12-15-25 City Council Meeting MinutesCITYOF
KALISPELL
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
December 15, 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://w-ww.kalispell.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: Present via video conference
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 Interim City Manager and Development Services Director Jarod Nygren,
City Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, Public Works Director Susie Turner,
Deputy Public Works Director Keith Haskins, and Police Chief Jordan Venezio.
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. AGENDAAPPROVAL
Motion to approve the agenda as published.
Council Member - Sid Daoud: 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: Approve
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Council Member Fisher absent.
Kalispell City Council Minutes, December 15, 2025
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.
1. Council Minutes —November 24, 2025 0 a
2. Award Wastewater Treatment Plant Dewatering Improvement Project at a Guaranteed
Maximum Price to Swank Enterprises �; a
This item considers awarding this work package in the amount of $2,788,623 contingent
upon DNRC-SRF and DEQ review and approval.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment on the consent agenda. Seeing none, he closed public
comment.
Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.
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: Approve
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Approve
The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Council Member Fisher absent.
F. COMMITTEE REPORTS — None.
G. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
00:03:26 Cody Hunter, Public Comment
Mr. Hunter introduced himself as an applicant for the Planning Commission.
Written public comment received can be viewed at www.Kalispell.com/publiccomment.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor Johnson closed public comment.
H. REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND COUNCIL ACTION
1) Ordinance 1948 — Second Reading — Conditional Use Permit Revocation Text Amendment
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, December 15, 2025
This ordinance considers amending Kalispell Zoning Ordinance 1677, clarifying the
process for revocation of an issued conditional use permit.
Interim City Manager Jarod Nygren presented the staff report.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment.
00:04:50 Tonva Horn, Public Comment
Horn, Executive Director of the Flathead Warming Center said she does not want what happened
to the Warming Center to happen to anyone else. She thanked Jarod Nygren for taking time to talk
with them after the Planning Commission meeting last month. She spoke regarding the damage
that can be caused by a city decision. She talked in favor of making the standard of proof clear
related to conditional use permits and talked in detail about why she does not believe that the city
had evidence against the Warming Center when their conditional use permit was revoked. She
reminded council of the power they have and the repercussions of their words. She spoke in detail
regarding how she felt during council meetings related to the revocation of the Warming Center
permit and the way in which she was treated and what was said. She asked for guard rails related
to this amendment and feels it is nebulous and capricious. She asked that Council wait until the
new year to consider this item when new council members are present.
00:17:44 Motion to approve Ordinance 1948, an ordinance amending the Kalispell Zoning
Ordinance 1677, by amending Chapter 27.33, Conditional Use Permits, by adding language
that clarifies the revocation process in new Section 27.33.045, and amending Sections
37.33.060, 37.33.090, and 37.33.100, and declaring an effective date.
Council Member — Sandy Carlson: Motion
Council Member — Kari Gabriel: 2nd
00:19:00 Council Member Graham provided discussion in favor of the motion.
00:22:42 Council Member Daoud asked for clarification regarding state law regarding conditional
use permit revocation.
00:24:54 Council Member Hunter provided discussion in opposition to the motion.
00:28:44 Vote on the motion.
Council Member - Sandy Carlson: Motion
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: 2nd
Mayor - Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member - Sandv 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: Disapprove
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Disapprove
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, December 15, 2025
The motion passed on roll call vote with Council Members Graham, Nunnally, Carlson,
Daoud, Gabriel and Mayor Johnson in favor, Council Members Hunter and Dahlman
opposed and Council Member Fisher absent.
2) Resolution 6304 -Autumn Creek Subdivision Preliminary Plat Extension �4 a
This resolution considers granting a two-year plat extension for a subdivision located on
Hathaway Lane north of Highway 2 West.
Interim City Manager Jarod Nygren provided the staff report.
Public Comment
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
00:30:41 Doua Peppmeier, Public Comment
Peppmeier spoke on behalf of the applicant saying all the construction for final plat has been
completed they are just finishing the application and will be submitting shortly.
00:31:38 Motion to approve Resolution 6304, a resolution approving a two-vear extension to
the Preliminary Plat of Autumn Creek Subdivision.
Council Member — Sam Nunnally: Motion
Council Member — Sandy Carlson: 2nd
00:32:04 Council Member Hunter provided discussion on the motion.
