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E1. 06-16-25 Council MinutesCITY OF KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DRAFT MINUTES June 16, 2025, 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/Meetin Vg ideos. 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: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Present Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Present Staff present included City Manager Doug Russell, City Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, Development Services Director Jarod Nygren, Finance Director Aimee Cooke, and Police Chief Jordan Venezio. C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. AGENDA APPROVAL 00:01:40 Motion to approve the agenda as published. Council Member — Sid Daoud: Motion Council Member — Sam Nunnally: 2nd City Manager Russell asked if the agenda could be amended to include an Item after J to go into executive session under Montana Code Annotated to discuss matters of individual privacy. Councilor Daoud made a friendly amendment to his motion to amend the agenda to include an Item after J to go into executive session under Montana Code Annotated to discuss matters of individual privacy. Councilor Nunnally concurred with the friendly amendment. Vote on the motion. Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 Council Member Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion - Sandy Carlson: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Abbro, Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Councilors Gabriel and Fisher 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. Council Minutes — Mav 12_ Mav 19. 2025 � a � a Public Comment Mayor Johnson opened consent agenda public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 00:02:21 Motion and Vote to approve the consent agenda as provided. Council Member - Rvan Hunter: Motion Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Approve Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Councilors Gabriel and Fisher absent. F. COMMITTEE REPORTS Kalispell Business Improvement District Work Plan and Budget W a 00:02:47 Jamie Keller with the Kalispell Business Improvement District (BID) listed their expected revenue and expense amounts. Page 2 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 00:03:11 Nihcole Petersen with the BID Board spoke to the organizational and administrative fees and what they cover. 00:03:59 Marshall Noice, with the Business Improvement District board spoke to their maintenance budget and what it pays for and why it is important. 00:04:53 Kisa Davison, Chair of the Business Improvement District spoke regarding the communications and marketing budget. She then spoke about their development activity and items they have not planned for. She talked regarding the facade improvement grants that have been revamped with $20,000 earmarked from the tax increment financing fund, and $5,000 within their budget. She said they have six property owners interested in those grants. 00:06:45 Jamie Keller spoke regarding the event sponsorship program they have begun. 00:07:10 Nihcole Petersen spoke about holiday lighting and the summer flowers within the budget. 00:08:21 Marshall Noice recognized Mayor Johnson's years of hard work as the Mayor and said his capable leadership to the city has been exemplary and has made a difference. 2. Tourism Business Improvement District Work Plan and Budget Na 00:09:06 Diane Medler, Executive Director of Discover Kalispell, a division of the Chamber presented the work plan and budget. She provided a recap of 2025 and the successes they've had and what they will work on in 2026. The following titles correspond to presentation slide titles. 00:09:44 She spoke regarding 2025 campaigns and the subsequent results, event grants they provided, and their public relation efforts and their results. She spoke regarding advocating for the state travel industry in tourism funding at the 2025 legislative session. She explained they welcomed a new member to the membership and talked about their upcoming ribbon cutting and the loss of one member. 00:11:23 Discover Kalispell Team Medler talked about the team and the board of directors. 00:12:01 Kalispell's Destination Organization Medler talked about the funding and purpose of the TBID. 00:12:36 Destination Marketing Medler talked about the average occupancy and the factors that have contributed to lodging vacancies even in summer. She spoke in detail regarding their marketing campaigns. 00:15:06 Destination Development Medler explained destination development is a big priority for their team speaking about their investments and reasoning for those development investments. Page 3 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 00:15:52 Sporting Events Medler talked about building out sales and promotion platforms with expansion in 2026, and their partnerships to put on high caliber sporting events. 00:17:20 Destination Stewardship/Management Medler explained the goals and strategies they utilize for stewardship and management initiatives. She further spoke about seeking projects for community development grant funding and they work towards enhancing the hospitality workforce. 00:18:35 TBID FY 26 Budget - $1,125,000 Medler provided an outline of their budget explaining the revenue is under the current year and the concerns that they have. 00:19:09 TBID Revenue Medler outlined the TBID revenue explaining they calculate how many room nights the revenue delivers and explaining changes in the revenue across the quarters. 00:20:27 Monthly Hotel Performance Medler presented a graph showing monthly hotel performance for the calendar year to date through April 2025. 00:21:20 The Broad Economic Benefits of Tourism Medler explained where visitors are spending their money in Flathead County. 00:21:53 Credit Card Spending in Kalispell Medler explained a graph showing domestic visitor card spend by month, and then a graph showing international card spending. 00:22:47 Trends We're Watching Medler explained multiple trends they are watching. 00:24:45 Mayor Johnson asked if there is general commonality regarding who was staying more than 30 days. He then asked a question regarding credit card spending. He then asked questions about the TBID's Community development grant funding. Diane Medler answered Mayor Johnson's questions. 00:25:48 Diane Medler spoke regarding their community development grant funding program. G. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Johnson opened public comment. 