Polson council mulls annexation

POLSON — Polson City Council debated the need for annexation of land near the water reservoir at Monday night’s council meeting.

The tract awaiting approval from the council is near East Hillside, with an addition adjacent to the reservoir. The public brought their concerns about the proposed purchase to council members and head of the Water and Sewer Department Tony Porrazzo.

Questions were raised about the appraisal value of the land, and reasons for purchase — as this request has been before the council several times in the past few years.

Porrazo said annexing the land would allow easier access to the reservoir when repairs are needed.

“This is wholly to protect the city and the land around the reservoir,” Porrazzo said, adding that now is an ideal time to purchase because the land may be bought soon.

Councilman Jim Sohm made a motion to approve the $65,000 expenditure to annex the land.

“There would be no room for repairs if the lot was sold,” he said.

Councilwoman Elsa Duford said that in addition to the current 30 feet around the water tank there is an extra 30 feet on the west side of the easement. Porrazzo disagreed.

“I don’t think we should make a decision here tonight,” Duford said. “The cost on property is going down. That’s overpriced in my view.”

“For me it’s a small price to pay,” Porrazzo said.

Resident Murat Kullinyaprak asked council members to reconsider the purchase citing the easement’s impracticality and price.

“The city has acres and acres of land all around that tank, except that corner,” Kullinyaprak said. “Why buy a lot that you don’t need?”

Local realtor Dale Gillespie said that it is important the city buy the lot, but he said the appraisal needed an adjustment.

“I do have a problem with the price,” he said.

Gillespie went on to say the appraiser did not adjust for excavating, location next to a tank and 2007 prices.

“I just bought a property next to a tank and think it’s wonderful,” Porrazzo said. “There’s less neighbors around.”

Several other public comments were heard as to the intentions of the land purchase, and proposed upkeep of the land.

The agenda item to purchase the land was tabled for 30 days, upon Sohm’s request.

Other business during the meeting:

- Councilman Jules Clavadetscher gave a motion to give a notice of withdraw from the city/rural fire interlocal agreement: it died for lack of a second.

- A motion to take a bid from Food Services of America to put a new walk-in cooler into the city-owned golf course unanimously carried, on the condition that FSA adjust their last bid.

- Approval was given to donate two golf passes for the 2010 golf season at the Polson Rotary Foundation Annual Event on Aug. 29 at Riverside Golf Park.

- Council appointed Don McMillan, Dick Blumberg and Adrene Sarracino to the City Manager Search Committee. They appointed Aggie Loeser and Kevin Avison to serve as alternates.

- Upon Sohm’s recommendation, the council agreed to schedule a work session to develop goals and evaluation training for the city manager position.

- Approval to annex not previously annexed portions of Hawk Drive unanimously carried; the city is currently plowing the road.

City Manager James Raymond reported:

- The police recently received a grant of about $23,000 for the prevention and control of crime.

- A check was received for about $4,500 for the replacement of a dock that was damaged by a boat.

- The bridge project will commence “any day.”

- Polson has been designated as a “resort community,” and plans to pursue a resort tax are underway.

- Department heads are getting budgets together for Friday submission.