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1. Council Minutes - Regular Meeting - October 17, 2011Also present: City Manager Jane Howington, City Attorney Charles Harball, City Clerk Theresa White, Chief of Police Roger Nasset, Planning Director Tom Jentz, Senior Planner Sean Conrad, Planner II PJ Sorensen, Community Development Manager Katharine Thompson, Revolving Loan Fund Manager Wade Elder, and Deputy City Clerk Judi Funk. President Larson called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. b"'Isymmw . i t t •t t. t r, t t, tWTV14M. t r-I There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Gabriel and Mayor Fisher absent. 1� I 1 H, . 1 1. Council Minutes — Regular Meeting — October 3, 2011 2. Proclamation — Red Ribbon Week — October 22-30 Saverud moved to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Gabriel and Mayor Fisher absent. Diane Groves, 43610th Avenue West, asked council to amend the animal ordinance to allow ducks in the city limits. She said she raises ducks for additional income and has been notified they need to be removed from the premises by November 3. Karlene Kohr, 229 7th Street West, manager of a building on Main Street, remarked there has been an influx of panhandlers in Kalispell this year and they are professional beggars and cons. She said if we have a panhandling ordinance then we need to enforce it; if we do not have one then we need to craft one. She also commented we are continuing to ignore the downtown parking problem and requested a work session to address the issue. Kalispell City Council Minutes October 17, 2011 Page 1 Joe Unterreiner, 136 5th Avenue East, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, invited council and the public to the Kalispell Candidate Forum being held at the Red Lion on Tuesday, October 18 starting at 11:30 a.m. Ron Thibert, 3795 Highway 2 West, stated he is opposed to changing the Flathead County Fairgrounds and racetrack as part of the West Side Urban Renewal proposal. He asked council to leave them as they are. Pam Kennedy Carbonari, Lakeside, congratulated Duane Larson on his many years of service to the city and for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the League of Cities and Towns meeting. MODIFICATIOND. PUBLIC HEARING — WEST SIDE URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT — PROPOSED Conrad gave a background report. President Larson opened the public hearing. Kim Morisaki, Montana West Economic Development, 314 Main Street, read a letter from the board in favor of expanding the district to create opportunity in the downtown core area. She stressed the importance of relocating the railroad tracks and the businesses that still use them. John King, Three Rivers Bank, stated he opposes improvement of the fairgrounds because it is county property, but he would be in favor of improvements to other parts of the district. Joe Unterreiner, Chamber of Commerce, 15 Depot Park, submitted a letter for the record and noted the chamber is in support of amending the district because it will add vitality and improve the economy. He also stated the businesses that are still using the tracks are very important and they deserve to be treated fairly. Pam Carbonari, representing the Kalispell Downtown Association, 14 3rd Street East, read a letter from the KDA Board of Directors in support of expansion of the district. Mark Lalum, general manager of Cenex Harvest States, stated his company relies on the tracks and the grain elevator is the last one in Western Montana and pulls out 95% of the crop in the Flathead Valley. He said the council needs to make a decision on the tracks before anything else. Pam Mower, North West Drywall, noted they also use the tracks and the railroad is extremely important to her business. She asked council to move one way or the other. Pam Carbonari, representing the Kalispell Business Improvement District, 14 3rd Street East, read a letter from the Business Improvement District Board in favor of expansion of the district. Gary McHenry, 324 9th Avenue West, asked where the money would come from. Kalispell City Council Minutes October 17, 2011 Page 2 Kim Morisaki spoke again, noting that by moving existing businesses and the tracks to an industrial park, the city can create opportunity for more businesses to use the railroad. Karlene Kohr, 229 7th Street West, suggested prioritizing what will work and dropping what will not work. President Larson closed the public hearing. (Letters received prior to and during the public hearing are attached hereto and made a part of the official record) ORDINANCE 1702'`I • 1READING (Tabled October As part of a continuing effort to make the city's zoning regulations