2. Eastside Park/Thompson Fieldr ll 4
City of Kalispell
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
TO: Mayor Fisher and Kalispell City Council
FROM: Doug Russell, City Manager?
DATE: November 25, 2013
SUBJECT: Discussion on Eastside Park/Thompson Field naming
At a previous meeting, council requested a work session to discuss the name of Eastside Park
which was at one time Thompson Park.
The records we have found best indicate that the park itself was informally changed to Eastside
Park as part of a community effort facilitated by the Eastside Kalispell Group to improve the
grounds and the facilities that had fallen into disrepair, (see attached letter to council from 2007.)
Both the attached letter and minutes of the meeting from July 16, 2006, indicate that the Eastside
Kalispell Group's intent was to rename the park, yet maintain the name Thompson Field. We
could find no official action changing the name from Thompson Park to Eastside Park, though a
sign has been erected with this name.
The recommended action for this work session is to discuss the topic and provide respective
direction, if necessary.
www.kalispell.com
1/07
"alispell City Council
Dear Council Members,
Members of the Eastside Kalispell Group have been pleased to provide input on the
recent improvements being made to the park in our neighborhood. While working on
this project, we became curious about how the area became known as Thompson Field
and how it came into existence. We checked the plat room at the Courthouse,
Central School museum, County Library archives, Daily Interlake records, and the
Internet. We could find no information explaining who Thompson was or how the
ball field became part of our neighborhood.
We think the baseball field was named Thompson field and the name was just carried
over to the park. once used primarily for baseball, the park that contains the
Thompson field baseball area is being improved for other activities including
tennis, basketball, playground, and general picnic use.
To acknowledge the park's broader mission and to give it a formal name, we propose
that the park be named "Eastside Park", with the baseball field retaining the name
"Thompson Field".
Sincerely,
Laurie Cummings
1002 4th Ave. E.
Kalispell, MT 59901
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M., MONDAY, JULY 16, 2007, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR PAMELA B. KENNEDY PRESIDED. COUNCIL
MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, KARI GABRIEL, BOB HAFFERMAN, RANDY KENYON,
TIM KLUESNER, HANK OLSON, DUANE LARSON, AND WAYNE SAVERUD WERE
PRESENT.
Also present: City Manager James Patrick, City Attorney Charles Harball, City Clerk Theresa White,
Public Works Director Jim Hansz, Public Works Deputy Director/ Assistant City Engineer Frank
Castles, Fire Prevention Chief DC Haas, Parks Director Mike Baker, Planning Director Tom Jentz,
and Senior Planner Sean Conrad.
Mayor Kennedy called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A. AGENDA APPROVAL
Larson moved approval of the Agenda. The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with all members present.
B. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
Council Minutes — Re lu ar Meeting— July 2, 2007
2. Ordinance 1616 — Initial Zoning — Flathead Village Greens — 2nd Readins>
Flathead Village Greens is requesting a zoning designation of City R-2, Single Family
Residential, on approximately 181 acres located along the west side of Highway 93
immediately north of the intersection of Highway 93 North and Wild Pine Drive. Ordinance
1616 passed unanimously on first reading July 2.
Saverud moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded.
There was no further discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with all members present.
C. STUDENT ISSUES
None.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Trina Ambrose, 928 5th Avenue East, speaking on behalf of the Eastside Kalispell Group and
Kalispell City Council Minutes
July 16, 2007
Page 1
Thompson Park Project, informed everyone the Thompson Park tennis courts have been resurfaced
and trees have been planted along the proposed pathway. She said members would like to rename the
Park the Eastside Park with the field to remain Thompson Field.
William Manahan, 218 West Bowman, stated he was recently hired to represent Dr. Abbott and feels
there has been some unfortunate misinformation provided to the Council. Manahan asked the
Council to table the matter until he has had adequate time to properly investigate the issue before any
"snap" decisions are made.
Doc Dahlquist, Bigfork, also asked the Council for a postponement on the Dr. Abbott issue. He said
he is a local inspector and feels every issue can be adequately addressed.
Mayre Flowers, Citizens for a Better Flathead, spoke on the City's recent annexation of Flathead
Village Greens remarking that State law requires a services agreement with the developer prior to
annexation. Flowers also commented on the Valley Ranch PUD issue the Council struggled with at
the June 4 meeting, suggesting the Council amend its regulations to allow for certain preliminary
information as a condition of a PUD with annexation with more extensive details to come later. She
said comments have been made that the main concern with Valley Ranch were road issues, however,
neighboring residents feel the main issues are density and stormwater.
E. PUBLIC HEARING — 2007/2008 FISCAL BUDGET
Mayor Kennedy opened the public hearing.
Proponents
None.
Opponents
None.
Mayor Kennedy closed the public hearing.
F. PUBLIC HEARING — GROWTH POLICY AMENDMENT — WILLOW CREEK
SUBDIVISION
Conrad gave a staff report explaining the industrial designation is no longer appropriate considering
the industrial uses on this property have been declining and properties to the south and the west are
zoned suburban residential. He said the Planning Board has unanimously recommended the Council
amend the growth policy from industrial to suburban residential. Conrad reminded the Council that
they are only considering the growth policy amendment this evening, although there are proposals
planned for this property that will be presented at a later date.
Mayor Kennedy opened the public hearing.
Kalispell City Council Minutes
July 16, 2007
Page 2