Loading...
07-17-23 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES July 17, 2023, 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. 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 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Mayor - Mark Johnson: Present Council Member - Karl Gabriel: Absent 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 - Ryan Hunter: Present Staff present included City Manager Doug Russell, City Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, Development Services Director Jarod Nygren, Public Works Director Susie Turner, and Police Chief Jordan Venezio. C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion and Vote to approve the agenda as presented. Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion Council Member - Sam Nunnally: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Karl Gabriel: Approve Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Page 1 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 17, 2023 Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: A Council Member - Ryan Hunter. Approve The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Councilor Gabriel absent. E. CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda will be accepted by one motion. If a council member desires to discuss an item separately, the item can be removed from the consent agenda by motion. Council Minutes —July 3, 2023 2. Ordinance 1910 — Second Reading — Stillwater Crossing Phase 1 PUD This item considers an amended PUD at 430 Stillwater Road for 24 townhomes and 120 multi -family units. 3. Ordinance 1911 — Second Reading — Pretreatment and Nondomestic Sewer Use This ordinance considers creation and implementation of a local pretreatment program as required by the Environmental Protection Agency to administer and enforce all national pretreatment standards and requirements. 4. Ordinance 1912 — Second Reading — Chapter 23, Sewers, Sewage Disposal and Drains Code Update This ordinance considers amending this code to support a local pretreatment program. Public Comment Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. Motion and Vote to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Council Chair - Chad Graham: Motion Council Member - Ryan Hunter: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Approve Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Councilor Gabriel absent. F. COMMITTEE REPORTS — None. G. PUBLIC HEARINGS Preliminary Fiscal Year 2024 Budget {Continued from July 3, 2023 S Page 2 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 17, 2023 Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing and opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed the public hearing. 2. Water Utility Rate Adjustment Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing and opened public comment. Joe Franklin, Public Comment Mr. Franklin of 206 Buffalo Stage asked how many residential water customers are served by the city and how many are on fixed incomes. He then spoke regarding recent increases to Evergreen sewer rates, taxes, and other increased homeowner costs and inflation and the problems with bearing increases on a fixed income. He spoke regarding the low COLA increases that do not keep up with the increases in costs. Robert Sander, Public Comment Mr. Sander of 1222 3rd Avenue East spoke regarding the differences in his bill when he sprinkles and when he does not. He then spoke regarding increased homeowner costs including taxes. He spoke to the improvements he has made on his home over time and his career and said he does not want to become homeless. He asked that the city lower the water rates. Laura Clark, Public Comment Ms. Clark of 122 Garland Street spoke regarding a Daily InterLake article from several years ago that she says stated that water rates went up to help incentivize developers to build additional housing. She asked if that is still in place. She said she does not know why she is being asked to financially back developers that have more resources. Seeing no further public comment on the public hearing, Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing. H. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Johnson opened general public comment. Jane Wheeler, Public Comment Ms. Wheeler of 1110 Ball Rock Road, a Trustee with the Board of the ImagineIF Library Foundation and a member of the Facilities Committee. She began with an overview of the library system and how they have had a hard time keeping up with the explosive population growth. She then spoke regarding fundraising for the Big Fork library and a related facility move. She then talked about the Kalispell branch of the ImagineIF Library and facility needs there including an upcoming expiring lease. Carmen Cuthbertson, Public Comment Ms. Cuthbertson of 115 Buffalo Stage with the Board of the ImagineIF Library Foundation spoke regarding the Committee's search for a new facility for the Kalispell branch. She talked of the desire of the foundation to pursue moving the Kalispell library branch to the city owned Depot Building and why they feel it would be beneficial to have the library there. She asked the Council to consider this. Kathy Folden, Public Comment Ms. Folden who said she is living in her vehicle provided a document to council members and Page 3 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 17, 2023 spoke regarding her religious beliefs, her beliefs about famine and an upcoming water crisis and her views on world shipping activity and weather manipulation. Amber Tillet, Public Comment Ms. Tillet of 33362 Orchard Hills Lane, Big Fork, a board member for Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead spoke regarding homeless people that have reported to her that they have been harassed or hurt. She said these people are not aware of anything being done after going to the police or being scared or unwilling to go to the police. She asked the community to help them. She talked about the community giving them a home and protection. She talked further about the situations the homeless are facing. Public Comment Closed Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment. I. REPORTS. RECOMMENDATIONS. AND SUBSEOUENT COUNCIL ACTION Persons wishing to address the council on individual agenda items are asked to provide public comment via email to pub liccomment(a7kalispel1.com or during the meeting verbally in council chambers or via the online meeting. Please provide your name and address for the record. 