E1. 02-28-22 Work Session Minutes-000 CITY COUNCIL
KMy OF Draft WORK SESSION MINUTES
ALISPELL February 28, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers, 201 First Avenue East
The public was able to participate in person in the council chambers or via videoconferencing.
Public comment was also available via email to publi ccommentgkali spell. com.
Video of this meeting with time stamped minutes can be found at:
https://www.kalispell.com/480/Meetin2-Videos.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Present
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Present
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Present
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Present
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Present
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Present
Council Member - Rvan Hunter: Present
Staff present in Council Chambers included City Manager Doug Russell, City Clerk Aimee
Brunckhorst, Parks and Recreation Director Chad Fincher, Police Chief Doug Overman, Fire
Chief Dan Pearce (via videoconference), and Assistant Fire Chief Jessica Kinzer.
B. DISCUSSION
1. BudgetPreparation: Master Parks Plan and Police and Fire/Emergency Medical
Services Plans a
City Manager Russell began the staff presentation on this item.
00:02:25 Parks and Recreation Director Chad Fincher provided background information about
the current Parks Master Plan that was approved in May 2007. He spoke regarding areas within
the plan that have been accomplished since and talked about points within the 2007 plan.
00:19:54 Mayor Johnson asked about items that are on the plan that have not yet been
accomplished.
00:21:37 Mayor Johnson asked for clarification about what a new plan would provide.
00:22:10 City Manager Russell provided information about what types of information would be
included in a new plan.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, February 28, 2022
00:22:53 Councilor Hunter asked about the status of discussions with Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
as it relates to Woodland Park pond.
00:24:05 Councilor Hunter asked about how staff may have searched for new revenue sources
for acquisition of new parks.
00:24:52 Councilor Hunter provided discussion regarding changes he would like to see within
the recreation requirement for new development. He then provided discussion regarding specifics
he would like to see in a new plan.
00:33:06 Councilor Fisher complimented staff for their accomplishments related to parks. He
provided discussion about the possibility of a recreational facility that could possibly generate
income.
00:38:39 City Manager Russell explained that the Tourism Business Improvement District is
looking into a needs assessment as it relates to a recreational facility.
00:39:55 Councilor Daoud asked questions about whether private ventures are calculated into the
plan.
00:42:07 Councilor Fisher talked about further possibilities of private/public partnerships.
00:44:02 Councilor Carlson asked about progress related to the possibility of a splashpad on the
trail. She then spoke saying she would also like to see a recreational facility in a new plan.
00:45:34 Councilor Nunnally asked about definitions related to trails versus sidewalks.
00:47:00 Police and Fire/Emergency Medical Services
City Manager Russell spoke regarding past plans and discussions as it relates to Police and
Fire/EMS and explained what types of information would be included in a new plan.
00:51:12 Police Chief Doug Overman spoke regarding the interconnectivity of the city
departments. He then provided information about changes the Police Department has made to
increase efficiency. He spoke regarding the importance of having an independent group perform
these extensive plans and why.
00:56:54 Fire Chief Dan Pearce spoke regarding the importance of a third -party for these types
of plans and why. He then talked about the increase in calls and growth since the previous plan
and the need for an updated plan.
01:01:28 City Manager Russell talked further about the importance of third -party reviews.
01:02:25 City Manager Russell answered questions about approximate costs of plans.
01:02:39 Councilor Daoud asked questions and provided discussion about how impact fees can
be used.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, February 28, 2022
01:04:52 Councilor Fisher provided discussion about the data that could be provided by staff in
the preparation of a plan.
01:06:01 Councilor Hunter talked about the success of the co -responder program and asked
questions related to long-term funding.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened general public comment.
Chris Hall, Public Comment
Mr. Hall of 115 West Evergreen Drive spoke regarding the need to continue improving
and adding to the parks and amenities but said he does feel that these are luxury items
and safety issues such as sidewalks and streets should have a priority. He then spoke
regarding missing the ducks at Woodland Park in the winter. He talked about connections
between parks he would like to see made. Mr. Hall then spoke in opposition to
development growth. Mr. Hall then spoke about his views related to how Fire and EMS
calls are handled.
Tonva Horn, Public Comment
Ms. Horn, Executive Director with the Flathead Warming Center spoke regarding the
importance of taking care of community members that have mental health, disability, and
other issues and the need for supportive housing within the community. She asked
Council to consider how mental health leads to homelessness and the monetary and
societal costs of mental health issues.
Public comment received via email to the Mayor and Council at publi ccomment(2kali spell. com,
can be found at:
hM2s://time.ci.kalispell.mt.us/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=151862&dbid=0&repo=Kalispell.
Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
D. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS
City Manager Russell responded to public comment that was received related to fire response
explaining how Fire/EMS calls are handled.
City Manager Russell provided the following report:
• The Spring Creek Park Planned Unit Development is on the agenda for the March
7, 2022, Council meeting.
01:24:16 Councilor Graham spoke to the ongoing conversations within the community related to
the lack of housing and the ongoing concurrent conversations in opposition to growth.
01:28:25 Councilor Nunnally spoke as a past member of the Flathead County Sheriff's Posse and
the dangers of providing traffic control etc. and the importance of having equipment in place.
01:31:03 Mayor Johnson spoke regarding being approached by an individual who attempted to
unduly influence him. He wanted to make it clear that he and the Council do not appreciate these
types of communications.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, February 28, 2022
E. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved on:
UPCOMING SCHEDULE / FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Next Regular Meeting — March 7, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Work Session — March 14, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Watch City Council sessions live or later on Charter Cable Channel 190 or online at
hiips://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos.
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