Commission tables Kapp’s property trade proposal
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POLSON — Gary Kapp came to the Polson City Commission meeting on Monday night to propose a trade. Kapp offered a piece of his property east of La Vista Drive and a sewer easement to the city in exchange for waiving the $5,700 impact fees on his property.
The commissioners and Kapp discussed concerns, such as an easement for the city sewer under Kapp’s property, maintenance of the piece of property and liability because golf carts use the property.
Kapp eventually would like to subdivide his remaining property after he and his wife build on one lot. He said he couldn’t subdivide if a road bisects the subdivision, and the golf cart path counts as a road. Also Kapp does not want the liability for the golf cart path.
Commissioner Mike Lies said only 15 homes are allowed on a cul-de-sac and Kapp’s house would be number 16. Kapp would need to put in an ingress/egress point. Lies suggested the commissioners “knock off one fourth (of the impact fees) for the easement and he (Kapp) can keep the property.”
The item was tabled for two weeks until City Attorney James Raymond can look at the problem.
The commission approved a memorandum of understanding to move the Farmer’s Market to 3rd Avenue W subject to a couple of changes. The street needs to be open for traffic by 1:30 and the contract will be reviewed annually.
City Manager Todd Crossett brought up a number of items during city manager comments.
Crossett announced the Farmer’s Market would open at its new location between Main Street and 1st Street E. on 3rd Avenue W. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 8:45 a.m. Crossett said. Crossett credited City Parks Superintendent Karen Sargeant with working hard to get the Farmer’s Market moved.
In other park news, Crossett said bathrooms in city parks will be open on May 15.
The Parks Department will be in Missoula next week interviewing for an intern to complete a tree inventory in Polson.
Crossett said downtown businesswomen Tali Duford and Jackie Cripe have been working hard on the stair project. The stairs would go down the hill from 1st Street E. to Riverside Park. The PBC has been raising money for the project, and the city will handle the funds for the project.
Crossett described the medical marijuana meeting held at the Lake County Court House on April 27 as “a good, productive meeting.” Crossett said there was not a lot of discussion about where in the city medical marijuana should be allowed just if it should be allowed. Another meeting will be held on May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the courthouse.
People attending the meeting should enter from the west side through the sheriff’s entrance and take the elevator to the third floor.
Crossett announced the city filled one of two positions in the street department. The city hired Bill Smith. The other position may be filled at the end of June depending on the budget. Many highly qualified people applied, Crossett said.
Crossett attended a Highway 93 scoping meeting. The general transportation plan and highway alignment study are scheduled to be completed in 12 months. Both will need lots of public engagement and interface with public officials.
Crossett is also involved in selecting a project consultant for the TIGER grant from the Montana Department of Transportation’s short list.
Crossett attended a golf board meeting held last week. The greens are in very good shape, Crossett added. Missoula, Whitefish and Spokane golf courses all suffered winterkill, but Polson escaped.
The golf club restaurant and bar are open, Crossett said, and dealt with a big tournament last weekend. Pam Perry has been hired as assistant manager. The management team is working hard to set up accounting and inventory systems.
Crossett said he was interested in input from anyone who had lunch out there or participated in the tourney.
Streetscape bid packages are being wrapped up. Crossett said they are thinking of starting construction with the two blocks closest to 7th Avenue in August if the downtown business community agrees to the plan.
The next fire stakeholder meeting will be held on May 19 at 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Fire Station.
The joint airport board has asked Crossett to finalize their contract with the tribe.
Crossett welcomed City Clerk Aggi Loeser back to the office “just in time for budgets and evaluation.”
The commissioners appointed Doug Morigeau to the golf board from Ward 1.
A motion to appoint Tom Corse to the golf board for Ward 3 died for lack of a second. The commissioners discussed the fact that Corse is gone during the winter months and will try and find a full-time resident to take the position.
In other business, the commission approved:
• Montana Department of Revenue on premises consumption of beer and wine licenses for Lucky Lil’s Casino and Magic Diamond Casino
• Approval of pledge securities
