02-26 Business Improvement District Minutes KBID Board Meeting February 2026
Quick recap
The meeting focused on downtown infrastructure improvements, administrative support
needs, and BID renewal planning. The group discussed submitting a TIF application for technical
assistance to update downtown infrastructure, including new light poles with water access,
park benches, and wayfinding signage. They reviewed the status of Music One's facade
improvement project and planned to engage with key property owners for the BID renewal,
targeting large property holders like the mall and Super One. The group also addressed
downtown parking challenges, discussing permit usage issues and potential solutions for
managing city-owned parking lots. Administrative support needs were reviewed, including
plans to either transfer duties to Nelson or contract with Discover Kalispell. The conversation
ended with discussions about upcoming events and the need to coordinate messaging with City
Council members regarding the BID renewal.
Next steps
• K 11 s a S(1n e d u e a IP"In Q%Q%'t II Irn:-7 w II t h ..�a Ir`e d 't o &s(::a s s a d IPrIn II Irn II s't Ir`a't II v e s uI D D o Irl':, P a u I's [fl Ir`II Ir
'te::Y a
" a- % Y�Q%'taII s� II r`eI evaIrn'�', D nIr.44:II,S.
Ir`D:. aD�Q.or" �e;:Y D II�s�" .�Q.Ir"n or" e;:Y n.11� IY"'IY'n Q.Q.�II Ir"n
• K ADD Me)dll' 'the draft Q:%tter` t'e.Y'fe..Y(�n.s oin a 'tQ:%('1'nlrnll(.a asIIIs'taince : Iralrn't', a D D ll(.a'b8::YIrn e::Ylr`
d e;:YY Irn t e;:YY lrn Il lrn f rs. :Ir,� u n.11 Ir`Q? II: 'n'�', 18;:Y Q%s�_ 1 Q%Ir"n C 'n Q%s water access, VWJ a .II Ir"n c."II Ir
e s'b Iri n a't e d (:e::)s't s a Irn d )e a Irn d s e Irn d 'u,:Y : Ir`e::Y n.11 D e::Y Ir` IY`Q?\/II e w.
• ek3& wYlrn GQ:%'t', o esbIYIY'na'tes 'fir'.:YIY"'IYn ro�lr"no:�lllr"n ewYlr`�n D Dlr`e;:Y Dlrlla�n'tQ% �:'.e.Ylrn'�',Ir`�n�..�',e.Ylr` for (":u.11lr`Ir.eIr"ft (.osts
of slide aIIIII work,, Ibeinches 11�)' lles aIrnd water Ir'Ir'neter&s aIrnd share lit,h R,:)lr' t,
L.D attl,:Ylrn.
• K s a raHk to MusIl('D Oine DDbe;:Yn.11't','thD:%IIIr fa(( Dor:e IIirr gin,,weirneir gIr`e;:Y Q:%ct (':IIarII i VWJha't','thQ%
to o:k,:), a Irn d li Irrh,:)Ir lrlr'n t,Ian e irir'n of ava II I a Ike I e :5,000 eIr t,e(1i lrn li(aD aD&�&�II:'' "s:a Ir"n(":Q? : Ir`aD Ir"n": YD Ir"n d
)ce s&s R,:)lr`a � III Iirn ry. for f'
�3 or`e II IY°'IY n )Ire,:Yve IY°'IY n e Ir"ft e,:Ya
• KIIsa s�k A IY"'Irn fe,:YIr` n.11 Dda't',ec. DIreY 1eIrt r`e,:Y eIrnd e::Y'f weeIlk aIrnd rin e ir a e wII't',h inIr`rail IIe::Yn.11&�
dY t'a 't',o ('Ir'ea't'e a (:n.11lr`IY`Q%Ir Ir`e::Y 1eIrk, e::YVJIr"nQ%Ir`C(Ylrfta(.A' , I IIs't','fe,:Ylr` B0 Irei newa ,, orfis'tIr`II bn.11'tQ%'uY
vw li t Ian li Irn a week.
