1. Council Minutes - Regular Meeting September 7, 2004A REGULARMEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M., TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2004, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL
IN KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR PAMELA B. KENNEDY PRESIDED. COUNCIL
MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, KARI GABRIEL, BOB HAFFERMAN, BOB HERRON,
RANDY KENYON, DUANE LARSON, HANK OLSON AND JAYSON PETERS WERE
PRESENT.
Also present: Interim City Manager Frank Garner, City Attorney Charles Harball, City Clerk Theresa
White, Community Development Director Susan Moyer, Finance Director Amy Robertson, Fire
Chief Randy Brodehl, Public Works Director Jim Hansz and Tri-City Senior PlannerNarda Wilson.
Mayor Kennedy called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Garner recommended Agenda Item #11, Resolution 4935-National League of Cities' America
Downtown Program, be moved to Agenda Item #1.
A. AGENDA APPROVAL
Larson moved approval of the Agenda with Agenda Item 411 being moved to Agenda Item #1.
The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
B. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
Council Minutes — Regular Meeting — August 16 2004
Kenyon moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
C. STUDENT ISSUES
None.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim Connelly, Glacier Village Greens Homeowners President, asked the Council to approve the
Final Plat for GIacier Village Greens Phase IIIC and thanked the Council, the Tri-City Planning
Office and Sands Surveying for all of their work.
Chuck Cassidy, School District 5 Facility and .Transportation Director, thanked the City for working
on a safe routes to schools program. He said it's never easy for a community to "blend the many
requirements" of residential, business and educational needs and thanked the Council for an
opportunity to work with the City and find the safest ways for children to travel to and from school.
Suzanne O'Conner, 845 7th Avenue East, said she spoke with Jim Hansz and Frank Garner last fall
concerning speed and volume of traffic on 9th Street East between Woodland Avenue and Hedges
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page I
School. She said she circulated a neighborhood petition requesting a traffic circle at the intersection
of 9th Street and 7th Avenue East to slow traffic. O'Conner thanked the City for installing stop
signs on 7th Avenue East as a short-term solution, but asked that a traffic circle be considered to
slew trailin this luggh peuest rc tan truffle area.
Wendy Waymen, 1512 5th Avenue East, said she submitted a letter to the Planning Board
concerning Agenda Item #6, Ordinance 1511 Zoning Text Amendment Request, and she forgot to
sign it. She just wanted to let the Council know that she's the one who wrote it.
The following spoke. in favor of Resolution 4935 (HyattPalma Contract
Ken Yacheebak, BID Board Member, asked the Council to authorize the contract with HyattPalma
to develop a plan that will help the downtown with projects and resources. He said the BID is ready
to pledge half of the funds needed, which is $40,000,
Judy .Larson, BID Chairperson, said Kalispell is changing and this community -based downtown
action plan will allow the downtown to attract private investment of quality downtown projects and
strengthen the existing downtown businesses.
Janet Clary, BID Board Member, read a letter fi-om Elizabeth Harris, Jobs Now President. (Letter
is attached and by this reference is made a part of the official record)
Joe Unterreiner, Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President, spoke in favor of the City and the
BID joining together to get some research data of the downtown.
The following spoke in opposition to Resolution 4932 Resolution 4933 and Ordinance 1510
(Stillwater Bluffs Subdivision):
Brent Higgins, 640 Country Way, speaking on behalf of Country Village Homeowners, said they are
very concerned that this subdivision will create an unsafe environment by adding a possible 300
vehicle trips onto an interior road in Country Village that was not constructed for high traffic.
Higgins submitted a petition objecting to the Stillwater Bluffs Development. (Petition is attached
and by this reference is made a part of the official record)
Angela Pitts, 538 Country Way, asked the Council to carefully consider the subdivision proposal and
the impacts it will have on the roads and the safety of the children.
