E1. 05-13-24 Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL
K`-I'' O DRAFT WORK SESSION MINUTES
ALISPELL May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.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/Meetin2-Videos.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:02 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: 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, and Police Chief Jordan
Venezio.
C. DISCUSSION
1. Discussion of Neighborhood Concerns Related to the Warming_ Center and its
Conditional Use Permit
Mayor Johnson explained the process for discussion.
00:01:15 City Manager Doug Russell began the staff report explaining why this
discussion was requested and providing context.
00-07-25
City Manager Russell began showing graphs relaying data that was requested by Council
related to Police calls received in four categories.
00:14:37 Council Member Dahlman asked questions related to the data and provided
discussion. She asked questions related to the legality of revoking a conditional use
permit.
00:16:03 Manager Russell answered questions.
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00:17:16 Council Member Dahlman provided discussion.
00:18:13 Mayor Johnson provided discussion.
00:18:47 Council Member Dahlman continued discussion.
00:18:58 Council Member Daoud asked questions about zoning uses.
00:19:24 Manager Russell answered questions.
00:19:43 Council Member Daoud continued asking questions about zoning.
00:20:02 Development Services Director Nygren answered questions.
00:20:43 Council Member Graham provided discussion.
00:24:14 Council Member Daoud provided discussion.
00:25:16 Council Member Graham continued discussion.
00:40:46 Council Member Daoud continued discussion.
00:41:44 Mayor Johnson provided discussion.
00:42:30 Council Member Hunter provided discussion.
00:58:13 Council Member Nunnally provided discussion.
01:04:47 Council Members Hunter continued discussion.
01:07:02 Council Member Graham and Hunter continued discussion.
01:14:01 Mayor Johnson provided discussion.
01:17:13 Council Member Hunter and Graham provided discussion.
01:20:23 Council Member Fisher provided discussion.
01:20:37 Mayor Johnson provided discussion.
01:21:10 Council Member Daoud provided discussion and asked a question related to
past similar situations and outcomes and choices available.
01:22:01 City Manager Russell answered questions.
01:24:23 Mayor Johnson asked for direction from Council. Council discussed choices for
how to move forward with this item and provided discussion about process.
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01:26:58 City Manager Russell provided information about process.
01:28:08 Council Member Hunter provided discussion.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment.
01:29:29 Erika Wirtala, Public Comment
Ms. Wirtala with the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors ceded her time to a
representative of the Warming Center.
01:30:00 Steven Snipstead, Public Comment
Mr. Snipstead spoke on behalf of the Warming Center Board of Directors and said he is a Pastor
of the Faith Lutheran Church near the Warming Center and as a resident six blocks away from
the Center. He talked about his volunteer work as a Chaplain with the Kalispell Police and Fire
Departments for 25 years. He spoke to how he first became involved with the Warming Center.
He spoke regarding how complex and difficult the homeless situation is and reiterated the
commitment of the Warming Center Board and staff are to address these problems in a
collaborative manner.
01:31:38 Daryl Aspee, Public Comment
Mr. Daryl Aspee spoke to living three blocks from the Center and why he no longer feels safe in
and around his home. He spoke regarding the garbage he has to pick up frequently. He spoke
regarding the negative impacts he has seen in the neighborhood. He spoke to views regarding
contributors to the Warming Center and asked that the Center be removed from his
neighborhood.
01:33:39 Valerie McGarvey, Public Comment
Ms. McGarvey spoke regarding past public testimony she says was volatile against the homeless
and subsequent negative action against homeless individuals. She asked the public to be careful
with their words. She gave her views on the complexities of issues related to homelessness. She
talked about her experiences with homeless individuals near her home in the neighborhood of the
library. She would urge Council to work with the nonprofits and helpers doing the work in the
community and listen to those affected. She provided further views on how she feels the
community should come together to care for those in the community.
01:36:50 Walter Rowntree, Public Comment
Mr. Rowntree spoke to the data presented and his views that using the citywide data as a control
is incorrect. He spoke to assumptions he feels should not be made related to the heat map data.
He spoke with details on how he believes the data provided should be interpreted and what can
be learned from the data.
01:40:38 Ray Young, Public Comment
Mr. Young, an employee of the Warming Center talked about his past experiences being a
Flathead County Deputy Sheriff, and then handling his own addiction problems and getting
clean. He then spoke regarding his experiences working at the Warming Center and how he has
seen clients be held accountable for their actions. He talked about how many of the clients have
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jobs and do take accountability and that the ones that do not follow the rules cannot stay. He
further spoke on the connection and assistance that people need to find solutions in their lives
and would like to find a way for people to come together to find solutions and his views that
shutting the warming center will not be a solution.
