E1. 02-20-24 Council Minutes
Video of this meeting with time stamped minutes can be found at:
https://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Council President Graham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
City Manager Doug Russell announced that Sam Nunnally and Kari Gabriel have stepped off the
dais for this meeting as the city is unsure of the intent of the Judge in relation to the district court
order dated February 16, 2024, that set aside the elections for Ward 1 and Ward 2 of the
Kalispell municipal election. The matter will be further researched.
B. ROLL CALL
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Absent
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Present
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Present via video conference
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Present
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Present via video conference
Staff present included City Manager Doug Russell, City Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk
Aimee Brunckhorst, Development Services Director Jarod Nygren, and Police Chief Jordan
Venezio.
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. AGENDA APPROVAL
Motion and Vote to approve the agenda as published.
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Absent
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, February 20, 2024
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Approve
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Mayor Johnson 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.
1. Council Minutes February 5, and 12, 2024
2. Reject Bids for Equalization Basin Expansion and Fermenter Rehab Project
th
3. Historic Preservation Grant Letter of Support for building at 203 5 Ave W
This item considers approving a letter of support for a historic grant application to the
Montana Department of Commerce.
4. Purchase of Two Police Patrol Vehicles
This item considers the purchase of two Ford Explorer patrol vehicles and
appropriate equipment upfitting from Dana Safety for the amount of $133,433.43.
Public Comment
Council President Graham opened public comment on the consent agenda. Seeing none, he
closed public comment.
Motion and Vote to approve the consent agenda as published.
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 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 voice vote with Mayor Johnson absent.
F. COMMITTEE REPORTS None.
G. PUBLIC HEARING State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act of 2023
Council will consider comments regarding eligible projects using funds from this Act,
which is also referred to as SLIPA, and originates from Montana House Bill 355.
Council President Graham opened the public hearing and called for public comment.
00:04:54 Margaret Davis, Public Comment
Ms. Davis, Director of the NW Montana History Museum referred to others present at the
meeting in support of the meeting. She then asked Council to consider using funding from this
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, February 20, 2024
act to repair the HVAC system at the museum. She spoke further regarding her reasoning and
provided written public comment.
Seeing no further comment, Council President Graham closed the public hearing.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT
Council President Graham opened general public comment.
00:07:59 Loraine Clarno, Public Comment
Ms. Clarno with the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce provided an update to the Downtown
Action Team Task Force that includes board members from the KDA, Downtown Business
Association, and the Business Improvement District to talk about potential ways the business
community can shape downtown to be safe, welcoming, and vibrant for all. She spoke regarding
increases in vagrancy and wanting to bring solutions. They put together an action plan with
various goals. She provided Council with a hand-out with policy ideas on this matter. She spoke
regarding some of the recommendations they would like the City to consider undertaking. She
also spoke regarding the actions the Task Force is planning.
00:14:47 Kyle Waterman, Public Comment
Mr. Waterman, Board Chair of the Western Montana Mental Health Center provided an update
regarding the services they provide and the restructuring they have accomplished. He spoke
regarding House Bill 872 and talked about related legislature passed to help with case
management and other services and provides a better rate for outreach employees. Mr. Waterman
explained the 988-phone service is now live and is a 24-hour call center for anyone in the area to
connect with counselors and staff. He spoke further about grants they are applying for to provide
further services.
00:18:56 Seeing no further public comment, Council President Graham closed public comment.
Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publiccomment@kalispell.com can
be seen at
https://time.ci.kalispell.mt.us/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=128274&dbid=0&repo=Kalispell.
Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
I. REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL ACTION
1. Resolution 6185 Use of State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act of 2023
Funds
This resolution considers establishing the priority list for projects to be partially
funded through this act.
City Manager Doug Russell presented the staff report.
00:23:11 Councilor Hunter asked questions regarding federal funds that may be available related
to lead line inventorying.
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00:26:32 Councilor Daoud asked questions related to CPACE and how it is administered.
00:27:42 Council President Chad Graham asked where the 25% match would come from. He
then provided discussion.
00:28:47 Public Comment
Council President Graham opened public comment.
00:29:10 Jim Atkinson, Public Comment
Mr. Atkinson said he felt the precedent was already set regarding assisting nonprofit
organizations and would appreciate Council consideration in using these funds for HVAC repairs
at the NW Montana History Museum.
Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
Motion to approve Resolution 6185, a resolution regarding the eligible projects to be
partially funded by the State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act of 2023 (SLIPA) and
the City of Kalispell.
00:30:31 Councilor Hunter provided discussion related to funding for sidewalks.
00:32:05 Councilor Hunter made a motion to amend the Resolution to include $150,000
towards sidewalk infill in our community utilizing the transportation plans prioritization of
sidewalk infrastructure and place it as the number 2 priority.
00:32:42 Councilor Daoud asked for a point of clarification regarding the resolution.
00:33:39 City Manager Russell clarified that infill would not qualify.
00:33:57 Councilor Hunter modified his amendment to the motion to specify sidewalk
repair and replace.
The amendment to the motion died for lack of a second.
00:35:01 Councilor Daoud asked questions related to the projects.
00:36:27 Council President Graham asked about the comment made related to repairs at the
Conrad Mansion. He then asked further questions related to the agreements set up with the
nonprofits.
00:39:12 Council President Chad Graham provided discussion related to the public comment
from the NW Montana History Museum.
00:39:47 Councilor Dahlman provided discussion related to the lead line inventory as her
priority.
00:40:24 Councilor Carlson provided discussion related to the lead line inventory as her priority.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, February 20, 2024
00:31:03 Vote on the motion.
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Motion
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Absent
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 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 Mayor Johnson absent
2. Meadows Edge, Phase 3, Final Plat
This item considers final plat approval for 16.77 acres with 31 residential lots at
1120 Farm to Market Road.
Senior Planner P.J. Sorensen provided the staff report.
00:43:38 Council President Graham asked about bond details.
00:44:13 Public Comment
Council President Graham opened public comment.
00:44:19 Doug Rankin, Public Comment
Mr. Rankin, with WGM Group representing the developer for this project, explained that most of
the bonding is related to landscaping and road improvements.
Seeing no further comment, Council President Graham closed public comment.
00:45:17 Motion and Vote to approve the final plat for Meadows Edge Phase 3 as well as
the subdivision improvement agreement.
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Absent
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 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 Mayor Johnson absent.
3. Resolution 6186 Application to the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with
Sustainability and Equity Grant
This resolution approves a RAISE grant application to the US Department of
Transportation to fund upgrades to the Kalispell Bypass from US 93 to Airport
Road.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, February 20, 2024
Development Services Director Jarod Nygren provided the staff report.
00:48:16 Councilor Hunter asked questions about project details.
00:50:03 Councilor Graham asked questions about the West Reserve Drive project and how the
money is allocated.
00:51:03 Public Comment
Council President Graham opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
00:51:12 Motion to approve Resolution 6186, a resolution of approval for the submission of
to the Kalispell bypass from U.S. 93 to Airport Road.
00:52:02 Councilor Dahlman provided discussion in favor of the motion.
00:52:40 Councilor Daoud provided discussion in favor of the motion.
00:53:05 Council President Graham provided discussion in favor of the motion.
Vote on the motion.
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Motion
Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Absent
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 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 Mayor Johnson absent.
J. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action)
City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report:
City Manager Russell spoke regarding a court decision related to the municipal election
that was challenged that the city believes states we have two council vacancies
(Councilor Kari Gabriel and Councilor Sam Nunnally) until that election is done again.
The city is looking at state law related to the decision and what will happen next.
Further discussion on the creation of a solid waste master plan will come before Council
at the February 26, 2024, work session.
A resolution of intent to hold a public hearing on the public participation plan for HB 382
is scheduled for March 4.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, February 20, 2024
The City Manager spoke to Dave Prunty with the County Landfill about presenting to
council with an update on the landfill on March 4, 2024.
March 11, 2024, no work session is scheduled.
K. ADJOURNMENT
Council President Graham adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
_______________________________________
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved on, 2024
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
City Offices Closed February 19, 2024
Next Work Session February 26, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Next Regular Meeting March 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
PARTICIPATION
Watch City Council sessions live with the agenda and supporting documents or later with
documents and time stamped minutes at: https://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos.
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page at: https://www.youtube.com/@cityofkalispellmontana9632/streams.
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employment practices. Auxiliary aids are available. For questions about disability
accommodation please contact the City Clerk at 406-758-7756.
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