E1. 01-27-25 Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL
KCITY OF DRAFT WORK SESSION MINUTES
ALISPELL January 27, 2025, 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/Meeiing:Videos.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Present
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Present
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Present
Council Member - Sam Nunnallv: Present
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Present
Council Member - Jed Fisher: Present
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present via video conference
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Present via video conference
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Present
Staff present included City Manager Doug Russell, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, Public Works
Director Susie Turner, Deputy Public Works Director Keith Haskins, and Utility Superintendent
Joe Schrader.
C. DISCUSSION
Emerging Contaminant PFA's Preliminary Engineering Review a
PowerPoint Presentation: E a
City Manager Doug Russell provided a brief overview of previous discussions and actions on
this topic.
00:02:48 Public Works Director Susie Turner provided the staff report with a visual presentation.
See attachment above. Bold titles correspond to presentation slides. She spoke regarding a two-
phase approach to PFA's in the public water supply.
00:03:07 Brief History
Public Works Director Susie Turner provided a history of this item and explained we are in the
second phase of an approach to PFA's, with the completion of an Emerging Contaminant
preliminary engineering report (PER) with preliminary findings and recommended projects being
presented tonight. She introduced consultant Brad Koenig, Group Manager for RPA (Robert
Peccia & Associates), who will be presenting the report.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 27, 2025
00:04:06 Re -visit Project Goals
Group Manager with RPA Brad Koenig revisited project goals and the goals of the PER.
00:04:45 What is Next?
Brad Koenig explained next steps including identifying and proceeding with permanent
solutions.
00:05:11 What Was Considered
Brad Koenig explained they considered permanent treatment of existing sources, and new source
well locations which were evaluated based on a number of factors.
00:06:25 Treatment Technologies
Koenig explained why treatment technologies were considered but are not recommended.
00:06:48 Permanent Treatment Ruled Out
Koenig explained that four treatment alternatives were considered for Grandview wells and why
they were ruled out.
00:07:55 Well Replacement Alternatives Considered
Koenig explained replacement alternative considerations for the Grandview Well and Armory
Well.
00:09:40 Spring Creek Road Well Alternative
Koenig explained that for operational and cost reasons they recommend constructing (2) 1000-
GPM Wells close together instead of a larger well.
00:11:02 Spring Creek Road Well Effect on Upper Pressure Zone Water System
Koenig explained how potential wells at the Spring Creek Well would affect pressure in the
water system and why Spring Creek wells may not be equivalent to the Grand View well source.
00:12:21 Noffsinger Springs Well Field Alternative
Koenig explained that (4) 1000-GPM Wells could be constructed at this site and the advantages
of this site including being able to use with remodeling, the current building.
00:13:21 Noffsinger Well Field Project Alternative
Koenig explained this alternative explaining four main construction needs at this site and the
benefits of this site.
00:14:38 Council Member Hunter asked about cost differences between large wells and multiple
smaller wells.
00:16:15 Council Member Hunter confirmed that we do not know the source of PFA's at the
Grandview Wells but learned that all of the new well locations have had test wells drilled and
tested negative for PFA's and had good water quality and quantity.
00:18:02 Koenig explained the Noffsinger well field project alternative further.
00:18:50 Koenig showed a map and photo of the Noffsinger Wells site and plans for this
alternative.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 27, 2025
00:19:31 Council Member Hunter asked about the possibility of slumping concerns on the hill.
00:20:02 Koenig explained further construction plans for Noffsinger.
00:21:05 Elevated Tank Site Well
Koenig explained how they considered potential well development at the elevated tank site and
why they found that it would not be adequate to replace the Grandview system.
00:21:43 Grandview Replacement Alternative Selection (UPZ)
Koenig explained that they would recommend the Noffsinger Well Field to replace the
Grandview Wells for the upper pressure zone and talked about the advantages this solution has.
