01/05/09 City Council MinutesA REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M,, MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY BALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA, MAYOR PAMELA B. KENNEDY PRESIDED. COUNCIL
MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, RAR,I GABRIEL, BOB HAFFERMAN, RANDY KENYON,
DUANE LARSON, HANK OLSON, AND WAYNE SAVERUD WERE PRESENT. COUNCIL
MEMBER TIM KLUESNER WAS ABSENT.
Also present: Interim City Manager Myrt Webb, City Attorney Charles I Iarba , City Clerk Theresa
White, Chief of Police Roger Nasset, Acting Fire Chief Dan Diehl, Public works Director Jinn
Hansz, Finance Director Amy Robertson, Municipal Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht, Parks and
Recreation Director Mike Baker, Economic and Community Development Director Kellie
Danielson, Human Resources Director Terry Mitton, Planning Director Toms Jentz, Airport Manager
Fred Leistiko, and Recording Secretary Judi Funk.
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 Kluesner absent.
B. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
1. Council Minutes — Reaular Meeting -- December 15 2008
2. Award Bid - Solid waste Automated Side Loader
Three bids were received for a solid waste truck from KOIS Brothers Equipment, Montana
Peterbilt, and western Peterbilt. Staff is recommending the bid be awarded to Montana
Peterbilt in the amount of $229,387.00.
3. Confirmation --- Police officer Andy Haa
Officer Haag has successfully completed his one year probationary period with the Kalispell
Police Department and Council confirmation is requested.
Saverud moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded.
Hansz gave a staff report on the side loader bids and answered questions.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Kluesner absent.
C. STUDENT ISSUES
None.
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D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Narda Wilson, Columbia Falls, stated she represents the New Vistas Assisted Living project and will
be available for questions.
Roxanne Brothers, 786 4th Avenue west North, asked the Council to stop annexing and developing
more property because employees are not going to be able to keep up.
E. PUBLIC HEARING -- SPRING CREED APARTMENTS
Council accepted comments concerning a request by Tire German and the Sparrow Group of
Missoula for a letter of support to apply for tax credit financing for 33 units located on the north side
of Appleway Drive.
Mayor Kennedy opened the public hearing.
Proponents
Tim German, on behalf of Sparrow Group, thanked the Council for the first letter of support for the
Spring Creek Apartments with the buildings for phase I already up. He said the need is still
extremely strong and asked for another letter of support for phase Z.
Lindley Dupree, Community Action Partnership (f.k.a. NW Montana Human Resources), spoke in
support of the project stating affordable housing is the most critical need for residents is this area.
O onents
None.
Mayor Kennedy closed the public hearing.
F. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL ACTION
F11. MOTION FOR. LETTER OF SUPPORT — SPRING CREED APARTMENTS
A motion approved by Council will authorize the Mayor to write a letter of support for the Sparrow
Group.
Jentz gave a staff report and answered questions.
Larson moved Council authorize the Mayor to submit a letter of support to the Sparrow
Group affirming the need for affordable housing projects in the community. The motion was
seconded.
Olson expressed concern that the apartments will be tax exempt and said the Council needs to
discuss these types of projects and payments in lieu of taxes.
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There was no further discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Kluesner absent.
F12. PRESENTATION — ANNEXATION AND ZONING -- NEW VISTAS ASSISTED3
LIVING, LLC
Planning staff presented a request for annexation and initial zoning of approximately 10 acres located
on the south side of Three Mile Drive.
Jentz gave a staff report and answered questions.
F13. RESOLUTION 5333 — ANNEXATION -- NEW VISTAS ASSISTED LIVING LLC
The property address for the annexation is 252 Three Mile Drive and is situated approximately 1200
feet west of the intersection of Three Mile Drive and forth Riding Road.
Kenyon moved Resolution 5333, a resolution to provide for the alteration of the boundaries of
the City of Kalispell by including therein as an annexation certain real property described as
Assessor's Tracts 4 and 4BB located in Section 12, Township 28 North, Range 22 west,
P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana, and more particularly described on Exhibit "A", to be
known as New Vistas Addition No, 406; to zone said property in accordance with the Kalispell
Zoning ordinance, and to declare an effective date. The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote with Kluesner absent.
F/4. ORDINANCE 1653 —INITIAL ZONING —NEW VISTAS ASSISTED LIVING LLC
New Vistas Assisted Living is requesting a zoning designation of RA- 1, Low Density Residential
Apartment, on the property listed above.
Atkinson moved first reading of ordinance 1653, an ordinance to amend Section 27.02.010,
official zoning reap, City of Kalispell zoning ordinance, (Ordinance No. 1460), by zoning
certain real property more particularly described as Assessor's Tracts 4 and 4BB located in
Section 12,'T`ownship 28 North, Range 22 west, Flathead County, Montana (previously zoned
County R-1 (Suburban Residential)) to City RA-1 (Low Density Residential Apartment) in
accordance with the Kalispell Growth Policy 2020, and to provide an effective date. The
motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote with Kluesner absent.
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F/5. RESOLUTION 5334 — CENTRAL CORE REVITALIZATION PLAN
A proposed central core revitalization plan is now complete and staff requested the Council forward
the plan to the Planning Board for comments.
Atkinson moved Resolution 5334, a resolution directing the City Department of Economic and
Community Development and the City Planning Department to prepare and assist the
Kalispell City Planning Board in the review of the Core Revitalization Development Plan of
the City and provide a report with recommendations to the Kalispell City Council. The motion
was seconded.
Danielson gave a staff report and answered questions.
Hafferman commented there are a number of good elements in the document that the Economic and
Community Development Department can and should accomplish using existing programs, however,
he feels the document should be shelved. He said the document is a threat to our non -affluent
citizens of Kalispell and tax increment revenues are listed as a way to pay bonds issued to pay the
costs of improvements. Hafferman stated bonding in this time of economic turmoil is foolhardy.
Atkinson disagreed, stating this plan will help the City grow. He said tax increment and community
block grant funds are about the only way communities are able to "pull themselves up by their boot
straps." He said if this program assists people to get into safer housing then it is worthwhile and
Hafferman is overlooking the history of the community development department and what it has
done for the west side of Kalispell.
Mayor Kennedy emphasized the Council is simply being asked to forward the document to the
Planning Board for review and comments. She said in her opinion this is a good document and
clearly lays out for us the programs that are available and how they can be utilized within this
revitalization area.
Saverud also spoke in support of the resolution noting this plan is very forward looking and we will
be better off if even only a tenth of the projects are accomplished.
Larson remarked he supports the document, but he also has some of the same concerns as
Hafferman. He said this vicinity was looked at before as a possible tax increment district with the
main emphasis being that this is a blighted area. Larson said he doesn't feel it is any more blighted
than other areas in town and when you are talking about people's neighborhoods you have to be
careful.
The motion carried upon roll call vote with Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, bison,
Saverud and Mayor Kennedy voting in favor, Hafferman voting against, and Kluesner absent.
G. MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR'S REPORTS
(No Action)
Olson asked that a work session be scheduled regarding payments in lieu of taxes.
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Hafferman complimented the City snow removal crews. Webb noted the street, parks, fire and police
departments are working together to remove the snow.
The following department supervisors gave reports: Finance: Amy Robertson, Human Resources:
Terry Mitton, Municipal Court: Judge Heidi Ulbricht.
H. ADJoURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
ATTEST:
C
Theresa White
City Clerk
Approved January 20, 2009
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