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04-20-26 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 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.kalis,oell.com/MeetingVideos. A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent 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 Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Present after the first 50 minutes Staff present included City Manager Jarod Nygren, City Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst, Acting Development Services Director P.J. Sorensen, Planner II Kari Barnhart, Public Works Director Susie Turner, Deputy Public Works Director Keith Haskins, and Police Chief Jordan Venezio. C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion and Vote to approve the agenda as presented. Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Motion Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Ma o� r=Rvan Hunter: Approve Council Member -Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Absent The motion passed unanimously on voice vote with Council Members Gabriel and Leftridge absent. Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 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 —March 16, and March 23 2026 R a R 4p 2. Award 1 Oth Ave W Water Main Replacement Project OO a This item considers awarding this project to KG&T Septic and Excavation in the amount of $1,070,195.30. Award Sidewalk and Curbina Construction ® to This item considers awarding this project to Sandon Construction for the 2026-2027 season. 4. Award Cab and Chassis with Chip Box to Custom Truck One Source 9; a This item considers awarding this forestry truck in the amount of $115,939. 5. Award Professional Service Agreement for Fire Station 63 9; a This item considers selecting LSW Architects, PC as the Architect/Engineering Services consultant for this project. 6. Kalispell Legion Baseball Association Sub -Lease Agreement g; t-3 This agreement considers approving a sub -lease between the Baseball Association and Kalispell School District 5. 7. Officer Confirmations &G This item considers Council confirmation of Officers Josh Fant, KC Siderius and Hunter Shae as officers to the Kalispell Police Department. Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment on the consent agenda. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 00:03:05 Motion and Vote to approve the consent agenda as published Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Sam Nunnally: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent 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 Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Absent Page 2 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 The motion Passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Gabriel and Leftridee absent. 00:03:24 Police Chief Jordan Venezio explained the three newly confirmed Police Officers approved on the consent agenda have completed their one-year probationary period, a 14-week in-house FTO program, and a 12-week Police Academy in Helena. He introduced and congratulated the Officers and provided background on each one. 00:04:10 Officer Josh Fant Chief Venezio introduced Officer Josh Fant and provided background on him. 00:04:53 Officer Hunter Shae Chief Venezio introduced Officer Hunter Shae and provided background on him. 00:05:21 Officer KC Siderius Chief Venezio introduced Officer KC Siderius and provided background on him. 00:06:26 Mayor Hunter pinned badges on the newly confirmed officers and congratulated and welcomed them. F. COMMUNITY REPORTS — None. G. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Hunter opened general public comment. Russell Sias, Public Comment Sias spoke regarding wanting a Safe Haven Baby Box installed and conversations he has had with the Kalispell Fire Department staff. He asked Council to fund a box and spoke regarding why he believes a Safe Haven Baby Box should be installed at the Fire Station. He then spoke regarding water quality issues and his concerns regarding what he believes may be in the water from prescription usage. Public comment received in writing to the Mayor and Council can be seen at www.kalisnell.com/Publiccomment. Seeing no further comments, Mayor Hunter closed public comment. H. REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND COUNCIL ACTION 1) Ordinance 1949 — Second Reading — West Side Parking District Aa This ordinance considers including 4th Avenue West between 5th Street West and 6th Street West within this parking management zone. City Manager Jarod Nygren presented the staff report. Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. Page 3 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 00:18:38 Motion to approve Ordinance 1949, an ordinance amending Ordinances 1759, 1817, and 1898 to include the 4th Avenue West between 5th Street West and 6th Street West within the Westside Parking Management Zone, declaring an effective date and authorizing the City Attorney to codify the same. 00:19:18 Council Member Waterman provided discussion in favor of the motion. 00:19:49 Council Member Daoud provided discussion in support of the motion explaining why his vote changed between first and second reading. 00:20:40 Vote on the motion. Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Wes Walker: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Ap rp ove Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Ma oar - Ryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Absent The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Gabriel and Leftridge absent. 2) Ordinance 1950 — First Reading — Zoning Regulations ® CM This ordinance considers amending the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance 1677, in order to be in compliance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA). 00:21:13 City Manager Jarod Nygren provided an overview. 00:22:01 Acting Development Services Director P.J. Sorensen provided the staff report. 00:25:35 Council Member Waterman asked procedural questions regarding the amendments. 00:25:54 City Manager Nygren answered procedural questions. 00:26:16 Council Member Nunnally asked further procedural questions. Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 00:27:55 Motion to approve Ordinance 1950, an ordinance amending the City of Kalispell Zoning Regulations codified at Chapter 27 of the Kalispell Municipal Code, declaring an effective date, and authorizing the City Attorney to codify the same Council Member — Kyle Waterman: Motion Page 4 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 Council Member — Wes Walker: 2nd 00:28:43 Motion to amend as proposed by staff the public notice and participation process Council Member — Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member — Sam Nunnally: 2nd 00:29:03 Council Member Waterman provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 00:30:43 Council Member Daoud provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 00:32:11 Mayor Hunter provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 00:32:49 Vote on the motion to amend. Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Sam Nunnally: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Ap rp ove Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Ma or- Ryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Absent The motion to amend passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Gabriel and Leftridge absent. 00:33:08 Motion to amend to adopt the Kalispell zoning code to consolidate the current R4 zones into the R3 as they are exactly the same after the MLUPA implementation The R4 zone will be held in reserve for possible future use and to adiust the Kalispell zoning code to reflect this change. Council Member — Sid Daoud: Motion Council Member — Sam Nunnally: 2nd 00:33:46 Council Member Daoud provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 00:34:17 Council Member Nunnally asked a procedural question. 00:34:33 Staff explained past practices. 00:35:44 Council Member Daoud asked further questions about noticing. 00:37:41 Mayor Hunter provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 00:38:18 Vote on the amendment to the motion. Council Member - Sid Daoud: Motion Council Member - Sam Nunnall : 2nd Page 5 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent 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 Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Absent The motion to amend Passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Gabriel and Leftridge absent. 00:38:45 Council Member Daoud provided discussion on the original motion as amended. 00:39:24 Council Member Fisher provided discussion on the original motion as amended. 00:39:29 Council Member Nunnally provided discussion on the original motion as amended. 00:40:26 Council Member Waterman provided discussion on the original motion as amended. 00:42:47 Mayor Hunter provided discussion on the original motion as amended. 00:44:49 Vote on the original motion as amended. Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Wes Walker: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sam Nunnally• Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: A rove Mayor - Ryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Absent The motion as amended Passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Gabriel and Leftridge absent. 3) Ordinance 1951 — First Reading — Subdivision Regulations R a This ordinance considers amending Kalispell City Code, Chapter 28, Subdivision Regulations, in order to be in compliance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA). City Manager Jarod Nygren provided an overview. 00:45:53 Acting Development Services Director P.J. Sorensen provided the staff report. 00:47:22 Council Member Daoud asked a question about printed copy costs. Page 6 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 00:48:16 Motion to approve Ordinance 1951, an ordinance amending the City of Kalispell Subdivision Relzulations Codified at Chapter 28 of the Kalispell Municipal Code, declaring an effective date, and authorizing the Citv Attorney to codify the same Council Member — Kvlc Waterman: Motion Council Member — Jed Fisher: 2nd 00:48:43 Council Member Waterman provided discussion on the motion 00:49:01 Motion to amend as staff proposed the sections about the public participation plan. Council Member — Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member — Wes Walker: 2nd Council Member Waterman provided discussion on the amendment to the motion. 00:49:37 Vote on the amendment to the motion. Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud• Approve Mayoryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Absent The amendment to the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Gabriel and Leftridae absent 00:49:58 Council Member Waterman provided discussion on the original motion. 00:51:11 Vote on the original motion as amended. Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sam Nunnally• Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud• Approve Ma oY r=Ryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Page 7 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Absent The motion as amended Passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Members Gabriel and Leftridge absent. 4) Resolution 6323 -Adoption of Stormwater Facility Plan 9 a This item considers adopting the updated 2025 Stormwater Facility Plan. Council Member Leftridge joined the meeting. City Manager Jarod Nygren provided an overview. Council Member Leftridge joined the meeting. Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Arthur Fretheim, Public Comment Fretheim asked where stormwater drains eventually end up draining to, and whether this plan would change that. Seeing no further comments, Mayor Hunter closed public comment 00:53:39 Motion to approve Resolution 6323, a resolution to adopt the 2025 Stormwater Facility Plan Update for the Citv of Kalispell, Montana, and setting an effective date Council Member — Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member — Wes Walker: 2nd 00:54:05 Council Member Waterman provided discussion on the motion 00:56:52 Mayor Hunter provided discussion on the motion. 00:58:21 Vote on the motion. Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Wes Walker: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud• Approve Manor - Ryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Approve The motion Passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Member Gabriel absent 5) Collective Bargaining Agreement with Kalispell Police Association 9� a Page 8 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 This item considers approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Kalispell and the Kalispell Police Association for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. 00:59:07 City Manager Jarod Nygren provided the staff report on this item. Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 01:01:21 Motion to approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Kalispell and the Kalispell Police Association Council Member — Sam Nunnally: Motion Council Member — Jed Fisher: 2nd 01:01:36 Council Member Nunnally provided discussion in favor of the motion. 01:02:04 Council Member Waterman provided discussion in favor of the motion. 01:02:59 Council Member Daoud provided discussion on the motion. 01:04:05 Mayor Hunter provided discussion in favor of the motion. 01:04:51 Vote on the motion. Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Motion Council Member - Jed Fisher: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Approve Council Member - Jed Fisher: Approve Council Member - Sid Daoud: Approve Ma oy r - Ryan Hunter: Approve Council Member - Wes Walker: Approve Council Member - Lisa Blank: Approve Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Approve Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote with Council Member Gabriel absent 6) Advisory Board Appointments P� a This item considers appointments to boards and committees with terms expiring April 30, 2026, or have ongoing vacancies. Mayor Hunter explained he will provide all the board recommendations in one action. Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Seeing none, he closed public comment. 01:06:14 Council Member Daoud provided discussion in appreciation of applicant Henry Perry's presence at the meeting. Page 9 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 01:06:38 Council Member Waterman provided discussion in appreciation of applicant Arthur Frethiem's presence at the meeting. 01:07:10 Mayor Hunter offered the following recommendations for board appointments: Conrad Mansion Board — Diane Medler Economic Revolving Loan Fund Committee — Todd Hachmann Impact Fee Committee — Brandon Theis, and Jeff Zauner Parking Advisory Board — Robert Macek Planning Commission — Dustin Leftridge, Cody Hunter, Emmett Van Allen, and Brett Huff Police Commission — Wade Rademacher, and Arthur Fretheim Technical Advisory Committee — Zachary Maason Tourism Business Improvement District — Zac Ford, and Britta Joy Urban Forestry Committee — Bette Albright, Emma Merdovic, and April Vomfell Urban Renewal Agency Board - Catherine Potter Evergreen Water Sewer District 1 - Mark Johnson 01:10:50 Motion for the recommendations as presented. Council Member — Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member — Wes Walker: 2nd 01:11:11 Council Member Waterman provided discussion on the motion. 01:12:03 Council Member Nunnally provided discussion on the motion. 01:13:06 Council Member Daoud provided discussion on the motion. 01:14:00 Mayor Hunter provided discussion on the motion. 01:14:53 Vote on the motion. Council Member - Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member - Wes Walker: 2nd Council Member - Kari Gabriel: Absent 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 Council Member - Dustin Leftridge_ Approve The motion passed on roll call vote with Council Member Gabriel absent. I. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action) Page 10 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 01:15:12 Manager Nygren spoke regarding the public participation plan coming forward to Council related to Development noticing requirements. 01:16:07 Manager Nygren said the Safe Streets 4 All Grant application will be under discussion at the next work session. 01:16:42 Manager Nygren reminded the public that members of the public can still apply for Advisory Board appointment on the boards that still have vacancies. 01:16:58 Council Member Daoud provided discussion thanking public commenter Russell Sias and explaining budget work session discussions will be happening May 11, and May 13 at 7p.m. He encouraged all interested in how money is spent by the City to attend those sessions and talked about how important the budget sessions are. 01:17:57 Council Member Daoud provided discussion about loss of local control and suggested that people contact state legislators or the Governor and voice their concerns. 01:18:30 Council Member Leftridge provided discussion about the public participation amendments he had discussed with staff previously on the subdivision and zoning regulations. 01:19:06 Council Member Waterman thanked Russell Sias for his comments about the Safe Haven Baby boxes. He then spoke regarding the importance of mental health and the high suicide rate in the Flathead and the importance of 988, a local based call center which is a great resource for individuals or their families facing mental health crises. He also talked about the need to make sure we have other mental health resources here. 01:20:32 Council Member Nunnally thanked Sias for his comments about the Safe Haven Baby Box and said he would like to see a conversation about that within the budget work sessions. 01:21:13 Council Member Walker thanked staff for their work on the land use plan related documents. J. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hunter adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. AimeV Brunckhorst, City Clerk Minutes approved on /IIIIIiJ+�`�� UPCOMING SCHEDULE Next Work Session Meeting —April 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers Next Regular Meeting — May 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers Page 11 of 12 Kalispell City Council Minutes, April 20, 2026 PARTICIPATION Watch council sessions live with the agenda and supporting documents or later with documents and time stamped minutes at: https://www.kalisj2ell.com/MeetingVideos. 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. Page 12 of 12