08-05-24 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY 0I
KALISPELL
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
August 5, 2024, 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/Meeting-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
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Absent
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Present
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Present
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Present
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Absent
Council Member -Ryan Hunter: Present
Staff present included Acting City Manager and Public Works Director Susie Turner, City
Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, Development Services Director Jarod
Nygren, Senior Planner P.J. Sorensen, and Police Chief Jordan Venezio.
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. AGENDAAPPROVAL
Motion to approve the agenda as submitted.
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion
Council Member - Sam Nunnally:
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Absent
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
Kalispell City Council Minutes, August 5, 2024
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Absent
Council Member -Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Councilors Carlson and Dahlman
absent.
E. CONSENT AGENDA
All items on the consent agenda will be voted on with one motion. If a council member
desires to discuss an item separately, the item can be removed from the consent agenda
by motion.
1. Council Minutes — July 15, July 16, and July 22, 2024 &a 9 a 9 a
2. Award Engagement Letter for Bond/Tax Counsel � a
This item approves engagement of Ballard Spahr LLP for Bond/Tax Counsel services.
Approve Agreement for Wastewater Treatment Plant Biosolids Treatment -Disposal
Project �9 a
This item approves awarding Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services as the
professional consultant for this project.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
Motion to approve the consent agenda as submitted.
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Motion
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Absent
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Councilors Carlson and Dahlman
absent.
F. COMMITTEE REPORTS — The Behavioral Health System for Future Generations
Commission — Representative Bob Keenan
Senator Bob Keenan provided a report beginning with a brief summary of the history of
behavioral and mental health. He then spoke regarding the meetings over the past 14 months held
by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission related to House Bill 872
explaining they held many panels at various meetings and started with seven priorities in mind
that the Commission had. Senator Keenan spoke in some detail to three of the 11 near -term
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initiatives created and long-term recommendations within the Commission's draft report. He
spoke regarding the draft report becoming final to provide to the Governor by September 1.
00:24:53 Council Member Hunter asked questions about the opening of Glacier House.
00:25:33 Senator Keenan provided information about the status of Glacier House.
00:26:49 Council Member Daoud asked questions about the prevalence of co -responder
programs across the state.
Senator Keenan spoke regarding crisis response programs.
Council Member Daoud asked about keeping graduates that could work within behavioral health
in the state.
Senator Keenan talked to questions posed.
00:31:56 Council Member Graham asked about effectiveness of addiction treatment and how
that affects mental health.
Senator Keenan spoke to substance use challenges.
Council Member Graham spoke further to substance use and mental health challenges.
Senator Keenan spoke to prevention and education related to substance use.
00:39:13 Council Member Nunnally asked about views related to support from other state
legislators.
Senator Keenan provided further discussion about support for behavioral health systems.
G. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment.
00:42:43 Kyle Waterman, Public Comment
Mr. Waterman, Board Chair of Western Montana Mental Health Center spoke regarding timing to
ramp up further services and what services the Center currently provides. He spoke regarding
their ability recently to hire case management staff based on legislation passed. He talked
regarding their campus status within the Flathead and in Missoula. He spoke regarding
stabilization services, partnerships, call center services, case management outreach, and
treatment services. He spoke regarding restructuring and the efficiencies they have worked on.
He thanked Representative Keenan and the work they have been doing.
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00:50:25 Karlene Osorio-Khor
Ms. Khor, the owner of LaLark LLC, a business in downtown Kalispell spoke regarding
difficulties with homeless people downtown and ways in which she has added security measures
to her business. She spoke to her view that these issues began when the Warming Center opened.
She then spoke to her view that the Warming Center has a negative impact on the community and
to the definition of conditional use permit.
00:57:15 Gene Webel, Public Comment
Mr. Webel spoke to the services that the Warming Center provides and to his volunteer work
helping clients with medical issues.
Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publiccomment@kalispell.com can
be seen at
https://time.ci.kalispell.mt.us/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=128274&dbid=0&repo=Kalispell.
H. REPORTS. RECOMMENDATIONS. AND COUNCIL ACTION
1) Resolution 6213 — Main Street Safety Action Plan Adoption and Project Identification
Oa
This resolution considers adopting this plan as an addendum to the Kalispell MOVE 2040
Transportation Plan and identifies projects for USDOT Implementation and
Demonstration Grant Programs.
Development Services Director Jarod Nygren provided the staff report.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment.
01:04:02 Gene Webel, Public Comment
Mr. Webel encouraged Council to adopt this addendum to the Move 2040 plan explaining why
he is in support.
01:05:06 Nancy Easley, Public Comment
Ms. Easly of Woodland Avenue spoke regarding concerns she has that shows the possibility
within the plan related to connecting Woodland Avenue to Idaho explaining why she has
concerns related to traffic, pedestrian issues, and truck traffic and infrastructure.
01:08:56 Phil McDonald, Public Comment
Mr. McDonald of 405 5th Avenue East spoke regarding concerns related to speeding on
Woodland Avenue and on side streets that feed into Woodland and his concern that a connection
from Woodland would make the problem worse.
01:09:56 Kathy McKay, Public Comment
Ms. McKay of Woodland Avenue spoke regarding concerns related to connecting Woodland
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, August 5, 2024
Avenue to 7th Avenue stating safety concerns, increased traffic, and to deer crossing from the
slough. She would like this section of the plan removed.
01:11:43 Hugh Easley, Public Comment
Mr. Easley of Woodland Avenue spoke with concerns related to possible safety concerns if a
connection is made extending Woodland Avenue and it becoming an east side bypass.
Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
01:12:55 Motion to approve Resolution 6213, a resolution of the City of Kalispell, Montana,
to enact a "Main Street Safety Action Plan" as an addendum to the Kalispell Move 2024
Transportation Plan and to identify priority proiects for the US Department of
Transportation Implementation and Demonstration Grant Programs in the City of
Kalispell.
Council Member — Kari Gabriel: Motion
Council Member — Sid Daoud: 2nd
01:13:31 Council Member Daoud made a friendly amendment to the motion to include the
new section showing 1st Avenue West and East that includes the trees.
01:14:52 Council Member Daoud provided discussion about the reality that any project within
the plan would come before Council prior and then provided discussion related to the Woodland
connection.
01:16:49 Council Member Hunter spoke regarding his support for the majority of the plan. He
then provided discussion related to the Woodland connection.
01:20:30 Amendment to the motion to exclude the connection Woodland to 711 Avenue there
to Idaho.
Council Member — Ryan Hunter: Motion
Council Member — Jed Fisher: 2nd
01:20:23 Development Services Director Jarod Nygren asked for clarification on the motion.
01:20:39 Council Member Nunnally provided discussion on the amendment.
01:21:14 Mayor Johnson provided discussion on the amendment.
01:23:22 Council Member Graham provided discussion on the amendment.
01:24:34 Council Member Fisher provided discussion on the amendment.
01:24:55 Council Member Hunter made a friendly amendment related to wanting a
bicycle/pedestrian north -south connection there.
01:25:32 Council Member Gabriel provided discussion on the amendment and asked Director
Nygren for input.
01:26:41 Development Services Director Nygren provided input related to why the Woodland
Avenue project was included within the plan.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, August 5, 2024
01:28:49 Mayor Johnson provided discussion on the amendment.
01:29:58 Council Member Nunnally asked for clarification on the amendment.
01:30:32 Public Works Director Susie Turner spoke to the movement of traffic.
01:31:24 Council Member Hunter provided discussion on the amendment.
01:32:57 Council Member Daoud asked for clarification.
01:33:50 Council Member Nunnally provided discussion on the amendment.
01:34:03 Vote on the amendment to the motion.
Council Member — Ryan Hunter: Motion
Council Member — Jed Fisher: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Disapprove
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Absent
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The amendment to the motion passed with Council Members Hunter, Nunnally, Graham,
Daoud, Fisher, and Mayor Johnson in favor and Council member Gabriel opposed with
Council Members Carlson and Dahlman absent.
01:34:47 Council Member Hunter provided discussion related to concerns about Grandview
Drive across the Stillwater and Evergreen Drive.
01:37:23 Motion to amend the original motion so that the Grandview Drive and Evergreen
connection is a pedestrian and bicycle bridge with single lane emergency vehicle access
only.
Council Member — Ryan Hunter: Motion
Council Member — Kari Gabriel: 2nd
01:38:10 Council Member Chad Graham provided discussion on the amendment to the motion.
01:39:47 Development Services Nygren provided discussion related to this portion of the plan.
Council Member Graham provided further discussion on the amendment to the motion.
01:40:51 Council Member Fisher provided discussion on the amendment to the motion.
01:41:18 Council Member Nunnally provided discussion on the amendment.
01:42:16 Mayor Johnson provided discussion on the amendment.
Vote on the amendment.
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Council Member — Ryan Hunter: Motion
Council Member — Kari Gabriel: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Disapprove
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Disapprove
Council Member - Sandv Carlson: Absent
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Disapprove
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Disapprove
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Disapprove
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Disapprove
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion to amend failed with Council Member Hunter in favor and Council Members
Gabriel, Nunnally, Graham, Fisher, Daoud and Mayor Johnson opposed and Council
Members Carlson and Dahlman absent.
01:43:52 Vote on the motion as amended.
Council Member — Kari Gabriel: Motion
Council Member — Sid Daoud: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Absent
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously with Council Members Hunter, Nunnally, Gabriel,
Graham, Daoud, Fisher, and Mayor Johnson in favor and Council Members Dahlman and
Carlson absent.
I. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action)
Acting City Manager Susie Turner spoke regarding discussing the Lead and Copper Rule
revision and what that means for Kalispell related to costs and the inventory at an upcoming
council work session, and the Budget approval meetings are on the next regular meeting.
01:44:51 Council Member Hunter responded to public comment received tonight related to the
Warming Center.
01:45:45 Council Member Daoud spoke regarding life flight coming related to a horrible
motorcycle accident on Hwy 2 and reminded people to slow down and be patient when driving.
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01:46:36 Council Member Graham spoke to his pleasure regarding Many Rivers inclusion going
into Western.
01:46:54 Council Member Fisher spoke with appreciation for Representative Keenan's
presentation and work speaking to how impressive his education and presentation on the matter
is.
01:47:21 Council Member Nunnally spoke regarding the 1 Oam Fair Parade on Friday sponsored
by the United Way and invited the public to the Northwest Montana Fair next week.
01:48:03 Council Member Gabriel enjoyed Keenan's presentation and spoke regarding her past
experience working with youth in drug and alcohol prevention in behavioral health in a nonprofit
who's funding was cut in the past by the State legislation and how now all those services have to
be rebuilt. He spoke to the lessons that can be learned from that and look forward to those
services being rebuilt.
01:49:39 Mayor Johnson spoke to the large increase in size between Montana's Land Use and
Planning Statutes between 2021 and 2023 and to his views on the drastic increase in legislation
by the State Governor and legislatures. He spoke further regarding the power of the vote.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
Aim Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
'• O.... •• Minutes approved on August 19, 2024
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Next Work Session —August 12, 2024 — Council Chambers
Next Regular Meeting — August 19, 2024 — Council Chambers
PARTICIPATION
Watch 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.
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, or ci • clerk e,kalispell.com.
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