07-27-20 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
JULY 27, 2020
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
http://kalisl)ell.com/480/Meeting-Videos
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00 PM ON
MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR MARK JOHNSON PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS
SANDY CARLSON, SID DAOUD, CHAD GRAHAM, RYAN HUNTER, TIM KLUESNER,
SAM NUNNALLY, AND KYLE WATERMAN WERE PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER
KARI GABRIEL WAS PRESENT VIA VIDEO TELECONFERENCE.
Also present: City Manager Doug Russell and Parks Director Chad Fincher.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Tunnel Art Proposal — Rails to Trails
Russell introduced the topic and asked Fincher to provide more detail on the proposal.
Fincher explained the project's beginnings and the process for creating and displaying art in tunnels,
noting an agreement would be entered into between the city and Rails to Trails, with assistance from
Kalico Art Center.
Kip Smith, Rails to Trails of NW Montana, noted the graffiti in the tunnels is a serious problem and
this is a great opportunity to provide enhancements to the trail and to discourage vandalism and
graffiti. He said the proposal would eventually include all three tunnels on the Trail, with the Lone
Pine tunnel being done last due to construction. Smith concluded by stating the intent of the
agreement would be to go through the Kalico Art Center to bid for professional artists to create
murals.
There was a question regarding how to deter graffiti and how these art projects will accomplish that.
Alisha Shilling, Kalico Art Center, explained the differences between tagging, graffiti, and painted
murals in public spaces and noted there are "unspoken rules" among street artists regarding most
taggers and graffiti artists. She said that murals are generally not tagged and that most taggers and
graffiti artists want to mark up a blank wall, not a mural.
There was discussion regarding the selection of Public Art artists and installations.
Smith noted that MDT has a list of standards of what can and can not be painted on their property
and that all artists must agree to abide by the rules. He offered to give council a copy of the MDT
guidelines for their information.
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
July 27, 2020
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Upon consensus, council determined to move forward with the agreement and partnership, with the
timeline set for Summer 2021.
Public Comment
Rick Hull remarked he got permission from MDT and the Sheriff s office to paint the tunnel at Lone
Pine and it has stayed clean with some touch-ups, but noted that some of the other tunnels and
trestles along the trail are currently in need of cleaning up.
Linda Schoonover inquired as to what the total cost would be and what kind of artistic themes would
be presented.
CITY MANAGER/MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS
Russell gave a brief history regarding the KFD staffing issues at Station 62, including reminding
everyone about the mill levy that was voted down by the voters in 2014. He also noted he's had
several enquiries about having the Health Department present a committee report and will ask them
to present one at the August 3 meeting.
Waterman reminded council and the public about the importance of the upcoming 911 Special
District Election.
Mayor Johnson remarked that he, Russell and staff met with the EPA, Tim Fox and others on Friday
to show them the fruits of our TIGER, Core Area Redevelopment, and Brownfields grants.
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The work session was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Attest:
Aimde Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk �Sk:
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Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
July 27, 2020
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