E1. 11-13-23 Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL
KCITY OF WORK SESSION DRAFT MINUTES
ALISPELL November 13, 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.
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Present
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Present
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present via video conference
Council Member - Sam Nunnallv: Present
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Present
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent
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, Senior Planner P.J. Sorensen,
and Public Works Director Susie Turner.
B. DISCUSSION
1. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program a
City Manager Doug Russell provided the staff report on this item.
00:06:07 Councilor Daoud asked questions of staff related to challenges.
00:07:40 Councilor Daoud continued questions related to compliance monitoring.
00:08:51 Mayor Johnson provided discussion and asked questions related to savings.
00:12:17 Councilor Daoud continued questions related to current budget allocations.
00:14:09 Councilor Hunter continued questions related to tax credits.
00:15:40 Councilor Hunter asked questions related to the possibility of solar panels on city
buildings.
00:19:05 Councilor Graham asked questions related to the projects proposed.
00:20:47 Councilor Dahlman provided discussion.
Page 1 of 4
Kalispell City Council Minutes, November 13, 2023
00:21:06 Councilor Hunter asked questions related to the application process.
Councilor Hunter asked further questions about solar panels.
00:24:24 Councilor Dahlman provided discussion on the proposed projects.
00:24:52 Mayor Johnson provided discussion on the grant program.
00:27:09 Councilor Gabriel asked questions related to power details on the proposed projects.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment on this item.
00:28:03 Walter Roundtree, Public Comment
Mr. Roundtree of 22 5th Avenue East spoke regarding the intent of the federal grant and
encouraged Council to look at the proposed goals and start talking about ways to accomplish
those goals. He then spoke regarding the best location for the use of solar lights.
00:31:09 Laura Reynolds, Public Comment
Ms. Reynolds of 22 5th Avenue East and a member of the Flathead Valley Chapter of the
Citizens Climate Lobby thanked staff and Council for talking about these issues and then
congratulated Council members who were recently re-elected.
2. Heritage Park Easement Request W a
City Manager Doug Russell began the staff report on this item.
00:34:55 Senior Planner P.J. Sorensen provided further information on this item.
00:37:45 Councilor Hunter asked questions of staff related to requirements.
00:39:14 Councilor Daoud asked questions of staff related to the meaning of the easement.
00:40:30 Mayor Johnson asked about historic use.
00:40:45 Councilor Nunnally asked questions about the alley.
00:41:10 Councilor Hunter provided discussion and asked questions about city benefits.
00:43:16 Councilor Hunter provided discussion.
00:45:01 Councilor Gabriel asked questions related to the condition of the park.
Councilor Daoud provided discussion.
00:45:58 Mayor Johnson provided discussion.
00:47:27 Councilor Daoud asked questions about adjacent land.
Page 2 of 4
Kalispell City Council Minutes, November 13, 2023
00:47:46 Councilor Nunnally asked questions about adjacent land.
00:49:27 Councilor Carlson asked questions related to adjacent properties.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened general public comment.
00:52:25 Walter Roundtree, Public Comment
Mr. Roundtree spoke regarding the park in question, talking about using a shortcut trail through
the park that would come out at the new access.
00:54:52 Jeremy Peterson, Public Comment
Mr. Peterson spoke as the applicant thanking staff and council for their consideration.
Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
Public comment received via email to the Mayor and Council at Publi ccommentkkali spell. com,
can be found at:
hiips://time.ci.kalispell.mt.us/WebLink/Browse. aspx?id=128274&dbid=0&repo=Kalispell .
D. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS
City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report:
• Attending the National League of Cities and Towns Conference this week along
with several council people.
• A resolution calling for an emergency responder levy is scheduled for the
November 20, council meeting.
• No request for proposals was received related to the emergency levy education
RFP that was released.
00:57:55 Councilor Nunnally congratulated the Council members who won the election. The
County election department will be providing further information related to the County election
department's error using the old ward map.
00:59:06 Mayor Johnson spoke regarding talking with the County Election Administration
related to the map error in the Kalispell municipal election saying we should be hearing more
from the County on the issue.
Mayor Johnson will not be in attendance at the next meeting.
E. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved on, 2023
Page 3 of 4
Kalispell City Council Minutes, November 13, 2023
UPCOMING SCHEDULE / FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Next Regular Meeting — November 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
City Offices Closed — November 23 and 24, 2023 — Thanksgiving Holiday
Next Work Session — November 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Watch City Council sessions live or later on Charter Cable Channel 190 or online at
https://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos.
Page 4 of 4