1. Council Minutes - Regular Meeting - February 1, 2010A REGULAR MEETING of THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7: o0
P.M., MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 20109 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR TAMMI FISHER PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS
JIM ATKINSON, KARI GABRIEL, BOB HAFFERMAN, RANDY KENYON, DUANE
LARSON, WAYNE SAVERUD AND JEFF ZAUNER WERE PRESENT. COUNCIL
MEMBER TIM KLUE SNER WAS ABSENT.
Also present: City Manager Jane Howington, City Attorney Charles Harball, City Clerk Theresa
White, Police Chief Roger Nasset, Fire Chief Dan Diehl, Housing Manager Katharine Thompson,
Revolving Loan Fund Manager Wade Elder, Planning Director Tom Jentz, Airport Manager Fred
Leistiko, and Deputy City Clerk Judi Funk.
Mayor Fisher called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A. AGENDA APPROVAL
Saverud moved approval of the Agenda. The motion was seconded.
There Was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Kluesner absent.
B. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
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Kenyon moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Kluesner absent.
C. STUDENT ISSUES
None.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Todd Snarr, 493 2nd Avenue East North, complimented the students that have spoken at the last few
meetings and noted their ideas are worthwhile and the city should consider their input.
E. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL ACTION
EI1. RESOLUTION 5414 — PRELIMINARY PLAT EXTENSION — COTTAGE GARDENS
SUBDIVISION
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This a request for a one-year extension of the preliminary plat for Cottage Gardens Subdivision Which
would create 30 residential lots on approximately 11 acres located on the north side of Three Mile
Drive, one-half mile west of Stillwater Road.
Jentz gave a staff report and answered questions.
Atkinson moved Resolution 5414, a resolution approving a one year extension to the
preliminary plat of Cottage Gardens Subdivision, located on the north side of Three Mile
Drive one-half mile west of Stillwater Road. The motion was seconded.
Public Comment
None.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote with Kluesner absent.
E12. CITY AIRPORT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS — CONSULTING FIRM
Two firms answered the city's request for qualifications for an aviation consultant; Robert Peccia &
Associates and Stelling Engineers. on December 21 the city council tabled the issue to February 1.
Larson moved to remove the City Airport Request for Qualifications from the table. The
motion was seconded.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Kluesner absent.
Howington gave a staff report and answered questions.
Atkinson moved to approve the selection of Stelling Engineers as the consulting firm for the
City Airport Redevelopment Project and direct them to begin the Environmental Assessment.
The motion was seconded.
Public Comment
Steve Eckels, 619 2nd Avenue West, read the "Findings and Recommendations" regarding the city
airport which were developed by the Quiet Skies citizens group.
Chris Hall, 115 West Evergreen Drive, noted that Airport Road causes more noise and health issues
than the airport does and the airport has been there a lot longer than the subdivisions. He said the
whole thing is silly and the airport makes the city unique.
Diane Masciullo, 436 1 oth Avenue West, asked what the deciding factor was to go with Stelling
Engineers over the other firm. She said it is a good idea to approve a firm, but it would be a mistake
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February 1, 2010
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to go ahead With the environmental assessment before we know What we are going to do With the
airport.
Scott Davis, 448 5th Avenue West, asked if the Requests for Qualifications for the engineering firms
were based on expansion and if so, then we need new ones. He also questioned where the money is
coming from for an environmental assessment.
Joanne Blake, 910 7th Avenue West, remarked that while she is concerned with noise and safety at
the airport, she is more concerned with how much the airport is costing taxpayers.
Peter Gross, 1835 Airport Road, supported the approval of Stelling Engineers and stated this is the
appropriate time to hire a qualified firm to give council good information to help with a decision.
Pauline Sjordahl, 234 3rd Avenue West, remarked that council shouldn't approve a consulting firm
until they know what they are going to do with the airport property.
Jeff Walla, 32 Bruyer Way Loop, Stelling Engineers, stated he is available to answer any questions.
Todd Snarr, 493 2nd Avenue East North, asked that staff release the hangar leases to the public and
do more research on relocating the airport. He feels there is a conflict of interest with Stelling, and
suggested looking for a third party to do the consulting.
Council Discussion
Hafferman noted he has no problems with Stelling, but he does have a problem with the contract
which would amount to a "blank check" for many services he doesn't think the council wants. He said
several issues have to be decided first including: the runway length, the possibility of condemnation
for surrounding properties, what it means to take FAA money, the possibility of relocating or
eliminating the airport, and whether there should be a public vote.
