City Manager living within city limits Public Comment from Gabriel Aimee Brunckhorst
From: Sam Nunnally
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2025 11:11 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Cc: Denise Michel
Subject: Fw: EXTERNAL City Manager living within city limits
Good evening,
I do not know this person, but sounds like he may consider applying.
I am forwarding on so you all have this information.
Thankyou
Sam
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Gabriel Hydrick<tahoenative@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2025 10:58 PM
To: Sam Nunnally<snunnally@kalispell.com>
Subject: EXTERNAL City Manager living within city limits
Good evening, Councilman Nunnally,
Thank you for bringing up the topic to discuss and consider the requirement for the city manager to
live within the city limits.This decision could remedy the differences of opinion on the dais as well
as impact how broadly the recruiting net is cast.
For some time, I have kept my eye on the Columbia Falls city manager position and even the
flathead County administrator position years ago.
I happened to be in town when the news broke the story of the upcoming vacancy in Kalispell. I am
considering applying for the position and have been watching the council meetings. This will be
one of my questions should I apply for the position, and I'm interviewed. I am more than happy to
live within city limits if I can find affordable property conducive to the quality of life of my family. I
am a beekeeper, keep a large garden and keep 4 goats and 6 chickens. I very much understand the
concern of not having the city manager live within the city proper.When I was on the city council
our city manager lived an hour away in a community that was not rural like ours and much more
affluent. It caused problems, real and perceived.
I've served two terms on a city council and nearly 7 years as a county administrator with upwards of
a $300M budget.Whether I apply or not,the city will want to consider how broad and deep a net to
cast for candidates, and the result of that conversation piece may influence the breadth of that
net.
i
In my time of service in the public sector I've seen a requirement that has helped mitigate the
difference of opinion for having the city manager required to live within the city or not. One
consideration the council may take is to require the city manager live within 30 minutes (of course
the time can be determined by the council,that's just an example)of city hall.
Perhaps you've thought of this solution but wanted to pass it by you just in case you hadn't and
share my experience having been in your position as well as a potential applicant and candidate.
Be well,
Gabriel
Get Outlook for Android
2