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01-20-26 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, January 20, 2026, 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/MeetingVideos. A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hunter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Present Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Present Council Member - Jed Fisher: Present Council Member - Sid Daoud: Present Mayor - Ryan Hunter: Present Council Member - Wes Walker: Present Council Member - Lisa Blank: Present Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Present Staff present included City Manager Jarod Nygren, City Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, and Police Chief Jordan Venezio. C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. AGENDA APPROVAL INIotion and Vote to approve the agenda as presented. Council Member -Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Kari Gabriel: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Mayor - Ryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. E. CONSENT AGENDA All items on the consent agenda will be voted on with one motion. If a council member Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 20, 2026 desires to discuss an item separately, the item can be removed from the consent agenda by motion. Council Minutes — January 5, 2026 &a 2. Police Officer Confirmations 9� Cj This item considers Council confirmation of Officers Westphal, Ormiston, Buis, Franklin, Suhre and Malloy to the Kalispell Police Department. Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment on the consent agenda. Seeing none, he closed public comment. Motion and Vote to approve the consent agenda as presented. Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Motion Council Member - Kari Gabriel: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Mao�yan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. 00:02:37 Police Chief Jordan Venezio presented newly confirmed Officers Westphal, Ormiston, Buis, Franklin, Suhre and Malloy. 00:03:22 Police Chief Jordan Venezio spoke regarding Lucas Suhre's background and experience. 00:04:12 Police Chief Jordan Venezio spoke regarding Rich Ormiston's background and experience. 00:04:23 Police Chief Jordan Venezio spoke regarding Bob Franklin's background and experience. 00:05:10 Police Chief Jordan Venezio spoke regarding Aaron Westphal's background and experience. 00:05:45 Police Chief Jordan Venezio spoke regarding Steven Buis's background and experience. 00:06:20 Police Chief Jordan Venezio spoke regarding Savannah Malloy's background and experience. Page 2 of 8 Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 20, 2026 00:08:06 Mayor Hunter with the help of Council Member Sam Nunnally congratulated the officers and pinned officer badges on each F. COMMITTEE REPORTS — None. G. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Hunter opened general public comment. 00:11:57 Ron Gerson, Public Comment Gerson of 4th Ave East requested that the Council, Mayor, City Manager and Police Chief consider the turmoil that is going on throughout the country specifically by attacks on immigrants and reflect on what is happening here and protect our immigrant community members. He spoke regarding those who stand in support of immigrants and living in fear. 00:13:53 Colton Little, Public Comment Little of Columbia Falls spoke in agreement with Mr. Gerson and said as a student and long-term community member he believes the community does a good job taking care of our neighbors and the focus of city governments on providing safety and upholding the laws. He thanked the city and asked that the city please continue their good work. He spoke regarding the issues nationally and of immigrants and Native Americans feeling fear nationally and locally and spoke to related events that have occurred. He spoke further to his beliefs. 00:16:56 Arthur Dunn. Public Comment Dunn of Lower Valley Road spoke regarding seeing chaos with riots in Portland, Oregon and widespread devolution over the years. He spoke regarding his views regarding cities that are antagonistic regarding the laws and unwilling to work with federal agents. He spoke further regarding his views related to immigrants and criminals. He asked that the city cooperate with ICE agents. 00:21:17 Josh Lee, Public Comment Lee of Sunset Court asked that the city not work with federal ICE agents if they come to the valley. He spoke regarding the recent events nationally, and the people that have been killed and injured by ICE agents. He spoke further to his views. 00:23:40 Trisha, Public Comment Trisha of Montana Street asked that the city not work with or support ICE agents and border control as he believes they are after everyone not just immigrants. He spoke further to people disappearing in Minneapolis including Native Americans speaking further regarding his views. 00:24:55 Seeing no further comments, he closed public comment. Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publiccomment@kalispell.com or other written communications can be seen at https://Kalispell.com/publiccomment. Page 3 of 8 Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 20, 2026 H. REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND COUNCIL ACTION 1) Council Appointment to Ward 3 R Ca This item considers the appointment of a candidate to the vacant Ward 3 City Council seat. City Manager Jarod Nygren presented the staff report. 00:26:13 Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Seeing none, Mayor Hunter closed public comment. 00:26:23 Mayor Hunter spoke to his appreciation of the candidates and nominated Dustin Leftridge and sought a motion. 00:27:10 Motion to appoint Dustin Leftrid2e to the position of City Councilor Ward 3. Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd 00:27:31 Council Member Sid Daoud spoke to his motion and his appreciation for all the candidates. 00:29:18 Council Member Kyle Waterman thanked all six applicants for putting themselves forward and spoke to all the candidates being qualified. He then spoke to his reasons for supporting the motion. 00:30:39 Mayor Hunter spoke to the motion and his appreciation of the candidates. Vote on the motion. Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Mao�yan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. 2) City Nomination to Flathead Courtly Solid Waste District Board of Directors 9� G This item considers the nomination of a City representative to this Board for appointment by the Flathead County Board of Commissioners. City Manager Jarod Nygren presented the staff report. 00:31:49 Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Seeing none. he closed public comment. Page 4 of 8 Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 20, 2026 00:31:47 Mayor Hunter spoke regarding the history of the position, Council Member Lisa Blank's interest in the position and asked for a nomination. 00:32:00 Motion to nominate Council Member Lisa Blank to the County Appointment. Council Member — Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd 00:32:20 Council Member Waterman spoke to his motion. 