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06-01-26 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 1, 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.kalisyell.com/Meetin Vg ideos. A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hunter called the meeting to order at 7 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 Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Present Staff present included City Manager Jarod Nygren, City Attorney Johnna Preble, City Clerk and Communications Manager Aimee Brunckhorst, Director of Development Services P.J. Sorensen, and Fire Chief Jay Hagen. C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion to approve the agenda as published. Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Motion Council Member - Lisa Blank: 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 Council Member - Dustin LeftridgeApprove The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 1, 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 —Mav 11. 2026 O G 2. Award City Airport Taxiway Pavement Rehabilitation Project � a This item considers awarding this project to LHC, Inc. in the amount of $348.000. 3. Confirmation of Firefighters Ryan Catering and Eric Woodruff &a This item considers confirming two Kalispell Firefighter/Paramedics after successful completion of their one-year probationary period. 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. Council Member - Sam Nunnally: Motion Council Member - Wes Walker: 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 Council Member - Dustin Leftridge_Approve The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. 00:03:01 Fire Chief Jay Hagen presented the newly confirmed Firefighter/Paramedics providing background and congratulating each on their achievements over the past year. 00:07:17 Mayor Hunter pinned badges on the newly con F. COMMUNITY REPORT — Flathead County Crisis Assistance Team Report James Pyke, MHA, Behavioral Health Supervisor, Flathead City -County Health Department &a 00:08:33 James Pyke, MHA, Behavioral Health Supervisor, with the Flathead City -County Health Department provided a report on the Flathead County Crisis Assistance Team (CAT). See attached PDF. Pyke began by providing a background on the program and provided information on the low number of crisis response services across the state. Page 2 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 1, 2026 00:10:31 Crisis Assistance Team —Flathead County Pyke provided information on the current team and announced that the two vacant Care Coordinator positions have been filled and they will start this month. He further talked about the positions within the team. He explained details regarding the current structure of the team, who initiates responses, and explained how they can self -dispatch. 00:13:04 2025 Data Pyke explained key data points including 1455 total client contacts, 540 mobile crisis responses, 450 unique clients who were served, 50 as the average time on scene, and time on scene without law enforcement at 65%. 00:14:20 Local Heat Map Pyke showed a density map of where calls originated in 2025. He explained as they add a third team this summer, they will rotate a team north to provide more rapid coverage to the northern part of the county. 00:14:59 Crisis Assistance Team — Transportation Pyke explained when CAT may provide transportation and when they cannot. 00:16:02 CAT - Billing Pyke explained that patients never receive a bill from the team and when encounters can be billed and when interactions are not billable. 00:18:03 Council Member Blank asked for further details on when CAT would be asked to respond, and whether family members could request response. Pyke explained that they are not a crisis phone line and that the 988-crisis response line would be appropriate for a family member to speak to regarding an ongoing issue or call 911 for immediate safety issues. He further explained how follow up resourcing can happen. 00:20:53 CAT — Funding Pyke provided a broad overview of their funding sources and the difficulties inherent. 00:22:55 Council Member Nunnally asked questions about location of responses and how that may change if a team is located further north in the County. 00:23:27 Pyke referred to the data provided by the Kalispell Police Department Crime Analyst Claire and explained that there is more need in the city of Kalispell and what time of day there is more need in the north so they would target that area as appropriate. 00:24:11 Council Member Nunnally asked if any state legislative bills are expected in the upcoming session that would assist the Team that people could assist by testifying. 00:24:42 Pyke talked about Crisis Diversion Grant Federal Funding that is a pass through in the state budget and how they are hoping that can be reopened and utilized towards operational expenses for programs that are operating and serving the community. Page 3 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 1, 2026 00:25:37 Council Member Waterman asked about the definition of care coordinators versus case manager. Pyke spoke to the various terms used for professionals who connect people to resources and their importance. 00:26:49 Council Member Waterman talked about the differences between behavioral health and mental health and the resources or lack for both of those needs. 00:27:17 Pyke spoke further to the terms and services provided, the complexity of services for clients, how difficult navigation can be and the importance of care coordination. 00:29:54 Mayor Hunter asked about facility resources for people facing behavioral health crisis, recent related state legislation and what the barriers are to have the resources to open a facility. 00:30:29 Pike spoke regarding ideal facility resources and explained that a grant could fund a facility for about 18 months, but funding beyond that has not been determined. He spoke further regarding funding barriers across the state. 00:33:51 Mayor Hunter offered help when appropriate in communicating with the state. 00:34:02 Council Member Blank spoke regarding seeing the needs for services, thanked the Crisis Assistance Team for their work, offered advocacy in seeking funding when appropriate, and asked about models that have successfully secured resources. 00:34:51 Pyke talked about about funding models and difficulties. 00:36:35 Council Member Waterman asked about the Crisis Now Model currently being used and where the state is headed related to Behavioral Health Centers. 