user-friendly and current with changes in state law, the planning board has recommended a text amendment to update and revise four sections of the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance. Ordinance 1702 was tabled at the October 3, 2011 meeting. Kluesner moved to remove Ordinance 1702 from the table. The motion was seconded. The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Gabriel and Mayor Fisher absent. Sorensen gave an updated report and staff answered questions. Several council members discussed expanding the boundary for the sandwich boards stating businesses that are not located on Main Street should also be allowed to use them. Public Comment Pam Carbonari, representing the Kalispell Downtown Association and the Kalispell Business Improvement District, asked the council to approve the amendments and invited members to a meeting on Thursday to hear a report from Cygnet Strategies of Helena on other strategies to assist and navigate pedestrians and vehicular traffic to and around Kalispell. Council Discussion Kluesner moved to amend the boundary line where sidewalk signs are allowed as follows: bounded by 5th Street East on the south, 1st Alley East on the east, Center Street on the north with the western boundary described as a line beginning at West Center Street and extending south along 2nd Alley West to 2nd Street West and including the easterly 82 feet of Lots 7 & 8 of Block 48, Kalispell Original Townsite, then west along 2nd Street West to 3rd Avenue West, then south on 3rd Avenue West to 3rd Street West, then east on 3rd Street West to 2nd Alley Kalispell City Council Minutes October 17, 2011 Page 3 West, then south on 2nd Alley West to 4th Street West, then east on 4th Street West to 2nd Avenue West, then south on 2nd Avenue West to its intersection with 5th Street West. The motion was seconded. The amendment carried upon roll call vote with Atkinson, Hafferman, Kenyon, Kluesner, Zauner, and President Larson voting in favor, Saverud abstaining, and Gabriel and Mayor Fisher absent. There was no further discussion. The main motion, as amended, carried upon roll call vote with Atkinson, Hafferman, Kenyon, Kluesner, Zauner, and President Larson voting in favor, Saverud abstaining, and Gabriel and Mayor Fisher absent. Atkinson requested that Diane Groves be allowed to keep her ducks until the animal ordinance is reviewed and a work session on the issue scheduled. The other council members concurred. ��HIUEII I The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Theresa White City Clerk Kalispell City Council Minutes October 17, 2011 Page 4 October 5, 2011 Honorable Mayor Tammi Fisher and City Council City of Kalispell 201 1st Avenue East Kalispell MT 59901 Dear Mayor Fisher, I am writing with regards to the proposed changes to the West Side Urban Renewal Plan. As you know, we are the developers and owners of the Spring Creek Apartments in Kalispell. While that property will not be directly included in the expanded Urban Renewal area, it will be affected. Organized and orderly development is always a benefit to the local economy and thus a benefit to our existing project. It is my belief that Urban Renewal Plans, and the associated tools that come along with them, give the cities, land owners, and developers access to tools that facilitate access to national, state, local and private resources necessary for orderly development. As an example, Sparrow is currently pursing a Senior Housing project in the Option 2 - Expansion Area that will benefit from the expansion. Just the simple fact that they city is making an effort to focus on an area for development would give it a leg up in the fierce competition at the state level. Additionally, there are great benefits of developing and/or redeveloping parcels located close to the urban core. Unfortunately, often the development costs near the core is greater than on the outskirts of town. As a result of this cost difference, new development will gravitate towards the edges of the city. This however, creates a long term cost to the city by expanding the service area for policy, fire, and other city services. An Urban Renewal District bring tools to the table that make it possible to work towards creative solutions to offsetting the urban development costs that will, in the long term result in lower cost and most effective use of ground. As developers and land owners in Kalispell, we support the expansion of the Westside Urban Renewal Plan, specifically Option 2. