Public Comment for tonight from Flathead Warming CenterAimee Brunckhorst
From: Flathead Warming Center FWC <flatheadwarmingcenter@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 1, 2022 11:46 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Public Comment for tonight
Hello.
I had plans to speak briefly during public comment tonight. However, I am unable to make it.
I will keep my comment brief. Thank you for your time.
I do hope you were able to read my previous comment. If not, I have copied the comment below.
I appreciate Doug Russell responding to my last written public comment and for passing along TIF policies for the West
Side District.
As I review the policy, I find several ways that our community can benefit from the use of TIF funds in supporting the
Flathead Warming Center projects, some of which are required by the city and a financial burden on the generosity of
our community. The Flathead Warming Center improves our community at large. Providing services and shelter to
anyone in need makes our entire community safer and stronger.
PLEASE consider TIF Funds to include below 80% AMI. Also, please consider that a good case can be made that the
Flathead Warming Center provides workforce housing. Many of the individuals that we house are able to work
because of the shelter and services we provide. Although I am not able to attend tonight, I will want to listen to the
recording of the council's meeting for your comments and vote.
As I learn more about how other cities in Montana partner with their non -profits, I implore the council to consider ways
for the City of Kalispell to greater support and partner with the non -profits in our community. We can do great things
together!
One example... Did you know? The morning of the celebration for the Parkline Trail, our community's Homeless
Outreach Team (composed of a collaboration of several of our nonprofits), walked the trail to educate about being a
good neighbor and to "move along" to the services we provide. We were able to provide water and resources, as we do
weekly in our homeless outreach efforts throughout Kalispell. This is partnership! This kind of service is in our
wheelhouse. Honestly, what is NOT in my wheelhouse is understanding city programs/ policies and potential funds to
apply for. We appreciate all the ways that we can partner and look out for each other! Please keep the Flathead
Warming Center in mind. Please keep all of our Kalispell non -profits in mind.
Previous Comment:
Dear Doug Russell,
All of us at the Flathead Warming Center appreciate enthusiastic support our mission has received from the
City of Kalispell. For that, we are truly grateful. As I'm sure you know, the FWC is 100% financially dependent
on the generosity of our community and our donors. And for this reason, we try to be the best stewards
possible with every dollar we are given.
Impact Fees assessed by the City of Kalispell have already cost the Flathead Warming Center, and by extension
our donors $25,000.00. Now, due to a miscalculation, we are charged for ten beds
($8,895.00) that we were not peviouse charged for. With a potential expansion of our services on the horizon,
we are looking at an additional thousands of dollars in impact fees imposed by the City of Kalispell. This sum
of money is a substantial burden for our organization. While we understand that our building and property
does impact the City of Kalispell through sewer, road use and emergency services, we also believe that
our services help the City and saves money for its taxpayers.
The Flathead Warming Center seeks your assistance to mitigate the substantial impact fees that have been
imposed by the City. We do not fault the City for imposing those fees, nor do we question their necessity: we
are simply looking for a way to pay them. In reaching out to a few homeless service providers throughout the
state, I am learning that although no city may waive impact fees, some cities in Montana have found ways to
provide funds that offset impact fees.
Our friends from Bozeman report,
"Hi Tonya -
Impact fees are really narrowly prescribed in Montana statute, allowing individual communities no flexibility once they
have been set - essentially, the view is that the impact is the impact regardless of who makes it or why it is made, so the
fees must be charged. HRDC is assessed impact fees on all of our projects, and there is no waiver or reduction process.
What cities can do however, is pay all or a portion of the assessed impact fees on our behalf from another funding
source. In Bozeman's case this is typically the Community Housing fund. For Housing First Village, the fund covered
about 85% of our impact fees. For our warming center, while the city contributed to the overall improvements costs,
they did not cover any impact fees. I would say it varies by project and fund availability!"
I understand that the Flathead Warming Center is part of the West Side Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
District. "The funds generated from a new TIF district could be used to finance a variety of improvement
projects including: City -made low interest loans and/or grants for on -site infrastructure needs, landscaping,
parking, and decorative street lighting; and public construction of off -site infrastructure needs when it benefits
the community at large." I am always happy to describe the many ways that the Warming Center greatly
benefits our entire community! Is there a possibility that we could make an application for TIF funds to assist
with impact fees, or to help us with other projects such as the cost of asphalt and other requirements of our
CUP? If so, is there any assistance the City of Kalispell could offer to help us secure these funds?
I have cc'd City Council. I understand TIF funds are on the agenda for the August 1st meeting. My public
comment is: Funds should be allowed to be used below 80% AMI! I encourage the city to find ways to better
support the work of nonprofits in our community, to include creative funding sources. Nonprofit work does
not just benefit those who are hurting in our community. Nonprofit work also benefits the community at
large!
I have been impressed to learn that local governments in Montana are finding ways to support the services
that nonprofits bring to their community.
No one understands more than you what the City of Kalispell can do. Please keep our services in mind. I am
open to any direction/ recommendation that you have.
Thank you for your time and thank you for the work that you do.
Regards,
Tanya Horn
Executive Director
Flathead Warming Center
(406) 250-8652