04-08-24 City Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL
KcrffoF WORK SESSION MINUTES
ALISPELL A ri18� 2024� at 7:00 .m.
City Hall Council Chambers, 201 First Avenue East
Video of this meeting with time stamped minutes can be found at:
https://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mark Johnson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Present
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Present
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present
Council Member - Sam Nunnally. Present
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Present
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Present
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Absent
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, Public Works Director Susie Turner, Street Superintendent Gene Come,
Deputy Public Works Director Keith Haskins, Development Services Director Jarod Nygren, and
Police Chief Jordarf Venezio.
C. DISCUSSION
1. Solid Waste Master Planning ®a Presentation N �
City Manager Doug Russell began the presentation.
00:01:50 Director Susie Turner continued the presentation providing an overview of the
presentation and the schedule for the adoption process.
00:02:37
Consultant Scott Pasternak with Burns & McDonnell began the PowerPoint presentation
explaining the agenda for tonight's discussion.
00:04:48
Mr. Pasternak provided an update of the master plan project. Currently evaluation of alternative
scenarios is underway.
00:05:48 Current Service Analysis — Collection Routing Requirements
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 8, 2024
Mr. Pasternak spoke regarding the current need for additional routes, equipment, personnel, and
space.
00:08:27 Residential Cost Breakdown
Mr. Pasternak went over annual costs per customer and actual costs of service showing a time
graph into 2034.
00:10:12 Commercial 300 & 400-Gallon Cost Breakdown
Mr. Pasternak went over annual costs per customer and actual costs of service showing a time
graph into 2034.
00:11:18 Commercial 2 CY Green Bin Cost Breakdown
Mr. Pasternak went over annual costs per customer and actual costs of service showing a time
graph into 2034.
00:11:56 Revenue Based on Current Rates Residential and Commercial
Mr. Pasternak provided a revenue requirement breakdown, providing additional detail for FY
2024.
00:13:24 Solid Waste Revenue Requirement
Mr. Pasternak showed the recommended reserve from a policy perspective, and showed what
would happen if assessment levels are not increased.
00:15:19 Mayor Johnson asked questions about current budget numbers for expenditures versus
income in solid waste.
Public Works Director Susie Turner explained budget questions.
00:17:47 Mr. Pasternak continued talking about revenue requirements into the future.
00:18:58 Councilor Hunter asked whether impact fees can be used for capital costs.
Staff explained that the City does not have a solid waste impact fee.
00:21:51 Alternative Service Approaches
Mr. Pasternak began this section with an overview of financial policies and related questions.
00.24:15 Financial Policies — Recommendation: Implement a 4-month operating reserve
policy for the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund
Mr. Pasternak explained reserve needs and the significant upcoming expenditures that will be
needed.
00:25:38 Mayor Johnson talked about solid waste as an optional service, an enterprise fund, that
would not be related to any impact fee.
00:27:12 Weekly Alley Collection — Twice per Year Spring Cleanup
Mr. Pasternak provided several options and the cost of service on an annual basis. Currently, the
City is providing option A. Option B would assess alley customers more than roll -out customers
based on the extra cleanup services that the alley receives.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 8, 2024
00:31:06 Councilor Hunter provided feedback of his preference for Option A.
00:31:41 Councilor Nunnally provided feedback of his preference for Option B.
Councilor Hunter and Councilor Nunnally provided discussion on their preferences.
00:33:12 Councilor Graham provided discussion of his preference for Option A.
00:35:02 Mayor Johnson provided discussion related to customer allocation options and general
health and safety of the community.
00:37:35 Councilor Fisher provided discussion of his preference for Option A.
00:38:25 Councilor Gabriel provided discussion of her preference for Option B.
00:38:54 Mr. Pasternak based potential assessments on Option B for presentation purposes, but
Council can make either policy decision.
Mayor Johnson provided further discussion.
00:41:04 Funding for Additional City Services
Mr. Pasternak talked about City services that are not directly related to individual customers and
whether Council would be comfortable with an annual assessment charged to all City property
owners for these costs.
00:42:52 City Manager Russell provided information about how this type of annual assessment
would work.
00:44:06 Councilor Hunter provided discussion regarding why he would prefer that these costs
come out of the general fund budget.
00:45:36 Front Load Program Implementation
Mr. Pasternak spoke regarding the option for an alternative collection related to a front load
program.
00:47:16 Benefits and Challenges of Front Load Commercial Service
Mr. Pasternak explained the benefits and challenges of adding this service.
00:48:33 Impact of Front Load Operation and Current Routes
Mr. Pasternak explained route capacity needs if front load operations are added.
00:49:36 Front Load Cost of Service
Mr. Pasternak explained what the costs would be for this service based on dumpster size and
year.
00:50:39 Mayor Johnson provided discussion about screening requirements for businesses.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 8, 2024
00:51:11 Public Works Director Susie Turner spoke regarding changes that businesses would
need for front load service.
00:51:58 Street Superintendent Gene Come talked about commercial needs and designs and
explained that about 80% could transition to front load.
00:53:04 Mr. Pasternak and staff spoke further about costs to provide front load services.
Philip Kramer shared his screen with an excel model showing front load purchase costs.
00:56:13 Councilor Fisher asked about the number of customers that could be serviced by front
loads.
Staff responded to questions posed about front load services.
00:57:32 Mayor Johnson asked about comparisons to other local services.
00:59:17 Councilor Hunter asked questions related to customer costs.
Council asked further questions about customer costs.
01:01:18 $ Proposed Assessment Recommendations
Mr. Pasternak explained assessments to maintain target reserve fund balance through FY2029.
