TF council moves ahead with priorities

Rusti Leivestad presided over her first council meeting as mayor of Thompson Falls on Monday. The meeting was held at the Sanders County Courthouse before an audience of about 40 community members.

Prior to the meeting, Carrie Gardner with Great West Engineering provided details about updates to the city's Capital Improvements Plan. Gardner met with the various departments in the city to determine project priorities. A public survey is also available on the city's website through the end of the week in order for community members to provide feedback on project priority. During the regular meeting, the council voted to move forward with updates to the plan.

Chris Laslovich with Blackfoot Communications provided an update on the Thompson Falls fiber project, stating that the project is complete, though new service connections will continue in the area. He stated that by the end of next year, the total investment in Sanders County fiber upgrades will total $40 million and include more than 3,500 connections.

The council approved several action items on Monday, including support for a second annual Highlead block party, which Cody Mosher said is scheduled for June. Mosher advised the council of changes and additions to the block party, which requires blocking off a portion of Mill Street. Council member Raoul Ribeiro told Mosher "you're a good neighbor," but asked if they would consider using Ainsworth Park for the event because of the space and increased parking. In making a motion to support and ask for more details, Ribeiro suggested Mosher return to the council with a written plan for the block party.

The council also approved proposed easements of city property for NorthWestern Energy. The easements requested included portions of Wild Goose Landing park, the power park and near the Gallatin Street bridge. Kim McMahon with Pinnacle Research, representing NorthWestern Energy, said the legal easements are required as the company prepares to submit its draft relicensing application for the Thompson Falls dam. McMahon noted that the cooperative management agreements on who will maintain the properties can be discussed at a later date.

The city voted to apply for an annual Arbor Day grant with the state, which the city has been doing for several years, City Clerk Chelsea Peterson noted. The grant allows the city to plant trees and they involve local second graders in the project. "The school kids always enjoy it," council member Shawni Vaught added. The council unanimously approved a motion to place no parking signs on South Columbia Street to allow for snow and emergency vehicles to have access, and passed a resolution to purchase a Skid-Steer loader and trailer for the Public Works staff. The $75,650 purchase would be funded through the state INTERCAP loan program. Mayor Leivestad said she met with Public Works staff and the Skid-Steer would offer the maneuverability that the staff needs.

With ongoing water and sewer projects, the council voted to designate $124,342 allocated to Thompson Falls with the passing of House Bill 355 to street projects. Leivestad said it's not a competitive grant, but the amount provided by the state was based on the size of the community. Gardner, with Great West Engineering, said the grants were available only to towns and cities, not districts or counties. "Putting that grant toward streets is important, especially with the sewer and water projects. It will help the city with paving projects," said former mayor Mark Sheets. Gardner addressed audience questions about paving city streets, stating that the city is trying to coordinate water line replacement with the wastewater project so that as one side of the street is repaved after the sewer work is done, the city can pave the other side at the same time. She said the city identified about 40 street blocks of aging water main that was leaking or needed to be replaced. Those replacements have been happening as the sewer project progresses east through town.

The council approved a contract with Great West Engineering for the water project, and voted to accept letters of conditions for the USDA Rural Development grant loan for the project.

During public comment, Cindy Bronner offered the council 239 additional signatures for a petition asking the city to rezone the Forest Service's Orchard property to recreational. She said that brings the total number of signatures collected to 725.

In the mayor's report, Leivestad said she's had her "month of orientation" and commended the team at city hall. "I'm so impressed with all the things I didn't even know went on."

The next city council meeting will be Monday, January 8, at 6 p.m.