01:43:32 Sherry Brester, Public Comment
Ms. Brester, business owner at 860 North Meridian, a business owner across from the Warming
Center spoke regarding how homeless issues have negatively affected her business. She recited
specific examples of actions she has seen that cause her to live and work in fear and the actions
that she has taken to feel safer. She spoke regarding the rise in crimes in the community and says
she does not want to live and work in fear.
01:45:56 Tonva Horn, Public Comment
Ms. Horn, Executive Director of the Flathead Warming Center said she is hearing situations she
has not heard before. She spoke to solutions through dialogue not accusation, and everyone
wanting a better Flathead including the Warming Center. She asked for the opportunity to speak
to Council directly saying there is no way to address the concerns presented in public comment.
She referred to a printed response addressing some of the concerns raised that will be posted on
their website, and 50 copies brought to this meeting. She spoke to the empathy she feels toward
those raising concerns, and then to the concerns they have for the hundreds of Warming Center
guests that need services and are trying to better their lives. She stated they do not defend
criminals or criminal activity. She then spoke about the conditions of the conditional use permit
(CUP) and the ways that she has addressed the CUP, and the discussions that have happened in
the past. She said they cannot control or manage what happens within a half mile radius of the
Center and that neighbors that have her number, etc. are those within 150 feet. She spoke
regarding how they handle complaints and work with law enforcement. She spoke to the zoning
allowed and the CUP process. She spoke to her frustration with the broad accusations made
towards the Warming Center. She then spoke regarding community resources and services that
have closed since they opened, and the resources the Warming Center provides to the community
including for law enforcement. She talked about tracking 20 individuals last winter who they
could not serve. She referred to the written statement and addressed some of the concerns raised
and responses to some of the conditional use permit conditions. She spoke to the negative
narrative in the community and increases in hostility towards the homeless. She talked about the
increase in the homeless and crime throughout the city. She referred to four suggestions the
Warming Center would like to put forth within the online document she referred to. She would
like the Council to have a dialogue related to solutions and talked about the problems becoming
worse if the Warming Center closed.
02:04:08 John and Anita Lavin, Public Comment
Mr. and Mrs. Lavin asked that the CUP not be revoked without due diligence saying they have
been volunteers over two seasons at the Warming Center. They have been impressed with how
the guests and staff hold each other accountable and accountable to be good neighbors and help
each other. She would ask the Council not to rescind the conditional use permit, and not give up
on these people.
02:05:32 Mayor Johnson announced he would like to prioritize the Warming Center neighbors to
comment next.
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02:06:10 Sherry Tinseth, Public Comment
Ms. Tinseth, a resident on Meridian near the Warming Center reported on a meeting she attended
with Ms. Horn and calls she has made. She spoke about her feelings related to the negative risks
for the residents and businesses in the area. She provided examples of negative issues and fears
she has experienced including feces in her business entryway, loitering, drinking on her property,
people leaving belongings on her property, using her electricity, and the actions she has taken.
She talked about expressing concerns to the Warming Center and the lack of response.
02:10:16 Shaina Wickline Public Comment
Ms. Wickline of West Oregon Street said she has worked four seasons at the Warming Center
and lives in the neighborhood. She spoke in detail regarding a negative experience she had with
law enforcement when reporting an issue with individuals who were not homeless in front of her
home who were showing erratic behavior. She reported that the individual received a DUI that
night after the incident. She talked about the lack of community and the lack of resources. She
spoke regarding the positive resources that the Warming Center provides and how the lack of
mental health and other resources makes it difficult. She asked Council to visit the center and
look at what they do before pulling the permit.
02:13:39 Sunny Mizula, Public Comment
Mr. Mizula of 61h Avenue East spoke regarding working at the Warming Center and the de-
escalation efforts that he has seen staff and guests use when officers were called to remove a
person from the shelter.
02:14:50 Rose Askviz Public Comment
Ms. Askvig of Liberty Street spoke as a resident and business owner in the neighborhood of the
Warming Center She reported needing to change her hours, walk people back and forth to their
car, someone take off their clothes in her driveway, someone knifed under her tree, drug use
around the corner. She said she has lost customers since the Warming Center opened and may
have to shut down her business. She talked about the neighborhood having to police the area. She
spoke further about ways she has had to adjust and the impacts she and her customers have had.
