Loading...
03-09-20 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 9, 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, MARCH 9, 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, Planning Director Jared Nygren, Assistant Community Development Director Katharine King, Public Works Director Susie Turner, and Parks Director Chad Fincher. Mayor Johnson called the work session to order. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Locomotive Donation to Kalispell Parkline Trail Russell noted this donation has an upcoming deadline and asked Nygren to talk about the locomotive donation offer and its logistics. Nygren described the offer from Mission Mountain Railway and what the city would have to do to accept it, noting that the locomotive would be parked east of 4th Avenue East and fenced off temporarily to secure it before the trail is complete. He said it will be an homage to our rail history and to the Great Northern Railroad. Nygren answered questions and there was discussion. Russell informed council this item will be placed on next Monday's agenda. 2. Proposed Amendments to the Water and Sewer Rate Schedules, Regulations, and Impact Fees Russell explained this item is for council to further discuss public comment heard during the March 2 public hearing and to answer any additional questions council may have. He said that adoption of Action Items is set for next Monday night. Turner remarked that she has summary slides to present and noted there have been no rate increases since 2014, adding that she was looking for council direction. Turner answered questions. Graham briefly described how impact fees work, noting they pay for some growth related projects but not all of them. He said the city must grow in order to maintain its infrastructure. Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes March 9, 2020 Page 1 Kluesner remarked that he was surprised at the number of letters received in opposition to lowering the impact fees and remarked that the council needs to take a step back and reexamine the impact fees and make some adjustments. Hunter agreed, inquiring if the city could stretch out some Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) and/or look at either discounts or exemptions for lower income households; he said we are looking at an upcoming recession here. Turner remarked that the current CIPs are required capital projects that currently are being undertaken, particularly the water tank and tower. Turner presented summary slides and discussed the required capital projects. There was lengthy discussion and Turner and Shawn Koorn, from HDR Consulting, answered questions. Turner informed council that the new rates need to be in place by July 1 in order to meet costs already incurred. Turner presented different options that council could choose to implement: (A) the proposed 50% reduction in impact fees and increased utility rates; (B) the current impact fees and rates; or (C) the current water impact fee along with the calculated sewer fee less depreciation rates. There was further discussion. Russell noted both resolutions will come before council at next Monday's meeting. Public Comment Matthew Hunter, 729 6th Avenue West, remarked that he did some calculations regarding fees and noted the difference between the proposed fees and the current fees are a difference of $3,500, which reduces his property value; he does not want to subsidize new development and new residents and it is not fair for developers to line their pockets at ratepayers' expense. CITY MANAGER/MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS Russell noted that the representatives of the 2020 MLCT Conference will be here for a site visit next Friday and that he is keeping a close eye on the coronavirus information. Hunter remarked that he accepted the invitation to visit the warming center, and noted it seemed to be a success and they are doing a great job. Graham informed the public that if they want a reply to an emailed comment to please leave a telephone number along with an email address with their comment. Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes March 9, 2020 Page 2 Waterman remarked that the health board is working with the hospital, so look to them for current coronavirus information and that any testing kits for this area would have to go to Spokane for testing. ADJOURN The work session was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Attest: Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC City Clerk SEAL 1892 'lF©NT P Prepared by: Judi Funk Deputy City Clerk Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes March 9, 2020 Page 3