City council approves community garden

The Columbia Falls City Council gave the community garden a place to officially take root Monday.

The Council approved a request by the Columbia Falls Community Garden to create a garden in one of the city's parks.

"It's absolutely great for the community," Mayor Don Barnhart said.

About 20 people attended the City Council meeting Monday to show support for a community garden.

Naomi Morrison and Connie Behe, co-coordinators of the project, addressed the council.

Morrison said when she moved to Columbia Falls she was able to purchase a yard big enough for a garden.

"Not everyone is so fortunate," she said. "Every community needs a garden because of the benefits."

She spoke about vibrate greens and flavorful fruit, not only for the community to see, but to also eat.

"This space will be made into something the community can be proud of," she said.

Organizers asked to create a garden on the baseball field on the corner of Railroad Street and Fourth Avenue East North. The plan would have eliminated the baseball field, but left room for a soccer field.

However, the location didn't seem to sit well with the city council.

Council member Mike Shepard pointed to the several of youth sports groups that use the field.

"I live over there," he said. "It's one of the few parks I always see people at."

Council member Doug Karper echoed those concerns.

"Conceptually I support the idea. The only problem I have is the location," he said.

The City Council offered the use of River's Edge Park and the garden coordinators agreed they'd be happy with that location. With that the City Council unanimously approved a community garden at the park, provided organizers return with an updated plan.

The Council asked for more detail in the plan concerning water usage and the preferred size and location of the garden site. The group had requested that the city donate water, but a pond at River's Edge could provide the solution for irrigation.

Prior to the vote, Behe explained the plans for the organic garden.

A portion of the garden will be community-plots, where individuals or groups could rent a plot, or work-trade, for the growing season.

Another section will be set aside for "Volunteer for Veggies." This program would be open to community members to volunteer in the garden, in exchange for taking home vegetables. Extra vegetables will be donated to the Columbia Falls Food Bank.

The third portion of the garden will be a perennial garden with berries, herbs and fruit trees.

Julie Weber told the council the idea is well planned out and deserves a spot in Columbia Falls.

"Bigfork, Whitefish, Kalispell and even Flathead Valley Community College has one," she said. "Why should we be left out? Let us have this garden, please."

Educational opportunities for the community and school children are also planned.

Columbia Falls High School teacher Jenny Lovering said high school biology students and elementary students can use the garden for learning opportunities.

Council member Dave Petersen said the garden is a worthwhile project.

"This is an outstanding addition to the community — as a teaching tool and adding to the fabric. It's a nice component," he said.

Columbia Falls Community Garden organizers expect to return to the City Council Sept. 20 with an amended plan. The group would like to begin construction on the garden this fall.

The council also:

° Voted to set administrative fees relating to the finance and police departments. The change updates fees, which were last set in 2003, to cover actual costs for services. The council tabled setting fees for the public works department, after several members raised concerns about the amount of the fees. The council plans to meet with Public Works Director Lorin Lowry and look at the issue again at its Sept. 20 meeting.

° Denied a request from Rick and Stephanie Wilson to abandon the southwest corner of C Street and Second Avenue East. The vacant portion of land is adjacent to the Wilsons' lot and has historically been used as part of the yard for their home. City staff recommended denying the request because the land has a high potential to be used for utilities in the future.