00:22:58 Dry Bridge Park Wells Alternative
Koenig explained this alternative which includes constructing (2) 1,000 GPM wells with a
chlorination building and would require upsizing the existing 8-inch water main to 16-inch along
Woodland Avenue from Center Street to Albina Street.
00:25:02 Council Member Hunter asked about complaints he has heard regarding sewage odor
near Dry Creek learning that the smell comes from organics degrading in a slough area. He then
asked about concerns he had heard regarding slumping along Woodland. He then asked about the
round -about planned by Montana Department and Transportation at 2nd and Woodland.
00:27:23 Koenig explained that the Dry Bridge Park project did consider sledding at the location
and designed with minimum disruption to that area.
00:27:35 Noffsinger Springs Wells with Dedicated Transmission
Koenig explained they did consider utilizing Noffsinger to replace both the upper and lower
pressure zones and the pros and cons of that idea, but that they would not recommend this
option.
00:29:45 Armory Well Replacement Alternative Selection
Koenig explained the reasons why the Dry Bridge Park Wells is the recommended alternative to
replace the Armory Well.
00:31:13 Council Member Hunter asked about the possibility of including road safety
improvements to Woodland Avenue at the same time as the water main replacement learning
about funding constraints.
00:32:19 Council Member Hunter asked for further information about plans to minimize
disruption to the sledding area at Dry Bridge Park and asked about safety measures.
00:35:46 Council Member Nunnally asked about pressure stabilization as it relates to the hospital
learning that the Noffsinger wells recommended for the upper pressure zone would help offset
pressure changes.
00:36:54 Mayor Mark Johnson asked whether test wells have been completed near the
Grandview and Armory Wells, learning that they have not. He then asked further questions about
the possibility of contamination from well construction materials themselves.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 27, 2025
Staff spoke regarding the difficulties with attempting to determine the PFA's source.
00:42:13 Summary and Funding
Koenig recapped the project recommendations as Noffsinger Springs Well Field and Dry Bridge
Park Water Wells at a preliminary project cost of $17,950,000 and discussed two grants.
00:43:37 Council Member Hunter asked for further information about the grants.
Staff spoke with further details about securing an Emerging Contaminant Grant (SRF), and the
City finalizing a Small Systems Emerging Contaminant Grant with DEQ.
00:45:43 Council and staff spoke regarding possible political challenges.
00:46:46 Schedule
Koenig explained the next step would be to work further with DEQ (Department of
Environmental Quality) and begin well drilling. He further summarized a preliminary schedule.
00:47:48 Council Member Daoud asked about the project on 3rd Avenue that was previously
planned.
Public Works Director Turner explained that street reconstruction on 3rd Avenue East is
important, but the water project portion may be able to be offset by the Woodland project. They
are looking at that project further.
00:50:43 Council Member Nunnally asked how State housing bills may or may not have affected
water main sizing.
00:51:18 Seeing no objections, City Manager Russell explained staff will move forward with the
proposed recommended projects and finalize securing emerging contaminant funding.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he 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.
E. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS
City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report:
• February 10, work session will review Sidewalk and Trails Sub -Committee discussions.
• February 24, work session will include further bio-solids discussion.
• Manager Russell sent out the City Council meeting video on cell phones from 2012.
• This Wednesday, stakeholder meetings on design related to the Safe Streets for All
planning grant are scheduled with an open house on Thursday.
00:54:55 Council Member Hunter made a formal request for a work session on a vacant and
dangerous buildings ordinance for structures.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 27, 2025
00:55:09 Manager Russell asked for further direction on Council Member Hunter's request and
spoke regarding discussing code enforcement as a part of preliminary budget discussions.
00:57:30 Mayor Mark Johnson asked whether anyone would like to take his place on the
Flathead County Landfill Board as the term is expiring. Re -appointment will be on the next
regular council meeting.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Next Regular Meeting — February 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Work Session — February 10, 2025, 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: htt2s://www.kalispell.com/480/Meeting-Videos or live or later on YouTube at:
hllps://www.youtube.com/gcilyofkalispellmontana9632/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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