Latest news with #CityManager
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kalispell Council begins search for new city manager
Jul. 7—Kalispell City Council is expected to start the process of replacing outgoing City Manager Doug Russell on Monday. Russell was named city manager of Lakewood, Washington last month. He is expected to step into his new job on Aug. 25. A subcommittee of four members of Council will be formed to facilitate the search for a new city manager, an effort that could include hiring a recruitment firm. Council meets July 7 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. COUNCIL WILL vote on approving an accessory casino at a forthcoming downtown steakhouse. Truyen Tran, on behalf of 214 Main Kalispell LLC, is seeking a conditional use permit to open a casino inside the future 214 S. Main St. restaurant. Known as the Mountain Prime Steakhouse, the restaurant is expected to take up about 11,000 square feet while the casino — separated with walls — will come in at 960 square feet. The property is located within the central business zoning district which allows restaurants and bars but requires a city-issued permit to run a casino. No exterior changes to the building are expected to be made. Tran is also the owner of Blue Samurai Sushi Bar and Grill downtown and several other ventures in and around Kalispell. The Kalispell Planning Commission gave the green light to the proposal following a public hearing in June, but some board members expressed reservations about placing a casino on Main Street. The Corwin Motors dealership is also seeking Council approval to expand in North Kalispell. The Corwin Brothers Properties, LLC is asking for business zoning and annexation of 7 acres of land running up along the Stillwater River. The project would include construction of a car reconditioning shop. The proposal earned the Planning Commission's support last month. COUNCIL WILL consider revising police and fire impact fees after a new report recommended raising them to fund capital improvement projects. The body held a work session in May and a public hearing in June regarding the fees. Councilors were divided over raising them so public safety departments could meet the level of service required versus keeping costs low with the goal of attracting more development. Impact fees are one-time charges on new developments to compensate for the burden added to public infrastructure and services. The fees shift some of the cost onto new customers, saving preexisting users from bearing the brunt of development. Council is expected to decide whether to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 547 after the most recent agreement expired in June. The association represents all 32 firefighters for the city, according to the union's website. The agreement will run through June 30, 2028 and establish a first-year base wage based on a market analysis, with a 4% adjustment for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, according to a memo from Russell. It would also allocate training funds for paramedic certifications. COUNCIL IS expected to vote on reimbursing expenditures for upgrades to the city wastewater treatment plant from State Revolving Fund bonds. The city has completed preliminary designs for the upgrades and is looking to hire a construction contractor, according to a city memo. Reporter Jack Underhill may be reached at 758-4407 or junderhill@
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
An All-America City three-peat: Tallahassee 'on the move' with latest designation
The City of Tallahassee is officially a three-time All-America City. A delegation of local leaders took home the honor Sunday night after a high-energy presentation to the National Civic League conference in Denver earlier in the day. Twenty cities, ranging from Delray Beach, Fla., to Memphis, Tenn., to Austin, Texas, vied for only ten spots as an All-America City. It was a nailbiter night with Tallahassee announced as the final All-America City in the list of ten. "This community is investing in its parks," the announcer said. "This community is planning for a clean and renewable future. I'm not sure we'll be able to hear ... this magnetic city." With that, a roar went up from the audience and they chanted "Hey Tallahassee." The local delegation ascended to the stage with hugs and high fives. "We did it, We are bringing it home," Mayor John Dailey said as he hailed City Manager Reese Goad as "the best city manager anybody could work with." "You and your team are absolutely amazing." This is the third time the city has emerged victorious, having gone on to win in 1999 and 2015. The win also means Tallahassee joins an elite collection of cities that have also celebrated a three-peat, including Shreveport, La., Bloomington, Ind., Boston, Mass., Asheville, N.C., Fort Worth, Tex., and Cincinnati, Ohio. To be named an all-American city this year, cities had to show examples of "strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement." In this year's application and presentation, the city highlighted "key community-driven initiatives" such as the Southside Action Plan, the expansion of the park system to 100 parks and the Clean Energy Plan. After marching in to the chant of "Hey Tallahassee," the delegation highlighted the three points during their presentation, which was created to emulate a tonight show format with Dailey as the host of "Capital City Tonight." 