Elaine Snyder, 540 Country Way South, read a letter opposing the annexation of Stillwater Bluffs,
stating Country Way South has been closed since September 2000, giving access only to the families
who live next to it. (Letter is attached and by this reference is made a part of the official record)
Mark Lalurn, 615 Country Way, said he has two major concerns with the subdivision-, traffic and
zoning density. He asked the Council to look at this proposal carefully.
Shirley Scherpenseel, 505 Country Way South, agreed with the previous comments, adding that
wildlife is abundant in that area and she would like the Council to take that into consideration.
Wendy Lalum, 615 Country Way, said they purchased two acres two years ago and live directly
across from Country Way South. She said she didn't make the investment in the property and her
dream home for it now to become: a highway and asked the Council to carefully consider the traffic.
Kalispell City Council .Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 2
Joan Schmidt, 640 Country Way, said she still doesn't understand why the petition presented to the
Planning Board wasn't included and stated she felt the board didn't listen to her at the hearing
because she's a County resident. She noted the subdivision will have access either onto a county
roast, or a private road, an([ th t mould De considered prior to annexation.
Leonard Desmall, 674 Country Way, commented that anyone looking at this property would see that
the size of the lot and the location would not support the density proposed. He said if there isn't
adequate planning for ingress or egress it's going to create a "big" problem for all of us that plan on
living there for quite some time.
Brian Gardner, 525 Country Way South, said prior to the homeowners closing off Country Way
South, traffic was on the increase and once the road was closed, the traffic was cut in "half', showing
that everyone used it as a cut across even though they didn't share the cost of maintenance.
The following ;Poke in favor of Resolution 4932 Resolution 4933 and Ordinance 1510:
Peggy Mathiasen, Montana Mapping Associates, said the Heuscher's are asking for a density that is
well below the density defined in the urban growth policy. Mathiasen said the area is "not rural any
more" and it's an area where "we should expect and encourage growth".
Greg Foley, 203 Foxhill Drive, said other subdivisions only have one entrance and exit, such as
Stillwater Estates, and traffic flows smoothly.
Larry Heuscher, 545 Country Way South, said he understands the concerns, but the bottom line is
"we didn't take our development to Kalispell, Kalispell came to us". He said this development
follows the master plan and even though he doesn't want to cause problems, he doesn't want the
access issue to be the "final straw" on whether this proposal is approved or denied.
E. REPORTS/RECO.MMENDATIONS AND SUBSE DENT COUNCIL ACTION
Ell. RESOLUTION 4935 — NATIONAL LEGAUE OF CITIES' AMERICA DOWNTOWN
PROGRAM
This resolution authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract with the National League of Cities and
HyettPalma.
Larson moved Resolution 4935, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter the City of
Kalispell into a contract with the National League of Cities and HyettPalma for the
preparation of a Downtown Action Agenda. The motion was seconded.
Moyer explained as a member of the National League of Cities, Kalispell is eligible to obtain the
services of HyettPalma for the preparation of the action agenda which would use a variety of
research techniques, including community meetings, issue sessions, surveys and solid economic
research. She said the information provided will directly impact the mission and goals of the
Community Development Department. Moyer stated the $40,000 fee would be shared by the City
and the BID with the City's share coming out of the Community Development Revolving Fund.
l laffetinan commented when $25,000 was included in the Community Development's budget for
downtown improvement, he felt it would "be part of a welfare program for the Business
Improvement District". He said you can call it anything you want, it's all taxpayer's money. He
commented if the downtown is going to succeed, the business owners have to do it on their own.
Olson asked Moyer "whose money is it"?
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 3
Moyer said these are funds that have come into the City over the years through the millions of
dollars that past Councils' "sagely allowed the Community Development Department to compete for
to make investments with". She said she calls it program income from repayments of loans and
3 l7_ 37 7 7 a7.
interest 1ro-mc._ loathat lif .ris at are continually recyclecl into e community.
Olson stated the City has to go to other cities to find out "how these things work" and if the money
isn't coming out of the taxpayer's pocket, per se, then he's in favor of it.
