Deal may be dead, but Columbia Falls council weighs in on jail, offers help
The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night decided to forward a letter to county commissioners on the jail proposal, even though the county has pulled the plug on the land purchase.
Flathead County had entered a $2.6 million buy-sell agreement with Weyerhaeuser for 24 acres of open space and an office complex called the Cedar Palace near the city limits.
But the proposal met stiff opposition on several fronts from residents and the county opted out of the deal last week.
In the letter, the council said it “appreciates the county’s willingness to save several million in construction costs by taking advantage of the 35,000 square foot office building and the affordable cost of the approximate 24 acres. There is no doubt there would be a positive impact on the community by having 130-150 employees shopping and eating in our community.”
However, the letter also notes that it got a negative response from the community on loss to the tax base, the loss of economic development on the site and the stigma of hosting the jail.
Council, however, was most concerned about the lack of planning with the jail proposal. While Columbia Falls would enjoy a greater police presence, other parts of the county might not.
Council noted that proper planning could not occur within the 60-day due diligence period.
“There were too many unanswered questions and concerns that could not be addressed in the time period that were not related to the land purchase itself but to the public service and public safety,” the letter noted.
Council said in the letter it was willing to appoint members to a committee that would look into the issue further, recognizing that it was a countywide issue.
The vote for the letter was unanimous.
In other city news:
- The city has brought a lawsuit against a drilling company that put water lines under U.S. Highway 2 a few years ago. Badger Drilling allegedly put a water line through a storm sewage pipe across the road from Super 1 Foods. The line, which was apparently put in the incorrect place, caused the sewer line to collapse and the highway developed a sinkhole. The city had to pay for another company to fix the matter, at considerable expense.
- The council recognized clerk Vickie Ott for 15 years of service. She received a pin and a $150 bonus.
- Learned that the Riverwood Estates sewer, water and streets project was complete, but there was still a punch list of items at hand, including fixing the asphalt which has some bumps. The city will withhold more than 5 percent of the pavement until the asphalt is fixed in the spring.