Jan. 23 Public Comment from Discover KalispellCity Council Work Session -January 23, 2023
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson and City Council,
Discover Kalispell supports the City's actions to alleviate the encampment that has been
occurring in the Depot Park pavilion. It has been a continual concern for the Discover
Kalispell staff due to interactions with the people frequenting the park while staff is coming
and going to the Chamber, particularly after hours. While we welcome anyone to enjoy
Depot Park, as it is a great asset of downtown Kalispell, over the past year the unhoused
that spend time in the park have become more assertive and combative.
The presence of unhoused people in the park is a deterrent for guests to the visitor
information center. The VIC serves as a place to learn about things to do and places to go in
Kalispell - moving visitors and new residents from the more well-known locations in the
valley to downtown Kalispell, our local trails, restaurants and arts and cultural assets.
We acknowledge that there is not an easy solution to the homeless problem and
encourage the continued partnership of the City with service providers, business
community and residents to take steps towards lifting people up versus enablement.
Respectfully,
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Diane Medler
Executive Director
Discover Kalispell