02:17:03 Lisa, Public Comment
Lisa, owner of a business on West Idaho spoke to the foot traffic she sees in front of her business
when the Warming Center opens and closes. She talked about having people trespassed, trash in
the parking lot, and the experiences of having homeless living behind her business. If things
continue as they have been she feels she will have to shut her business down.
02:18:44 Brooke Mason, Public Comment
Ms. Mason of Appleway Drive spoke regarding her past experiences on a neighborhood Council
and volunteering to help homeless in other areas. She reported she is a volunteer at the Warming
Center and feels homelessness in this valley is nothing.
02:19:23 Rebecca Miller, Public Comment
Ms. Miller spoke to her experiences as a resident within walking distance of the Warming Center
saying she feels safe within her neighborhood and feels safe having her kid walk home from
school, etc. She has concerns for the well-being and safety of the Warming Center guests. She
spoke to her views that the issues would become worse if the Warming Center was closed and
that the Warming Center makes the community safer.
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02:21:07 Danielle Bureda, Public Comment
Ms. Bureda of Flathead Drive next to the railroad tracks that she says people use to walk from
the Center to the trail above the park. She spoke of her negative experiences including people
appearing to overdose at Woodland Park, picking up needles off the street, and viewed people
digging through the garbage. She emphasized her views on the importance of a low barrier
shelter and resources, speaking to her past experiences as a homeless individual in this
community throughout her life beginning as a four-year old. She spoke to overcoming homeless
and addiction and the negative experiences she had as a homeless person, and her wish that the
Warming Center had been available for her when she needed it. She talked about her current
successes and attending school to get a license to help addictive people. She spoke regarding
learning of the importance of low barrier shelters and the importance of more resources. She
believes the answer is not more isolation, it is more community. She talked about the conditions
that people go through. She would urge the Council to maintain the permit for the Warming
Shelter.
02:24:49 Matt Vanderark, Public Comment
Mr. Vanderark of Three Mile Drive spoke to his negative and unsafe experiences within the
neighborhood including trespass, garbage, needles close to his yard, and feeling that he needs to
dictate where his children go. He would ask that the Council revoke the CUP. He talked
regarding the increase in police calls and asked for stricter laws related to criminal homeless
behavior. He does not agree with the low barrier model of the Warming Center. He spoke
regarding calls to the Center and lack of answers to his questions. He talked about touring the
Center and his views that the Warming Center is enabling.
02:28:55 Lori Hokate, Public Comment
Ms. Holgate who lives two blocks from the Center said she has not experienced any problems
from the Warming Center. She feels that closing the Warming Center and assuming the homeless
will go away is not logical. She talked about the ability of the 100 nursing students being allowed
to earn clinical hours in psych at the Warming Center and the lack of other areas for the nurses to
complete necessary hours.
02:31:26 Amy, Public Comment
Amy of Liberty Street spoke to the great work the Warming Center does but asked that the
location be moved out of the neighborhood. She spoke to the negative affects she and her
children and neighbors are experiencing as a nearby resident including her children picking up
needles, feces, underwear, garbage and people on drugs in the yard. She talked about her desire
that the Center be relocated where her family and her children do not have to experience all the
issues.
02:33:24 Renee Puday, Public Comment
Ms. Puday, a resident on West Oregon Street spoke of negative experiences she and her children
and neighbors are experiencing in the neighborhood and in Washington Park. She spoke to
people scaring children on the way to school, sex in the park, masturbation in daylight at the
park, feces on the slide, meth and needles in the park. She talked about calling the police and the
lack of resources. She talked on the worldwide issues related to homeless and her views that the
location of the Warming Center is not appropriate.
02:36:51 Norma Wentworth, Public Comment
Ms. Wentworth of 7th Avenue WN spoke to her negative experiences as a resident near the
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Fairgrounds and the importance of the Warming Center but asked that the Warming Center be
moved to a different location. She continued talking about the garbage that she frequently sees,
and the recent lack of availability of the use of the Fairgrounds because of bad behavior at the
Fairgrounds. She spoke regarding a care package and clothing given to individuals who then
dump them in the nearby field or next to the garbage can. She would like people to respect the
neighborhood.
02:40:36 Arleen Hamlin, Public Comment
Ms. Hamlin of 7th Ave WN would agree with the previous speaker and said she feels unsafe in
her home and has installed a fence and cameras around her home.
