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10-19-20 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY 1A4lM. KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 19, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting occurred 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 pubiiccommentkkalispell.com or verbally during the video conference with registration at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/" Y13W4ZMNRAmKnAB 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, Development Services 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 - Sandy Carlson: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnaliy: Approve Council Member - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Tim Kluesner: Approve 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 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. 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 15t Ave WN) Owner: WSPGB Land II LLC Contractor: WSPGB Land II LLC Architect: Mark T. Johnson Architect, Ltd. Sherman Building (3431st Ave W) Owner: Blue Spruce Investments Page 2 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020 Contractor: Lemire and Company Architect: Christine Bleyhi 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 (00:20:06) 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 were asked to provide public comment via email to publiccomment@kalispell.com or verbally during the video conference. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/reizister/WN Y13W4ZMNRAmKnAB SebeuQ. Please provide your name and address for the record. Katie Williams, Public Comment Ms. Williams of 427 W. 2°d 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. General public comment received to the email publiccommentkkalispell.com between 10-22-20 and 10-28-20 can be found at: https•//time ci kalispell mt us/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=134938&dbid=0&repo=Kalispell. 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 Page 4 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020 Health. She explained the process further. Some complaints have been turned over to the County Attorney's office. 07:50:44 PM (00:52:03) 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, Range 21 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana, and as further described on Exhibit "A". Council Member - Chad Graham: Motion Council Member - Sam Nunnally: 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 (01:06:42) Page 5 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, October 19, 2020 Public Comment Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 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 (01:09:10) 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 (01:18:51) 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�01:20:06) 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 (01:26:27) 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 (01:29:10) 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. `t1\k\, t l t ' - IS92 _ � P,��:' \ti Ai e Brunckhorst, CMC Vz�''`'f ON `'`\'``\�. City Clerk t1ittitil11111ttt Minutes approved on November 2, 2020 UPCOMING SCHEDULE 1 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