E1. 10-19-20 Council MinutesCITY ,�
KALISPELL
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
October 19, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting occured via video conferencing to provide an environment that will comply
with the Governor's Phase II COVID-19 Directive. Public comment was provided via
email to publiccomment(cr�,kalispell. com or verbally during the video conference with
registration at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y 13 W4ZMNRAmKnAB_SebeuQ.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Present in Council Chambers
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Present via video conference
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present via video conference
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Present via video conference
Council Member - Chad Graham: Present via video conference
Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Present via video conference
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Present via video conference
Council Member - Tim Kluesner: Present via video conference
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present via video conference
Staff present in the City Hall Council Chambers included City Manager Doug Russell, City
Attorney Charles Harball, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, Community Development Director
Jarod Nygren, and Parks and Recreation Director Chad Fincher.
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. AGENDA APPROVAL
Motion and Vote to approve the agenda as submitted.
Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion
Council Member - Sandv Carlson: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member
- Sandy Carlson: Approve
Council Member
- Sam Nunnally: Approve
Council Member
- Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member
- Kyle Waterman: Approve
Council Member
- Ryan Hunter: Approve
Council Member
- Tim Kluesner: Annrove
Page 1 of 7
Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on voice vote.
E. CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed on the consent agenda will be accepted by one motion. If a council member
desires to discuss an item separately, the item can be removed from the consent agenda by
motion.
1. Council Minutes — October 5, 2020
2. Ordinance 1849 — 2nd Reading — Musso Zone Change
This item considers a request from Sarah and Alexander Musso for initial zoning
of City R4 (Residential) at 904 8th Avenue West.
3. Award Bid — Forestry Boom Truck
This item would award a bid for a Forestry Boom Truck to Custom Truck One
Source in the amount of $130,000.
Motion and Vote to approve the consent agenda as published.
Council Member - Chad Graham: Motion
Council Member - Sam Nunnall..
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve
Council Member - Sam Nunnallv: Annrove
Council Member - Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
Council Member - Tim Kluesner: Approve
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
F. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Architectural Review Committee Awards
Julia Pierrotet, Chair of the Architectural Review Committee presented the two winters of
Architectural Review Awards for the year. Ms. Pierrotet thanked Mark Norley who recently
retired and was a long-time member of the Committee. Mr. Norley was instrumental in starting
the awards program. Ms. Pierrotet then spoke regarding the criteria for winning the awards. She
then went into details about the two winners of this year's awards. The winners are:
Sunrift Beer Company (55 1st Ave WN)
Owner: WSPGB Land II LLC
Contractor: WSPGB Land II LLC
Architect: Mark T. Johnson Architect, Ltd.
Sherman Building (343 1st Ave W)
Page 2 of 7
Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020
Owner: Blue Spruce Investments
Contractor: Lemire and Company
Architect: Christine Bleyhl
Mark Johnson thanked Ms. Pierrotet for the presentation and the Committee's work on this and
then spoke to the award winners and projects. He then thanked Mark Norley for his service on
the community and acknowledged the work that he did on the committee and with the awards
saying his work will be felt in the community for many years to come.
2. Health Department Update
Public Health Officer Tamalee St. James Robinson with the Flathead City -County Health
Department provided a County update regarding the COVID pandemic speaking first to current
case numbers, monitoring, deaths, hospitalizations, number of calls, and number of staff
members working on the pandemic. She then spoke regarding `outbreak status' in ten of the area
long-term care facilities. The Health Officers across the state meet regularly, and they all are
struggling with their communities `COVID' fatigue. She spoke regarding the importance of
education and the need for community partners to help with that. Staffing at the hospital has been
in short supply. Ms. St. James Robinson spoke regarding the need for community compliance to
keep schools and businesses open.
07:18:47 PM (00:20:00 Councilor Graham asked how numbers are tallied, learning they are
tallied locally. He then asked about the possibility of adding a recovered column to the data
released regularly. He learned the County website does include that number.