Vote on the motion.
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: 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: Absent
Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve
Council Member - Jessica Dahlman: Approve
Council Member - Ryan Hunter: Disapprove
The motion passed on roll call vote with Council Members Nunnally, Graham, Daoud,
Dahlman, Gabriel, Carlson and Mayor Johnson in favor, Council Member Hunter opposed,
and Council Member Fisher absent.
3) City Manager Employment Agreement � a
This item considers approval of an employment agreement with Jarod Nygren for the
position of City Manager.
City Attorney Johnna Preble provided the staff report.
Public Comment
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, December 15, 2025
Mayor Johnson opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment.
00:34:00 Motion to approve the employment agreement with Mr. Nvaren.
Council Member — Chad Graham: Motion
Council Member — Sam Nunnallv: 2nd
00:34:18 Council Member Graham provided discussion in favor of the motion.
00:35:29 Council Member Hunter provided discussion in favor of the motion.
00:36:41 Mayor Johnson provided discussion in favor of the motion.
Vote on the motion.
Council Chair - Chad Graham: Motion
Council Member - Sam Nunnally: 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: 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 Member Fisher absent.
4) Planning Commission Appointment 1�1 a
This item considers the Mayoral appointment of one applicant to this Commission.
The Mayor appointed Cody Hunter to the Planning Commission.
00:38:37 Motion and Vote to approve the Mayoral appointment of Codv Hunter to the
Planning Commission.
Council Chair — Sid Daoud: Motion
Council Member — Sandy Carlson: 2nd
Mayor — Mark Johnson: Approve
Council Member — Kari Gabriel: Approve
Council Member — Sandy Carlson: Approve
Council Member — Sam NunnallyApprove
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 on voice vote with Council Member Fisher absent.
I. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action)
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, December 15, 2025
City Manager Jarod Nygren provided the following report:
• This is the last meeting of the year and as this is the last full meeting for the Mayor and
some of the Council he offered congratulations.
• The upcoming vacancy for the Council Ward 3 seat has been advertised, with a closing
date of January 4, 2026.
• Mr. Nygren thanked Council for the trust they have instilled in him and spoke regarding
the guidance received from the Mayor and Council and that he is looking forward to
working with future Council as well.
00:39:40 Council Member Daoud provided discussion related to conditional use permits.
00:41:37 Council Member Hunter addressed the ways in which he has appreciated Council
Member Dahlman over her tenure on Council.
00:42:34 Council Member Hunter addressed the ways in which he has appreciated Council
Member Graham over his tenure on Council.
00:43:01 Council Member Hunter addressed the ways in which he has appreciated Council
Member Carlson over her tenure on Council.
00:44:01 Council Member Hunter addressed the ways in which he has appreciated Mayor
Johnson and wished him best of luck in future endeavors.
00:45:04 Council Member Graham provided discussion about the conditional use permit
revocation process. He then wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
00:46:21 Council Member Nunnally thanked everyone for their service on Council. He then
spoke regarding the major flooding that happened last week and spoke regarding high wind
warnings ahead and talked about being prepared.
00:47:04 Council Member Carlson thanked everyone and wished everyone Merry Christmas and
happy holidays.
00:47:19 Council Member Gabriel thanked everyone. She then spoke regarding her view that
Planning Commission applicant Mr. Van Allen would be a good Commissioner, and she hopes he
will apply again. She wished everyone Merry Christmas and thanked everyone for their support
while she was away. She talked about her excitement that Jarod Nygren was appointed as the City
Manager and looks forward to the future.
00:48:47 Mayor Johnson spoke regarding the power and responsibility the Council has and talked
about serving the broader community as a whole and how heavy votes can weigh on council
members and mayors. He talked about the value of debate and discussion and all the work that
goes in prior to the meetings.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
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Kalispell City Council Minutes, December 15, 2025
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&g�oRy•.t',��. Aim e Brunckhorst, City Clerk
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE
City Offices Closed — December 25, 2025 - Christmas Holiday
City Offices Closed — January 1, 2026 — New Year's Holiday
Next Regular Meeting — January 5, 2026 - 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Work Session — January 12, 2026 - 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, or cityclerkgkalispell.com.
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