Polson city commissioners okay pathway construction contract
Berl Tiskus
A drawing of the mural at Boettcher Park shows the artist’s rendering of the art piece, which was approved by the Polson City Commission at the July 1 meeting.
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POLSON — The Polson City Commissioners authorized interim Polson City Manager Karen Sargeant to sign a design/build contract with McCrumb Construction, Inc. at the July 1 meeting.
The $715,000 contract will allow McCrumb to complete the Riverside Park to Sacajawea Park walkway and city dock replacement.
During discussion, Polson City Engineer Shari Johnson said a lot of thought went into the pathway connecting the two parks and its fishing platform, including ways to make it survive icy winters since Flathead Lake and Flathead River are unique in their wind and wave action. Johnson said the projected date for completion of both projects is Memorial Day of 2014.
To fund the projects, commissioners approved Resolution No. 1045, to authorize issuance and private negotiated sale of up to $900,000 tax increment urban renewal revenue bonds, series 2013.
During public discussion, Polson resident Elsa Duford said her concern was for young children’s safety crossing from park to park.
Construction on the northern part of the path will begin in August, but the contractor will be bouncing back and forth, trying to stay out of swimming areas.
Local resident Rory Horning said he supported the Tax Increment Fund process, but it is supposed to have a component to make low-interest loans available to people in the district to improve their property. Instead, it’s a supplemental budget for the city of Polson.
While it’s not a tax increase, Polson resident Lee Manicke said TIF in itself is a tax increase. Manicke also thought the interest rate should be as low as possible.
Resident Diane Speer’s concern was that, “we’re not talking about blight.” The Polson Redevelopment Agency was established to prioritize blighted projects. Speer brought up the old Gambles building, mentioned by Jules Clavadetscher as the top priority. Then someone came up with the pathway, an unanticipated project. She wanted to know what happened to the Gambles building project.
Mayor Pat DeVries said the PRA found the Gambles building was structurally sound so that made it less of a priority.
PRA President Ken Avison said originally the PRA was concerned about asbestos and mold in the building.
“After the PRA and the city had an inspection done,” Avison added, “none of that was an issue.”
The PRA looked at buying the building or invoking eminent domain, but that would have cost too much since they couldn’t determine any use for the building; so nothing was done.
Commissioners also appeared frustrated that the Polson Development Code rewrite was taking so long.
Commissioner Stephen Turner said he would like to see it done in 2014, and Commissioner Mike Lies said he was disgusted.
“We’ve been laying on it for four years,” Lies stated.
Sargeant explained to the commissioners that the committee is going through the document, page by page, making sure it’s up to date with state statutes and jives with county laws.
DeGranpre said the committee work is 75 percent done. When it’s complete, he’ll compile it, and then the planning board needs to review the document.
“In terms of thoroughness, it’s a great process. In terms of time, it’s not great,” DeGrandpre said.
As a solution, Commissioner John Campbell proposed, as a way of gauging the progress on the remaining 25 percent, DeGrandpre come before the commission when each timeframe mentioned is reached and report on what’s been done.
The commissioners authorized Sargeant to complete an agreement with DeGrandpre, Land Solutions, LLC., for the rewrite.
Another motion passed was brought by Forrest Niemeyer. He showed commissioners a prototype of the mural proposed for the building wall in Boettcher Park that he and a fellow artist would like to paint.
During city manager comments, Sargeant said the ice rink committee met for the first time on June 24. Members will decide on the amenities and equipment they want and then begin research for a facility for the ice rink.
The Donegan house, which burned on April 2, leaving a charred shell, was completely removed as of July 24.
“Every single sample (of vermiculite tested) came back negative for asbestos,” Sargeant said.
Due to worries over children being hit by parade vehicles and candy, Sargeant said that candy will not be thrown in the Polson Fourth of July parade. Instead, parade participants were directed to walk along the edge of the crowd and toss candy underhand.
Large steel girders are still moving through Polson from Libby to continue on to Monroe, Wash. Sargeant noted the trucks went through town so quickly she couldn’t get a photo. Trucking girders will continue for the next seven to nine weeks on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
According to Sargeant, Polson fire trucks will reward the state champion Polson U-14 soccer girls with a ride in the Polson Fourth of July Parade.
Sargeant announced reorganization of City Hall’s front office. Cora Pritt, currently the City of Polson Assistant Planner/Clerk, has accepted the job of Polson City Clerk, vacated by City Clerk Cindy Dooley. Polson City Treasurer Bonnie Manicke retired in May, and Dooley has been hired for that position.
In the search for a new Polson city manager, a draft profile has been compiled, edited and corrected with input from the staff. All applications for the job must be submitted to Prothman. A link to the Prothman website will be available on the city of Polson website.
The next city commission meeting will be held on July 15 at Polson City Hall.