00:36:52 Pyke explained the Crisis Now Model and related strengths and weaknesses and then about the Certified Community Behavioral Health Center Model and funding challenges. 00:39:54 Council Member Daoud asked about the availability of marijuana tax dollar allocations. 00:40:17 Pyke explained that the Crisis Assistance Team does not receive those funds but is allocated Opioid Abatement Trust Funds. Pyke talked about how Colorado utilizes marijuana tax dollars. 00:41:26 Mayor Hunter thanked Pyke for his presentation, and the Crisis Teams work within the community. G. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Hunter opened general public comment. 00:42:23 Russell Sias, Public Comment Page 4 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 1, 2026 Sias said he believes Safe Haven Baby Boxes are a crisis assistance tool. He spoke regarding an article he read about chemical abortions and his view that this is a huge problem. He referred to a written public comment he would leave with Council and provided further comments about his views on abortion. 00:47:38 Seeing no further comments, Mayor Hunter closed public comment. Public comment received in writing to the Mayor and Council can be seen at www.kalisnell.com/i)ubliccomment. H. REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND COUNCIL ACTION 1) Resolution 6327 —Land Use Public Participation Plan Update [ - This resolution considers amending this plan creating a process for public notice, access to documents, and the ability to comment on site -specific development. Director of Development Services P.J. Sorensen provided the staff report talking about previous work and discussions on this item and the amendments suggested. 00:51:07 Council Member Walker asked about the possibility of adding a related GIS map layer. 00:51:34 Director Sorensen answered questions. 00:52:00 Mayor Hunter asked why there is a difference in noticing between a zoning text amendment and zoning map amendment. Director Sorensen answered questions. 00:53:13 Mayor Hunter asked about differences between a broad map change versus a specific property. Director Sorensen answered questions. 00:55:15 Mayor Hunter asked about details related to 150 feet noticing around a property. Director Sorensen answered questions. 00:56:11 Mayor Hunter asked about public comment received via email today asking for additional online information. Director Sorensen answered questions. 00:57:31 City Manager Nygren spoke regarding information that is available on the city website. 00:58:31 Mayor Hunter spoke further regarding the public comment received and their request for monthly data. Page 5 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 1, 2026 Public Comment Mayor Hunter opened public comment. Seeing none, Mayor Hunter closed public comment. 00:59:26 Motion to approve Resolution 6327, a resolution of the City of Kalispell, Montana, to adopt an update to the Land Use Public Participation Plan in order to clarify the details regardinE notice and public comment for site -specific development, by providing for notice via mail or newspaper, and providing for access to documents on the City website. Council Member — Kyle Waterman: Motion Council Member — Jed Fisher: 2°a 01:00:12 Council Member Waterman provided discussion in favor of the motion. 01:00:51 Council Member Leftridge provided discussion in favor of the motion. 01:01:43 Vote on the motion. Council Member - Sam Nunnally: 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 Council Member - Dustin Leftridge: Approve The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. I. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS (No Action) City Manager Jarod Nygren spoke regarding the public participation plan and the ability to make adjustments in the future. The work session next week includes discussion regarding the creation of an affordable housing and homeless Advisory Committee, and Parkline Trail design standards. 01:03:14 Council Member Gabriel spoke to her appreciation of the Crisis Assistance Team community report and the work that the Criss Assistance Team does. She then commended staff and Council for getting through the Land Use Plan. 01:04:16 Council Member Walker agreed with comments made by Council Member Gabriel. 01:04:44 Council Member Nunnally spoke regarding the importance of voting in the election tomorrow. 01:04:53 Council Member Blank congratulated the newly confirmed Firefighters. She then spoke to appreciation regarding the process related to the Land Use Plan. She then thanked Pyke for his presentation. Page 6 of 7 Kalispell City Council Minutes, June 1, 2026 01:05:51 Council Member Waterman talked about the recreational marijuana funds and related state legislation. 01:06:38 Council Member Waterman announced that the Miracle Field is being resurfaced at the Dan Johns Youth Athletic Complex and they are celebrating the new field next Monday at 5pm, and the public is invited. 01:07:24 Council Member Waterman explained why he would like a community update from the Glacier Art Museum (previously the Hockaday). He then explained why he would also like to see a community report on the Mountain Climber County Services by Elizabeth Wood. 01:09:08 Council Member Leftridge agreed with other speakers and Fisher thanked James Pyke for his presentation. 01:09:20 Council Member Daoud spoke regarding the cannabis tax funding and how those funds are utilized by Colorado to fund behavioral health services and solutions. He talked about the original wording of the initiative voted in by the people related to where the funds were to be used and encouraged people to hold legislatures responsible for the changes they made to where the money is allocated. 01:10:55 Mayor Hunter urged people to vote. 01:11:03 Mayor Hunter requested that several items be added to next week's work session including a discussion regarding whether vacant city property should be viewed for affordable housing and about the possibility of capping vacation rentals by Ward and asked for related rental numbers. 01:12:34 Council and staff discussed Mayor Hunter's work session request. J. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hunter adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. 7& T Aim e Brunckhorst, City Clerk Minutes approved on July 6, 2026 UPCOMING KHEI3U`LE-- Next Work Sessidfr eeti "" June 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers Next Regular Meeting - " �J`une 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers 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 • clerk2kalispell.com. Page 7 of 7