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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 1. Council Minutes — Regular Meeting January 19, 2010 a e 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 Kalispell City Council Minutes February 1, 2010 Page 1 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 Kalispell City Council Minutes February 1, 2010 Page 2 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. Kalispell City Council Minutes February 1, 2010 Page 3 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. Kalispell City Council Minutes February 1, 2010 Page 4 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. Kalispell City Council Minutes February 1, 2010 Page 5 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 Kalispell City Council Minutes February 1, 2010 Page 6