01-08-85 Development Comm Minutes4:00 P. M.
a -
January 8, 1985
CITY DEVELOPMENT/PARKS COMMITTEES
The combined committees met in the Conference Room at City Hall. Present were City
Development Chairman Saverud, Committee member Schindler; Parks Chairman Springer
Committee member Nystul, Councilmen Ruiz, Grainger, Palmer, Mayor McDowell, Parks
Supt. Drent, Surveyor Zavodny, CDC Gallagher, Roger Hopkins, DIL, LTS Michael Bolin,
Facilities Management Officer, Ralph DeCunzo, Director of Facilities Maintainence
and Capt. Stanley Putnam of the National Guard, also Richard Kuhl, Flathead Wilder-
ness Association.
National Guard Land Inquiry
Mr. DeCunzo stated that the National Guard is interested in developing a parcel of
land in the area. Land will be required for an operational maintenance shop and an
armory, approximately 10 acres. The present armory is located on about 3.4 acres near
the city airport. The Guard also owns a half acre storage facility near Griffin
Field. He stated that practice in the past has been that most of their facilities
were constructed on donated land. The Legislature will consider funding for the
shop this session and a proposal for the armory is planned for the future.
Possible sites were discussed, such as the areas south of town near the WWTP and
city airport and future FVCC location.
C. Ruiz pointed out that itwould be in the best interest of the City to find un-
needed city land for the Guard rather than to have property now on the tax rolls
used for the project.
C. Saverud stated that the city might be interested in the three lots which the
Guard owns near Griffin Field. The city may wish to acquire that property to be
used in conjunction with the ballfield.
Mayor McDowell will meet with the group to show the properties Wednesday morning.
Golf Course Lease Extension
C. Springer asked for opinions on the proposed development on nine new golf holes
at the golf course near Lawrence Park. He stated that the Golf Board has to know
ou feeling on that undeveloped land so that financing can be secured if the golf
course is expanded. He said that in the interest of expediency and fairness, the
Council should make a decision and proposed that the committee make recommendation
to the Council on January 21st. He favors granting the lease.
C. Nystul stated that we must clarify what parcels are covered under the lease.
C. Schindler favored developing the property as a city park to relieve some of the
burden on Woodland Park.
Mr. Kuhl expressed concern that the proposal will infringe on wildlife habitat
and will lose natural values.
C..Springer wants to have the property developed at no expense to the city to be
put.to a better use than it is now. He pointed out that the 5 year lease is re-
newable every year, and felt it should be extended.
C. Schindler stated that he did not want to extend the lease and he felt that the
proposal was favored by council members because of their membership in the Golf
Association. -
C. Ruiz stated that he is a member but feels the proposal is in the best interest
of the City. As does C. Palmer, who feels it is compatible with surrounding neigh-
borhoods, and that the enlarged golf course would be beneficial to the city. He '
warts Kalispell to continue to try to have the best of something in the valley and
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C. Ruiz said that he has been involved with the Golf Board for 15 years and in no
instance were there any conflicts with the city. He stressed that the lease is
not being given without controls on it. _
C. Saverud suggested that the Council approve an intent to lease the property
with final approval contingent upon council reviCw and acceptance of the plat
of the proposed development.
C. Springer denied Schindler's statement that he was predisposed to approve the
proposal. He stated that.he wants it clearly understood and in the minutes of
this meeting and states publicly again that the fact that he is a member of the
Golf Association as well as a member of the Council and Chairman of the Parks
Committee has nothing to..do with his interest in this particular use. Heated
conversation between the two followed.
Miscellaneous
Consensus of the committees was to proceed to put together a package for the
Post Office Department, Griffin Field will be included even though it is not
known at this time where it will be relocated.
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 P. M.
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