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07-22-24 City Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL TrWORK SESSION MINUTES ATTCD�TT July 22, 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: htjg$://www.kalispell.com/480/MeetinL,-Videos. 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: Present via video conference Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present Council Member - Sam Nunnall . Present Council Chair - Chad Graham: Absent Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Present via video conference Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Present Staff present included City Manager Doug Russell, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, Parks and Recreation Director Chad Fincher, Development Services Director Jarod Nygren, and Public Works Director Susie Turner. C. DISCUSSION Sidewalk and Trails Assessment District G� City Manager Doug Russell began the presentation and provided a visual, adjustable budget spreadsheet with cost estimates, level of service options and assessments for four options. He explained the process recommended if Council decides to move forward with some sort of a District. 00:06:42 Council Member Nunnally asked for further clarification regarding the spreadsheet. 00:07:05 Council Member Hunter provided discussion why he supports moving forward with this type of a district and why it should be bigger and broader. 00:1 1:22 Council Member Daoud explained why he does not feel the timing is right for the community to add government costs. He then asked for clarification about the spreadsheet. Daoud provided further discussion about the benefits and his concerns with cost. 00:_14:56 Council Member Hunter provided discussion related to timing. Page I of 5 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 22, 2024 00:15:59 Council Member Dahlman continued discussion related to timing and cost. She then asked process Questions. 00:18:09 Council Member Dahlman asked for clarification about the spreadsheet presented. 00:19:00 Council Member Dahlman continued discussion and Questions about the options presented. 0021:4 1 Council Member Gabriel provided discussion about who this type of a District would benefit, and her beliefs related to passage. 00:24:20 Council Member Hunter spoke to discussion about timing, possible ways to prioritize projects and what should be included. 00:26:29 Mayor Johnson provided discussion regarding who may benefit from this type of District and how that might affect a vote. 00:28:42 City Manager Russell provided discussion about priority process. 00:29:30 Mayor Johnson provided further discussion. 00:29:58 Council Member Nunnally asked questions and provided discussion about costs and sidewalk needs. He then provided discussion with concerns about moving forward. Council Member Gabriel provided discussion about the idea of a Council Committee. 00:32:54 Council Member Dahlman spoke in support of moving forward and asked questions about cost and timing of placing this item up for vote. 00:33:41 Council Member Hunter provided discussion about the importance of funding for voter education. He then provided discussion in favor of moving forward. 00:35:59 Mayor Johnson provided discussion about the need to prioritize projects prior to putting it out for vote. 00:36:3? Council Member Hunter provided further discussion. 00:36:57 City Manager Russell provided information about ways that options could be determined. 00:38.1 1 City Manager Russell asked if Council would like to create a Sub -Committee to look at priorities and options. Council Member Hunter volunteered to be on a Sub -Committee. 00:39,19 Council Member Carlson asked about the possibility of a Sidewalk Special District by neighborhood. Page 2 of 5 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 22, 2024 Council and staff talked about realities of a Sidewalk Special District. Council indicated they will get back to staff about a Sub -Committee. D. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Johnson opened public comment. 00:44:49 Gene We4d,_Public Comment Mr. Webel provided his support Council moving forward with a Sub -Committee to identify priority projects. He spoke regarding his experiences utilizing biking infrastructure. He talked about areas of town with gaps in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. W)4 ": � ` Arthur Fretheim, Public Comment Mr. Fretheim talked about gaps in the sidewalk on Meridian. He talked about gaps in sidewalks within his neighborhood and the problems that causes. IIe talked about school levies and the difficulties with passing High School levies. He then talked about the possibility of finding funding from private resources for levy education. Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publiccomment(a),kalispell.com can be seen at https:, 'tinie.ci.kalispell.mt.us Web Link, Browse. a,nx'?id— 128274&dbid-0&rep E. CITY MANAGER. COUNCIL. AND MAYOR REPORTS • Next Monday is the fifth Monday so a meeting is not scheduled. A buy -sell agreement with BNS1~ for the Wye track is ready to be signed with the City working on a phase 2 (environmental assessment). An article came out related to the Bibler park partnership and a memorandum of understanding will be coming before Council related to that. 00:52:27 Council Member Hunter asked about the participation of community members on a Sidewalk and Trails Sub -Committee. 00:53:22 Council Member Hunter spoke to the complaints on the condition of the former Outlaw Inn and about trash and weeds on the property and asked about declaring the property a nuisance to push the owners to improve conditions. 00:53:39 City Manager Russell spoke regarding the nuisance laws. 00:54:07 Development Services Director Jarod Nygren provided an update on the development project at the former Outlaw Inn, and then to limitations related to enforcement. 00:55v 19 Council Member Dahlman asked about promises made related to the conditional use permit for the former Outlaw Inn and fencing around the property. 00:56:02 Development Services Director answered questions about conditions and security and the improvements that will be made with the development of the property. Page 3 of 5 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 22, 2024 00:57:12 Council Member Dahlman provided further discussion about expectations and security related to the property. She then asked about the railroad track/trellis area on the west side of town on Rails to Trails off the Parkline Trail that receives complaints. 00:55:41 City Manager Russell explained that area is currently in the County and is within the County's easement and out of the jurisdiction of the City and how that could change through annexation after the city purchase of the BNSF Wye tract. 00:59:40 Council Member Gabriel asked about communications to the public when public comment is received on that area. 0I :00:29 Council Member Gabriel asked further about communications with the property owners of the former Outlaw Inn to ensure they know before demolition occurs that people may be entering the property. 01:01:0- Council Member Gabriel provided further discussion on her views related to the Sidewalk District discussion and the importance of the topic. 01:01:5" Council Member Gabriel than asked about tall weeds on the new Meridian apartment complex. She would request that Council revisit rules related to nuisance and weeds. 01:02:59 Development Services Director Nygren explained that he did speak with the property management of the Junegrass Apartments and was assured the weeds will be removed and further explained that the property will be landscaped soon. 01:03:24 City Manager Russell provided information and discussion that if further nuisance codes are put in place Council should consider a code enforcement officer for management. 01:04.52 Development Services Director Nygren provided information and discussion about the lack of a property maintenance code. 01:05:45 Council Member Hunter provided discussion about his priorities for additional staff being a Housing and Homelessness Liaison and then spoke to his views on nuisance codes. 0.1_07:24 Council Member Daoud asked about code related to front yard gardens. ()] :O7:43 Mayor Johnson provided discussion about previous discussions related to nuisance properties. 01:08.03 Council Member Dahlman asked when the former Outlaw Inn conditional use pen -nit was approved. 01:09:01 Mayor Johnson explained that he would like to invite Bob Keenan who is presenting to Health and Human Services and the Finance Committee this week to present to Council on August 5, as a committee report on what he has heard leading the Governor's Mental Health Response. Page 4 of 5 Kalispell City Council Minutes, July 22, 2024 01:09:57 Mayor Johnson reported meeting with Mark Flateau about the Warming Center. F. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. f Ainice Brunckhorst, CMC City Clerk Minutes approved on August 5, 2024 UPCOMING SCHEDULE Next Regular Meeting — August 5, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers Next Work Session - August 12, 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: https://www.youtube.com/(ci�cityofkaiispetimontana9632/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. Page 5 of 5