Polson city commissioners approve annexation
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POLSON — A proposal for annexation approval of seven parcels of land totaling 157 acres southeast of Polson kindled discussion at the June 17 Polson City Commissioners meeting.
The land in question belongs to James Davies, Mike Maddy, Sue and Chris Toppen and Knife River Corporation.
City services — fire, police, road maintenance, water and sewer — seemed to be the main issues.
Because a private road provides access to the properties, no city maintenance would be needed, according to the landowners.
Sewer and water superintendent Tony Porrazzo said infrastructure (water and sewer mains) are not close enough to the properties to be connected. There would be change in the response by the city and rural fire departments.
The only service changing would be law enforcement, which would fall under the city instead of Lake County. Polson Police Chief Wade Nash said he worked in law enforcement in the area for the last 10-15 years and “never responded to a call up there.”
“No one here is asking for any additional services,” Jenkins stated during the presentation.
The commissioners passed the annexation and zone changes with conditions that they comply with Ordinance No 637, dealing with annexation, and that Polson City Attorney James Raymond researches the issue and makes sure the city of Polson does not have to provide services if the properties are annexed.
During city manager comments, Karen Sargeant, Polson Interim City Manager, reported good news on the Donegan fire site.
While it’s not good news that the single family home burned on April 2, it is good news that there is no asbestos in the vermiculite in the burned shell. Jensen Backhoe demolished the house on Thursday, June 20.
Sargeant also said trucks hauling 210-foot-long girders will be traveling U.S. Highway 93 through Polson on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for the next six to nine weeks. The trucks are bound for I-90.
The Polson Volunteer Fire Department received the use of a boat slip from Mark McDonald, Flathead River RV Resort, saving the department $1,500 per year.
In a phone interview, Polson Fire Chief John Ed Fairchild said Steve Stanley and Tim Marinen repaired and reset the boat lift, saving the department another $1,000.
Both the boat slip and the lift repair make a huge difference in Fairchild’s budget, and the Polson Fire Department appreciates the help.
The fire department was also given a 1948 Lafrance fire engine, purchased by Roland Pedersen, and will donate the vintage engine to a local museum.
Sargeant also said Eagle Scout candidate Dylan McCrumb from Troop 1947 plans ramps along the sides of the dock at the Travis Dolphin Dog Park as his Eagle Scout project. The ramps will give dogs a way to get back on the shore after they jump off the dock.
In other business, the commission paved the way for local service groups for summer events by waiving the the bond requirement for the Fourth of July fireworks, approving street closure on July 26 to 28 for the Flathead Lake 3-on-3 and waiving the open container law during Cruisin’ by the Bay car show’s concert in Riverside Park on Aug. 10.
They also passed a motion to renew city engineer Shari Johnson’s contract, but tabled a motion for a consulting agreement with Land Solution, LLC., completing the overhaul of Polson’s Development Code.
Fairchild asked commissioners to approve a study to see what the community wants from their fire department.
With a 50-person fire department and growth in the community, Fairchild said a study for better service would address issues such as station location, best use of manpower and equipment.
The study would be funded from the fire department’s budget in conjunction with money from the Polson Rural Fire Board, and the commission approved the motion.
The next city commission meeting will be held July 1 at 7 p.m. at Polson City Hall.