Costs presented are based on Option B.
01:03:28 Proposed Assessments — Cost of Service Option A
Mr. Pasternak explained that Cost of Service Option A provides annual assessment amounts
strictly based on cost of service.
01:05:21 Financial Impact of Proposed Assessments Option A
Mr. Pasternak provided a chart with total net revenue, reserve requirements, and year end
working capital over the years.
01:07:11 Proposed Assessments — Continue Current Rate Structure Option B
Mr. Pasternak explained how the current rate structure works and showed a table showing
residential versus commercial.
01:08:47 Financial Impact of Proposed Assessments Option B
Mr. Pasternak provided a chart for this option with total net revenue,
01:09:17 Proposed Assessments — Showing Both Options
Mr. Pasternak showed a table comparing both options and relative increases over time.
01:12:48 Mayor Johnson asked questions related to front load versus rear load costs.
01:14:12 Mr. Pasternak explained the additional upfront costs for front load.
Mayor Johnson provided further discussion about front load.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 8, 2024
Council asked questions about the provided table.
01:17:18 Mr. Pasternak further explained the tables.
01:20:24 Councilor Hunter continued discussion stating that he supports Option B.
01:21:56 Staff talked about cost of service for different customers.
01:23:19 Councilor Carlson spoke regarding her preference for Option B for customer allocation.
01:23:51 Councilor Dahlman talked about cost differences and the preference for adding front
load services. She then provided discussion related to customer allocation and her preference for
Option A.
01:27:28 Mr. Pasternak provided further information about proposed assessment option B, and
the benefits to residential customers.
01:28:22 Councilor Graham provided clarification and questions related to the assessment
options. He would prefer assessment option B.
01:29:29 Councilor Nunnally provided discussion related to safety when using the front load
service.
Mayor Johnson provided discussion and asked questions about cost differences between rear
load service only or adding front load service.
01:34:27 Philip Kramer provided clarification about costs.
01:36:29 Public Works Director Turner talked about the possibility of economy of scale and the
possibility of incentives.
01:37:35 Council provided discussion in favor of Option B on proposed assessments utilizing the
current rate structure.
01:38:36 Councilor Nunnally asked questions about tipping fees.
01:39:15 Next Steps in the Schedule
Mr. Pasternak provided details regarding next steps in the process with the master plan, rate
schedule and updated codes public hearing on June 17, 2024.
2. Update on status of Montanans Against Irresponsible Densification vs State of
Montana � I a
City Manager Doug Russell began the presentation explaining this lawsuit.
01:42:13 City Attorney Preble explained that this lawsuit is in preliminary injunction that has
gone to the Supreme Court.
01:43:08 Mayor Johnson provided discussion about the current status as a waiting game.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 8, 2024
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment.
01:44:10 Shelby O'Dell, Public Comment
Ms. O'Dell a resident within the apartments on Appleway spoke regarding her childhood in
Kalispell, and the changes that have happened over the years. She spoke regarding her
frustrations with behaviors from the homeless especially around the Warming Center. She talked
about trash, human waste, and fear related to walking within the community. She does not feel
the Warming Center is handling their clients behaviors well enough and would like changes to be
made.
01.-49:19 Ron Fisher, Public Comment
Mr. Fisher said he has lived here for six years and said he is disappointed in the appearance of
Lions Park. He spoke saying the condition of the flags within the park is an eyesore and spoke
with frustration that there is a tree growing next to the flag.
Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publiccommentc kalispell.com can
be seen at
https: time.ci.kalispell.mt.us/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id-128274&dbid= 0&repo=Kalispell.
E. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS
City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report:
• Mr. Russell explained the City has been working with the County on the Local
Government Structure for the Opioid State abatement trust. Providing further details, he
then said staff will bring the board structure memorandum forward for action.
• The next meeting will include the Charles Hotel Agreement Extension and terms, and
then changes within the sidewalk ordinance.
• A Federal appropriation for 3.3 million dollars will be received for the Two Mile Drive
Project. The City was presented with a giant symbolic check today.
• Work Sessions — April 22 revisit Streets and options, May 7 and 8`h at 6 pm budget work
sessions, May 13 discuss homeless issues.
01:55:31 Councilor Fisher thanked the public for their public comments and would hope that
people will feel comfortable coming forward during future meetings.
01:55:54 Councilor Hunter provided feedback related to the public comment and the programs
that the Warming Center has to help get clients out of the situations they are in.
01:56:39 Councilor Graham thanked the public for their comments and then provided
clarification about his comments last week about the Warming Center and the conditional use
permit and what he hopes will happen with the future work session in May. He spoke regarding
the need for everyone to be respectful about differing opinions.
02:00:17 Councilor Nunnally thanked the public for their comments.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 8, 2024
02:00:37 Mayor Johnson spoke to his appreciation of public comment. He touched on the
comment related to Lions Park.
02:01:11 City Manager Russell explained that we will need to gather further information about
the complaint regarding Lions Park.
02:01:48 Mayor Johnson explained that the election re -do for Ward 1 and Ward 2 will take place
on May 7, 2024, and explained that you have to live in the Wards to vote.
02:02:26 Mayor Johnson spoke regarding comments received related to elections.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m.
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Minutes approved on May 6, 2024
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Next Regular Meeting - April 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. - Council Chambers
Next Work Session - April 22, 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.
Watch City Council sessions live or later on Charter Cable Ch. 190 or via the City YouTube
page at: htts: www. outube.corn (a cit ofkalis ellmontana9632/streams.
The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, activities, and
employment practices. Auxiliary aids are available. For questions about disability
accommodation please contact the City Clerk at 406-758-7756.
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