Thompson Falls Council reviews zoning law and dog kennel request
Thompson Falls monthly council meeting saw tensions rise after the second reading of a new zoning ordinance, with other discussions centering on whether dog kennels should be allowed in city limits.
At the beginning of each council meeting Mayor Rusti Leivestad read a prepared statement asking the public to abide by the guidelines set forth by the council.
“I ask you to be respectful of the council and all participants,” Leivestad said. “Any use of profanity or hostile language is unacceptable. You will be asked to refrain from any such language, or you will be removed from the meeting. The city of Thompson Falls is committed to accepting all public comments.”
July’s Council meeting opened with a review of the community decay and violations list report. Starting this month, the report will be a regular agenda item. The month of June saw six violations and 13 police officer with resident contacts. The type of violations consisted of setbacks, parking, or encroachment on city street right of ways, living in camper, community decay, dog complaints, and chicken, ducks, quail and rabbit incidents.
Another item added to this month’s council meeting will be an engineer’s report. This report will update the public on the progress of the wastewater treatment project.
Leivestad said, “In general, construction is complete on the sewer collection system and wastewater treatment site and are operating within permit limits. There are some worthy items still being addressed. The city has received the substantial compensation certificate today.”
The city is currently working on a growth policy with the engineering firm Great West out of Helena.
Under the council’s new business was an inquiry into the possibility of allowing dog kennels within city limits.
Resident Micheal Liss requested a change to city ordinance 8.06.18 to allow dog kennels operation.
“We believe there is a need to have a dog kennel within city limits in Thompson Falls. We have talked with a veterinarian outside of city limits and they are overburdened with their kennels. Their kennel is really not designed for the boarding of dogs” Liss said. “I did an informational gathering on Facebook over three days on Sanders County 411 and had around 70 people like the idea of a kennel within city limits.”
Several concerns were raised by council members about the noise levels that the kennel would generate. Liss said the dogs would be inside with only daytime exercise periods throughout the day.
Council member Shawni Vaught requested a detailed plan to be submitted by Liss for the council to review before any decision could be made. Council member Earlene Powell suggested that the kennel discussion be tabled and sent to the zoning committee for further consideration.
Kathern Dewitt and Kristen Wing applied for the vacant position on the board for the Zoning Subdivision Board of Adjustment Committee. Dewitt was chosen and appointed to the Zoning board.
It was at this time in the meeting that there was a disruption by an individual, requiring Leivestad to remind those in attendance that if the disruptive comments continued, they would be removed.
Leivestad reviewed all the wording changes made to the proposed zoning ordinance 358 during the second reading. One of the changes made addressed the usage of Conex bases, which are now allowed requiring a placement permit. A lengthy discussion on fencing heights around intersections was addressed. Council member Hayley Blakney requested a rewriting to help clarify the wording.
City reimbursements for the water project phases 1&2 were made for $3,044.75. Sewer project phases 1&2 amounted to $6740.63. Sewer project phases 3&4 reimbursements totaled $60,875.00 for design work and grant administration.
During her report, Leivestad spoke on water conservation. She recommended that residents not water between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Thompson Falls City Councilor Hayley Blakney at the monthly meeting. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)