Conditional Use Permit for The Flathead Warming Center from Kindee NelsonMayor and Council Members,
I wanted to get my thoughts and opinions on record in regards to revoking the Conditional Use Permit for The Flathead Warming Center on Meridian in Kalispell. I have said all along
“Build It, They Will Come” and that is exactly what has happened!
I live on Liberty Street, 2 blocks from The Flathead Warming Center. We have had numerous issues since The Flathead Warming Center opened. An increase in homeless traffic in the neighborhood,
hanging out waiting for the center to open. Sleeping in our little neighborhood park when the center is full. Have issues with trash, needles, liquor bottles, indecent exposure, trying
to break in our home at 5am insistent that they lived there, passing out and sleeping in our yard.
Neighborhood children are unable to play in our park, walk in our neighborhood without an adult. We are constantly picking up after the homeless. We are fed up!
The Flathead Warming Center’s Conditional Use Permit was granted with specifics that would happen and we have not found this to be true.
1. Transportation in and out of the neighborhood. There has never been transportation provided. They hang out in the neighborhood all day.
2. Would be no negatives on the neighbors with The Flathead Warming Center. Stating that they are good neighbors and add to the neighborhood. That has not been our experience, nothing
good has come to the neighborhood from The Flathead Warming Center since it opened.
3. Serve local homeless. There has been an uptick in transient homeless in the last 3 years.
4. Would communicate with neighborhoods and solve any issues. Multiple calls to The Flathead Warming Center with no return call.
The taxpaying citizens of Kalispell have lost our safety, have had to pay for cleanup of the destruction of public and private property, have had to pay for security for City and County
Properties since the opening of The Flathead Warming Center in our neighborhood.
I do not believe The Flathead Warming Center is good for our valley. Low barrier shelters are enabling individuals to live a lifestyle that is deemed inappropriate with society norms.
There is an accountability problem in the valley. You cannot help people who do not want to help themselves.
If for no other reason, the Conditional Use Permit should be revoked immediately for The Flathead Warming Center having illegal drugs on the premises and are allowing their guests to
use and overdose in the facility. Is there no accountability to abide by laws if you are The Warming Center or a guest of theirs?
The Flathead Warming Center continues to state that they are helping the homeless individuals. However, they do not provide any statics on the success stories. How many have they helped
get jobs, get housing, become productive citizens of Kalispell. They continue to say they help locals. What do they consider locals? A local is someone who has been a productive
citizen of Kalispell, having a job, paying taxes, and having a place to live. Not someone who has never contributed to the valley and has only been living off the system. Would like
to see some real statics.
I urge the City Council to please revoke the Conditional Use Permit and remove The Flathead Warming Center from Kalispell.
Thank you for your time and all you do for the City of Kalispell. You are appreciated!
Sincerely,
Kindee R. Nelson
220 Liberty Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
1.406.799.0042