# 10/26/26 Kalispell City Council Session

The City of Kalispell City Council held a work session on October 26, 2026, focused first on wastewater biosolids management. Staff reviewed the recently completed dewatering improvements, current landfill disposal arrangements with Flathead County, and longer-term options. The County’s demonstration arrangement requires biosolids to meet an 18% solids threshold and does not guarantee continued acceptance; the City is currently achieving about 13% through pressing, while adding compost and woody material raises the delivered mixture to roughly 20–23%. Bulking adds an estimated $84–$113 per truckload, or about $35,000 annually, and the City may face a County special-handling fee of $300 per load. Staff described drying as a longer-term alternative that could take at least two to two-and-a-half years to design and build, and estimated about $300,000 for near-term improvements to support bulking and landfill deliveries. Council members discussed advancing preliminary engineering for drying, seeking possible grants, and maintaining a backup disposal site; staff will bring back further information. No contract award, spending authorization, or formal vote on these options was recorded.

The Council also discussed how public comments are managed, including possible time limits, timers, written comments, and comment cards. Members did not reach a formal policy decision; staff noted that changes to the existing code could require further Council consideration. In the city manager’s report, a roughly $500,000 Downtown Business Improvement District application for park benches, trash receptacles, and planters was identified for possible consideration at the November 2 meeting; it was not acted on at this work session.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 26, 2026

### Sources
- [10/26/26 Kalispell City Council Session](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuRKY6cNNNU) - City of Kalispell, Montana