12-08-25 City Council Work Session Minutes-90 CITY COUNCIL
CITY Or
WORK SESSION MINUTES
KALISPELL December 8, 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.kalis-pell.com/MeetingVideos.
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 Interim City Manager and Development Services Director Jarod Nygren,
City Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk and Communications Manager Aimee Brunckhorst, and
Assistant Director of Development Services P.J. Sorensen.
C. DISCUSSION
1. Naming Policy 9� a
00:00:41 Interim City Manager and Development Services Director Jarod Nygren explained why
this item is before Council for discussion.
00:01:35 Assistant Director of Development Services P.J. Sorensen provided the staff report.
00:05:38 Council Member Fisher provided discussion in favor of having a policy and the
importance of a process. He spoke regarding different items to consider.
00:07:04 Council Member Graham talked about the importance of maintaining the historical
aspect of parks. He spoke regarding some of the examples provided from other agencies and his
thoughts on those.
00:09:13 Council Member Carlson provided discussion regarding examples that she has seen.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, December 8, 2025
00:09:54 Mayor Johnson provided discussion related to place names and some of the criteria he
would be in favor of.
00:11:40 Council Member Hunter provided discussion in favor of a broad policy that allows
flexibility and talked about a narrow scope when it comes to donations and talked about the
importance of criteria.
00:13:47 Mayor Johnson provided further discussion and then confirmed that Council is ready
for this item to be moved forward by staff.
00:14:32 Council Member Fisher provided further discussion.
00:15:36 Council Member Daoud provided discussion on some of the criteria he would like to
see.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
Public comment received to Mayor and Council via email to publiccomment@kalispell.com can
be seen at www.kalispell.com/PublicComment.
E. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS
Interim City Manager Jarod Nygren provided the following report:
• He spoke regarding the Council Ward 3 vacancy coming in January. He talked about the
past processes used by Council to appoint someone. He spoke regarding asking for
applications from citizens within the ward and putting out a notice soon for people to
submit their interest in the position. That would allow Council to hold a special meeting
if they so desired on January 12 to determine the process and possibly narrow
applications with a potential vote on January 20. He confirmed with Council that they
were comfortable with staff advertising for letters of interest. He informed Council that
the vacancy must be filled within 30 days, and that staff plans to make submissions due
by January 4, 2026.
Council Member Carlson asked about the term learning it would be for the remainder of the
existing term — two years.
00:19:11 Council Member Fisher asked how the process would be facilitated.
Manager Nygren explained the process would be up to the Council and a majority of Council
will need to approve the applicant. He spoke further about processes used in 2007 and 2014.
00:20:13 Mayor Johnson spoke regarding conversations he has had with people about their real
estate tax bills.
F. EXECUTIVE SESSION — City Manager Recruitment
Closed session to discuss employee matters that relate to individual privacy in accordance
with Montana Code Annotated 2-3-203 (3).
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, December 8, 2025
Mayor Johnson closed the meeting at 7:21 p.m. to go into executive session to discuss employee
matters that relate to individual privacy.
Mayor Johnson opened the meeting after the executive session at 7:44 p.m.
G. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
Aimee Brunckhorst, City Clerk
Minutes approved on January 5, 2026
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
City Manager Recruitment Open House — December 10, 2025, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Next Regular Meeting — December 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Work Session — January 12, 2026, 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 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.
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