Atkinson commented the Downtown Tax Increment District was a major influence in the "good
development" downtown and the second chapter is the BID. He said the $20,000 will be used to
help the core of downtown and more value will come from this than making loans.
Larson also supported the agreement, stating HyattPalma is a well known consulting firm and the
cities they have worked with are thriving. He said it's a good investment in the downtown and he
likes that the community is involved.
Peters said he agrees with Hafferman that the City shouldn't be spending general fund tax revenue
on the BID, however, this is a good way to partnership with the BID using revolving loan funds and
the information gained will give the City an eventual return on its investment.
Hafferman rebutted that State law requires that all expenses of the district will be borne by the
people within the district. He said you can continue to call it whatever you want, but it's still
taxpayer monies.
Mayor Kennedy stated, like Larson, she has had an opportunity to see many of HyattPalma's
presentations and has "been thoroughly impressed" by the number of communities across the United
States that are satisfied with their performance. She said she knows the community will be heavily
i 1 ,3.' and
_.7_ _l_ _ 9 _7_ 'the
involved In tills project alto suc s excited ar�out the prospect.
Herron announced he will abstain from voting because he has a downtown business and leases space
from Ken Yachechak.
The motion carried upon roll call vote with Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, Olson, Peters
and Mayor Kennedy voting in favor, Hafferman voting against, and Herron abstaining.
EI2. RESOLUTION 4931— MMIA HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
Cities belonging to the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority are proposing a statewide health
insurance pool and Resolution 4931 authorizes Kalispell to participate in that pool.
Larson moved Resolution 4931, a resolution authorizing participation in the Montana
Municipal Insurance Authority Employee Benefits Program and authorizing the execution of
the Memorandum of Intent to participate in such program and such other documents as may
be necessary to effectuate participation in such employee benefits program. The motion was
seconded.
Garner explained the City's current insurance is based on a Hilly -insured model, while the new pool
creates a self -insured group. He said the program requires the City to enter into the State pool for
five years with a 2.7% reduction in the member rate.
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 4
Larson, MMIA Insurance Committee member, described the history of the City's insurance and
stated the large pool has allowed the insurance committee to negotiate the administrative costs and
the stop loss coverage. He recommended the Council approve entering the pool with the hope that
premiums can be reduced even Curtner in the future.
Peters stated he's concerned that the City was self -insured, got burned, and now is ready to go into a
self -insured program again.
Kenyon said insurance is a gamble, noting that what the City had wasn't working and this
opportunity is as good as any,
Olson commented everyone has concerns, but it looks like entering this pool is the smartest thing to
do.
The motion carried upon vote with Atkinson, Gabriel, Haffernnan, Kenyon, Larson, Olson and
Mayor Kennedy voting in favor, and Herron and Peters voting against.
Eli. RESOLUTION 4932 —ANNEXATION REQUEST — LARRY & SANDY HEUSCHER
STILLWATER BLUFFS SUBDIVISION
The Heuscher's are requesting annexation of approximately twelve and a half acres located on the
west side of Country Way South, between Country Way and Granrud Drive.
Peters moved Resolution 4932, a resolution to provide for the alteration of the boundaries of
the City of Kalispell by including therein as an annexation certain real property, as more
particularly described on Exhibit "A", located in Section 31, Township 29 North, Range 21
West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana, to be known. as Heuscher Addition No. 352; to zone
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date. The motion was seconded.
Wilson gave a staff report on the annexation, zoning and preliminary plat requests for Stillwater
Bluffs Subdivision, explaining Whitefish Stage and Country Way South lie to the east, Granrud Lane
to the south, and the Stillwater River on the west. She described the property as a suburban -urban
interface area and this proposal is a "fairly consistent density of a land use pattern when water and
sewer become available to the area". Wilson said everyone is feeling the "incredible growth
pressure", but by concentrating the population close to services it actually preserves open space in
other areas of the county. She said there are actually three exits available to this subdivision; one
from Country Way to Whitefish Stage, the second is from the north on the internal road to West
Reserve Drive, and the third would be onto West Reserve a little further to the west. Wilson
commented this ')2-lot subdivision will have;, overall, insignificant impacts to the roadways in the
immediate area.