'For 200 years we have been going strong,' Dailey shouted before a hype video rolled to highlight Tallahassee landmarks and achievements. One by one, the city touted its key initiatives. "We were also the first city in Florida to power all the city municipality buildings with our solar energy," Commissioner Jack Porter said. The delegation was made up of city administrators, volunteers and advocates, including Police Chief Lawrence Revell, morning show radio host Greg Tish and southside community organizer Talethia Edwards. Four of the five city elected leaders were part of the delegation with only Commissioner Jeremy Matlow not in attendance. While trumpeting plans to transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, officials noted that over 90 percent of residents live in a ten minute walk of a park or greenspace. Dailey ended the presentation declaring Tallahassee as a place 'where history, nature and innovation truly come together with a little southern charm as well.' The School of Arts & Sciences middle school rock band Tallahassee Routes closed the presentation out to thunderous applause. Tallahassee also won the organization's social media award for best use of the platform to promote the All-America effort. The city did numerous posts and videos highlighting the city's success and plans for the Denver presentation. The latest accolades come as Tallahassee has seen a string of national recognitions that has led Dailey to proclaim that "Tallahassee is on the move." Florida's capital city was recently recognized by HGTV as one of the top 20 mid-size cities in the United States after landing on the same list in 2023. The city was also recently ranked among the top 20 "best-run cities in America," according to Wallethub. A citywide celebration of the All-America win is expected in the weeks ahead. (The winners are in bold) Akron, Ohio Albuquerque, New Mexico Austin, Texas Carrboro, North Carolina Chelsea, Massachusetts Delray Beach, Florida Denver, Colorado Fort Collins, Colorado Hampton, Virginia Jacksonville, North Carolina Kinston, North Carolina Leominster, Massachusetts Memphis, Tennessee Petaluma, California Port St. Lucie, Florida Seattle, Washington Snyder, Texas Statesboro, Georgia Tallahassee, Florida Western Riverside Region, California This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee wins All-America City honors for third time
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
An All-America City three-peat: Tallahassee 'on the move' with latest designation
The City of Tallahassee is officially a three-time All-America City. A delegation of local leaders took home the honor Sunday night after a high-energy presentation to the National Civic League conference in Denver earlier in the day. Twenty cities, ranging from Delray Beach, Fla., to Memphis, Tenn., to Austin, Texas, vied for only ten spots as an All-America City. It was a nailbiter night with Tallahassee announced as the final All-America City in the list of ten. "This community is investing in its parks," the announcer said. "This community is planning for a clean and renewable future. I'm not sure we'll be able to hear ... this magnetic city." With that, a roar went up from the audience and they chanted "Hey Tallahassee." The local delegation ascended to the stage with hugs and high fives. "We did it, We are bringing it home," Mayor John Dailey said as he hailed City Manager Reese Goad as "the best city manager anybody could work with." "You and your team are absolutely amazing." This is the third time the city has emerged victorious, having gone on to win in 1999 and 2015. The win also means Tallahassee joins an elite collection of cities that have also celebrated a three-peat, including Shreveport, La., Bloomington, Ind., Boston, Mass., Asheville, N.C., Fort Worth, Tex., and Cincinnati, Ohio. To be named an all-American city this year, cities had to show examples of "strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement." In this year's application and presentation, the city highlighted "key community-driven initiatives" such as the Southside Action Plan, the expansion of the park system to 100 parks and the Clean Energy Plan. After marching in to the chant of "Hey Tallahassee," the delegation highlighted the three points during their presentation, which was created to emulate a tonight show format with Dailey as the host of "Capital City Tonight." 'For 200 years we have been going strong,' Dailey shouted before a hype video rolled to highlight Tallahassee landmarks and achievements. One by one, the city touted its key initiatives. "We were also the first city in Florida to power all the city municipality buildings with our solar energy," Commissioner Jack Porter said. The delegation was made up of city administrators, volunteers and advocates, including Police Chief Lawrence Revell, morning show radio host Greg Tish and southside community organizer Talethia Edwards. Four of the five city elected leaders were part of the delegation with only Commissioner Jeremy Matlow not in attendance. While trumpeting plans to transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, officials noted that over 90 percent of residents live in a ten minute walk of a park or greenspace. Dailey ended the presentation declaring Tallahassee as a place 'where history, nature and innovation truly come together with a little southern charm as well.' The School of Arts & Sciences middle school rock band Tallahassee Routes closed the presentation out to thunderous applause. Tallahassee also won the organization's social media award for best use of the platform to promote the All-America effort. The city did numerous posts and videos highlighting the city's success and plans for the Denver presentation. The