Larson said he feels the council should designate an engineer now, and amend the contract later.
Kenyon also commented that it is time to move forward with this.
In response to a question from Gabriel, Howington stated that the task orders in the contract have to
be individually approved by the council and Stelling cannot proceed with anything until that approval
is received.
Saverud agreed with Hafferman. He said with the work session coming up in a week this is not the
time to proceed.
Zauner moved to amend the motion by authorizing Stelling as the engineer of record only and
deleting the authorization for the environmental assessment. The motion was seconded.
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Hafferman remarked he Would prefer to table the motion until council has direction for Stelling; his
issue is still with the contract itself.
Hafferman moved to table the motion and the amendment to February 16. The motion was
seconded.
The motion to table failed upon roll call vote with Hafferman, Saverud, and Mayor Fisher
voting in favor, Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, and Zauner voting against, and Kluesner
absent.
Saverud reiterated that he doesn't have a problem with Stelling, but passing this now would create a
"perception problem".
Kenyon repeated Howington's response that even if Stelling is chosen as the engineer of record, no
work can be started and no money spent without council authorization on each task.
Zauner noted this would be a serious step backward if we do not make Stelling the engineer of record
at this point.
Mayor Fisher commented she is not comfortable with the contract, but she also doesn't want the city
to have to spend more money putting out a new RFP if the motion fails.
The amendment carried upon roll call vote with Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, Zauner, and Mayor
Fisher voting in favor, Atkinson, Hafferman, and Saverud voting against, and Kluesner
absent.
Hafferman moved to table the main motion as amended to February 16. The motion was
seconded.
The motion to table failed upon roll call vote with Hafferman, Saverud, and Mayor Fisher
voting in favor, Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, and Zauner voting against, and Kluesner
absent.
There was no further discussion.
The main motion, as amended, carried with Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, and Zauner
voting in favor, Hafferman, Saverud, and Mayor Fisher voting against, and Kluesner absent.
E13. NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM (NSP) CONTRACT
AMENDMENT FOR PROJECT A -- PURCHASE of FIRST FORECLOSED
PROPFIRTV
The purchase of the first foreclosed property through the NSP requires an amendment to the original
contract with the Montana Department of Commerce.
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Thompson gave a staff report and answered questions. Howington asked that the motion from the
council authorizing the contract amendment also include an authorization allowing her to sign future
amendments as they arrive. She said time limits for closing on the properties could make council
authorization difficult.
Atkinson moved council authorize the amendment and authorize the city manager to sign
future contract amendments as they arrive so long as they fall within the parameters of the
NSP. The motion was seconded.
Public Comment
Chris Hall, 115 West Evergreen Drive, stated he does not feel this program will help anyone because
foreclosed houses are the only ones that are moving; he suggested developing more mobile home
parks.
Diane Masciullo, 43 6 5th Avenue West, noted this is a great opportunity to have housing available at
a lower price range.
Council Discussion
Hafferman remarked there are many foreclosed houses in town that are benefitting no one and he
supports this program.
Saverud said he also supports the motion and asked that council be kept informed of future purchases
and where the homes are located.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Kluesner absent.
E14. PRESERVE AMERICA GRANT APPLICATION
Staff requested authorization to apply for a Preserve America grant in an amount up to $250,000.
Howington gave a staff report and answered questions.
Larson moved council approve the submission of the Preserve America grant application. The
motion was seconded.
Hafferman said he cannot support this application because the National Park Service has lost its way
and is not focusing on maintaining the national parks.
Mayor Fisher noted there are many areas locally that need improvement and if the money is available
then we should try to get some of it.
Atkinson remarked this grant could be a breath of fresh air for the downtown and tourism areas.
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Larson moved a friendly amendment to add "up to $250,000" at the end of the motion. The
second concurred.
Public Comment
Peter Gross, 1835 Airport Road, strongly encouraged council to apply for this grant to encourage
tourism.
The motion carried upon roll call vote with Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, Saverud,
Zauner and Mayor Fisher voting in favor, Hafferman voting against, and Kluesner absent.
F. MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/REPORTS (No Action)
Howington noted the February S Work session on the airport Will be televised and streamed on the
internet.
Howington informed council staff is looking at applying for a JOBS grant.
Mayor Fisher said the flow of the meetings still needs some work and she will try to make sure the
staff reports are followed by public comment followed by a motion.
G. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9 :20 p.m.
Theresa White
City Clerk
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