02. Council Minutes - Regular Meeting - July 1, 1996A REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M. MONDAY, JULY 1, 1996, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR DOUG RAUTHE PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS
JIM ATKINSON, CLIFF COLLINS, NORBERT DONAHUE, LAUREN GRANMO, DALE
HAARR, PAM KENNEDY, DUANE LARSON, GARY NYSTUL, CITY ATTORNEY GLEN
NEIER AND INTERIM CITY MANAGER AL THELEN WERE PRESENT.
Mayor Rauthe called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Haarr moved to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried upon vote.
Approve Minutes -June 17, 1996
Collins moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried with a vote.
Approve Claims per Payables.Register
Nystul moved to approve the claims in the amount of $344,961.45.
The motion was seconded.
Upon vote the motion carried.
Acknowledge Planning Board Consideration of the Downtown Urban
Renewal Plan-TIF District
Donahue moved to acknowledge the Planning Board consideration of
the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried with a vote.
ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL
Resolution 4274-Create Airport Authority
Gib Bissell, 76 Stafford Street, Airport Advisory Board Chairman,
spoke in favor of creation of an Airport Authority with an
effective date of January 1, 1997.
Art Thompson, Lakeside, Advisory Board member, also spoke in favor
of the Airport Authority.
Central School Project
Felecia Speck, 670 3rd Avenue West North, spoke in favor of the
Central School/Museum project.
Rick Riley, 131 Park Avenue, also spoke in favor.
Tax Freedom Day and Poll
Jerry Begg, 220 Woodland, read from an article reminding everyone
of the Tax Freedom Day on May 6, 1996 and a poll taken in Montana.
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Ball f ields
Dan Johns, 216 North Riding Road, spoke in favor of the airport and
ballfield projects.
Downtown/Museum
Delores Swanberg, Historical Society President, reminded the
Council of the important decisions they will make and encouraged
them to vote in favor of items that will keep the downtown area
viable and the decisions will live long after. She also spoke in
favor of the museum.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS 0
Urban Renewal Plan -Downtown
Mae Nan Ellingson, Dorsey and Whitney, Missoula, Bond Counsel for
the City of Kalispell, gave a brief overview of the nature of tax
increment bonds and explained their role as Bond Counsel.
Proponents
Tom Barbieri, Goodale and Barbieri
Mike Abrams, 15751 Rcrckfield-, ,Boulevard, Irvine, California,
expressed interest in purchasing,-�the-old FVCC property to build a
50,000 square foot retail center;,
Donna Maddux, 201 Park Avenue, Whitefish
Mike Lund, Herberger's, 910 2nd Street West
Gordon Pirrie, Norm's News, 420 Lake Hills Lane
Bill Goodman, 1275 Lower Valley Road
Chuck Mercord, 42 Hillcrest Drive
Bob Riso, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Anna Marie Scarlett, 101 Rhodes Draw
Tom Maier, Cavanaugh's
Letters were received from:
Felecia Speck, 670 3rd Avenue West North
Mark Hogan, 641 2nd Avenue East
Rick Goacher, 46 2nd Avenue East
E.B. Gilliland, 5505 Highway 93 South, Somers
Keith Robinson. 501 West Arizona
Richard Riley, Sunnyside Drive
Bonne Germain,
Dorothy McGlenn,
Howard Jacobson, 900 West Reserve
Lois Himsl, 305 4th Avenue East
Maridona Fisher Norick,
Q]2ponents
Jim Thompson, 160 River View Road
Ken Yachechak, 85 Buffalo Hill Drive
Cliff Bennett, Lakeside
Bill Gould, 154 Sherry Lane
Ken Carey, Gateway West Mall
Greg Ellingson, 133 Cardiff
j • t
Dale Williams, Whitefish
Jerry Begg, 220 Woodland
Bill Boharski, 1433 5th Avenue West
Howard Hammer, 717 2nd Avenue West
Con Lundgren, 137 Fairway Boulevard
Fred Hammill, 505 7th Avenue West
Jack Fallon, 629 Shadow Lane
Ron Anderson, JC Penneys, clarified the
R.V. Romain, Gateway West Mall, President
Per Storli, 3420 Airport Road
Roger Somerville, 765 Angel Point Road,
Stan Pine, 28 Lakeshore Drive
Mark Guest, 411 Chestnut
store's position
of Merchants Association
Lakeside
A letter was received from Everit Sliter, 604 5th Avenue East and
Calvin Newell, 215 Garland Street.
Rauthe closed the public hearing.
