02-10-20 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2020
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
http://kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00 PM ON
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR MARK JOHNSON PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS
SANDY CARLSON, SID DAOUD, KARI GABRIEL, CHAD GRAHAM, RYAN HUNTER, TIM
KLUESNER, SAM NUNNALLY, AND KYLE WATERMAN WERE PRESENT.
Also present: City Manager Doug Russell, Parks Director Chad Fincher, and Planning Director Jarod
Nygren.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Legislative Update from Representative Frank Garner
Mayor Johnson introduced Representative Frank Garner, House District 7, who gave an update regarding
the recent legislative session.
Garner noted some of the issues discussed during the session were: the high pressure on both property
tax and income tax revenues composing too much of the budget; public safety issues and the need to
invest in resources like treatment and case management and not just incarceration; mental health and
suicide prevention issues; pension issues; natural resources and the long term impacts of the price of oil
and coal; and the need for local governments to pay for essential services.
Garner also referenced the Wayfair Decision wherein it was determined that small businesses must pay
taxes if they sell online to people in places with sales tax and income tax. He noted that local
governments must partner with each other and the state government and everyone needs to be on the
same page on these issues.
In response to council questions, Garner remarked there is no appetite in the legislature for a state sales
tax or local options sales tax because there is no consensus on approach and none of the bills can get out
of committee.
Mayor Johnson and council thanked Representative Garner for the update.
2. Woodland Park Waterfowl Management — Restoring Back to Nature
Russell introduced the topic, noting general discussions have been held about the issue during budget
meetings, etc., but that more effort is needed to manage the waterfowl and improve the cleanliness of the
park.
Fincher presented the serious waterfowl issues and noted they are working with Fish, Wildlife and Parks
in order to mitigate the issues and discuss options available.
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February 10, 2020
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He described various problems: the need to differentiate between the domestic waterfowl that are
dumped and the wild migratory birds, which are protected; that public feeding is not good for the
migratory birds and causes birth defects; that gulls are attracted by leftover food, which increases
unsanitary conditions; and the degradation of pond health which contributes to algae blooms.
Fincher noted that by reducing domestic waterfowl and their increased nutrient loading it would reduce
the chance of spreading disease in the migratory birds.
Fincher then suggested possible solutions to be: eliminating or reducing the public feeding of birds;
capturing and euthanizing dumped domestic birds; bird birth control via special feed; addling (oiling) of
eggs; removing eggs; or flashing beacons, which would only effect Canadian Geese. He said there are
pros and cons for each option.
Dillon Tabish, Information and Education Manager at Fish, Wildlife and Parks, spoke regarding the
education aspect of the problem. He said feeding creates problems for all wildlife; it leads to conflicts
and is not healthy for the animals. He said the domestic birds are a major problem at the pond and
transporting them somewhere else would just move the problem.
Tabish remarked that FWP has the resources to help restore the park to a more natural state and offered
their help to the city.
Graham and Tabish answered questions and there was discussion.
Another suggestion was made that a community partnership be created to build docks and osprey
platforms, as osprey are natural predators who will eat the eggs.
There was general discussion and the importance of public outreach and education on the issue was
emphasized.
Public Comment
Dan Wagner, 812 4th Avenue East, remarked he is glad the city is going to do something about the birds
and noted that Pieter Drent introduced exotic birds like black swans and peacocks years ago (which are
gone now). He said the ducks have gotten out of hand and suggested that a small penned area with a
controlled number of birds that the public can feed be created.
Amy Starr, 769 Capistrano Drive, thanked council for recent new parks but noted that a lot of moms
can't take their little kids to Woodland Park any more because of the bird poop. She agreed with the
suggestion of a small area to feed the birds specific food.
Erin, 520 8th Avenue West, remarked the birds at the park are scary and that signs prohibiting feeding
the birds don't work because people won't read them.
3. Core Area Trail and Complete Street Update
Russell noted this is coming back for a current update as to where the Core Area project is at and asked
Nygren for further information.
Nygren reported that Alta Design is looking at the 90% design at this point and they are working with the
Federal Rail Administration. He said a secondary Environmental Assessment will hopefully lead to a
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February 10, 2020
Page 2
FONSI (Finding of No Significance), and the city will need to pick one complete street connection in
order to fulfill one of the grant requirements. He also stated the railbanking agreement is close to
completion and businesses have finished relocating, so all the steps are coming together.
Nygren answered questions and there was extensive discussion.
Nygren then spoke about the "Trail Brand" and the trail subcommittee's work on it. He said the proposed
name the committee came up with is the "Kalispell Park Line".
Public Comment
Pam Carbonari, Trail Subcommittee, noted the naming of the trail was done by true public input and the
subcommittee feels it is an ideal name to identify the trail.
Ellen Giavasis, Trail Subcommittee, spoke regarding their process for determining the trail name.
Brad Wright, 233 Arbor Drive East, remarked he is interested in historical buildings and conservation but
he is a bit disappointed that the Woodland and 7th Avenue East and Whitefish Stage connection is not a
part of this project because it would have approved traffic efficiency and circulation. He commented
regarding the letter he sent to council last week, remarking the city appears to be in violation of the
Cooperative Agreement by not having a complete street location determined at this point.
Joe Unterreiner, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, commented regarding increasing the number of liquor
licenses in relation to the dining and entertainment possibilities along the trail.
CITY MANAGER/MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS
Russell noted that if council members leave their Surface Pro tablets with him, the IT Department will
have the administrative rights issue corrected by Thursday.
Mayor Johnson noted that he attended a Round Table discussion with the President of the Federal
Reserve, and it was very informative. He thanked everyone on the trail committee and noted the city
appreciates their efforts.
ADJOURN
The work session was adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
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Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
February 10, 2020
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