisions were listed.

Coming up

• **Aug. 24:** City Council work session to discuss renting city-owned downtown parking lots for weekend events and allowing residential block parties with temporary street closures. The council will review existing permit processes and may require liability insurance.
• **Aug. 26:** Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District board will review two grant applications (Montana Dance Association event grant and a New All Terrain Wheelchair for Lone Pine State Park), receive a post-grant report from the Flathead Valley Hockey Association, and approve July minutes and financials.

Kalispell boards review housing, water bonds, and parks plan; no decisions made

Over the past two weeks, Kalispell city boards and committees met to review proposals for housing, water infrastructure, and a parks master plan. All items were on agendas only; minutes have not yet been published, and no formal decisions were made.

City Council

The City Council held two agenda sessions. On July 27, it reviewed the 90% draft of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, a 20-year strategic guide for park development and facility management. No action was requested; feedback was sought before final adoption in late summer.

On August 3, the council considered several items:

• **Birchwood Development**: Annexation and zoning for 95 residential units on 21.32 acres.
• **Lead Service Line Replacement Phase 1**: Proposed Series 2026A Bonds for $414,000 and Series 2026B Bonds for $278,000.
• **Resolution 6339**: Proposed salary adjustments for Mayor and Council based on market conditions and CPI.
• **Resolution 6338**: Expansion of the Urban Renewal Agency Board to include County and School District representatives.
• Recognition of Firefighters Chris Albrecht and Zachary Lanz for life-saving actions.

Site Development Review Committee

The committee met twice. On July 30, it reviewed several residential and institutional projects, including:

• Silverbrook Village multi-family project at 417 E Swift Creek Way.
• Proposed 4,000 SF steel storage building for solid waste equipment at 1400 1 St Ave W.
• Stillwater 360 Development update: four 80-unit buildings and one 64-unit building.
• Timberwolf Residences on Stillwater Bend Rd (6 apartment buildings and 1 clubhouse).
• St Matthews School front façade improvements at 601 1 St Ave W.

On August 6, the committee held a public hearing and reviewed old and new business, including:

• Flathead County Detention Center – 225 Snowline Lane.
• Timberwolf Residences – Stillwater Bend Rd.
• St. Matthews School – 601 1st Ave W.
• Silverbrook Village – 417 E Swift Creek Way.
• Lincoln Square – 380 Cascade Loop – commercial/retail/restaurant.

Housing Study Advisory Committee

On August 6, the committee discussed a draft Request for Proposal for a housing study funded by a $126,000 PRO Housing grant from HUD. The study must be completed by May 2027. The committee also planned to select a chair and set its future meeting schedule.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Kalispell roundup: Lead line bonds, 95-unit housing plan on tap; recent meetings still awaiting minutes

No minutes have been published for any Kalispell city meetings held in the past two weeks, so no formal decisions from those sessions are on the record yet. The most consequential items now sit on the Monday, Aug. 3 City Council agenda, including proposed bonds for lead service line replacement and a 95-unit residential development.

City Council — Aug. 3 agenda

The Council is scheduled to review the Birchwood Development, which proposes annexation and zoning for 95 residential units on 21.32 acres.

Also on the agenda: Lead Service Line Replacement Phase 1, backed by proposed Series 2026A Bonds ($414,000) and Series 2026B Bonds ($278,000).

Resolution 6339 would adjust salaries for the Mayor and Council based on market conditions and CPI. Resolution 6338 would expand the Urban Renewal Agency Board to include County and School District representatives.

The Council will also recognize Firefighters Chris Albrecht and Zachary Lanz for life saver actions.

City Council — July 20 (minutes not published)

The Council agenda listed Ordinance 1952, covering parking updates including a rolling rule and removal of a 30-minute spot south of the public safety building.

Four resolutions were on the agenda: Resolution 6333 (Water Facility Plan), Resolution 6334 (Wastewater Collection System Facility Plan), Resolution 6335 (Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan), and Resolution 6336 (incorporating the 2025 Stormwater Facility Plan into PLAN-IT 2045, the city's land use plan).

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed whether any of these items were adopted.

City Council — July 27 (minutes not published)

The Council was scheduled to discuss a 90% draft of the updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan, described as a 20-year strategic guide for park development and facility management. No formal action was requested; the session was for review and feedback before final adoption in late summer.

