TF farmers market receives support

The Thompson Falls Farmers Market received pledged support from community members at Monday's meeting of the City Council.

Market organizer Veronica Ingle approached the council about having a reduced fee for the market to use one of the city parks for the event this year. In 2023, the market used an empty private lot because they could not afford the $100 per week rental. Ingle asked the city to reduce the fee to $100 per season for the market. While the council voted to refer the matter to the parks committee, several community members spoke up in favor of reduced fees for the market. Ingle said she is proposing a $5 per day fee from vendors to help cover expenses. Resident Henry Inks told Ingle to let him know what the expenses would be and offered to cover those so that vendors could attend the market for free.

Ingle is looking for volunteers to help with the market, as well as vendor input to set dates and times. For more information, email [email protected].

The council also on Monday adopted a revised fee schedule for the city. A public hearing was held prior to the regular meeting, at which residents spoke for and against the fee schedule. "If someone is requesting records, they should pay for that, not the taxpayers," said Lisa Gregory. Tamra Raiche spoke against the fee schedule. "I think it's double dipping." Resident Nancy Johnson said she thinks the fee schedule is "overreaching of the government."

Resident Gussie O'Conner gave an update on her proposal for solar radar speed signs on each end of town. She said that for between $8,000 and $10,000, the city could get two stationary signs, one for each end of town, as well as a mobile sign that could be placed at schools and other areas. Catherine DeWitt spoke on behalf of the Thompson Falls Woman's Club, stating that the club would like to take over the effort as a community service project and help with fundraising. "Thompson Falls Woman's Club is very enthused about the project and happy to help. We have a lot of ideas for fundraising," DeWitt said.

Council member Shawn Vaught commented that with Ainsworth Park getting new playground equipment and more kids in the area, "we want to make sure children are safe crossing the street." The council did not take any action on the matter.

Organizer Joni Mosher provided an update on Beautification Days, scheduled for April 25-27. The council voted to offer support to the town cleanup as they have in past years with items such as advertising and hauling away collected trash and yard waste. Mosher said the organizing committee has reached out to churches and other organizations to help with the event. She also said that the check-in for the event will be moved to Wild Goose Landing Park to offer more room for people to check out equipment and check in with organizers. To help or for more information, visit the city's website or email [email protected].

Also at Monday's meeting, Mayor Rusti Leivestad said she has been in contact with Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) about the possibility of moving the 25 miles per hour and 35 mph signs on the east and west ends of town. Leivestad said MDT advised the signs can be moved 500 feet. Residents asked if the signs could be moved farther out on each end of town. "I'll take 500 feet to start with," the mayor said. Leivestad was meeting with the state and county commissioners later this week to discuss the proposal. Resident Nancy Johnson also asked if the 15 mph signs near school zones could be changed to add "when children are present." Council member Shawni Vaught said the 15 mph was important. "I've watched so many people going too fast by the school," she expressed.

The council on Monday also voted to terminate the agreement for operations at Wild Goose Landing Park with NorthWestern Energy. The city, since 2003, has maintained the park using funds provided by the energy company, which operates the Thompson Falls dam. Leivestad said the city used about 250 man hours to support the park in 2023. The city has also provided supplemental funding to maintain the park and Monday decided to stop managing the park. "It's become more expensive to do than the contract allowed," she said.

Council member Katherine Maudrone made a request to place a plaque at Ainsworth Park commemorating the work of David Thompson. The American Society of Civil Engineers and the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering started the nomination process for Thompson's work in 2021. It recognizes Thompson's surveying and mapping as an international historic civil engineering landmark, Maudrone said. Barb Mosher of Thompson Falls recommended that in addition to having a plaque, funds could be raised to add a statue of David Thompson to make it a more prominent stop for visitors and tourists. The council voted to refer the matter to the parks committee.

The council voted to allow the Highlead to hold a block party on Mill Street again this year. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 22. Cody Mosher with the Highlead said he would like to get more vendors and businesses involved. They also voted to approve the final drawdown of the Wayfinding Sign Plan grant. With the completion of the plan, the city has a comprehensive plan for signage in the community. The project was funded by a grant through the state Department of Commerce. The council also voted to send a letter of support for the USFS Watershed Forest Plan, detailing support for the management of the Ashley Creek watershed, which provides much of the town's water supply.

Leivestad stated that design is nearing completion for phases 3 and 4 of the sewer project. The design will be sent to the Department of Environmental Quality in 4-6 weeks, she said, then be put out to bid. She said she expects some work to begin this fall.

Johnson presented 21 more signatures to the county for an informal petition opposing zoning of the Orchard and mule pasture property north of Thompson Falls. Johnson said this brings to 865 the total signatures collected from people in the area. "This is not a legal petition," Johnson said when questioned by another resident. "It is a show of concerned citizens in the community that will be affected by what's going on at that mule pasture and Orchard property."

With nearly 50 people attending the council meeting, visitors filled the council chambers and the lobby of City Hall on Monday evening. Charlie Munday with the Rex Theater approached the council and said that he was there to offer the theater to the council as a location for their meetings. The audience clapped at the statement, but the council did not take any action.

The next city council meeting will be Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.