Wilson answered questions concerning the upgrade and ownership of Country Way South.
Olson asked if it would be possible to buy this private road and have it upgraded to City standards.
Wilson said that would take negotiations with three property owners, but she cautioned that requiring
the developer to buy the road from the adjoining landowners would essentially kill the project
because they could hold him hostage by charging an exorbitant price.
Kalispett City Council -Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 5
Atkinson suggested that the Council, during deliberations, consider placing a condition on the plat
requiring the developer to waive an SID when the time came to upgrade Granrud Lane.
Kennedy
_ t .t r. n t r. � t ,nt a s .♦
Mayor Kennedy noted mere are no RR-3 and R-4 zoning designations in the area. ane asked why the
applicants are asking for R-3 and R-4, instead of RA-1, which is consistent for the area.
Wilson answered the zoning request identifies the type of housing that will go into the subdivision.
She added RA- i is are apartment district that allows duplexes as a permitted use and multi -family
dwellings as a conditional use.
Peters said that recently the Council participated in a lengthy debate about the upgrade of Granrud
Lane and were told that there were two developments occurring in the future that would be
responsible for finishing that road. He said he assumed this property was one of the developments
and now he finds out this subdivision doesn't even have access to Granrud. Peters stated he feels
this would be a much better project if it had access to Granrud Lane and he has a problem with this
subdivision. having a City road within it and the only way in or out is to drive up, around and through
Country Way. He said it's a great piece of property to annex into the City but he has concerns with
bringing the development in at this time given the circumstances.
Wilson, commenting on the upgrade of Granrud Lane, said sometimes we make assumptions that
we're all talking about the same thing when we're not and staff was not alluding to this property
when referring to the upgrade being completed with future developments.
Larson suggested that the Council take up the annexation, zoning and preliminary plat requests
separately because the Council is talking about the south end of Country Way South that the
Heuscher's have no control over. He said he's not in favor of holding them hostage by requiring the
road be opened before the Council will approve the request.
Olson moved to table Resolution 4932. There was no second.
Herron agreed with Peters that the proper access to this property should be Granrud Lane, however
that can happen. He said the property owners have cooperated for years on the maintenance of
Country Way South and asked why they can't negotiate the access to Granrud.
Wilson stated it would still be a gravel road and asked if it would be the Heuscher's responsibility to
upgrade it to City standards the entire length to Granrud.
Herron responded that somewhere along the line these developers have to take responsibility for the
increased traffic. He said Granrud Lane has been discussed for months and he was under the same
belief as Peters that when the properties to the north, west and south were developed Granrud would
be upgraded.
Larson said if the property owners to the south of this project keep the road gated then they won't
have to worry about an increase in traffic. He said the Council is asking them to do something with
their private property that may not be in their best interest.
Mayor Kennedy said the Council has to look at everyone's best interest and opening Country Way
South would help alleviate some of the traffic that is a major concern to those people living along
Country Way to the north. She said requiring the dedication of that roadway is something the
Council could stipulate on the preliminary plat.
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 6
Larson said he still doesn't understand how the Council can add a requirement to a preliminary plat
that the developers have no control over.
Atkinson sara ne aoesn't teei the uouncii nas the autnority to maze the aeveroper negotiate for that
road and upgrade it to Granrud Lane, however, the Council does have the right to require that the
Heuscher's take part in its upgrade in the future by requiring a waiver to protest an SID be placed on
the plat.
Hafferman said he feels Peters had a good suggestion and agreed that Country Way South to
Granrud Lane should be upgraded, but only to the City's alternate road standards with a walkway on
just one side.