Site Development Review Committee — July 23 (minutes not published)

Agenda items included the Flathead County Detention Center at 225 Snowline Lane; a Chick-Fil-A remodel and site improvements at 355 Treeline Rd; Timberwolf Residences on Stillwater Bend Rd (6 apartment buildings and 1 clubhouse); St Matthews School front façade improvements at 601 1st Ave W; and a proposed 3,552 SF loading/unloading dock building for Noth Park Transportation at 100 Old School Drive.

Site Development Review Committee — July 30 (minutes not published)

Agenda items included the Silverbrook Village multi-family project at 417 E Swift Creek Way; a proposed 4,000 SF steel storage building for solid waste equipment at 1400 1 St Ave W; a Stillwater 360 Development update with four 80-unit buildings and one 64-unit building; the Timberwolf Residences; and St Matthews School façade improvements.

Housing Study Advisory Committee — July 23 (minutes not published)

The committee was scheduled to discuss a draft Request for Proposal for a housing study, select a chairperson, set future meeting dates, and clarify its scope of responsibilities. A public comment period of 3 minutes or less per speaker was listed.

Downtown BID — July 21 (minutes not published)

The Kalispell Business Improvement District Board agenda included the FY27 work plan, covering flower installation bids, golf-cart paint and vinyl logos, uniforms, holiday decorations, infrastructure mapping follow-up, and facade program candidates (Music One, Wheaton windows, Flathead Running Company). The board was also set to review a statement of work for administrative support and the district renewal process, with updates on TIF/Opportunity Zone applications.

Coming up

• **City Council** — Monday, Aug. 3: bonds for lead service line replacement, 95-unit Birchwood Development annexation and zoning, Mayor and Council salary adjustments, Urban Renewal Agency Board expansion, and firefighter recognition. This is the meeting most likely to affect residents' utilities, housing, and city governance this week.

Kalispell government roundup: Budget hearings, development reviews dominate July agendas; water and wastewater plans up next

Budget hearings held; outcomes not yet confirmed

The Kalispell City Council scheduled public hearings on July 6 covering the preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget and separate facility plans for water, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment. A follow-up work session on July 13 was set to review the budget adoption procedure before resolutions are presented for consideration on August 17. That work session was listed as discussion only, with no formal decisions planned.

Minutes for both council meetings have not yet been published, so vote tallies and any actions taken are not yet available in the public record.

Parking fees and rules under review

The July 6 council agenda included Resolution 6331, which would amend off-street parking permit and ticket fees, and the first reading of Ordinance 1952, proposing to remove a 30-minute parking spot and add a "rolling rule." The same ordinance reappears on the July 20 agenda, where it is listed for further consideration along with removal of a 30-minute spot south of the public safety building. No vote counts are available yet.

Fire Station 63 design contract on the table

The July 6 agenda listed Task Order 2 with LSW Architects for the design of Fire Station 63 at 490 Mountain Vista Way. No dollar amount was provided in the agenda summary, and no outcome has been confirmed.

Development reviews: apartments, banks, and remodels

The Site Development Review Committee met July 9 and July 16 to review several projects:

• **Timberwolf Residences** — six apartment buildings and a clubhouse at Stillwater Bend Road (new business July 9; carried to July 16).
• **Chick-Fil-A** — remodel and site improvements at 355 Treeline Rd.
• **Flathead County Detention Center** — 225 Snowline Lane.
• **Kalispell Outpost Apartments** — 40 Appleway Drive.
• **Northwestern Energy Shop Addition** — 890 N Meridian.
• **Preliminary comments** were scheduled for a Farmers Bank branch at 385 Cascade Loop and a car wash/coffee shop at 1430/1440 Hwy 2 W.
• A **PUD amendment request** for Stillwater Bend Phase 2 was also listed.

No decisions are confirmed because minutes have not been published.

Planning Commission takes up Birchwood proposal

The Planning Commission met July 14 to review applications KPUD-26-01 and KA-26-02 for a development proposal at the Birchwood site, including a public hearing on development plans and zoning compliance. The agenda listed only the case numbers and associated maps, with no additional project details or dollar amounts provided.

