1. Council Minutes - Regular Meeting March 4, 2002A REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M. MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2002, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR PAMELA B. KENNEDY PRESIDED. COUNCIL
MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, DON COUNSELL, BOB HAFFERMAN, RANDY KENYON,
DUANE LARSON, FRED LEISTIKO, HANK OLSON, JAYSON PETERS AND CITY
MANAGER CHRIS KUKULSKI WERE PRESENT.
Mayor Kennedy called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Atkinson moved approval of the Agenda. The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
1. Council Minutes - Regular Meeting February 19, 2002
2. Eve Dixon gave a demonstration of a new web site specifically
designed to inform citizens about methamphetamine. For their
role in designing the web site www.stopmeth.com, Police Chief
Frank Garner presented Dixon and Chris Degenhardt, on behalf
of the Police Advisory Council, with Citizenship Awards.
3. Proclamation - International Women's Day - March 8, 2002
Leistiko moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion was
seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
STUDENT ISSUES
None
HEAR THE PUBLIC
None
RESOLUTION 4681- ANNEXATION REQUEST - LISA WURSTER
Wurster is requesting annexation of approximately one half acre
located at the east end of Washington Street on the north side.
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March 4, 2002
Page 1
Leistiko moved Resolution 4681, a resolution to provide for the
alteration of the boundaries of the City of Kalispell by including
therein as an annexation certain real property, more particularly
described in "Exhibit A^, to be known as Wurster Addition No. 311;
to zone said property in accordance with the Kalispell Zoning
Ordinance, and to declare an effective date. The motion was
seconded.
Kukulski gave a report.
Counsell stated there's no cul de sac or turn around at the end of
the street and asked if one would be required when the area's
developed.
Narda Wilson, TCPO, said there are future plans to develop the
property to the east. She said at that time, the developers will be
required to provide an adequate fire access turn around.
Peters said by annexing this property, it will make another piece
of property to the north wholly surrounded. He asked how those
property owners feel about possible annexation.
Wilson said if annexation proceedings were to take place it would
have to be initiated by the City Council and would require a
resolution of intent and notice to the property owners.
Leistiko asked if this annexation includes Washington Street.
Wilson answered it does.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
ORDINANCE 1412 - INITIAL ZONING REQUEST - LISA WURSTER - 1ST
READING
Wurster has requested that the above mentioned property be zoned
RA-1, Low Density Residential Apartment, upon annexation into the
City. The property is currently zoned County R-5, Two Family
Residential.
Larson moved first reading of Ordinance 1412, an ordinance to amend
Section 27.02.010, Official Zoning Map, City of Kalispell Zoning
Ordinance, (Ordinance No. 1175), by zoning certain real property
described as Assessor's Tracts 34 and 30XB located in Section 8,
Township 28 North, Range 21 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana
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March 4, 2002
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(previously zoned County R-5, Two Family Residential) to City RA-1
(Low Density Residential Apartment), in accordance with the City -
County Master Plan, and to provide an effective date. The motion
was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
RESOLUTION 4683 - GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - AQUATIC PARK
This resolution authorizes the issuance and sale of bonds in the
amount of $3,675,000 for the purpose of designing, constructing and
equipping an aquatic recreational facility and skate park in
Woodland Park.
Kukulski gave a report.
Atkinson moved Resolution 4683, a resolution relating to $3,675,000
General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002; authorizing the issuance and
calling for the public sale thereof. The motion was seconded.
Atkinson thanked the public for its support of recreation and the
community togetherness the new aquatic facility will provide.
Peters asked when the Council would be receiving a breakdown of
expenses for the project.
Kukulski indicated in July we should know what the bids are.
Mike Baker, Parks Director, stated the final design schematics
should be presented to the Council in the near future with the
completion of the pool slated for Spring of 2003.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
DNRC RESOURCE PLANNING GRANT FOR WWTP EXPANSION
The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has awarded
the City a $10,000 grant toward the development of a Preliminary
Engineering Report in conjunction with the Facility Plan 2000.
