Locomotive, utility rates on work agenda

Potential changes to the city’s utility rates and impact fees continues at the Kalispell City Council work session tonight.

The Kalispell Public Works Department has proposed a new utility rate schedule that could raise sewer rates by about $13 a month throughout 2021 and by about $3 per month every subsequent year until 2025. Water rates could increase about $3 per month every year until 2025, while impact fees would decrease across the board.

The council heard numerous public comments about these proposals at a public hearing March 2. The council reportedly had received 69 total comments on the proposed changes by March 4. About 46 of all the comments received were categorized as “against” the proposed changes; four were apparently in favor of the changes and 19 were considered neutral. Neutral comments mostly included questions about the changes and how individual customers would be affected.

Most of the residents who commented at the public hearing voiced concerns about the reduced impact fees and increasing water and sewer fees.

The council is unable to respond to public comments during a public hearing, but they will discuss the feedback at the work session. The new rates and fees potentially could go into effect starting later this month.

The council will also discuss the donation of a locomotive engine from Mission Mountain Railroad. The railroad company has pledged to donate, decommission and place a locally used locomotive on the Kalispell Parkline Trail.

Initially, the locomotive was planned to be placed in Depot Park, but the council is now considering placing it on the trail on Fourth Avenue East since it would be a large obstruction in the park. “The locomotive is to be placed approximately 250 feet east of the east side of Fourth Avenue East and positioned as though heading westward, into Kalispell,” according to the meeting agenda.

The plan is also to repaint the locomotive the original Great Northern Railroad orange and black color scheme, and fit the train to allow public access onto it, but these steps are still pending community donations. In the meantime, the locomotive will be closed from public access.

The work session starts at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 201 First Ave. E.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.