02:41:54 Kim Shirley, Public Comment
Ms. Shirley of Glacier Street said she lives and works in the area and said she feels a low barrier
shelter is important. She then spoke regarding the concentration of homeless individuals within
the area and the negative behavior she has witnessed including people sleeping in her work
parking lot, people screaming in the lot, a person sleeping in the postal office doorway. She
spoke regarding wanting to help individuals but feeling the location of the Center is not
appropriate and she feels unsafe.
02:44:46 Mary Overmiller, Public Comment
Ms. Overmiller owns a business in downtown Kalispell near Sykes and spoke to past negative
experiences with individuals sleeping in their cars in the parking lot. She then spoke to
volunteering at the Warming Center and would ask that Council consider amendments to the
conditional use permit that address some of the issues rather than rescinding.
02:47:37 Michelle Davy, Public Comment
Ms. Davy, speaking on behalf of Vision Clinic on Meridian Road near the Warming Center
referred to written public comment sent to Council. She spoke regarding caring for the homeless
and individuals in need. She then spoke to the negative and scary impacts staff and clientele have
experienced since the Warming Center opened including an individual in the dumpster, feces, an
intimidating man entering claiming to be stalked who brandished a tire iron. She referred to
safety protocols and installations they have added.
02:50:28 Tanner Smith, Public Comment
Mr. Smith, House District 11 representative for Lakeside/Somers, and a gubernatorial candidate
spoke of tough decisions the Council has had to make. He referred to House Bill 959 he carried
during the last legislative session and what he feels would help the situation. He spoke to his
views on NGO's, and to sending bad actors out of the state.
02:53 :51 Brent Horn, Public Comment
Mr. Horn, the husband of the Warming Center Director spoke to the dedication and time that she
puts into her work at the Warming Center and her responsiveness to phone calls and texts.
02:56:15 Nick Aemisezzer, Public Comment
Mr. Aemiseggar of Four Mile Drive spoke to his experiences as the Managing Attorney for the
Public Defender's Office, and as a member of the Warming Center Board. He spoke to the lack
of mental health services and the extreme decline in those services over time and the huge issue
surrounding mental illness. He reported that in 2017, case management services were lost
throughout the state. He provided statistics related to the lack of assistance for mental and
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behavioral health and state mental hospitals and the extreme behaviors that are then seen. He
talked about the same individuals repeating negative behaviors over and over and that those
individuals are often the ones that because of those behaviors are not being served by the Center.
He asked for communication and cooperation to help make the problem better.
03:01:01 Arthur Fretheim, Public Comment
Mr. Fretheim, of 91h Street East spoke in acknowledgement of public comment received
regarding safety issues and the safety issues he has experienced over the last few years. He
referred to harassment of homeless individuals and those perceived as homeless after the letter
was released from the County Commission related to the homeless. He feels that if the Warming
Center were closed those individuals served would be pushed out onto the streets full time and
the activities people are concerned with would increase. He spoke further regarding his thoughts
on those served by the Warming Center. He would like Council to keep the conditional use
permit in place and provided further reasoning for his thoughts. He believes that many of the
individuals engaged in criminal and negative behaviors are not homeless and many of the
homeless contribute positively to the community. He spoke regarding his experiences at the
Dancing With the Stars Fundraiser for the Warming Center and to the many who support the
Center.
03:08:04 Shawn Pandina, Public Comment
Mr. Pandina of 5ch Avenue West said he is running for House District 7 and spoke to the low
barrier aspect of the Warming Center as compared to other shelters that are not low barrier. He
referred to a candidate forum held at the Samaritan House and the information he learned there.
He feels that the Warming Center should look at the models of the other shelters. He spoke on
behalf of several housed, disabled Veterans who live on 12th Street West near Legends Field and
a sidewalk that was installed removing where they previously parked and the situation they face
with lack of parking in front of their home when events are happening at Legends Field. He
would ask the City to look for a solution.
03 :12:13 Roger Nasset, Public Comment
Mr. Nasset spoke as a long-time retired Kalispell Police Officer and former Police Chief. He
commended the City on the promotion of Jordan Venezio to Chief of Police. He then spoke
regarding his current volunteer work as a Warming Center Board member. He explained how he
became a board member and his conversations with homeless individuals when he was an
Officer. After retirement he was approached to become a board member. He spoke about how
homeless encampments have been dealt with in the past and his view on the subsequent lack of
resolution. He then talked about the state legislation depletion of funds for mental health services
and how that affected the problem. He asked the Council to work together with the Warming
Center on solutions.