Peters moved to table Resolution 4932 to October 4th. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried upon roll call vote with Gabriel, Hafferman, Herron, .Kenyon, Olson and
Peters voting in favor, and Atkinson, Larson and Mayor Kennedy voting against.
Garner said he presumes the Council will table the next two agenda items and asked for direction on
what information members would like prior to the issue coming before the Council again.
E/4. ORDINANCE 1510 — INITIAL ZONING — LARRY & SANDY HEUSCHER —
STILLWATER BLUFFS SUBDIVISION —1ST READING
The Heuscher's are requesting an initial zoning designation of R-3, Urban Single Family Residential,
and R-4, Two Family Residential, upon annexation of approximately twelve and a half acres located
on the west side of Country Way South, between Country Way and Granrud Drive.
Peters moved first reading of Ordinance No..1.510, an ordinance to amend Section 27.02.010,
Official Zoning Map, City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinance, (Ordinance No. 1460), by zoning
certain real property described as Assessor's Tracts 5H and 5HA in Section 31, Township 29
North, Range 21 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana (previously zoned County R-1,
Suburban Residential) to City R-3 and City R-4 (Single and Two Family Residential), in
accordance with the Kalispell Growth Policy 2020, and to provide an effective date. The
motion was seconded.
Peters moved to table Ordinance 1510 to October 4th. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried upon vote with Larson voting against.
E/5. RESOLUTION 4933 —PRELIMINARY PLAT— LARRY & SANDY HEUSCHER —
STILLWATER BLUFFS SUBDIVISION
The Heuscher's are requesting preliminary plat approval of Stillwater Bluffs, a 32-lot residential
subdivision located on the west side of Country Way South, between Country Way and Granrud
Drive.
Atkinson moved Resolution 4933, a resolution conditionally approving the preliminary plat of
Stillwater Bluffs Subdivision, more particularly described as Assessor's Tracts 5H and 5HA in
Section 31, Township 29 North, Range 21 West, P.M.M., Flathead County Montana. The
motion was seconded.
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 7
Hafferman asked that this issue be placed on a work session and asked that the developer appear and
give the Council comments on how they would like to proceed and the possibility of building the
road to urban standards.
Atkinson said he assumes the options discussed this evening were already discussed with the
neighbors and the options are not available. He criticized the Council, stating these discussions have
taken place several times; with the Tri-City staff, with the Planning Board, and now at the Council
meeting. Atkinson admonished the Council that if they do want more information they need to be
very specific with staff and the developer.
Herron noted that for the past six months the Council has asked to meet with the Planning Board to
talk specifically about the road issues and he would never have dreamed this proposal would have
gone this far without Country Way South connecting to Granrud Lane.
Larson said he would like to know from the developer if there's any possibility of removing the gate
and if Country Way South is opened, who is going to be responsible for upgrading it.
Olson said he'd also like to discuss the possibility of an annexation district agreement.
Peters moved to table Resolution 4933 to October 4th. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
EIG. ORDINANCE 1511— ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT — IST READING
William Rice and Denman Construction are requesting an amendment to the Kalispell Zoning
Ordinance to add a section to allow for decks, porches, and landings less than 30 inches in height to
extend into setbacks up to 50 percent in all residential districts.
Kenyon moved first reading of Ordinance 1511, an ordinance amending the Kalispell Zoning
Ordinance, (Ordinance No. 1460), by allowing open decks less than 30 inches in height to
encroach up to 50 percent into the side and rear yard setback areas in all residential districts,
and declaring an effective date.
Wilson gave a staff report explaining the request resulted from an oversight on the part of Denman
Construction when building tri-plexes on 5th Avenue East. She said it was discovered that decks 24
inches in height were constructed in set back areas. Staff recommended the text amendment be
approved, however, the Planning Board has recommended the City Council deny the proposed
amendment citing privacy issues.
