03-22-21 City Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL
KCrFYOF WORK SESSION MINUTES
ALISPELL March 22, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting occurred with Council and staff present in Council Chambers with social
distancing in place, as well as via video conferencing. The public was able to participate via
videoconferencing by joining at:
httns://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN sHI3RcoCTOKPi4yzmTMQEg.
Public comment was also available via email to publiccomment@jialispell.com.
Video of this meeting with time stamped minutes can be found at:
https://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Present
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present via video
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Present
Council Member - Chad Graham: Absent
Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Present
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Absent
Council Member - Tim Kluesner: Present
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present
Staff present included City Manager Doug Russell (via video), City Attorney Charles Harball,
Public Works Director Susie Turner, Environmental Specialist Casey Lewis, and Wastewater
Treatment Plant Manager Aaron Losing.
B. DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Wastewater Treatment Plant Fermenter Phase 2 Condition Assessment
City Manager Doug Russell provided a summary of previous mentions of this project.
Public Works Director Susie Turner provided the staff presentation on this item. She
introduced Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Aaron Losing, and then began
explaining the history of this fermenter and how it works.
00:08:12
Director Turner reviewed the phase 1 condition assessment that was performed on the
fermenter. She also explained why a further assessment is needed and what rehabilitation
of the fermenter might include based on the assessment. She explained the second
assessment will also help us determine if rehabilitation of the fermenter will be
appropriate or if a complete rebuild will be required.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, March 22, 2021
00:23:52 Ms. Turner explained why a further assessment is needed and what that will
entail. She further explained the second phase assessment will help us determine if
rehabilitation of the fermenter will be appropriate or if a complete replacement will be
required. An advertisement for Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) has gone out to
procure a consultant for this next phase of the project. The fermenter will need to be
taken out of service this summer which requires significant planning. She went into
possible cost estimates.
00:27:52 Mayor Johnson began questions asking about the age of the fermenter.
00:28:16 Councilor Nunnally asked about expected fermenter life cycles.
00:29:26 Councilor Waterman spoke regarding past rate increase discussions and their
relation to projects such as these.
00:30:38 Councilor Daoud asked questions about timing of this project. He then asked
about the potential of postponing other projects.
00:32:47 Councilor Nunnally asked about the possibility of an insurance claim.
2. Stormwater Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plan
City Manager Russell introduced the Public Work Department Environmental Specialist
Casey Lewis who provided the staff presentation. She began with a stormwater overview
and then explained which agencies regulate stormwater and what the permit requirements
entail.
00:39:03 Ms. Lewis reviewed the Stormwater TMDL Action Plan provided in the
meeting packet.
01:05:27 Councilor Waterman confirmed that this is an informational work session.
He then asked staff to explain further to the public why timely leaf removal in the fall
helps improve water quality and how the leaf removal program works.
01:08:23 Councilor Daoud commended staff on their presentation and work on this action
plan but explained why he does not agree with how the Department of Environmental
Quality asks the city to measure stormwater pollution and removal.
Public Works Director Susie Turner spoke regarding the sampling that is done and how
that relates to Councilor Daoud's concerns.
Mayor Johnson and Councilor Daoud provided discussion on these concerns.
Staff provided information about best practices for permit compliance.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, March 22, 2021
Councilor Waterman provided discussion about the environmental advantages to living in
the city of Kalispell.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment, seeing none he closed public comment.
D. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS
City Manager Russell brought up new bills being introduced in the State Legislature regarding
tax increment finance bills. Next Monday night is a fifth Monday so Council will not be meeting.
01:21:58 Mayor Johnson said he will be attending the County Landfill Board Meeting tomorrow.
He reported that one of the big projects that is planned will be delayed due to the decrease of
plastics, etc. being manufactured after recent devastating storms in Texas.
E. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE / FOR YOUR INFORMATION t +�
Next Regular Meeting — April 5, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Work Session — April 12, 2021, 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.
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