03:15:19 Mrs. Roskos, Public Comment
Mrs. Roskos of South Woodland Drive spoke to her experiences living in the city for 30 years.
She then referred to articles she and others have written that she emailed to Council that refer to
assaults on people by the homeless, and other content related to the Warming Center. She spoke
to views on a lack of fiscal responsibility by the Warming Center referring to specific websites.
She spoke about crime and litter near the Warming Center and homeless individuals around the
Hockaday Museum, and the Library. She then spoke to conversations family members have
reported having with the homeless. Mrs. Roskos provided information about her website, and
what it contains. She spoke to her familial experiences and experiences volunteering within the
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community around services for women and those facing addiction. She would ask that Council
consider revoking the Warming Center conditional use permit, and if ever reopened, the Center
no longer be allowed to be low barrier.
03:19:54 Kayla Baker, Public Comment
Ms. Baker feels that the public should be able to vote on these types of issues. She then spoke to
accounts she heard from her cousin when he was homeless and his violent death. She feels that
handouts to the homeless are destroying the valley and talked about holding the homeless
accountable.
03:21:30 Christian Patin, Public Comment
Mr. Patin of Destiny Lane spoke about the increase in business for his IT and security system
business and how he feels businesses should not have to install cameras and security systems. He
spoke to experiences recovering from addiction with the help of numerous resources throughout
the valley. He spoke of his view that not everyone with addictions can be helped. He spoke about
his worries about his daughter's safety, the rise in homelessness and his concerns for the future
of Kalispell.
03:25:06 Lena Camera, Public Comment
Ms. Camera said she is glad there is a Warming Center that people can utilize. She said she does
not feel unsafe when she sees homeless people sleeping on the street or looking for food in the
trash but said he does feel unsafe volunteering within the community. She spoke to being
threatened by people about her work as a volunteer and others who feel similarly. She said her
disabled Veteran roommates asked her to relay that over the last year there has been a 56.4% rise
in homelessness in the state of Montana — the 4th in the nation. She talked about Christian values.
03:27:27 Marcella Williams, Public Comment
Ms. Williams, of Hwy 93 West with the Two Bear Organization spoke to issues raised being
everyone's problem as everyone is a member of the community including those being served by
the Warming Center. She spoke of a statistic that 94% of homeless being served in shelters here
are from the valley. She talked of the validity of concerns and asked that solutions be sought and
would urge Council not to revoke the conditional use permit. She spoke of the need for more low
barrier shelters, mental health and other services, and the negative effects when these resources
are not available. She spoke about the homeless problems within Grants Pass and their lack of
low barrier facilities. She talked about the need for more services and referred to the Housing
Forward Coalition in Dallas and feels they have a good solution. She urged coordination by
everyone now.
03:31:04 Ron Gerson, Public Comment
Mr. Gerson spoke to his views that the Council is unfairly blaming the Warming Center for the
homelessness in the community. He feels that without the Warming Center the problems would
be much worse with all the community members they shelter out on the street. He feels Council
and County Commissioners should work in collaboration and cooperation with service providers
within the community about the need for the Warming Center. He would ask that the complex
issue of homelessness be addressed.
03:33:30 Ruth Provert, Public Comment
Ms. Provert of 61h Street West, a resident near the Warming Center spoke to noticing dangerous
items in the neighborhood such as needles on the ground. She then spoke on her views related to
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the bible and her views that laziness creates homelessness. She then referred to being related to
Randy Brodehl and that she would like the Warming Center permit revoked and believes Mr.
Brodehl would agree with her.
03:35:31 Jamie Quinn, Public Comment
Ms. Quinn of 6th Avenue West spoke in support of maintaining the conditional use permit for the
Warming Center. She spoke of numerous negative behaviors she has seen in her neighborhood
near the High School that were perpetrated by High School students including feces, sexual acts,
littering, etc. She referred to the maps provided and events that happened in 2020 including the
pandemic and the inability of landlords to evict people and the closure of low-cost hotels, and
other factors that increase the number of homeless such as in -migration and the increase in rents
and lack of housing. She talked about a development being granted an extension on a conditional
use permit and her view that action had an adverse impact on the community. She spoke on
negative conditions at the Outlaw and her views that a conditional use permit should be revoked
there. She believes the Warming Center conditional use permit is being targeted and why she
feels that way. She talked about her views that some agencies do not speak out at Council
meetings because they fear repercussions. She talked about requests from area service agencies
for assistance in 2019, prior to the Warming Center.
