City code to undergo major review

The Columbia Falls City Council will hold a public hearing on Feb. 6 on proposed updates to the city code, ranging from police, court, traffic, fire hazards, fireworks and animals to subdivision regulations, streets, sidewalks and special improvement districts.

City manager Susan Nicosia told the council during its Jan. 17 meeting that Municipal Code Corp., of Florida, was hired to review more than 300 pages of city code to bring it into compliance with state and federal statutes.

The last time the code was reviewed and codified was in 2008 and cost about $6,500. Nicosia expects it will cost about $9,000 this time.

The review process will also provide an opportunity for councilors, city staff and citizens to propose additions to the city code, covering such things as medical marijuana, vacation rentals, vicious dogs and fireworks.

Revisions to planning regulations will go to the Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board for review before they go before the council.

The current city code is available online at the city's Web site, on disc and in hard copy at City Hall.