Kukulski stated the wastewater treatment plant is expected to reach
capacity five years prior to what was previously anticipated and
Council has directed staff to move forward with a preliminary
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March 4, 2002
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engineering report. Kukulski said this grant will help offset part
of the cost of the report, which is estimated at $95,000.
Leistiko moved Council accept the DNRC Planning Grant and authorize
the City Manager to sign the agreement. The motion was seconded.
Hafferman commented that he feels the City is putting the cart "way
ahead of the horse". He said no one knows whether the Glacier Mall,
if built, is going to annex to the City or build its own wastewater
plant and whether Evergreen is going to build its own plant.
Hafferman said before the City spends any more money on new
projects, the Council needs to make a lot of decisions concerning
the budget and how it's going to handle other spending needs such
as a new fire station and fire hydrant deficiencies. He recommended
the Council place this $95,000 expenditure on the back burner and
not sign the agreement.
Leistiko said projections have shown that the treatment plant
capacity is "way ahead of schedule" and a re -design of the plant is
eminent regardless of whether any malls are built or not.
The motion carried upon vote with Hafferman voting against.
ORDINANCE 1413 - SALARY ORDINANCE REVISION - 1ST READING
Amendments to the salary ordinance include non -union changes in
staff positions and an upgrade of non -union salary ranges.
Leistiko moved first reading of Ordinance 1413, an ordinance
amending ordinance No. 1389, fixing the limits of the salary and
compensation of the City officials, supervisors, and employees
pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 4, Part 42 M.C.A., commencing on the
dates indicated herein, and repealing all other ordinances in
conflict therewith. The motion was seconded.
Kukulski explained that the revised salary ordinance is necessary
for a couple of reasons. He said three positions were recently
reviewed under the point factoring system established for the City
in 1991 by Long Associates. He said the positions of Assistant City
Engineer, Associate Civil Engineer, and the newly created Assistant
Fire Chief/Fire Marshal were evaluated with new pay grades being
established. Kukulski said those changes need to be incorporated
along with a change in the salary ranges to keep them in line with
the Consumer Price Index for the Northwest Region of the United
States. He said since the ranges were not adjusted last year, the
proposed change this year equals 4.7 percent. He said since the
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March 4, 2002
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system hasn't been evaluated for ten years, he would like to see it
reviewed and he plans on bringing a salary study proposal before
the Council during the budget process.
Leistiko said he wants to make it clear that changing the salary
ranges does not give anyone a raise.
Peters stated he understands and agrees with the changes in pay
grade classifications, but he does have a problem with increasing
the salary ranges. He said even though it doesn't give anyone a
raise, it budgets for raises in the future. He suggested pulling
the range increases from the ordinance until a new salary review is
done.
Kukulski stated he agrees that it would be nice to wait until the
salary scale is reviewed, but in the meantime, there are a few
individuals that are at the top of their pay range and unless the
ranges are changed, won't be able to receive even a minimal pay
raise. He said he speculates that based on job applications and job
advertisements, a new study will show that Kalispell hasn't stayed
up with the market in a majority of the non -union positions, but
until a new study can be done, he feels the City should continue
using the CPI as a guideline.
Larson commented that when the study was done before, it was found
that Kalispell was way below the market and the bump upward was
dramatic. He said by changing the ranges a little each year, the
City can stay within the market average without a radical change
all at once.
Olson asked that information be gathered on pay ranges from other
cities similar in size and economy and then the Council can discuss
the need for a full reevaluation.
Larson commented that's a good idea but it's not very scientific
because every city is different.
Kukulski said even though there isn't another city just like
Kalispell in Montana, he would get statistics from several.
The motion carried upon roll call vote with Peters voting against.
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MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
Olson complimented fellow councilor Don Counsell and Public Works
Director Jim Hansz on their work on the streetscape project.
Kukulski reminded Council members about the retreat this weekend
and added that budget work sessions are being scheduled for
Thursday evenings.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
Theresa White
City Clerk
Pamela B. Kennedy
Mayor
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