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 619 S.W. HIGGIN'S AVE. STE E MISSOULA, MT 59803 (406) 251-5076 1 FAX (406) 541-4944 SPARROWGROUPLLC.COM ontana e St ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT October 6, 2011 The Honorable Tammi Fisher And City Councilors City of Kalispell 201 15t Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Dear Mayor and Councilors: The board of directors of Montana West Economic Development is supporting the expansion plan for the Westside Urban Renewal Development plan for purposes to support economic development in a broad sense. The term broad includes infrastructure and transportation improvement, improving property for redevelopment potential, and creating residential connectivity with the commercial sector. The improvements increase the attractiveness for new investment thus improving or expanding the tax base in the future. The planning effort by the City is commendable. Stakeholders expect visioning and planning from the City, making things happen versus waiting on things to happen; especially when the tools and resources are available. We are doing our part by aligning resources available to us to leverage the City's vision of removing the railroad tracks. Property acquisition for creating a rail served industrial park is in motion and could be finalized by the second quarter of 2012. Due diligence and partnerships are under discussion to create community and private business benefit. Sincerely, Kellie Danielson President 314 Main Street, Kalispell, Montana 59901 Shirley Anderson 51 Three Mile Drive Kalispell, MT 59901 406 752-8879 Planning Department 201 lst Ave East October 10/2011 Kalispell, Mt 59901 RE: West Side Urban Renewal Plan amending Thank you for sending me your notice of public hearing letter regarding modification to the West Side Urban Renewal District Plan. I have lived at the same address since 1972. (51 Three Mile Drive). For numerous years my residence was out of city limits. It was eventually annexed into the city even though I and several other land owners protested. My taxes doubled because ofbeing in city limits. I feel that after all these years being in the city I should have city sewer going by my house. I think the closest it has come to me is to the Veterans building on Three Mile Drive. It seems everyone around my area has it. There have been new sub divisions going in all over my area and the City still has not run sewer line by my house and several others that were annexed in also. Please address this at your next meeting. I would greatly appreciate a reply back as to the possiblity of the sewer line going by my house as it is inside city limits and sewer should be a service of the city. Thanks so much for your consideration. Shirley M. Anderson 51 Three Mile Drive Kalispell, MT 59901 406 752-8879 Fiat -Allis ALLIS-CHALMERS NORTHWEST MACHINERY, Inc. LOGGERS — CONTRACTORS New — Used — Rentals P.O. Box 47 Kalispell, Montana 59903-0047 (406) 257-4388 ® (406) 257-4383 Fax Northwest Machinery, I P.O. Box 47 Valig _,Q JJJ03- Tom Jentz, Planning Director City of Kalispell 201-1st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 rim 2 am A VZO] I JVM I PSIN mm INNIN-0.19m, 11*441.1 _ .10"Illiq QC�16_101,7@11 1-22"flIM Soo ,*a@ E#r.1t&-Wa m Nolmoll wymrg I 11[4111 In"'LQ A tkm it if Lsi I I - Soo . 111"Illiq wo 116101, - M-NA, OWN,!. '011 .1 : rl 101001,11104 WOM "AN 014IN's Ri :_ 141* 11110, rl [a BARKO After much consideration, the secret to Kalispell's success will be determined by the removal of the railroad tracks. The major portion of Kalispell is split in half with very few crossings. The same condition exists for water and sewer service for the majority of ,viroperties in and around the railroad tracks. For years, Northwest Machinery operated on these premises and used a considerable amount of water. Now that usage is minimal, and stagnation and chlorine problems have made the water unsuitable for drinking. The tap water is currently undrinkable at the shop because the water deadends at the building. My son currently brings water from home for drinking and making coffee because the water lines do not loop in the area and keep the water circulating. We have a 2" water service to our building. Hopefully, the Council will make the right decision to pursue the track removal and extension of the TIF District through the railroad corridor. Kalispell has been held hostage long enough, and it is now time to remove the tracks. Through the years, we have had to put up with considerable problems from transients and would love to see these areas restored. Sincerely, Gerry •ei President Northwest Machinery, Inc. cc: Tammi Fisher, Mayor Jane Howington, City Manager City Council 1*1 a M �- i � On behalf of the Kalispell Downtown Association Board of Directors, I am writing this letter of support for the boundary expansion of the Westside Urban Renewal District. For many