latest accolades come as Tallahassee has seen a string of national recognitions that has led Dailey to proclaim that "Tallahassee is on the move." Florida's capital city was recently recognized by HGTV as one of the top 20 mid-size cities in the United States after landing on the same list in 2023. The city was also recently ranked among the top 20 "best-run cities in America," according to Wallethub. A citywide celebration of the All-America win is expected in the weeks ahead. (The winners are in bold) Akron, Ohio Albuquerque, New Mexico Austin, Texas Carrboro, North Carolina Chelsea, Massachusetts Delray Beach, Florida Denver, Colorado Fort Collins, Colorado Hampton, Virginia Jacksonville, North Carolina Kinston, North Carolina Leominster, Massachusetts Memphis, Tennessee Petaluma, California Port St. Lucie, Florida Seattle, Washington Snyder, Texas Statesboro, Georgia Tallahassee, Florida Western Riverside Region, California This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee wins All-America City honors for third time
CBS News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Folsom skateboarders say city's only skatepark is too restrictive
Skateboarders in Folsom say the city's skatepark rules are too restrictive and it's driving people away. For 22 years, the rails and bowls inside Cummings Park have been a popular spot to ollie, flip, and grind. Since the beginning, the city has required skaters to sign in with a park attendant who monitors the skatepark for bad behavior. Brian Buxton has been skateboarding for more than three decades and says no other city goes and makes things so complicated. "[At] every other skatepark across the region and most across the country, there's nobody watching," he said. "It's just a public resource like any other park like a basketball court or a tennis court. Come and go as you please. Follow the rules." Buxton has even launched a petition drive, asking the city to loosen the rules. On average, more than 580 people use Folsom's skate park every month. The city says skatepark attendants help prevent fights, vandalism and make sure everyone is wearing the required safety pads and a helmet. But City Manager Bryan Whitemyer says the City of Folsom is facing a $3.5 million budget deficit and now, after more than two decades, he's considering eliminating the skatepark attendant position, which would save about $41,000 a year. "There is a little bit of risk that something could occur at the park," Whitemyer said. "We're not naive to think that everything's just going to go perfectly, but we're looking for every way to reduce our costs." On Tuesday, Folsom's city council will consider eliminating the skatepark attendant requirement, which, if approved, would take effect on July 1.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Concord mayor won't seek reelection. Two other candidates announce bids
Concord Mayor Bill Dusch told The Charlotte Observer Friday he will not seek reelection to the seat he has held since 2017. Dusch's seat will be up for grabs during Concord's municipal election on Nov. 4. Cities and Towns across North Carolina including Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews and Kannapolis will host elections for mayor on the same day. 'I've been involved with the city for 36 years… and been mayor for eight years,' Dusch told the Observer. 'At the age of 72, I think it's time to look at my next endeavors in life.' During his time as mayor, Dusch said he was most proud of the city's economic development, recreational improvements and the new businesses that were drawn into the developing downtown. He said he hopes whoever becomes the next mayor continues to work closely with city staff including City Manager Lloyd Payne and City Attorney VaLerie Kolczynski. 'I would love for whoever replaces me to continue the efforts and have the good teamwork we have with our council and with our city staff,' Dusch said. 'We work well together. I want to continue that.' Former Cabarrus County Commissioner Steve Morris announced Friday morning he would run for the mayoral seat. Morris, a Republican, served on the commission for 12 years and acted as chair for a decade. Morris has lived in Concord for over 40 years, he said.'I'm just extremely encouraged and excited about the future, both for me and for the city of Concord,' Morris told the Observer. Morris lost his bid for reelection to the commission in 2024, receiving 160 fewer votes than Commissioner Larry Pittman. In May, Commissioners Kenny Wortman and Lynn Shue both told The Observer they wanted Morris to fill a vacant seat on the commission. Ultimately the seat was filled by Jeff Jones. Wortman and Shue tend to vote opposite Pittman. Morris said in a news release his vision for the city includes improving transportation, expanding housing options and ensuring public safety. 'My top priority is something we don't talk about enough: a government that works,' Morris wrote. Concord City Councilwoman Lori Clay also announced she would run for the seat at a news conference Friday afternoon. If she won, Clay would be the first female mayor of Concord. 'It will be very historic for Concord to have a woman mayor. We have never had one. We've only ever had one other woman mayoral candidate,' Clay told the Observer. 'It's time for old Concord.' Clay, a Republican, took office in 2023 and is set to serve a four-year term on the council. Clay told the Observer her priorities if elected are managing growth, helping small businesses and being fiscally conservative. 'My sole focus is, and always will be, the citizens of the city,' she said.