Coming up

• **July 20 — City Council:** Consideration of Ordinance 1952 (parking updates) and Resolutions 6333 through 6336, which would adopt updated Water, Wastewater Collection, and Advanced Wastewater Treatment facility plans and incorporate the 2025 Stormwater Facility Plan into PLAN-IT 2045.
• **July 21 — Downtown BID Board:** Review of the FY27 work plan, including flower installation bids, golf-cart branding, infrastructure mapping, and facade program candidates (Music One, Wheaton windows, Flathead Running Company), plus the statement of work for administrative support and district renewal.

All recent meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed pending publication of official minutes.

Kalispell Council Set for FY2027 Budget Hearings; Site Reviews Cover Apartments, Detention Center, Fire Station

Kalispell's recent government meetings focused on the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027 budget and a slate of development reviews — but because minutes have not yet been published for any of the past two weeks' meetings, no formal decisions can be confirmed from the available records. All items below are drawn from published agendas only.

City Council: Budget, Parking Fees, Fire Station Design

The July 6 City Council agenda listed public hearings on the preliminary FY2026-2027 budget and on water, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment facility plans. Also on the agenda: Resolution 6331 to amend off-street parking permit and ticket fees, a first reading of Ordinance 1952 to remove a 30-minute parking spot and add a "rolling rule," and Task Order 2 with LSW Architects for design of Fire Station 63 at 490 Mountain Vista Way. Appointments to the Housing Study Advisory Committee and a resolution supporting an opportunity zone were also listed.

A separate July 13 council work session is scheduled to review the FY2027 preliminary budget. According to the agenda, staff will review the budget adoption procedure and provide updates before resolutions are presented for consideration on August 17. No formal decisions are expected at that session.

Dangerous Driving Enforcement Review

On June 29, the council held a work session on dangerous driving enforcement, covering speeding, reckless driving, and DUI. Staff were scheduled to explain current enforcement methods and associated legal procedures under state and municipal law. The agenda noted no formal votes or policy changes were expected.

Site Development Review Committee

The Site Development Review Committee met July 2 and July 9, with agendas covering several active projects:

• **Flathead County Detention Center** at 225 Snowline Lane — carried as old business across both meetings.
• **Kalispell Outpost Apartments** at 40 Appleway Drive — listed July 2.
• **Northwestern Energy Shop Addition** at 890 N Meridian — listed July 2.
• **Chick-Fil-A remodel and site improvements** at 355 Treeline Rd — old business on both agendas.
• **Timberwolf Residences** — six apartment buildings and one clubhouse at Stillwater Bend Road — new business July 9.
• **Preliminary comments** on a Farmers Bank branch at 385 Cascade Loop, a car wash/coffee shop at 1430/1440 Hwy 2 W, and a former Toyota dealership.
• **PUD Amendment Request** for Stillwater Bend Phase 2 — listed July 9.
• Performance bond reminders were also on the July 2 agenda.

No vote tallies, dollar amounts, or outcomes are available for any of these items because minutes have not been published.

Coming Up

• **July 13 — City Council:** Final work session on the FY2027 preliminary budget. No formal decisions expected; budget resolutions are slated for August 17.
• **July 14 — Planning Commission:** Review of applications KPUD-26-01 and KA-26-02 for the Birchwood site, including a public hearing on development plans and zoning compliance. The agenda lists only these case numbers and associated maps, with no additional project details or dollar amounts provided.

Kalispell meetings focus on infrastructure, development reviews; budget hearing set for July 6

Recent meetings: discussion only, no published outcomes

All six Kalispell government meetings held between June 22 and July 2 were work sessions or committee discussions for which minutes have not yet been published. No votes or formal decisions can be confirmed from the available records. What follows is what each body had on its agenda.

City Council: water, wastewater plans and driving enforcement

The City Council held two work sessions in the past two weeks. On June 22, council members discussed updates to three facility plans — the Water Facility Plan, the Wastewater Collection Facility Plan, and the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan. Staff and consulting engineers presented the updates, which are intended to guide infrastructure improvements and set near-, mid-, and long-term priorities. A public hearing on those plans was scheduled for July 6, 2026. No votes were planned at the June 22 session.

On June 29, the council held an informational briefing on how the city handles dangerous driving, including speeding, reckless driving, and DUI. Staff explained current enforcement methods and the legal procedures under state and municipal law. No formal votes or policy changes were expected.