07:20:35 PM (00:21:54) Councilor Kluesner asked questions regarding the positivity rates. He
learned the positivity rate is growing quite quickly. Councilor Kluesner then spoke regarding the
need for good, positive public service announcements explaining what this is doing to the
community, hospital, and businesses. Contacts are not able to go to work, to school, etc.
Ms. St. James Robinson explained that an average contact takes 5 other people out of the
community and in the school setting, 10 to 15 per contact are taken out with parent's having to
go home from work to be with their children during quarantine. People are tired of hearing from
public health. She would like to see community leaders and business owners come forward and
help with messaging.
07:25:40 PM (00:26:59) Councilor Waterman thanked Tamalee for her leadership. He then asked
her to explain why masks, social distancing and washing hands is so important.
Ms. St. James Robinson explained the science behind these methods to stop the spread of
respiratory germs and disease. She then spoke to questions regarding where outbreaks are
happening most. She explained large dinners, weddings, indoor dinners, trade shows, and that the
more we have indoor activities, the more the danger.
07:29:52 PM (00:31:11) Councilor Daoud thanked Tamalee for her time. He spoke to the
COVID dashboard and the positivity rate increase asking that the rate be added to the dashboard
for the public. He asked about the average profile for who are primarily hospitalized. He then
confirmed that the surge started when school started. Ms. St. James Robinson explained that the
Page 3 of 7
Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020
kids are not contracting the virus within the school setting, it is rather the activities outside of the
school setting that they are participating in.
Ms. St. James Robinson explained COVID is carried through aerosolization, droplets.
Councilor Daoud talked regarding the number of unmasked individuals at bars and how that
affects the rates.
07:37:09 PM (00:38:28) Councilor Nunnally thanked Tamalee for her report. He then asked
whether any businesses are enforcing stricter guidelines themselves.
Ms. St. James Robinson spoke to restrictions passed by the City of Whitefish, and the need for
personal and business responsibility.
07:38:59 PM (00:40:18) Councilor Hunter said he appreciates the work the employees of the
Health Department do. He would ask what ideas she may have for the city to partner to
encourage businesses that are not doing things well to do things better. He asked whether she
would recommend that the city issue an events size limit.
Ms. St. James Robinson lost her Wi-Fi connection and came back after public comment. See
notes in minutes below public comment.
G. PUBLIC COMMENT
Persons wishing to address the council are asked to provide public comment via email to
publiccommentgkalispell.com or verbally during the video conference. Register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y 13 W4ZMNRAmKnAB_SebeuQ.
Please provide your name and address for the record.
Katie Williams, Public Comment
Ms. Williams of 427 W. 2nd Street, Whitefish talked in favor of the Flathead County Emergency
Communications Center Special District Ballot Initiative explaining why others should vote in
favor and what it would pay for.
Seeing no further general public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
Health Department Update Continued
Tamalee St. James Robinson was able to rejoin and answer Councilor Hunter's question about
the city placing pandemic related restrictions saying she would support indoor event restrictions.
07:48:42 PM (00:50:01) Councilor Gabriel asked questions regarding enforcement of the
Governor's COVID-19 directive. She learned the Governor tasked the local County Attorney's
to enforce it. The complaints come to the Health Department and are managed by Environmental
Health. She explained the process further. Some complaints have been turned over to the County
Attorney's office.
Page 4 of 7
Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020
07:50:44 PM (00:52:031 Councilor Graham asked questions about the COVID-19 contact tracing
process. Ms. St. James Robinson explained how close contacts are identified.
Mayor Johnson thanked Tamalee St. James Robinson and urged everyone to be a good neighbor
and watch your own actions saying with freedom comes great responsibility. He would
encourage everyone to follow the recommendations of the Health Department, wear masks, keep
6 feet apart, maintain basic elements of cleanliness and stay home if you are sick.
H. REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL ACTION
Resolution 6003 — Final Plat — Rhodes Subdivision
This item considers a request from Mark and Amy Rhodes for the final plat
approval of Rhodes City Subdivision at 362 and 370 2nd Avenue West North.
