The Kalispell City Council will discuss fire code amendments and funding for lead service line replacements at their upcoming meeting
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at City Hall. One big topic is the fire code amendments aimed at tackling unsafe properties, especially the old Outlaw Inn, which has become a bit of a hazard.
City Manager Doug Russell wants to make it easier to deal with these unsafe buildings. Right now, property owners have 60 days to fix issues, but the new plan would cut that down to just 10 days. If they don’t comply, the city can step in and take action.
This all started after some neighbors raised concerns about the Outlaw Inn, which has been sitting empty and attracting trouble. The property was bought by a company looking to turn it into apartments, but it’s been a bit of a mess.
On top of that, Kalispell has to replace all lead and galvanized pipes by 2037 due to a federal mandate. The council is weighing two funding options for this. One would use a mix of federal and local funds, while the other would pass costs onto homeowners.
Out of about 10,000 lines, 43 are lead and 57 are galvanized. If you got a letter about your service line being “unknown,” the city wants you to reach out.
They first discussed funding options back in September. One plan could get the city $2.5 million with some loan forgiveness, but there’s also a plan where homeowners would pay back the cost over several years.
The cost to replace these lines can be pretty steep, ranging from $5,000 to $17,000. Some council members are worried about using city funds for this, while others think it’s a necessary step.
Lead is no joke; it can cause serious health issues, especially for kids. The city says it’s the homeowner’s job to maintain these lines, but they’ll keep notifying anyone who refuses to replace theirs.
If you want to know more, you can reach out to reporter Jack Underhill.
