11-25-24 City Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL
CITYKALISPELL
0 WORK SESSION MINUTES
November 25 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://w,,w.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: Absent
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: Absent
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Present
Staff present included City Manager Doug Russell and City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst.
C. DISCUSSION
Legislative Priorities m - a
City Manager Russell provided the staff presentation beginning with a review of last session's
City of Kalispell priorities.
00:05:48 Mayor Mark Johnson provided discussion related to housing.
00:07:43 Council and staff continued discussion related to the housing related priority.
00:13:55 Council Member Hunter provided discussion related to the "vording used within local
option sales tax.
Council and staff discussed what is meant by local option sales tax and what would be supported.
00:21:30 Council Member Hunter asked for the inclusion of the word sustainable within the
Public Resource Management language within the priorities.
00:22:22 Council and staff discussed the Public Resource Management priority.
00:23:29 Council Member Fisher spoke regarding the need to be proactive.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, November 25, 2024
00:24:35 Manager Russell provided background related to being proactive.
00:25:33 The Mayor and Council provided further discussion related to being proactive and the
legislative process.
00:29:46 Council Member Hunter provided discussion related to expansion of Medicare and the
importance of mental health based on previous comments by Council Member Nunnally.
00:30:49 Council Member Nunnally spoke regarding supporting the industries within the area.
00:31:47 Council Member Daoud continued the discussion regarding industry.
00:32:33 Council Member Graham spoke regarding the importance of supporting mental health
resources.
00:34:01 City Manager Russell provided direction for wording related to adding support of
mental health as a legislative priority.
00:34:49 Mayor Mark Johnson spoke regarding the Montana League of Cities and Towns
legislative priorities.
00:36:36 Manager Russell spoke to questions related to the role of the League during the
legislative session.
00:38:56 Council Member Hunter continued discussion related to the League's role and value.
00:39:44 The Mayor, Council and staff continued discussion related to the League's role, the
hiring of lobbyists by some larger cities and how well lobbying might work.
00:56:42 City Manager Russell spoke regarding how staff will handle legislative notifications
and confirmed how this item will move forward.
00:58:16 Council Member Hunter brought up Nunnally's discussion supporting enhancement of
childcare alternatives.
The Mayor and Council discussed childcare as a possible priority, and to the larger issue of
supporting workforce.
01:03:11 City Manager Russell confirmed how Council would like to move forward with this
item.
Mayor Johnson asked for information related to housing inventory.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, November 25, 2024
Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publiccommentAkalispell.com can
be seen at
https://time.ci.kalispell.mt.us/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=128274&dbid=0&repo=Kalispell.
E. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS
01:06:56 City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report:
Manager Russell confirmed that Council would like to not schedule a work session
during the week of Christmas.
01:08:13 Council Member Nunnally wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and to feeling
thankful.
01:08:59 Council Member Graham spoke regarding Glacier Wolfpack representing at the 2024
Class AA State Championship Game over the weekend and to the hard work students put into
their respective sports. He encouraged the community to attend games and show support.
01:09:55 Council Members Hunter and Fisher wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
01:10:31 Mayor Johnson wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and the importance of slowing
down and getting to Thanksgiving alive.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
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' •'•• C Minutes approved on December 16, 2024
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UPCOMING SCHEDULI����,@�
City Offices Closed — November 28, 29, 2024 — Thanksgiving Holiday
Next Regular Meeting — December 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Work Session — December 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
PARTICIPATION
Watch City Council meetings live with the agenda and documents or later with time stamped
minutes at: https://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos or live or later on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/kcityofkalispellmontana9632/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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