192fi-97 Budget
Proponents
Done
Opponents
Jerry Begg, 220 Woodland
Rauthe closed the public hearing.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
Ordinance 1242-Creating an Urban Renewal Plan-Airport/Ballfield
Complex-2nd Reading
The Airport Advisory Committee has revised their budget which
Council received at the last work session. The sale of some of the
property at the airport and tax increment funds on development will
provide funds to implement the Airport Master Plan and relocate the
ball field currently on airport property.
Kennedy moved Ordinance 1242, an ordinance approving the Kalispell
City Airport/Athletic Complex Redevelopment Plan analysis for the
City of Kalispell, Montana as an Urban Renewal Plan; authorizing
the manager to implement the plan with the powers contained in the
urban renewal law, and declaring an effective date. The motion was
seconded.
Nystul moved to amend Exhibit A by inserting the following at the
end, "Haven Field is not to be sold until sufficient title has been
obtained for a replacement ball field site". The motion was
seconded.
There was discussion.
The amendment carried unanimously with a vote.
Nystul moved to amend Exhibit A to Ordinance 1242 by inserting
paragraph 2 as follows: "No funds will be spent for improvements or
construction of "ball field" facilities until an interlocal
agreement has been signed and approved by the appropriate parties
who will be using the facility such as: City of Kalispell, Flathead
County, FVCC, School District No. 5, and the respective sport
organizations". The motion was seconded
There was lengthy discussion.
The amendment failed with Nystul, Donahue, Granmo and Haarr voting
in favor and Kennedy, Larson, Collins;, Atkinson and Rauthe voting
against.
Nystul moved to amend Exhibit A of Ordinance 1242 by inserting the
following: "No land west of Highway 93 is to be sold until an
adequate Airport Business Plan has been approved by the City
Council which demonstrates the ability of the Kalispell City
Airport to generate sufficient revenues from all sources to
adequately fund airport operations,over the next 20 years". The
motion was seconded.s
There was more discussion.
The amendment carried with Collins, Nystul, Granmo Haarr and ,-
Donahue voting in favor and Kennedy, Larson, Atkinson and Rauthe
voting against.
The twice amended motion carried upon roll call vote with Haarr,
Kennedy, Larson, Nystul, Atkinson, Collins, Donahue and Rauthe
voting in favor and Granmo voting against.
Ordinance 1243-Creatina an Urban Renewal Plan -Downtown -1st Reading
Thelen explained that several of the members of the Council have
submitted reservations about the $12,500,000 proposed bond issue
for projects within the Downtown Urban Renewal Area. Comments have
ranged from financing none of the projects to elimination of
several and a cutback in the size of some. Specific concerns that
have been expressed include:
A. A desire to return tax values to the taxing districts by 2002
when the initial bond issue is scheduled to be retired.
B. A desire to return some of or all of the tax valuation in the
downtown increment district to the taxing district as soon as
possible.
C. A desire to reduce the size and amortization schedule of the
proposed $12,500,000 20 year issue.
Thelen felt there were five potential alternatives to react to some
of or part of these concerns, in addition to several different
degrees of each alternative. The 'alternatives are:
1. Action to eliminate the downtown tax increment district by June
30, 1997. Call the outstanding tax increment bonds in January of
1997 and close out the project, including disposition of land.
This would permit the existing taxing districts to use the tax
valuation created by the district in FY 1998, four years sooner
than originally projected. It would have the disadvantage of not
encouraging the continued progressive development in the area and`
give a negative signal to current and potential developers in the
downtown area. The opportunity to use increment funds for public
improvements,- including infrastructure, in the area would be lost.
2. Alternative two would be to proceed with using all of the
projects in the Resolution of Intent. The Kalispell Mall has been
reduced by $603,000, and the School Board is not interested in the
,$`670,000 project that they originally submitted if it delays the
returno:f the increment tax base. The project extends the tax'
Increment program in the downtown area by another 16 years, which`
is a real concern for many people. A tax return to the existing'
tax districts could be implemented in 1998.
3. Action to move ahead with the district as originally proposed
.but limit the amortization schedule to 15 years. This would allow
the City to provide maximum assistance to encourage investment in
the area and a mechanism to finance needed public infrastructure
and public improvements. It would delay the full return of taxable
evaluation to other taxing jurisdictions for an additional 11
years; however, it would increase the ultimate taxable value for
all tax districts that includes the downtown district. A
significant amount of taxable value could be returned in the year
2002 and some as early as FY 1998.
4. Eliminate the issuance of additional bonds, and use the
approximately 9.5 million dollars available between now and 2002
for projects. This would require a reduction of proposed projects
to an 8 million dollar level and the use of approximately 1.3
million to pay the interest and principal of the current issue over
its projected five year life. This approach would have either the
advantage or disadvantage of returning tax value to the taxing
districts in accordance with original plans, but no sooner. It
would require the reduction of three million dollars in project
costs plus the value of any projected land sales that might be lost
in this type of project cut. It would also save interest costs of
between $4,237,375 and $5,517,670, depending on the amount of bonds
that might otherwise be issued - less the costs of temporary
financing.
