10-12-15 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 12, 2015
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
http://kalispell.com/mayor and city_ counciUmeetings.php
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00 P.M.,
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2015 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. PRESIDING CHAIR KARI GABRIEL PRESIDED. COUNCIL
MEMBERS SANDY CARLSON, CHAD GRAHAM, PHIL GUIFFRIDA, AND ROD KUNTZ
WERE PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, TIM KLUESNER, WAYNE
SAVERUD, AND MAYOR MARK JOHNSON WERE ABSENT.
Also present: City Manager Doug Russell, City Attorney Charles Harball, Planning Director Tom Jentz,
Senior Planner Jarod Nygren, Public Works Director Susie Turner and Public Works Budget Resource
Manager Terri Loudermilk.
Presiding Chair Gabriel called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Casino Zone Amendments Discussion
Nygren presented a staff report, stating the planning board considered various casino standards, including
drawing boundary lines north and south of town, increasing the minimum spacing between casinos, and
protecting entrance corridors. He said the planning board eventually recommended removing the
boundary lines, increasing the minimum spacing from 300 to 600 feet and leaving the entrance standards
intact; however, staff feels keeping the boundary lines is imperative.
Staff answered questions.
There was discussion regarding accessory casinos.
Russell asked if council wanted to discuss other options, or accept the planning board's recommendations.
Guiffrida noted his concerns, concluding the planning board did not go far enough to control the spread
of casinos.
There was discussion regarding limiting casinos to the B-5 district.
2. Water and Sewer Regulations Review
Turner presented a power point outlining the proposed updates and amendments to the water and sewer
regulations, including switching to monthly utility billing.
Guiffrida commented that going to monthly billing will he better for the citizens of Kalispell as problems
will be discovered faster.
Russell noted a Resolution of Intent to hold a public hearing on the updates will be on the next council
meeting agenda.
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
October 12, 2015
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Public Comment
Joe Apple, 203 Garland Street, stated he wished the city would outlaw casinos completely and that
casinos take advantage of the weakest in society.
Mayre Flowers, 35 4th Street West, suggested limiting casinos on arterial roads, completely vetting the B-
5 zone option so the public can learn about it, and holding multiple public hearings on the issue.
Sharon DeMeester, 415 Chestnut Drive, commented she is concerned about the potential B-5 zone option
and the city needs to take a good hard look at controlling casinos.
Jenny LaSorte, 275 Sulky Lane, remarked that she supports the 600 foot buffer, limiting casinos to the B-
5 zone, and protecting the entrance corridors. She also suggested replacing the boundary lines that were
suggested by planning staff and prohibiting accessory casinos.
Roxanna Brothers, 786 4th Avenue WN, wants to see the gambling issue go to a vote of the people to
outlaw it in the city.
Karleen Osorio-Kohr stated she is speaking as a private citizen, and commented that we can limit casinos
by using the 600 foot buffer and signage restrictions to protect our family -friendly atmosphere.
Pauline Sjordahl, 234 3rd Avenue West, stated she wants the city to raise wages, stop worrying about
pleasing businesses and provide therapy for citizens addicted to gambling.
MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER REPORTS
Guiffrida requested time be allotted to vet the casino issue before it comes back to council.
Russell replied it should come before council for action at the first meeting in November.
Gabriel said there was record attendance at the League of Cities and Towns convention, which was held
in Bozeman last week.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Attest:
Aimet Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
October 12, 2015
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