03:39:38 Jason Peters, Public Comment
Mr. Peters of Juniper Bend spoke to his past experience as a City Council member and the public
process Council is undertaking with this issue and his views that there is misrepresentation in the
community that this was just brought up by the Council and not by the community. He does not
feel that what occurs within the Warming Center is the issue, but rather the behavior within the
neighborhood. He spoke to a model out of Dallas that provides housing for homeless people that
he feels would be a good model to emulate. He spoke to the need for Council to determine how
to serve the community with the Warming Center and how to serve the community in the
neighborhood.
03:42:33 Andi Utter, Public Comment
Ms. Utter, of Rosewood Drive, a resident within the neighborhood close to the Warming Center
said she has not experienced negative issues and has felt safe within the neighborhood. She
spoke about volunteering at the Warming Center and the services that are provided there. She
talked about her experiences losing housing and employment in 2020 and how easily she could
have become homeless if she did not have family resources. She feels the Warming Center is
essential. She would like to see the City move forward with a solution together.
03:44:49 Kyle Heinecke, Public Comment
Mr. Heinecke of Lake Blaine Drive spoke to his employment at Fresh Life Church and being a
6th generation native of Kalispell and to his ancestor's experiences in the area. He spoke
regarding his past ministry experiences in a mission in Portland. He talked regarding his views
on the Bible. He related negative experiences his staff has experienced at Fresh Life Church. He
would advocate for a compassionate community solution that is proactive and creates
partnerships and would like to be involved with the solution.
03:48:30 Rudy Kassner, Public Comment
Mr. Kassner of Garden Drive spoke to comments made and said he feels Council should look at
the conditional use permit. He then spoke to the historical helpful nature of Montanans. He
talked regarding his views on what decisions are before Council related to neighborhood zoning
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and his views that public safety efforts be the primary concern of the Council and city staff
relaying negative experiences. He talked regarding the need for a crisis management center. He
feels the City should devise a plan for public safety referring to those going to and from the
Center. He referred to the creation of the Core Area Plan and the Parkline Trail. He feels his
family should feel safe wherever they go, and the City should feel vibrant. He talked regarding a
negative experience he heard about that happened on the Parkline Trail. He spoke regarding the
possibility of a public safety effort. He feels there is a need for the Warming Center, but also the
need for change through the Warming Center and a need to reduce crime and increase public
safety.
03:57:23 Chris Hartzell, Public Comment
Mr. Hartzell spoke to he and his wife's experiences with homelessness. He then spoke to his
experiences as an Officer clearing out homeless encampments and then to his experiences
working for a social service non-profit and with and to his expertise serving and talking with the
homeless population and working within public service. He spoke to his conversations with the
Warming Center staff and the homeless. He spoke of his views that the homeless can be
categorized as either experiencing socio-economic situations, mental illnesses, or those choosing
to live homeless and some in combination. He believes from his extensive experience that the
problem cannot be eliminated. He spoke in extensive detail regarding health, legal, and financial
issues that he believes are related. He talked about the way he has seen the homeless
communicate with each other. He then spoke about the countless factors involved with these
issues, and problems with data around the homeless. He spoke to different models for shelters
and solutions and how he feels they do or do not work. He offered his experience and data and
said he does not feel the Council has enough information to make a decision related to the
Warming Center conditional use permit.
Seeing no further comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publi ccommentgkali spell. com is
available at
hiips://time.ci.kalispell.mt.us/WebLink/Browse. aspx?id=128274&dbid=0&repo=Kalispell .
04:22:23 City Manager Russell clarified several items that were mentioned including correcting
his statement as it relates to the graphs provided clarifying that what he previously referred to as
a control should have actually been referred to as a consistent comparison across all graphs.
04:22:59 City Manager Russell spoke clarifying that 150 feet around the Warming Center was
never defined as the neighborhood.
04:23:52 Mayor Johnson stated his appreciation for everyone's input and comments and his
appreciation for Council and staff and referred to further meetings on this topic.
E. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS — None.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 11:26 p.m.
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Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved on 2024
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Next Regular Meeting — May 20, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
City Offices Closed — May 27, 2024 — Memorial Day Holiday
Next Work Session — TUESDAY, May 28, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
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ofkalispellmontana9632/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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