1. Resolution 6142 — 2"d Amendment to Airport Master Plan 144:3 This resolution would approve a second master plan amendment for the Kalispell City Airport to include construction of a facility to house the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). City Manager Doug Russell began the presentation. 00:36:07 Councilor Fisher began questions related to liability. 00:38:21 Councilor Nunnally continued questions about liability. 00:38:11 Councilor Daoud continued questions regarding the purpose of the building. Public Comment Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Brent Battles, Public Comment Mr. Battles, President of the EAA Local Chapter 102 answered questions that were posed related to liability saying that the National Association has liability insurance that the chapter pays into. He spoke regarding the mission of the EAA and related programming including those for children. He spoke regarding his experience in another community with two summer camps offered through EAA, and the passion they have for teaching and mentoring kids. He spoke regarding how they currently hold their meetings and why he feels this facility would be beneficial to the community. He explained why they want to construct a building instead of a hangar. He spoke regarding plans for a flight simulator, storeroom, and inviting the Civil Air Patrol to utilize the building. He spoke regarding construction materials and architecture planned. Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment. Page 4 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 17, 2023 00:47:33 Motion to approve Resolution 6142, a resolution approving the second amendment to the Kalispell City Airport Master Plan that is subiect to the lease agreement between the City of Kalispell and the Kalispell Airport Users' Group. Council Member — Ryan Hunter: Motion Council Member — Jessica Dahlman: 2nd 00:48:10 Councilor Nunnally provided discussion in favor of the motion. 00:48:44 Councilor Daoud provided discussion in favor of the motion. 00:49:32 Councilor Hunter provided discussion in favor of the motion. 00:50:16 Mayor Johnson provided discussion in favor of the motion. 00:51:09 Vote on the motion. Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Motion Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnall : Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham. Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Approve Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Councilor Gabriel absent. J. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action) City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report: • There will not be a work session next week so the next meeting will occur August 7, 2023. • Budget evaluation numbers will be received the first week of August which identify the market valuations from the state. He reiterated that local taxes are limited to `/z the rate of inflation. Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for August 21, 2023. 00:52:57 Councilor Fisher spoke saying he is impressed with the re -asphalting of many trails in the area. He has received complaints regarding trail and sidewalks that have excessive winter gravel still on the trails (or other maintenance issues) and confirmed that it is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to maintain. City Manager Russell asked that people with concerns contact the city with addresses so the city can look at the situation and see if it reaches the threshold to contact the adjacent owner. Page 5 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 17, 2023 00:54:21 Councilor Hunter spoke of his concern regarding the public comment received related to reports of attacks on the homeless. He said he is confident that the police will follow up on any leads and said that it can be difficult to gather related evidence. He condemned anyone involved in these attacks and hopes they stop. He supports looking into further actions to support the homeless. Councilor Hunter then spoke about the comments received from the library saying he would be in favor of looking at Depot building as a possible solution. He has questions regarding the suitability of the space especially as it relates to parking. He also has concerns about the historic nature of the Depot building. 00:56:24 Mayor Johnson talked about the state real estate tax system and the problems and frustrations with the noticing that comes out from the state that does not actually reflect what actual taxes will be. He reiterated that local governments are capped regarding how much taxes can be increased. He asked the public to wait and see what the actual numbers will be. 00:57:53 Mayor Johnson then spoke to the public comment received on the water rates public hearing explaining to the public that a full presentation, discussion and vote about the proposed water rate increase will occur August 7, 2023. He talked about previous discussions about impact fees and that the current rate adjustment is related to repair maintenance and spoke further about the current economic and inflation realities that have been affecting this and spoke about the realities of social security income. He encouraged the public to join the meeting. 01:01:14 Mayor Johnson then spoke to the public comment received related to the homeless and the frustrations with inflationary factors. He asked the public to really look at their tax bills when they receive them and where the increases lie. K. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Aim e Brunckhorst, CMC OTC• O�TF• '�� : City Clerk :O = v 5 Minutes approved on, August 7, 2023 Page 6 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 17, 2023 UPCOMING SCHEDULE / FOR YOUR INFORMATION Next Work Session — July 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers Next Regular Meeting — August 7, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers Watch City Council sessions live or later on Charter Cable Channel 190 or online https://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos. Page 7 of 7