years, boards, councils, citizens and business leaders in our community have talked about the relocation of the railroad tracks that divide and hinder redevelopment in an area of Kalispell that is ripe for redevelopment. The proposal before you would finally set forth a plan to help make this a reality. The goals proposed in the West Side Urban Renewal plan modification will improve pedestrian, vehicular and bicycle infrastructure in an area of great need. Transportation improvements will provide our residents with safe and convenient friendly downtown. of our community as the economic /commercial business hub of Flathead Valley. A Ghort drive or walk through the proposed area of expansion will present to you many boarded up buildings, vacant lots and needed infrastructure. In these tough economic times, we have been presented an opportunity to utilize many tools to accomplish redevelopment and economic stimulus in our city. You have our support as downtown businesses to move forward, accept the challenge and assist our community with this much needed redevelopment. Sincerely, Pam Carbonari P. O. Box 1997, Kalispell, Mt. 59903 * (406) 253-6923 pama ,,downtownkalispell.com KalispellImprovement District as Kalispell, Mt. 59903 (406) 253-6923 October 14, 2011 Mayor Fisher and Council members, The Kalispell Business Improvement District is pleased to write this letter in favor of amending the West Side Urban Renewal District by expanding the plans boundaries, identifying blight within the expanded boundary and developing goals to address those issues. The original plan developed in 1994 was intended to give direction to redevelopment within the West Side District. Many projects within this district have been accomplished, from water and sewer mains to the North Meridian Road rebuild. It is a logical progression to expand the boundaries to the properties that are contiguous to the current district. By expanding the boundaries we will have the opportunity to address blight in the proposed area and continue the work of economic revitalization in an area that we have discussed for many years. It is now time to not only talk about revitalization and the issue of the railroad track that divides this section of town from the downtown core but to actually make a plan with goals and then move forward with implementing those goals. The Kalispell Business Improvement District was established to support the economic growth and vitality of downtown Kalispell and to maintain and promote its unique character rich in history. This proposal and the potential of the relocation of the railroad tracks will be an asset to the downtown by creating easier traffic patterns for vehicular traffic thereby creating a more pedestrian friendly downtown. It will help improve the area directly adjacent to the downtown with elimination of blight and the potential for additional business in the area which will compliment our downtown district. In conclusion, the Kalispell Business Improvement District wholeheartedly endorses the proposal to amend the West Side Urban Renewal District to include the Flathead County Fairgrounds and the railroad corridor as proposed and adopted by the Kalispell Planning Board. ely, K Pam Carbon Coordinator www.downtownkalispell.com Providing Economic, Community, and Workforce Development Services www.kalispelichamber.com October 17, 2011 The Honorable Mayor Tammi Fisher and Members of Kalispell City Council City of Kalispell 201 First Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Re: Support for Amending the Westside Urban Renewal District Dear Mayor Fisher and Member of City Council: On behalf of our Board of Directors and membership, I would like to express the support of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce for amending the Westside Urban Renewal District as recommended by your staff and the Kalispell City Planning and Zoning Commission. A plan that revitalizes the area encompassing the historic railroad yard, such as the one proposed, will be an excellent contribution to our economy and civic environment. It is time to make a focused effort on achieving some of the long -held goals for this downtown area that are articulated on pages 18-19 of the Staff Report. By taking this step, you will enable private investment to be directed and leveraged with tax increment funds, Brownfield funds, and other sources that will benefit not just Kalispell, but the entire region. I look forward to working with you to revitalize downtown and get people back to work in Kalispell. Since ely, 10 Unterreiner, President lispell Chamber of Commerce OFFICE 406.758.2800 > 406.758.2805 FAX . 15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901