City appoints representatives to pre-release board

The Columbia Falls City Council Tuesday chose three representatives to join a Flathead Valley committee tasked with siting a pre-release center, even while hearing from one citizen who says the center shouldn't be located here.

The City Council voted to appoint council member Doug Karper, Police Chief Dave Perry and City Manager Bill Shaw.

The committee has been searching for a site for the center since being appointed in January 2008. Pre-release centers aid inmates nearing the end of their sentences by providing treatment, counseling, job training and placement services. A 40-bed facility is proposed.

After receiving negative comments from residents south of Kalispell and Evergreen, the committee turned its focus north last year. Currently, the committee is looking at the area from Pioneer Road on U.S. Highway 2 north to Conn Road and south of Highway 40.

Mickey Lapp, who lives on Columbia Falls Stage Road, told the council Monday she opposes locating a pre-release center anywhere in Flathead County.

"You can kiss your tourism industry goodbye," she said.

While Columbia Falls is known as the gateway to Glacier National Park, she said, if the pre-release center is located here, the city will become known as a place for parolees.

Council member Dave Petersen said before the vote that appointing members to the committee gives the impression that the city would like the center here.

"I don't know why we would want to spend any time talking to them," he said. "I don't see any reason, in my mind, why we would want this."

Several council members seem to disagree saying that Columbia Falls deserves to be involved no matter where the center is eventually located.

"We are part of Flathead County," said Doug Karper. "They are looking at putting this somewhere in Flathead County. I think it's wise to be informed."

Julie Plevel said she hadn't made a decision either way on locating the center near Columbia Falls.

"Whether we support it or reject the whole idea, we need to be part of this (committee)," she said. "We need to be informed about this."

Bonnie Olson, the committee's chairperson, sent a letter to the cities of Columbia Falls and Whitefish asking for participation.

"We recognize that this geographic area is closer to the cities of Whitefish and Columbia Falls and we would like you to assist us in the next phase of the process if you wish," she wrote.

City Manager Bill Shaw pointed out that the proposed area for the center is within the city's rural fire district and School District 6.

"They (the committee) realize there would be an impact with Columbia Falls and Whitefish if the center is located in this area," he said.

Olson's letter also says the committee is considering public meetings to discuss the work thus far and answer residents' questions.

Once a specific location is chosen, the Butte-based nonprofit contracted to run the facility will select a specific site. The state will then survey nearby residents, who must approve the site before the project can move forward.

The council also:

• Voted to appoint Harvey Reikofski to fill the vacant seat on the council left when Don Barnhart was elected Mayor. Reikofski previously held a seat on the council, but did not seek re-election last fall. The term runs until Dec. 31, 2011. The council also selected Julie Plevel to serve as council vice-chair.

• Approved the appointment of two firefighter positions. Tia Yeager as probationary volunteer firefighter and Jesse Best as Assistant Fire Chief.

• Announced a public hearing on Feb. 1 to obtain comment on a proposed grant application by Habitat for Humanity to construct a housing project on Fifth Street. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. inside City Hall.

• Appointed councilman Mike Shepard and City Manager Bill Shaw to serve on the Flathead Regional Wastewater Management Group.

• Voted to approve the Teamster's Labor Contact, which includes a 2 percent increase in wages.

• Approved a search for an engineer to complete the next phase of the city's path program. The city is working on a path between River's Edge Park and Columbus Park.