• K s a °:ro e i n d out','t',h D% )Ir`e;:Y D e r t e;:)DY@l lrn D:%Ir` D Q%'b'b o i n d o(:'Y n Ir`e i n Q%VWJ fl c.Rx:'Y 'U,:)'t',h
• K II s a E,Ir"n ry,YD ry,e D% D Ir`e,':Y D e Irt rn D:%Ir`&. (Q%.: . IrIY"n Yin S n.11 D e r`0 in RV Ilk es, R Yin "r Ir'IY"n
H II Ir" :e;:Y Ir` B0 Ir`D:.Ir"n Q.DYWJ aD s II: Ir"n aD't',n.11 Ir'Q.s aD Ir"n or" or"e;:Y(:'D n.11 IY"'IY'n Q.Ir"q s t',a't,n.11 Ir'Q.ss.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Summary
Administrative Staffing and Grant Discussion
Kisa discussed administrative staffing needs with the group, expressing interest in having Paul
and a seasonal employee added to payroll, as well as considering Nelson to handle
administrative tasks. She noted that the city was more open to the idea of Nelson handling
administrative duties than Paul being added to payroll, citing liability and management
concerns. Kisa emphasized the importance of following up with Jared regarding these staffing
matters and mentioned the need to hire someone or consider contracting out administrative
tasks to Discover Kalispell. The group also touched on the Montana Main Street grant
application and the challenges of completing the required reports. Kisa planned to schedule a
meeting with Jared to further discuss administrative options and mentioned she would be
making public comment at the city council meeting about the merger with the Chamber.
KDA Chamber Merger Update
The meeting covered financial updates, including the expectation of receiving a bill for
decorations, and the approval of January financials. Kisa mentioned the formal merger of the
KDA under the Chamber's umbrella, with ongoing work with their attorney to handle
receivables, payables, and asset transfers. The group discussed the closure of KDA and the
Chamber's dissolution, with plans for a new committee under the Kalispell Chamber operated
by downtown Kalispell. Kisa noted this as an opportunity for realignment and growth, and
mentioned an upcoming speech to Council.
BUILD Grant and Infrastructure Applications
Kisa discussed the BUILD grant application due Friday, worth $25 million for completing the
south half of the bypass, with support from MDT and KU Engineering. She mentioned a grant
for a generator for the public safety building and a letter of support for the Cal Business
Improvement District. Kisa also talked about submitting a letter of interest to the URA, with
Nelson needing to provide historical data on costs for park benches and light poles. Kisa
suggested getting quotes from previous suppliers and consulting with Public Works and Parks
for specifications.
Downtown Infrastructure Grant Planning
The group discussed applying for a technical assistance grant to plan and cost out updates to
downtown infrastructure, including new light poles with water access, benches, and trash
receptacles. They agreed to create an estimated number of each item needed and include the
engineering work to create a new downtown map in the grant application. Kisa emphasized the
importance of using TIF dollars to directly benefit property owners and suggested coordinating
the wayfinding project with the parkline district for a cohesive downtown look.
Main Street Infrastructure and Marketing
Kisa discussed a project involving infrastructure planning and beautification of Main Street,
including the potential addition of trees and the need for marketing support to promote the
vision. She clarified that marketing for feasibility services is eligible under the downtown TIF but
not the west side TIF. Kisa also outlined a plan for Music One, offering $5,000 for engineering
work and technical assistance to apply for a TIF grant, with the possibility of using development
activity funds for facade improvement grants if necessary.
BID Planning and Parking Strategies
The meeting focused on several key topics. Kisa discussed plans for facade improvements,
including engineering assistance and potential URA loans. The group also talked about the need
to renew the BID, with a target of having a backwards plan by April. They discussed strategies
for gathering signatures from property owners, including targeting large property owners first.
The conversation ended with a discussion about downtown parking issues, including the need
to audit parking permits and potentially change the management of certain parking lots.