00:32:41 Council Member Gabriel spoke to her support of the motion. 00:33:08 Mayor Hunter spoke to the motion. Vote on the motion. Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Mao�yan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. I. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action) Cily Manager Jarod Ny_gren provided the following report: • The draft Montana Land Use Plan will be discussed at the next work session after being reviewed for the last year and a half by the Planning Commission. He spoke further regarding the timeline and requirements by state law regarding the plan and explained the process briefly. • He explained that staff will reach out to Dustin Leftridge for orientation and give him the oath of office at the next council meeting. • Council pictures are planned for the February 2, 2026 council meeting. • He said he would reach out to Lisa Blank to share information regarding the County Solid Waste Board position. 00:35:41 Council Member Gabriel said she was thrilled with the diverse nature of the candidates that applied and said she was particularly impressed with Madison and spoke that she is hoping to see a trend of younger people wanting to get involved in city leadership. She thanked everyone for applying and said the city would like to get them involved in other ways. Page 5 of 8 Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 20, 2026 00:36:22 Council Member Wes Walker thanked the candidates for running and encouraged everyone to stay active and continue offering feedback. 00:36:43 Council Member Nunnally said it is important to have a citizenry willing to step up and run for office. He spoke regarding the position being humbling and spoke to appreciation of all the applicants. 00:37:13 Council Member Nunnally spoke regarding the importance of all types of emergency service personnel within communities. He said that the South Kalispell Fire Department lost several members this last week and asked everyone to keep a thought and prayers for Jimmy Holm and Ben Brown who have died. He talked regarding knowing Ben Brown and that he was taken too young and asked that everyone keep the family and friends of Holm, and Brown in their thoughts and prayers. 00:38:42 Council Member Blank thanked Nunnally for acknowledging the loss that the community has had. She thanked council for their trust in her regarding the Solid Waste Board and spoke regarding her previous related experience and her excitement at working with that group. 00:39:23 Council Member Blank echoed the sentiments that it is a vulnerable experience to run for Council. She said she hopes those who put in their names will continue with their commitment to the community and she would be happy to work with anyone regarding the Solid Waste Board. She spoke to her appreciation for the diversity of the applicants including the diversity in age demographics, and the commitment of members in Ward 3 and to getting involved. 00:40:44 Council Member Waterman thanked Council Member Blank for her interest in the landfill and spoke to the importance of the role. He spoke regarding recycling and re -using and fiscal oversight. 00:41:06 Council Member Waterman thanked Council Member Nunnally for speaking regarding the death of several first responders that touched the service community deeply. He spoke regarding the earlier swearing in of six Kalispell Police Officers and his hope that everyone gets home safely every time. He spoke regarding the community passage of the emergency levy and how that ties into the hiring of six police officers and to the community support for law enforcement. 00:41:43 Council Member Waterman thanked all the applicants from Ward 3 for being interested and talked about finding ways to get all involved in service with the city. He said he is looking forward to working with Dustin Leftridge. 00:42:05 Council Member Fisher spoke to his appreciation for the tribute to the emergency responders who lost their lives. He then congratulated Dustin Leftridge and welcomed him aboard. He agreed with the sentiment of appreciation and involvement for the other Ward 3 applicants. Page 6 of 8 Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 20, 2026 00:42:53 Council Member Daoud encouraged the applicants and anyone else interested to get involved with the city, including volunteering for boards and sharing expertise. He spoke further to applicants getting involved. 00:43:43 Council Member Daoud said that the City of Kalispell does not have a direct role in immigration. He said the City does have a mutual cooperation agreement with the County Sheriff who he said is the only constitutional law enforcement in Montana. is required by law to work with the Sheriff. He spoke to his views regarding supporting constitutional law enforcement, and that federal enforcement is required by the state to coordinate with the Sheriff before they operate within a county in this state. He spoke further regarding his views regarding events in the United States. He spoke with appreciation for all who spoke regarding ICE involvement and his further related views. He spoke to wanting the community to come together as a community and support each other regardless of what's going on in the rest of the world. He spoke to the importance of those working in the service industry, and the importance of public comment and polling his ward. 00:48:11 Mayor Hunter thanked the candidates and asked them to stay involved. He talked regarding the tribute to the lost firefighters and said his heart goes out to their families. 00:48:32 Mayor Hunter responded to an editorial that was in the paper over the weekend that took issue with conversations at the work session regarding bathrooms and the parks plan. He spoke to the importance of bringing up important issues even if there are no obvious solutions and to the nature of work session meetings. He talked to points that were missed in the editorial and online commentary saying that Council learned that porta-potties are available in Woodland and Lawrence Park which partly addressed his concern. He pointed out that no action was taken on 24-hour bathrooms despite assumptions. He talked further about his views regarding the editorial. Mayor Hunter spoke regarding his personal political Facebook page and said he will be creating a new page. J. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hunter adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m. Ainte Brunckhorst, City Clerk Minutes approved February 2, 2026 UPCOMING SCHEi�ft4o i City Offices Closed — January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Next Work Session — January 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers Next Regular Meeting — February 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers PARTICIPATION Page 7 of 8 Kalispell City Council Minutes, January 20, 2026 Watch council sessions live with the agenda and supporting documents or later with documents and time stamped minutes at: https://w-ww.kalispell.com/Meetin Vg 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 ci . clerk n,kalispell.com. Pa(7e 8 of 8