J
5. The issuance of bonds in an amount between $8,000,000 and
$9,000,000, with $8,000,000 being used for current project costs
for a 15 year period. This would have the major advantage of
permitting a return of a portion of the increment dollars to
property taxing districts in 1998. Based on projections from Kreg
Jones of D. A. Davidson, this approach would allow the City to
return $952,570 beginning in 1998 - four years prior to the current
time table. Exhibit #1, which is based on the FF 1996 tax levies,
illustrates the percentage of return to each taxing district and
the amount "each would receive based- on a one million dollar
distribution. This option would be similar to the one being used
in Great Falls and Billings. The Council°would still have to cut
approximately three million in projects. --The-bond issue would be
in the amount of $9,000,000 to cover necessary reserves and
issuance cost. One million dollars of projects would be funded
from the 1997 fiscal year budget from funds now earmarked for the
pay off of the current bond issue. Three million dollars worth of
projects would have to be cut.
Thelen felt that one, or a-combination,r.of=these alternatives could
meet a majority but certainly n6t~=a11 :the: 'concerns that were
identified above. -.
No decision should be made until after Council has the input at the
public hearing; however, due to the ultimate time table of reaching
a point where a bond closing can be met no later than September 9,
it is almost imperative that Council pass an ordinance on First
Reading on July 1, 1996 if bonds are to be reissued. On July 15,
1996, the ordinance can be amended to permit Council to dwell on
the information provided at the hearing for a couple of weeks.
Thelen suggested that Council review each project and decide to
include the project at a specific amount or eliminate them
altogether. The City Attorney will be prepared to amend and
rewrite the ordinance at the meeting so it can reflect Council's
best collective judgement on July 1 and, like any other ordinance,
it can be amended on July 15 to meet Council's collective judgement
at that time. The ordinance includes the projects and numbers
included in the Resolution of Intent. A better figure on the
Kalispell Mall, which is now $2,624,000, $603,000 less than the
figure in the original resolution and the School Board has
indicated that they do not want the $670,000 project but want to
accelerate the schedule for returning valuation to their districts
so this $1,223,000 can be the first things cut.
Kennedy moved Ordinance 1243, an ordinance relating to the
modification of the Kalispell, Montana Urban Renewal Plan (The
Urban Renewal Plan) to approve certain projects as Urban Renewal
Projects. The motion was seconded.
There was lengthy discussion.
Larson spoke in favor of the motion.
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Haarr, Granmo, and Donahue spoke against the motion.
Kennedy, Collins, Atkinson and Rauthe spoke in favor of the motion.
Larson called for the question.
With ;a roll call vote the motion carried with Kennedy, Larson,
Atkinson, Collins, and Rauthe voting in favor and Granmo, Haarr,
Nystul and Donahue voting against.
Ordinance 1244-Samaritan House -Text Amendment -Allow Shelters in
RA-1 Zone-lst Reading.
The Samaritan House has requested a text amendment to the zoning
ordinance that would allow "shelters" as a conditional permitted
use in the RA-1 zone and that parking requirements for "shelters"
be changed from one parking stall for each two beds to one stall
for each five beds.
The �Pl.anning Commission, by a vote of 5 to 0, recommends this
change and added the RA-2 and RA-3 zones to zones where a shelter
wousld� be .allowed as a permitted use in their recommendation.
Larson moved Ordinance 1244, an ordinance amending Sections
- 27.09.030, and 27.11.030 of the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance,
(Ordinance No. 1175), by allowing "shelters" as a conditionally
permitted use in a RA-1, Low Density Residential Apartment; RA-2,
High Density Residential Apartment; and RA-3, Residential
Apartment/Office Zoning Districts and additionally amending the
parking°requirements for "shelters", and declaring an effective
date. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried upon roll call vote with Granmo, Haarr, Kennedy,
Larson, Nystul, Atkinson, Collins, Donahue and Rauthe voting in
favor.
Resol_Ution 4274-Create Airport Authority
This resolution as drafted extends the time that the City Council
will exercise the powers of an Airport Authority until January 1,
1997, at which time an independent Airport Authority will be
created. The Council agrees to continue to use the Airport
Advisory Board and to review and approve the Board's business plan
so that the advisory board can implement.
Kennedy moved Resolution 4274, a resolution of the City Council to
exercise all powers granted under the "Airport Authorities Act"
(Title 67, Chapter 11, Montana Code Annotated) for the purpose of
operating, maintaining and expanding the Kalispell City Airport,
continuing the Airport Advisory Board, and adopting the Airport
Business Plan. The motion was seconded.
