Mayor returns to Polson City Council
By Jennifer McBride / Leader Staff
POLSON — Mayor Lou Marchello returned to Polson City Council Monday and thanked the community for all the support he received while he was recovering from a head injury. He also led a round of applause for council president Mike Lies, who stood in for him during his absence.
He appeared in time to lead the council in final plat approval for the Vicwood Condominium complex, located west of Bayview Drive. The final plat passed 4-1-1 with Elsa Duford opposing because of potential storm drain problems and Tom Jones abstaining. Councilman Bruce Agrella was absent.
Duford raised concerns about storm water. Kathy Randle, who owns property bordering the 12-unit development, said that she was worried about the drainage ditch up-slope from her residence. If the ditch wall isn't maintained, she said, it would become "just a waterfall down to my property." She also said she had seen signs of it breaking down. The homeowner's association is responsible for maintaining storm drains, according to the agreement between the city and the developer, but since there aren't any homeowners yet, the developer is still responsible for maintaining the ditch. She alleged that the developers had failed to mow the greenery on the property, despite being required to do so.
Randle also complained about the length of time it took the developers to finish the project, despite the city not granting them an extension on their deadlines.
"Are there any time lines on this whatsoever or is this just a developers' paradise?" she asked.
Surveyor Marc Carstens and engineer Bryan Long stressed that the Montana Department of Environmental Quality had approved and certified the plan and that the ditch had been tested up to 20-feet deep to make sure there were no impervious surfaces where water could collect and spill over onto Randle's land.
"I'm quite certain this is not going to fail," Carstens said. If he was wrong, he said the developers would still be liable for expenses. Carstens said a headlight buffer had also been installed, as per council request.
In other news, the city council:
? Unanimously authorized the mayor to sign a letter inviting the Montana Spay/Neuter Task Force to offer a free pet care clinic in Lake County May 15-19. According to Vicki Scheidecker, the clinic will fix up to 700 pets at no cost to the city.
? Unanimously approved Dale and Marilyn Becker's request to be annexed into the city. Their property is located at 108 16th Ave. E.
? Unanimously approved a street closure of Main Street and 3rd and 4th avenues east and west and all alleys to Main Street except 3rd Avenue West for the Flathead Lake 3-on-3 basketball tournament. As usual, Anderson Broadcasting will reimburse the Polson Police Department for any extra law enforcement.
? Unanimously approved the impact fee review committee recommendation charging recreation vehicle hookups in the KOA Campground under the category "other housing types" and not as "detached housing." The shift will cost the city $452,000 annually. RVs, Paul and Carlisa London, representatives of KOA, explained, cost the city less than other detached housing and so the campground is being overcharged.
The next city council meeting will be May 19 at 7 p.m.