Larson, citing a unanimous recommendation from the Planning Board, spoke in opposition to the
motion.
Haffennan commented he is doesn't see much difference between a 32 inch high deck and a 28 inch
high deck, but questioned what will happen when the deck is found to be slippery and a roof is
constructed. He said he doesn't see any reason to change the zoning ordinance for one instance.
The motion failed upon roll call vote with Kenyon voting in favor, and Atkinson, Gabriel,
Hafferman, Herron, Larson, Olson, Peters and Mayor Kennedy voting against.
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 8
E/7. ORDINANCE 152 — ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT —1ST READING
The City of Kalispell is requesting an amendment to the Kalispell zoning Ordinance to amend how
lot coverage is calculated in the various zoning districts.
Larson moved first reading of Ordinance 151.2, an ordinance amending various residential
sections of the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance, (Ordinance No. 1460), by amending how lot
coverage is calculated, and declaring an effective date. The motion was seconded.
Wilson gave a staff report and answered questions.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E18. ORDINANCE 1513 — ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT —1ST READING
The Cite of Kalispell is requesting; a number of changes to the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance in several
zoning districts with regard to the creation of sublots and to provide consistency in the treatment of
residential uses in commercial zoning districts.
Atkinson .moved first reading of Ordinance 1513, an ordinance amending various sections of
the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance, (Ordinance No.1460), by clarifying the creation of sublots in
townhouse developments and providing consistency in the treatment of residential uses in
commercial zoning districts, and declaring an effective date. The motion was seconded.
Wilson gave a staff report.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/9. FINAL PLAT — BLUE HERON ESTATES — PHASE 2
This is a request for final plat approval of Blue Heron Phase 2 that plats 20 single-family residential
lots on approximately 5 acres located on the northwest corner of Stillwater Road and Three Mile
Drive.
Larson moved the Council accept the subdivision improvement agreement and approve the
final plat for Blue Heron Phase 2. The motion was seconded.
Wilson answered questions.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/10. FINAL PLAT — GLACIER VILLAGE GREENS —PHASE IHC
This is a request for final plat approval of Glacier Village Greens Phase 111C that plats four single-
family residential lots on approximately 1 acre located on the east side of East Nicklaus Avenue
south of Ritzman Lane.
Larson moved the Council approve the final plat for Glacier Village Greens Phase IIIC.
There was no discussion.
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 9
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/11. RESOLUTION 4934 -• FINAL PLAT — KALISPELL REGIONAL MEDICAL
CENTER 2
This is a request for final plat approval for Kalispell Regional Medical Center 2, a one -lot
subdivision on approximately 4 acres located at the .northern terminus of Bountiful Drive. The
purpose of the subdivision is to expand the Brendan. House.
Gabriel moved Resolution 4934, a resolution approving the final plat of Kalispell Regional
Medical Center 2, described as Assessor's Tracts 6EF and 6EG and a portion of the common
area for Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Government Lot 14, Section 6, Township 28
North, Range 21 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana. The motion was seconded.
Wilson gave a staff report.
Olson asked if there will be any additional signage associated with this project.
Wilson said there may be a request for additional signage on the building or at the entrance.
Atkinson said he's concerned about the need for a road on the east side of the hospital down to
Bountiful Drive.
Wilson noted there is an emergency access road there now.
Atkinson said he knows there's an access, but he would like to see a public road through there.
WilcrZn cn'd tht- hoonital i4 nlon nwnro (if thnt nood And wmild nrnhnhly be. willinu tri TiiP,F`t with this
Council to discuss the issue.
The motion, carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
F. MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS No Action
Mayor Kennedy announced that the meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning with the City Council,
the County Commissioners and the Evergreen Sewer and Water Board was cancelled late this
afternoon by Board President, Stan Clothier. She said it is the desire of the County Commissioners
and the City of Kalispell "to have the entire Evergreen Sewer and Water Board, together with the
City of Kalispell and the County Commissioners, to cooperatively work together to resolve the long-
standing issue of extension of sewer lines in the Evergreen area" and she hopes a meeting will be
rescheduled in the near future.
