TF Council discusses city projects, annex

The Thompson Falls City Council met last week to discuss various projects in the city.

Mayor Rusti Leivestad, in the ongoing discussion about flashing crosswalk signs, stated in a report of the street and alleys committee that she met with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). MDT told her that in order to add crosswalks, the average daily traffic needs to be about 14,000 vehicles, and the latest speed study in the city showed about 5,000 daily vehicles. The mayor said the Thompson Falls Woman’s Club continues to show interest in the project, and is now considering helping with signs with flashing lights in school zones. The council took no action on the matter.

The zoning committee also met last month and considered a subdivision exemption request for the Neal family on Grizzly Drive, who would like to gift a portion of their property to a family member. Committee member Shawni Vaught said she visited the property and had no concerns as long as the protocols for phase four of the swerve project were followed with the subdivision. Vaught made the recommendation to move forward, and the council approved the exemption request during regular business.

An effort to adjust the legal description of a property recently annexed into the city was approved last Tuesday at the meeting. The council approved resolution 848 to correct the legal description of Kristen Wing’s property, which was annexed into the city as part of planning for the sewer project. “This is an illegal annex that I was not notified of,” Wing told the council before the vote. “My problem is that I was not notified.” Council member Raoul Ribeiro responded that he had to trust the information that was provided to the city by their attorney.

Wing, during the public comment period, also made a comment about the city’s dealings with Great West Engineering, the company which won the bid for both sewer projects, as well as the water project. “When I read the packets, it appears to me that Great West Engineering is in charge of this city. It seems like we are indebted to them and they are running us with every grant and grant administration,” Wing stated. “It’d sure be nice to have a little competition. It’s an entity that takes a ton of money.” Vaught responded that she understood and respected Wing’s concerns, then told of how her parents had to pay over $20,000 in Missoula for sewer services. “I actually appreciate all the grants and stuff they are doing for Thompson Falls. I’m grateful for what Great West is doing,” Vaught replied.

In other business, the council voted to continue the process of securing easements from property owners for phases three and four of the wastewater project, and also accepted the resignation of Mark Sheets from the city’s zoning committee.

The council also discussed continuing the pilot project of having meetings available by Zoom. Vaught asked if it was money the city needed to spend, and Ribeiro suggested it helped with transparency for the city. Council member Hayley Blakney added that accessibility is important as well. The council tabled the action until the December meeting in order to review the costs.

The next council meeting will be Monday, December 9, at 6 p.m.