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With a roll call vote the motion carried with Granmo, Haarr,
Kennedy, Larson, Nystul, Atkinson, Collins, Donahue and Rauthe
voting in favor.
BUSINESS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL
Solid Waste Board Appointment
Gary Nystul's term on this board expired on June 30th, Norb Donahue
attended their special meeting on June 26th. The Council needs to
make a recommendation to the County Commission for the vacancy.
Granmo abstained from discussion and vote.
Atkinson moved Norb Donahue be appointed tothe Solid Waste Board
with a recommendation to the County Commissioners. The motion was
seconded.
The motion carried with a vote.
City Attorney Evaluation
A committee composed of Collin ,T ennedy and Haarr-was appointed by
the mayor to evaluate City .Attorney ---Neier. -Collins gave a report
and moved the committee report be >accepted and include a 2.5%
salary increase retroactive to January 1, 1996. The motion was
seconded.
There was discussion.
The motion carried unanimously with a vote.
BUSINESS FROM MANAGER
Agency on Aging-Interlocal Agreement
This proposed Interlocal Agreement between Flathead County and the
City provides that the County through its Agency on Aging will
provide limited municipal bus services within the City of Kalispell
and the City will provide an annual payment for the service as
determined each year in the annual budget. (It is currently set at
$10,000 in the preliminary 1997 budget.) The agreement is for one
year and will be automatically renewed unless one of the parties
gives written notice to discontinue 30 days before the annual
renewal date. Thelen recommended that Council approve this
Interlocal Agreement.
Atkinson abstained from discussion and vote.
Larson moved the mayor be authorized to sign the Interlocal
agreement between Agency on Aging/Flathead County and the City of
Kalispell with the amount inserted in paragraph 4 of the amount
approved by the budget. The motion was seconded.
With a vote the motion carried.
3
Ellsworth -Lawrence Park Re nest
Thomas Ellsworth on behalf of Montana for Clean Water has requested
the approval to use Lawrence Park for a benefit program on July 14,
1996 from 12:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. It is estimated that from 200-
300 people will be in attendance. He has requested a permit to
sell beer and wine at the event. The police chief has requested
that (2) officers be hired to assist with security. The Parks
Director recommends use of porta potties as the new restroom will
not be available.
Kennedy moved to deny the "request to be able to sell alcohol at
Lawrence Park and make sure the permit indicates for occupancy at
the park that the park does close at 10:00. The motion was
seconded.
There was discussion.
Kennedy and Larson spoke in favor of the motion.
The motion to_ deny carried with a vote with Nystul, Granmo and
Rauthe voting against__
Bid Awards
Curbs & Sidewalks
This bid was requested for residents and businesses wishing to take
advantage of the annual sidewalk and curbing program. Two bids
were received from Pack & Company and Sandon Construction as
follows:
Bid Ite and ram. Pack
4" Sidewalk $ 3.00 $ 3.20
611 Sidewalk $ 3.20 $ 3.20
Curb & Gutter $ 8.00 $10.,00
Straight Curb $ 8.50 $10.00
Sandon Construction submitted the lowest bid and Thelen
recommended that the bid be awarded to Sandon Construction.
Kennedy abstained from discussion and vote.
Nystul moved the 1996 annual curbing and sidewalk bid be awarded to
Sandon. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried upon vote.
Lawrence Park/North Main ISTEA Trail
Two bids were received on the Lawrence Park/North Main ISTEA Trail
project from A-1 Paving and Pack & Company as follows:
Pack & Company $51,158.70
A-1 Paving $76,560.02
90-'
Thelen recommended that the award be made to the low bidder, Pacl
& Company.
Kennedy abstained from discussion and vote.
Larson moved to award the bid for the Lawrence Park/North Mair
Trail be awarded to -Pack & Company in the amount of $51,158.70.
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried with a vote.
Authority to Bid -Windward Way. Reconstruction;
The City Staff- has .requested authority to bid the Windward Way
Street Project. It is a major improvement project included in the
1997 budget.
Kennedy moved to give authority to bid the Windward Way St
Project. The motion was seconded.
Upon vote the--moti-on carried.
Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement/Flathead County
The County has requested an agreement whereby the City would
maintain the traffic signals and flashing lights in the County and
bill the County for the actual costs.
Nystul moved to enter into an agreement with Flathead County for
the Traffic Signal Maintenance. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried with a vote.
STAFF REPORTS
Budget Work Session July 8, 1`996 6:OO p.m.
Next Work Session July 8, 1996 7:00 p.m.
Next Regular Meeting July 15, 1996---- 7:00 p.m.
City Picnic August 21, 1996 5:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 11:28 p.m.
Douglas D. Rauthe, Mayor
ATTEST:
Debbie Gifford, CMC
Clerk of Council