Senior Planner P.J. Sorensen provided the staff report.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
08:01:33 PM (01:02:52)
Motion and Vote to approve Resolution 6003, a resolution approving the Final Plat for
Rhodes City Subdivision, described as Assessor's Tract 2BA in the northwest quarter of
the southeast quarter of Section 7, Township 28 North, Ranee 21 West, P.M.M., Flathead
County, Montana, and as further described on Exhibit "A".
Council Member - Chad Graham: Motion
Council Member - Sam Nunnallv: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve
Council Member - Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
Council Member - Tim Kluesner: Approve
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
2. Legislative Priorities
This item considers adopting a proposed set of legislative priorities as a means for
the City Council to communicate the needs and concerns of the city to the
members of the Montana State Legislature as it approaches its next term.
City Manager Doug Russell provided background on this item.
08:05:23 PM (01:06:4
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
Page 5 of 7
Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020
08:05:40 PM (01:06:59)
Motion to adopt the presented priorities.
08:06:11 PM (01:07:30) Councilor Hunter provided discussion on the motion related to local
option sales tax.
08:07:13 PM (01:08:32) Councilor Daoud also provided discussion about local option sales tax.
08:07:51 PM (01:09:19) Councilor Graham said he echoed what Hunter had to say and explained
his position further speaking to correct rumors about this item.
08:09:25 PM (01:10:44) Mayor Johnson spoke regarding the local option sales tax and how it
would work.
Vote to approve the presented priorities.
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Motion
Council Member - Chad Graham: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve
Council Member - Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
Council Member - Tim Kluesner: Approve
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
I. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action)
City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report:
• Reminder to everyone to vote.
• Next Monday's work session will include the Co -Chairs from the Mayor's Homeless
Task Force to talk about their report.
08:13:55 PM (01:15:14) Councilor Graham spoke regarding the amount of drug use apparently
being done in parks. He would like a work session on Lawrence Park related to the transfer of
land that was given to us. He would like proposals from staff of what can be done for bike paths,
picnic areas, gazebos, and thinning out the areas and sightlines. He does not support needle
disposal boxes installed in the park.
08:17:32 PM (01:18:511 City Manager Russell spoke regarding making those areas more usable
and establishing sight lines.
Page 6 of 7
Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020
08:18:47 PM (01:20:00 Councilor Waterman said he was disappointed about the breakdown of
the public process with the Flathead City -County Board of Health meeting last week. He spoke
to that further. He then talked about the importance of other health issues that have been set aside
to concentrate on COVID-19.
08:22:02 PM (01:23:21) Councilor Daoud spoke to what the 911 Special District would mean to
the average city homeowner if it passed. He then spoke regarding the Governor's COVID-19
directive saying the government can't solve this issue, but how the community can. He spoke
regarding long lasting health effects of COVID and individual responsibility to respect each
other to safeguard them voluntarily.
08:25:08 PM (01:26:27J Councilor Nunnally spoke to the drug issue at Lawrence Park saying he
would like to see a comprehensive plan for Lawrence Park.
08:26:09 PM (01:27:28) Councilor Hunter asked staff to write a memorandum regarding what
authority the city might have related to COVID restrictions.
08:27:51 PM (01:29:19) Mayor Johnson spoke to the background of the COVID pandemic, and
other issues such as drug use and suicide. He urged the public to call 1-800-273-TALK if they or
someone they know is dealing with suicidal thoughts or feeling hopeless. He then spoke to the
economics of the valley. He urged everyone to safely support local businesses. He asked
everyone to think about their actions, and how they can protect each other from COVID.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved on, 2020
UPCOMING SCHEDULE / FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Next Work Session — October 26, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Regular Meeting — November 2, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Watch City Council sessions live on Charter Cable Channel 190 or online at the Meetings on
Demand tab at www.kalispell.com.
Page 7 of 7