Development News for Kalispell, Montana

Calispell City Council Approves Updated Land Use Public Participation Plan

The council discussed and approved Resolution 6327, an update to the Land Use Public Participation Plan. The updated plan aims to enhance public engagement by providing clearer processes for public notice, document access, and commenting on site-specific developments. Key changes include utilizing the city website for posting application materials, staff reports, and decisions, offering online comment submission, and implementing a subscription alert system. The plan clarifies notice procedures for different types of development actions, differentiating between citywide zoning text amendments and site-specific map amendments. The council expressed strong support for the updated plan, viewing it as a positive step towards more robust public participation and potentially a model for other cities.

Flathead County Crisis Assistance Team Provides Update on Services and Funding

James Pike, Behavioral Health Supervisor for the Flathead City County Health Department, presented an update on the Crisis Assistance Team (CAT). The CAT program, established six years ago, operates as an autonomous unit in partnership with law enforcement. Funding has been bolstered by city and county contributions from Montana Opioid Abatement Trust funds. The presentation highlighted the scarcity of crisis services in Montana and detailed the CAT's operational structure, team roster, data on encounters, and transport capabilities. The team aims to provide community-based resolutions for individuals in crisis, operating 7 days a week, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and serves all of Flathead County. The program is free to clients, funded through Medicaid reimbursement, state funds, and the opioid abatement trust.