Flathead Warming Center Public Comment from Cindie JobeAimee Brunckhorst
From: ckjobe@montanasky.us
Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2024 7:24 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Flathead Warming Center
Importance: High
Dear Mr. Mayor and Kalispell City Council Members:
I'm writing on behalf of our community, the homeless individuals in our community and the Flathead Warming Center.
I attended the first "work session" the Kalispell City Council conducted regarding the Conditional Use Permit. My
experience of this session was extremely disappointing, to say the least. I didn't hear the Mayor and/or City Council
Members adequately discuss the historical events that have greatly impacted the increase of our homeless
population. These events include: the budget cuts of 2017 that reduced services to those struggling with disabilities,
mental illness and substance abuse; Covid and the resulting reduction of necessary services to our community; the
phenomenal increase of real estate costs, rental costs and the influx of people relocating to the Flathead Valley during
and after Covid; and the closing of the Outlaw Inn and Blue & White Motel which greatly reduced housing for long-term
residents leaving many people homeless. Are the Mayor and Kalispell City Council willing to address these how these
powerful life changing events have affected the increase of our community's homeless population or will there continue
to be a "witch hunt" directed at the Flathead Warming Center?
It seems to me you all have failed in doing your jobs in developing a partnership with the other community city councils,
the Flathead Warming Center and the other community agencies providing services to the homeless in an effort to
develop a strategic plan in addressing homelessness in our community. Perhaps this is a strong judgement, yet I can
formulate no other opinion after attending the Kalispell City Council's first "work session."
Respectfully submitted,
Cindie K. Jobe