00:27:03 Joan Erenbum, Public Comment Erenberg of Whitefish spoke regarding her love for Montana and her sadness that things like hate flyers, and movements of hate are being seen. She spoke regarding rallies that happened on Saturday. She talked regarding her experience of seeing an arrest at the park and her view that a gentleman being arrested was not being treated well. She then spoke to seeing another gentleman being arrested and placed in a police car and what he said was the reasoning behind the arrest. Page 4 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 She spoke regarding police officer actions at the event and her disappointment in them. She spoke to the community being at risk and the choice between being welcoming to everyone or putting up barriers. She referred to previous conversations about people `rolling coal' and asked that it not be allowed on public streets. She asked that Council consider de-escalation training for the police department and said she feels the community can do better. 00:31:41 Ryan Ellis, Public Comment Ellis of Coram spoke regarding speaking on the Main Street improvement project recently. He considers Kalispell his city. He talked about going downtown Friday night and experiencing a very unfriendly atmosphere with nonstop revving engines, rolling smoke, and yelling at pedestrians. He talked regarding a family trying to cross the street and being honked at and people being intimidated. He spoke further about the negative, uninviting atmosphere downtown and his disappointment. He talked further about the recent Main Street issue and thanked those who looked into how to make a better Main Street. He spoke about the long-term consequences if prioritizing driving through the city continues versus those who want to spend time downtown. He spoke with frustration regarding Council voting down the Main Street improvement project and the continuing need for safety and solutions. Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publiccommentgkali spell. com can be seen at https://time. ci. kalispell. mt.us/WebLinkBrowse. aspx?id=128274&dbid=0&repo=Kalispell. Seeing no further comments, Mayor Johnson closed public comment. H. PUBLIC HEARING — Police and Fire Impact Fees 0 a Council will accept public comments regarding Council's intent to consider a proposed increase to the police and fire impact fees. Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing and public comment. 00:38:39 Kisa Davison, Public Comment Davison of Wh Avenue East and business owner downtown spoke regarding the pressure on police and fire to cover our growing need for services but would request that Council consider alternates to raising impact fees talking about the difficulties with providing affordable housing and commercial properties that are reasonable or expand or remodel businesses. Seeing no further comments, Mayor Johnson closed public comment and the public hearing. L REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND COUNCIL ACTION 1) Resolution 6257 — Intent to Hold General Municipal Election � a This resolution considers calling for a general election for November 4, 2025, for the open Kalispell Mayor, City Council and Municipal Court Judge positions. City Manager Doug Russell provided a report on this item. Page 5 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 00:41:00 Council Member Hunter asked whether the other municipalities usually have mail elections. 00:41:28 Paula Buff, Election Manager answered questions. 00:42:10 Council Member Hunter asked about multiple ballot issues. Election Manager Buff answered questions. 00:44:05 Council Member Hunter asked further questions that Election Manager Paula Buff answered. 00:48:01 Council Member Hunter provided discussion and then asked about the cost of poll voting. Election Manager Buff answered questions. 00:49:44 Council Member Daoud asked about the need for voters receiving two ballots if the city decides to have a poll election. Election Manager Buff answered questions. 00:50:52 Council Member Daoud provided discussion about the manner in which elections are handled in the State of Montana. 00:51:51 Council Member Nunnally spoke regarding his preference to vote at a polling place. He then asked about issues that may happen with the County election if Kalispell has a separate ballot. Election Manager Paula Buff answered questions. 00:53:27 Council Member Nunnally complimented and thanked the Election Manager. 00:53:31 Public Comment Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 00:53:52 Motion to pass Resolution 6257, a resolution calling for a general election to be held on November 4, 2025, for the open positions of Kalispell Mayor, City Councilors in Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Kalispell Municipal Judge. Council Member — Sam Nunnally: Motion Council Member — Sandy Carlson: 2nd 00:54:32 Council Member Graham provided discussion on the motion. 00:55:53 Motion to amend to go to an all -mail ballot for the Kalispell election. Council Member — Chad Graham: Motion Council Member — Jessica Dahlman: 2nd Page 6 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 00:56:31 Council Member Daoud provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 00:58:32 Council Member Hunter provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 00:59:58 Council Member Daoud provided further discussion on the amendment to the motion. 01:00:55 Council Member Hunter provided further discussion on the amendment to the motion. Mayor Johnson provided discussion on the amendment Vote on the amendment to the motion. Council Member — Chad Graham: Motion Council Member — Jessica Dahlman: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Disapprove Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Disapprove Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Abbro, Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed on roll call vote with Council Members Carlson, Nunnally, Graham, Dahlman and Hunter in favor and Council Member Sid Daoud and Mayor Johnson in opposition, with Council Members Fisher and Gabriel absent. Vote on the original motion as amended. Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Motion Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Abbro, Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously with Council Members Fisher and Gabriel absent. 2) Creation of Special Improvement Districts for Morning Star and Green Acres �a These resolutions consider creation of SID's for the purpose of undertaking water and sewer improvements in these communities. a. Resolution 6258 — SID 346 - Morning Star Sewer b. Resolution 6259 —SID 347 -Morning Star Water c. Resolution 6260 — SID 348 — Green Acres Sewer Page 7 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 City Manager Doug Russell provided a summary of this item. Development Services Director Jarod Nygren presented the staff report. 01:06:28 Public Comment Mayor Johnson opened public comment. 01:06:31 Jon Gass, Public Comment Gass with WGM Group said he was available for any questions on the project and spoke regarding the support from the community and the immense need for the projects. Seeing no further public comment, Mayor Johnson closed public comment. 