04-01-24 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF
KALISPELL
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
April 1, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers, 201 First Avenue East
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A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Present
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present
Council Member - Sam Nunnallv: Present
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Present
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Present
Council Member--- Sid Daoud: Present
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Absent
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,
Police Chief Jordan Venezio.
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. AGENDA APPROVAL
Motion to approve the agenda as submitted.
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion
Council Member - Sam Nunnallv: 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: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 1, 2024
The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Councilors Dahlman and 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 — March 18, and March 25, 2024 G <z
Motion to approve the consent agenda as submitted.
Council Member - Sam Nunnallv: Motion
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 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: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Councilors Dahlman and Gabriel
absent.
F. COMMITTEE REPORTS — None.
G. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment.
00:02:29
Nelson, Public Comment
Ms. Nelson, a resident on Liberty Street said she is seeing problems in her neighborhood around
the Warming Center with people hanging out in the Meridian and Liberty intersection and at the
Fairgrounds.
Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson 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.
H. REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL ACTION
1. Resolution 6190 - Public Participation Plan for Montana Land Use Planning Act
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 1, 2024
This resolution considers adopting a public participation plan related to how
communication and engagement will be solicited in the adoption of a future Land Use Plan
and regulations as required by State Senate Bill 382, the Montana Land Use Planning Act.
City Manager Doug Russell began the presentation.
00:04:45 Senior Planner P.J. Sorensen presented a summary on this item.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
Motion to approve Resolution 6190 a resolution of the City of Kalispell, Montana, to adopt
a Land use public participation plan as required by section 76-25-106, M.C.A., of the
Montana Land Use Planning Act, in order to provide continuous public participation when
adopting, amending, or updating a land use plan or regulations pursuant thereto.
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Karl 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: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Councilors Dahlman and Gabriel
absent.
2. Resolution 6191 Request for Glacier Rail Park Targeted Economic District Funds for
Rail Park Drive Public Infrastructure a
This resolution considers a request from Flathead County Economic Development
Authority for $135,000 in funding from the TEDD for road infrastructure.
City Manager Doug Russell provided the staff report.
00:08:26 Development Services Director Jarod Nygren continued the staff report.
00:10:01 Councilor Hunter began questions asking about the TEDD balance. He continued
questions asking about the original construction of the road.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
00:12:32
Motion to approve Resolution 6191, a resolution approving the Kalispell Urban Renewal
Agency (URA) recommendation to grant funding in the amount of $135,000.00 from the
Glacier Rail Park Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) to the Flathead County
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 1, 2024
Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) for the purpose of adding necessary public
infrastructure improvements to upgrade Rail Park Drive to city standards.
00:13:33 Councilor Daoud asked questions related to sidewalk connectivity.
00:14:31 Councilor Daoud asked a question related to road connectivity.
00:15:26 Councilor Daoud asked questions about funding.
00:15.56 Councilor Hunter provided discussion on the motion.
Vote on the motion.
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Motion
Council Member - Jed Fisher: 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: Disapprove
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Councilors Dahlman and Gabriel
absent.
I. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action)
City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report:
• The next budget work sessions will include further discussion about Solid Waste, and tan
update to the Senate Bill 382 lawsuit, MAID versus Montana.
• The 4-22-24 work Session has a Streets Assessment discussion scheduled.
• Budget work sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7 and 8, 2024, at 6 pm/
• May 7, 2024, is the date the County has set for redoing the election for Wards 1 and 2.
00:19:06 Councilor Daoud spoke regarding perceiving an increase in the unhoused population.
He would like to know if there are any resources available to help take these people off the
street.
00:20:41 Councilor Fisher agreed with Councilor Daoud saying he would like the City to look
into solutions related to issues around the unhoused population such as garbage.
00:21:50 Councilor Hunter spoke to why he believes the unhoused population is counted in the
winter. Collaborative Housing Solutions has been working on solutions to this issue, including a
plan they have recently finished. He would also like to see the City develop plans as well. He
talked about the negative issues surrounding the unhoused population including increased crime,
drug use, garbage, etc. He spoke regarding utilizing research and data driven tools to handle the
unhoused population.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 1, 2024
Councilor Hunter thanked the community for passing the Emergency Responder Levy.
00:24:43 Councilor Graham asked the council for a work session regarding the Warming Center
reading a statement into the record talking about the deterioration of the quality of life around the
Center. He feels conditions of approval for the Warming Center are not being met explaining
further why he feels that way. He provided examples of unacceptable behavior in the area and
issues that businesses and homeowners in that neighborhood are experiencing. He listed five
areas that he feels need to be addressed.
00:32:33 Mayor Johnson provided discussion related to issues around the Warming Center and
meetings he has had with the Warming Center and business owners in the neighborhood. He
would also agree that further conversations around the Warming Center should be had. He spoke
further about the broader conversation around homelessness as well as the negative impacts.
00:34:06 Councilor Fisher talked about the problem being a city-wide issue not just in the
neighborhood surrounding the Warming Center.
Mayor Johnson provided further discussion about how he would like a work session focused.
00: , ;,:1, Councilor Hunter spoke regarding the Warming Center conditional use permit and the
Center Director asking that people contact the Center when issues arise so she can work on
resolutions. He would caution against blaming the Warming Center for homeless issues speaking
further while he feels that way.
Eli 7: 17 City Manager Russell spoke to Council about clarification.
00: �S: 1 1 Councilor Graham would like to review the Warming Center conditional use permit
process and would like to see law enforcement calls in the area.
00:38:56 City Manager Russell provided a summary to gain clarification related to what is being
requested. The first or second work session in May might be available for this discussion.
00:43:08 Mayor Johnson talked about his tax bill received today, talking about how the state tax
laws work and how the state did not adjust the mills this year based on increased assessments
like they have in the past and why the extra tax bill came out for County residents. He would like
the public and State elected officials to come to city budget meetings to learn how city budgets
are actually handled, explaining the percentages of where taxes actually go.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 1, 2024
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Ai e Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved on April 8, 2024
Next Work Session — April 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Regular Meeting — April 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
PARTICIPATION
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documents and time stamped minutes at: https:: www.kalispell.coml/480./Meeting-Videos.
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page at: https:"www.voutubevoutube.com4d:cityofkalispellmontana963212streamscityofkalispellmontana963212streams.
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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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