Work Session January 23rd Public Comment from Brit Clark, Conrad MansionAimee Brunckhorst
From: Aimee Brunckhorst
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2023 11:15 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: FW: EXTERNAL Work Session January 23rd
Attachments: Conrad Mansion Work Session.docx
From: Brit Clark <brit@conradmansion.com>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2023 9:59 AM
To: Aimee Brunckhorst <abrunckhorst@kalispell.com>
Subject: EXTERNAL Work Session January 23rd
[NOTICE: This message includes an attachment -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you know the
content is safe.]
Hi Aimee,
I hope you are having a great start to the year. Please find a letter to Mayor Johnson and City Council attached for
tonight's work session. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Brit
Brit Clark I Museum Director
Ph: (406) 755-2166
The Conrad Mansion
330 Woodland Avenue
Kalispell, MT 59901
www.coaradrDlan J on..coml.
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January 23, 2023
Mayor Johnson and City Council:
My name is Brit Clark and I am the director of the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell. The Conrad Mansion is owned by the city
of Kalispell but operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historic house museum. Over 10,000 people visited the Conrad
Mansion in 2022, and we are ranked as the number one attraction in Kalispell, according to Trip Advisor.
The Conrad Mansion's grounds and gardens are free and open to the public, and we operate like a city park. People are
welcome to walk their dogs, have picnics, take photos, and host small gatherings. The Mansion has park benches, picnic
tables, a gazebo, and manicured lawns for the public to utilize. Our gardener is on the Conrad Mansion's payroll and all
costs associated with the gardens and grounds are paid for by the Mansion.
The city of Kalispell owns the public restrooms in Heritage Park (across Woodland Avenue) and allows Conrad Mansion
guests to use them. During the summer, it is the responsibility of Mansion staff and volunteers clean and lock the
Heritage Park restrooms every evening before closing. These are the only bathrooms available to our guests.
People have always camped in the forest behind the bathrooms. Historically, these people have been subtle and
considerate and never made any Mansion personnel or guest feel unsafe. Unfortunately, there has been a noticeable
change in behavior. Over the last year, our staff and visitors have had several jarring interactions with several individuals
either at Heritage Park or on the Mansion grounds:
• A man followed a teenaged tour guide through the Mansion's back door. Our maintenance person immediately
spotted the man on the security cameras and escorted him out of the building. While being escorted out, the
man exclaimed "I am Jesus Christ, this is my house, and you can't make me leave!"
• A barefoot man, exhibiting concerning behavior, interrupted a 12-year old's birthday party. He sat next to the
kids on picnic table. The kids became so uncomfortable, they asked Mansion staff for assistance.
• To avoid summer heat, the Mansion gardener arrived at work at 5:OOam. One morning, a group of people were
in the gazebo when she arrived for work. They had unscrewed the overhead light bulb and had spent the night
in the gazebo. When the gardener asked the group to leave, they refused until she threatened to call KPD.
• The gardener also reported a man urinating in the gardens. When he heard her approaching, he turned around
and flashed her.
• Visitors reported to Mansion staff that people had locked themselves in the public restrooms for hours at a time
and on two separate occasions, a man and woman have "coupled" up in the public restrooms.
• Our staff and volunteers have had to clean up human feces, drug paraphernalia, and garbage from the
restrooms on several occasions.
• I called KPD on January 16t" asking for assistance from a man who slept on our porch swing and refused to leave
when asked. I have had reports of a man hanging out around the Mansion at night, telling people they need to
leave because the Conrad Mansion is his house.
I believe that up until now, the Mansion's location in a residential neighborhood has shielded us from serious vandalism
or violent interactions. I fear these situations will only worsen and our staff, guests, and building will be at risk. We want
to continue being a peaceful and beautiful gathering place for the community, but I predict more police patrols or city
assistance will be necessary to ensure the safety of the Conrad Mansion and Heritage Park.
Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Brit Clark, Museum Director