01:07:50 Motion and Vote to approve Resolution 6258, a resolution creating Special Improvement District Morning Star Community Improvements District No. 346 and authorizing execution of Federal and State Grants in connection thereto. Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Motion Council Member - Sandv Carlson: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Abbro, Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Fisher and Gabriel absent.. 01:08:27 Motion and Vote to approve Resolution 6259, a resolution creating Special Improvement District (Morning Star Community Improvements) District No. 347 and authorizing execution of Federal and State Grants in connection thereto. Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion Council Member - Sam Nunnallv: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Abbro, Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Fisher and Gabriel absent. Page 8 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 01:09:22 Motion and Vote to approve Resolution 6260, a resolution creating Special Improvement District (Green Acres Community Improvements) District No. 348 and authorizing execution of Federal and State Grants in connection thereto. Council Member - Sandv Carlson: Motion Council Member - Ryan Hunter: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Approve Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Fisher, and Gabriel absent. 3) Motion to Authorize Limited Expenditure of Funds within the Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget & Call for a Public Hearing 0 a This item considers authorizing limited funds from this budget and calling for a public hearing on July 7, 2025. 01:10:26 City Manager Doug Russell provided the staff report. Public Comment Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 01:11:34 Motion and Vote to authorize the expenditure of funds from the Fiscal Year 2026 preliminary budget necessary for day-to-day operations of the city and schedule a public hearing for Monday, July 7, 2025. Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Motion Council Chair - Chad Graham: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Approve Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Fisher, and Gabriel absent. 4) Resolution 6261 —Non-Union Employee Salary Adjustment a Page 9 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 This resolution considers adopting an updated 20-step pay matrix and an annual step increase for eligible employees. City Manager Doug Russell provided the staff report. 01:13:56 Public Comment Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 01:14:11 Motion to approve Resolution 6261, a resolution adiustin2 the salary and compensation of the city officials, city council members, supervisors, and all other nonunion employees pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 4, Part 42, M.C.A. commencing on the date indicated herein. Council Member — Chad Graham: Motion Council Member — Sandy Carlson: 2nd 01:14:50 Motion to amend to strike the City Council members from the resolution. Council Member — Chad Graham: Motion Council Member — Sam Nunnallv: 2nd 01:15:27 Council Member Graham provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 01:16:18 Council Member Daoud provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 01:17:41 Council Member Hunter provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 01:19:43 Council Member Nunnally provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 01:20:09 Mayor Johnson provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. Vote on the amendment to the motion. Council Chair - Chad Graham: Motion Council Member - Sam Nunnally: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Disapprove Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Disapprove Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The amendment to the motion passed with Council Members, Nunnally, Graham, Daoud, Hunter and Mayor Johnson in favor and Council Members Dahlman and Carlson opposed and Council Members Fisher and Gabriel absent. 01:21:16 Vote on the original motion as amended. Page 10 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 Council Chair - Chad Graham: Motion Council Member - Sandy Carlson: 2nd Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Chair - Chad Graham: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Absent Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Abbro, Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Fisher and Gabriel absent. J. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action) City Manager Doug Russell provided the following report: • Spoke with appreciation for continuing with the market -based approach to wages. • The equipment used to record the meetings will be sent to the manufacturer for work and will not be available until at least the July 7 meeting. The next meeting will be cancelled, and Council does not meet on fifth Monday's so the next meeting will occur July 7. • Tomorrow he will be attending the Municipal Summit in Libby to learn about legislation that will affect the budget. • Reminder that we will have an executive session at the end of the regular meeting. 01:23:33 Council Member Daoud spoke regarding his vote against an all -mail ballot. Council Member Daoud referred to the animosity referenced during public comment and provided discussion on how destructive hate speech and actions are. He provided further discussion that when people go to extremes, they are putting the police force in a hard position. 01:27:52 Council Member Hunter spoke in agreement to Council Member Daoud's sentiments. 01:28:03 Council Member Graham talked about his decision not to run for Council re-election or Mayor and why he is no longer interested. He thanked everyone who supported him. 01:30:21 Council Member Carlson explained why she voted no on the amendment to the salary resolution. 01:31:00 Mayor Johnson provided discussion regarding the events on Saturday and the importance of civil dialogue and putting law enforcement in a tough position when emotions get heated. 01:32:11 Mayor Johnson provided discussion on how tough decisions are to make as an elected official and things they consider. 01:33:19 Mayor Johnson moved to a closed executive session. Page 11 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 16, 2025 K. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting after the executive session at 9:05 p.m. Aimee Brunckhorst, City Clerk Minutes approved on UPCOMING SCHEDULE City Offices Closed — Friday, July 4, 2025 — Independence Day Next Work Session — July 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers Next Regular Meeting — July 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. — 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/MeetingVideos ideos or live or later on YouTube at: www.kalispell.com/YouTube. 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 cityclerkgkalispell. com. Page 12 of 12