Thompson Falls skate park idea gets tepid response

During the March Thompson Falls City Council meeting, local resident and internationally published writer Sunday Dutro Sauter took the floor to present her proposal for a new skate park within the city limits.

Sunday Dutro Sauter presented a detailed proposal for a skate park within the city limits. The proposed park would cover an area of approximately 5,500 square feet, with an estimated cost of $300,000. Dutro Sauter explained that the project could be largely funded through grants and in-kind donations.  

The council expressed concerns about the potential impact on the city’s budget and resources, with Council member Raoul Ribeiro raising questions about the city's capacity to take on additional projects. 

Leivestad shared a letter from Public Works Director Neil Harnett, who voiced concerns about the strain on the department’s resources.  

“In my opinion, taking on a new project, of this significance, would stretch our resources out even further than they already are and therefore take away from our ability to safely and effectively manage the tasks associated with the maintenance and upkeep of our existing projects,” Harnett wrote.  

He suggested the council focus on improving existing parks instead of adding a new project. 

The council requested additional information from Dutro Sauter for further discussion at next month’s meeting. The decision was tabled until the April council meeting. 

In other City Council actions, Vice President Hayley Allen-Blakney, recently reappointed to her position, introduced Ordinance 328, which governs the city’s regulation of food trucks during special events such as the farmer's market. City attorney Timothy Goen reviewed the ordinance and recommended that food trucks be allowed at the market only with a special permit. Allen-Blakney suggested the committee move forward with establishing these special permit requirements for the upcoming farmer's market. 

Annie Wooden, a member of the Thompson Falls Main Street Committee, presented plans for the return of Thompson Falls Days.  

"In the '90s and before, we had an event called David Thompson Days to celebrate our heritage. We’re bringing it back as Thompson Falls Days," Wooden explained.  

The event will take place from June 27-29, coinciding with Cody’s Block Party. Activities will be held at Rose Park and Ainsworth Park. A free concert by the Eric Hensyl Mantle Band will kick off the festivities on the evening of June 28 at Ainsworth Park.  

A planning meeting for Thompson Falls Days will be held on Thursday, March 20, at 10 a.m. in the State Building.  

Wooden emphasized, "We want to make this a community-wide event and get everyone involved." 

The council also addressed a vacant seat on the Zoning Committee. However, no applications were received and the motion to fill the position was tabled. Mayor Rusti Leivestad invited interested individuals to visit the office if they wished to apply. 

Bill Naegeli, Sanders County Emergency Manager, presented the completed Western Region Hazard Mitigation Plan to the council. The plan aims to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to life and property from hazards such as floods, wildfires, tornadoes and earthquakes. It is part of Montana’s broader effort to coordinate disaster risk management and support FEMA grant eligibility.  

In the past, each county had to submit a separate plan, but this new, coordinated approach streamlines the process. Naegeli recommended the council adopt the plan, which is flexible and can be updated as needed. The council unanimously approved the plan. 

Two local residents, Virginia Byers and Marsha Hart, requested adjustments to their water bills due to leaks in their service lines. Byers was granted a $61.97 adjustment, while Hart received $70.80. 

The council approved payments for the ongoing sewer and water projects. Phase 1 and 2 sewer project payments totaled $265,161.59, while a payment of $27,504.00 was authorized for phases 3 and 4. Additionally, a payment of $21,927.60 was approved for the current water project. 

Leivestad’s reviewed several items in her monthly report. She attended the CDBG startup meeting for Growth Policy and met with DNRC concerning the water and sewer projects. Leivestad reviewed waste water phases 3 & 4 temporary construction easements. Leivestad also received a check from the Town Pump to share the cost of paving Lincoln Street. 

    Bill Naegeli, Sanders County Emergency Manager, reviews the recently completed Western Region Hazard Mitigation Plan to the Thompson Fall City Council. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)