:C �C X X �.•
Mayor Kennedy invited the public to meet with the City Manager candidates Thursday, September
9th, from five to seven at the Central School Museurn. She said interviews will be held on Friday in
a closed session at the Central School Museum. Mayor Kennedy said because the interview process
is considered a personnel issue it does allow the Council to close that meeting.
Kenyon expressed his disappointment that the interviews will be closed, adding he feels they should
be held in a public forum.
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page 10
Herron agreed, stating he would like to discuss the issue further and just because it's done that way
in the past doesn't mean. the Council has to do it that way now.
Hafferrnan agreed the interviews should be open because he doesn't feel the secrecy is necessary.
Mayor Kennedy said background checks have been performed on the four candidates and she feels
this background information should only be released in a closed setting to allow for open
discussions.
Harball commented in terms of effectiveness, he feels the interviews would be more productive
closed. He said the community is well represented with six citizen members and he doesn't feel
opening the interviews is fair to the candidates.
Garner said he agrees the candidates would be more comfortable in a closed session.
Larson said he doesn't know what it would accomplish to have the interviews open because the
Council is the body that will be making the final decision.
Atkinson said he's not concerned that the public will suffer by closing the interviews, he said he's
more concerned that if they're open the interaction with the candidates will be impaired.
Olson said if there weren't any citizen members on the committee, then he might have a problem
closing the meeting, but he feels the community is well represented.
Gabriel agreed the appointment of the community members has made the selection an open process.
Mayor Kennedy noted the consensus of the Council is to leave the interviews closed.
Larson said the Montana League of Cities and Towns Legislation Committee is meeting September
21 st to discuss issues to be brought forth during the legislative session. He asked that legislative
changes be addressed at the next Council work session.
G. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
ATTEST:
Theresa White
City Clerk
Approved September 20, 2004
Kalispell City Council Minutes
September 7, 2004
Page I I
Jobs Now, I n c .
A Reuionai Economic Development Organization
490 West Reserve Drive s Suite 8 s Kalispell, NIT 599fl 1 m Ph. 406,257.7711 s 1.888.870.5440 s Fax 406.257.7 772 s vmv.flatheadpart.arg
September 3, 2004
The Honorable Pam Kennedy
Mayor, City of Kalispell
Members of the City Council
I am writing in support of the City of Kalispell committing $20,000 to the Business
Improvement District for downtown Kalispell for planning. A vital and healthy
!1nlArn+n1A1n iC n r-antral nighr-Q in ni it nhilit%r to atfrar'f anal stain amnlnvmanf nnri
business opportunities in the Flathead.
The formation of the BID and their efforts to plan for good growth and
development in downtown are essential to preserving the high quality of fife we
enjoy in the Flathead.
I believe the City of Kalispell is making a wise investment to support the efforts of
the BID. Taxpayers benefit from having a healthy and vital downtown business
district and that doesn't happen without hard work and planning. The BID
leadership is to be commended for the vision and hard work invested in keeping
Kalispell a "Top 10 western Town."
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely;
EliZabeth C. Harris
President
Jobs Now, Inc.
Petition Objecting to the Stillwater Bluffs Development
We the undersigned, home owners in the Country Village Development request a denial of
the zoning change and preliminary plat for the Stillwater Bluffs Development. This
proposed development does not match the character, density and historical make-up of the
surrounding area.
The area between Grandrud and Country Way is made up of large lot properties and zoned
County R-1. The recent annexation and zoning change for Glacier Commons was to lRAI.
This proposed development would place an island of high density within the low density
surrounding area. I acre +f- lots would be consistent with the neighborhood, and nothing
higher than RAI should even be considered.
It is poor planning to route one subdivision's traffic through the interior roads of another.