Architectural Review Committee: Lincoln Square project

The Architectural Review Committee met June 23 to discuss a mixed-use building proposed at Lincoln Square, 380 Cascade Loop. The agenda included a public hearing on the project, approval of April 28, 2026 meeting minutes, and discussion of a possible change to the ARC meeting time. Minutes are not yet published.

Tourism Business Improvement District: FY27 media plan

The TBID board met June 24 to discuss the FY27 media plan and hear a post-event grant report for Rumble In The Rockies. The agenda also included approval of May 27, 2026 meeting minutes, acceptance of May 2026 financials, and staff reports. No outcomes are confirmed.

Site Development Review Committee: apartments, detention center, remodels

The committee met twice, on June 25 and July 2, to review multiple projects across Kalispell:

• Stillwater Bend Apartments — 2890 US Hwy 93 N
• CoK Stormwater Decant Facility — 2580 US Hwy 93 S
• Flathead County Detention Center — 225 Snowline Lane
• Kalispell Outpost Apartments — 40 Appleway Drive
• Northwestern Energy Shop Addition — 890 N Meridian
• Chick-Fil-A remodel and site improvements — 355 Treeline Rd

The July 2 agenda also included performance bond reminders. Minutes from both meetings are not yet published.

Coming up

July 6 — City Council: The council will hold public hearings on the preliminary FY2027 budget and on the water, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment facility plans. The council will also consider Resolution 6331 to amend off-street parking permit and ticket fees, a first reading of Ordinance 1952 to remove a 30-minute parking spot and add a "rolling rule," Task Order 2 with LSW Architects for Fire Station 63 design at 490 Mountain Vista Way, a resolution supporting an opportunity zone, and appointments to the Housing Study Advisory Committee.

July 14 — Planning Commission: Commissioners will review applications KPUD-26-01 and KA-26-02 for a development proposal at the Birchwood site, including a public hearing on development plans and zoning compliance. The agenda lists only these case numbers and associated maps, with no additional project details or dollar amounts provided.

Kalispell Council reviews water, wastewater facility plans ahead of July 6 public hearing

The Kalispell City Council spent its June 22 work session examining updated facility plans for the municipal water system, wastewater collection, and advanced wastewater treatment plant. The plans, presented by staff and consulting engineers, outline infrastructure priorities for near-, mid-, and long-term growth. No votes were taken. A public hearing on all three plans is scheduled for July 6.

City Council work sessions

Council members also held a work session June 29 on dangerous driving enforcement. Staff explained current enforcement methods for speeding, reckless driving, and DUI, along with the legal procedures that govern them. The session was informational, with no policy changes proposed.

Site Development Review Committee

Two Site Development Review Committee meetings reviewed ongoing and proposed projects across the city. On June 25, members heard updates on Stillwater Bend Apartments (2890 US Hwy 93 N), the City of Kalispell Stormwater Decant Facility (2580 US Hwy 93 S), the Flathead County Detention Center (225 Snowline Lane), Kalispell Outpost Apartments (40 Appleway Drive), and a Chick-Fil-A remodel at 355 Treeline Rd.

On July 2, the committee continued discussing the detention center, Outpost Apartments, a Northwestern Energy shop addition at 890 N Meridian, and the Chick-Fil-A site improvements. Performance bond reminders were also addressed. No formal actions were reported.

Tourism Business Improvement District

On June 24, the Kalispell TBID board planned a vote to approve May 2026 meeting minutes and accept the month’s financials. The agenda also included a post-event grant report for Rumble In The Rockies and a discussion of the FY27 media plan.

Architectural Review Committee

The Architectural Review Committee convened June 23 for a public hearing on a mixed-use building at Lincoln Square, 380 Cascade Loop. The committee also considered changing its regular meeting time and planned to approve minutes from its April 28 gathering.

Coming up

The City Council will hold a July 6 meeting with public hearings on the preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget and the water, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment facility plans. Also on the agenda: a resolution amending off-street parking permit and ticket fees, a first reading of an ordinance to remove a 30-minute parking spot and add a “rolling rule,” a design contract with LSW Architects for Fire Station 63 at 490 Mountain Vista Way, a resolution supporting an opportunity zone, and appointments to the Housing Study Advisory Committee.

The Kalispell Planning Commission meets July 14 to review a planned unit development and application (KPUD-26-01 and KA-26-02) for the Birchwood site. A public hearing on zoning compliance and site plans is scheduled.