The existing roads are narrow without gutters or sidewalks. If a car is parked on the road
side, it becomes a one lane road. Children walk and ride their bike to school on these roads.
Our roads cannot handle that much traffic. During the Tri-city Planning Meeting the
developer stated that there would be 300 addition car trips a day through Country "pillage.
The traffic from this new development would have to go onto Country Way to access Reserve
or Whitefish Stage. it will be unsafe. Country Village will be heavily impacted and its
character substantially changed with the burden of potentially 300 additional vehicle trip per
day.
Our request is that if this development is accepted
roads, not onto a rural u4_rad-:na� .to G
street . and neXt tohigh density housing.
city -it -should lie.z sited onto city '.
is appropriate, as it is a paved
We are not opposed to development. Another option would be to request one acre lots
matching the neighboring development, Country Village. The car trips per day would be
minimal, acceptable to our rural country road.
We therefore find the proposed subdivision unacceptable and urge that it he redesigned to be
consistent with the surrounding neighborhood and mitigate the impact on the existing twenty
seven year old subdivision, Country Village.
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Petition ObjWing to Stillwater Bluffs Development
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Petition Objecting to Stillwater duffs Development
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Petition Objecting to Stillwater Bluffs Development
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I 91�la
Ay
t n-jt j- . 2004
my Kalispell City owned:
011
- :Pro ms
cumsent 545 South
t ." arty &fiuescher have a right to develop their property. it -cmiin
-with the larger - existing Comtry X ho% area,
-_'PF
We we oppose to the atmexation of the ropose-I StiifiwateT Terrace at 545 Con -MIT ay
&Y th into -,. .spe-11. it ViA1 create a �' t ;l " sthmmded by oountydome ovwmers, IhAwe,
of iwhom m u lwge lou and do not wise tobe mwexed mto the City, ` "pis a tar- ",
wiB. set the stage for the City t `tidy " its lwundanms in the new 55 To 1 eam�. forcing
all home own theSkill-water Stage Road-10m area
do the i -, We do of want to Ix amexed.
-11iis Prowsed subdiNision, is 18-mw gravel road, Ale live e gout on ' by
Way Stow . 1—e 'uhree middiles'' � � ,3 j[ , =o1 d tF ifilesche-C's, %> T's, and S -
1 ss. �. road m each w lane n rihi Fps. Either end t�Ck may
SOUth iS OOUUty', ate souther end t-�'ed plowed b Lhcomity to our
line. o & �� d maf' a ��� i and i�Ynnaintained by Hueselmr's,
We bought 540 C m" Way Souk in 1985, in 1 99o, wlieb Gardner,s moved M§
formeda road mamienance kwemuew- Each year we gads and oiled the meads hi 1992-
we beau discussions Affi flie Comty to close the roaiI We instaRed PRI'VATIE ROAD
sigpsateithermd. A, traffic iTiereased and our oci t .ib -ht t T maintex-mme and
anaccidents increased, wehwedmanjarut,y, Theright to close the rced ;gas thoroughly
reseam.hed, all courAyemeigency & dehvenparrieswy infonmed. WCLOSED
M2,7FRY M4AY SOUIM wit1b. agate in Sept 2000. Bicycle andfoofuseisperwitted,
Fmiarly, -VVU0R infrastracture lase -. to b resolved BEFORE the city of Kalispefl
"Ientacl " tsYith a oubdivisian mto a wwute housina area, Bc-sides. the i road
t %c flow pmblenLs nnto NAllutefish Stage Road mid Vvestlkeserw Dnve, With
pop e mega-imll aDd the B --Pass ca die fwture, fee: these e
BEFORE c� amemti 40. s, place in the this area,
Ilk g
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u.- �'�i �rhappy, ire_ tbold say . � .` x
Sincerely, EXX
HIPine F. Snyder & Bmce May. , 540Country W my o.0 ffi` im , Mt, 59901 &i-�
06-I5 - `20