05/07/12 City Council MinutesA REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M., MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR TAMMI FISHER PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS
JIM ATKINSON, KARI GABRIEL, PHIL GUIFFRIDA, BOB HAFFERMAN, RANDY
KENYON, TIM KLUESNER, WAYNE SAVERUD, AND JEFF ZAUNER WERE PRESENT.
Also present: Interim City Manager Charles Harball, Deputy City Clerk Judi Funk, Police ChiefRoger
Nasset, Finance Director Amy Robertson, Acting Public Works Director Susie Turner, Planning
Director Tom Jentz, Airport Manager Fred Leistiko, Municipal Judge Heidi Ulbricht, and Information
Technology Director Erika Billiet.
Mayor Fisher called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A. AGENDA APPROVAL
Saverud moved to remove Item E/1, Resolution 5552 - Farnham Annexation Request, and Item
E/2, Ordinance 1713 - Farnham Zoning Request, from the Agenda pending a work session.
The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
Saverud moved to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
B. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
Council Minutes — Regular Meeting=April 16, 2012
2. Bid Award — Municipal Courtroom Audio/Video System
Two bids were received for a Courtroom Audio/Video system capable of displaying
Audio/Video content. Staff recommended the contract be awarded to TRC Solutions in the
amount of $58,318.97.
Bid Award — Armory Well Generator Replacement
Three bids were received for this project from American Electric, Nelson Electric, and
Northwest Power Systems. Staff recommended the contract be awarded to Northwest Power
Systems in the amount of $64,900.00.
4. Proclamation — Senior Corns Week
Kenyon moved to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded.
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There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Vaughn Penrod, Penco Power Products, expressed his frustration with doing day-to-day business in
Kalispell and requested that the sign ordinance be amended to allow temporary signs on a permanent
basis.
D. PUBLIC HEARING — KALISPELL CITY AIRPORT
Comments were requested concerning the future of the Kalispell City Airport and the Master Plan
Update recently completed by Stelling Engineers.
Mayor Fisher opened the public hearing.
Proponents
Zack Anderson, Anderson Masonry, stated he owns a hangar and pays a lot of taxes and suggested
the airport be used for commerce.
Tom Bass, 145 Cavu Avenue, spoke about the economic impact of construction, stating the airport
expansion would provide 60 man-years of labor.
Lanny Diest, 211 West Valley Drive, said he is in favor of expanding the airport to make it safer.
Paul McElroy, Whitefish, stated he is a pilot who owns a hangar at the airport and he supports the
airport expansion.
Tip Clark, Lakeside, said he owns commercial property on Main Street in Kalispell and asked council
to press forward on the expansion.
Joe Unterreiner, Chamber of Commerce President, remarked the board of directors is in support of
the expansion.
Greg Goode, 1639 Highway 2 West, commented this airport would generate money and jobs if set up
properly.
Bob Frasier, Somers, requested council proceed with the expansion instead of closing or moving the
airport.
Gene Thomas, 733 3rd Avenue East, remarked the airport should be tweaked a bit and made safer,
adding it should be expanded for future pilots.
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Bill Goodman, 50 2nd Street East, # 105, said he is in support of things that are good for business and
he views this expansion as stimulus money which the city needs.
David Schmeeckle, 1101 Whitefish Stage Road, commented this airport is unique because of its
location; it has been at the same point for 10 years and it needs to be expanded.
Gib Bissell, 76 Stafford Street, Aero Inn, said the word "expansion" has triggered images of jets
landing and that will not happen; they are just trying to improve it for the existing fleet.
Vaughn Penrod, Penco Power Products, commented that doing nothing with the airport will impact
businesses in South Kalispell.
Debbie Alke, Administrator, MT Department of Transportation Adminstrator, remarked that general
aviation airports are important to Montana's economy and Kalispell's is one ofthe busiest in the state.
She emphasized that accepting the FAA's Grant Assurances does not mean a local loss of control.
Chuck Jerecki, Polson, read a letter in support of expanding the airport, stressing the training and
oversight that pilots receive.
Wade Cebulski, MDT Aeronautics Division Airport Inspector, said he owns a private aircraft and
looks for exactly what Kalispell's airport has; convenience and easy accessibility. He said this is an
opportunity to take care of the airport.
Scott Richardson, 1507 1st Avenue West, read a letter in support of upgrading the airport, stating
this will be a very beneficial project for the city.
Christian Vondelius, 1436 Highway 2 West, remarked he has been a pilot for 35 years and this airport
is a landmark. He said the upgrade will maintain the status quo and jets will not be landing there.
Tom Kerne, 395 Manning Road, suggested council look at what has the most value for the
community and said the most economical thing to do is expand the airport.
Alan Chrisman, 193 Arbour Drive East, stated the expansion is complementary to GPI and is of great
economic benefit to the city.
Tom Heinecke, 285 Sulky Lane, said we should not give up something that makes us different and it
should be updated.
Dick Brady, 1983 Bluestone Drive, commented he is a pilot and makes his living at the airport,
adding everyone benefits from the open space at the airport in some way.
John Krause, 1 st Street East, remarked we should be prepared for whatever happens and rebuild the
airport as best we can so that it lasts another 83 years.
Dick Rapacilo, 110 Garden Drive, pilot and skydiver, said his staging and demonstration jumps would
not be possible without the Kalispell City Airport.
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Bruce Tulloch, 9 Wyndover Hill Drive, remarked the airport needs to be expanded for safety reasons
and the money is coming from pilots, not taxpayers.
Janelle Gentry, 948 7th Avenue East, commented the airport is adequate but it needs the upgrade to
be safer.
Kirtlye Lohof, 540 5th Street West, said she took her first solo airplane flight tonight from this airport
and she was excited to have this opportunity to experience a new challenge in her adult life. She said
she hears more barking dogs and Harleys than she does airplanes.
Chuck Manning, Lakeside, submitted a letter in support of the recommended upgrade, stating it will
be a long-term solution with positive economic benefits.
Terry Anderson, 123 Fairway Boulevard, remarked that everything in town except the airport has
been updated in the past 85 years and it needs improving.
Richard Griffin, 312 Northridge Drive, said this is an opportunity to bring in jobs and enhance the
economy, adding the Civil Air Patrol activities based at the airport are very important, particularly for
kids who want to learn to fly.
Steve Geddes, 1144 4th Avenue West, commented he is a taxpayer and is in favor of expansion
because the good outweighs the bad.
Gilbert Snyder, Helena Flats, stated access to Kalispell City Airport is very important because of its
access to the city itself, pilots spend their money in the city.
John Paul Noice, 345 Sky Ranch Lane, said he moved from First Avenue East due to road noise, not
aviation noise. He added the airplane accidents, while tragic, get blown out of proportion because
they are so unique.
Morrie Mourne, Ronan, praised the Red Eagle flight school and noted jets will not be landing on this
runway because it will still be too short.
Peter Gross, Kalispell Air Repair, commented his shop in Missoula employs 33 people but only one is
employed in Kalispell because right now his company cannot grow at this airport. He said this is a
huge opportunity to provide jobs for Kalispell.
Mike Hines, Polson, emphasized this airport is a jewel and expansion will not mean that large jets will
be landing here.
Bruce Guthrie, 539 Crestview Road, said the expansion could be long term pro -growth for Kalispell.
Josh Louden, 734 Conrad Drive, commented that he is not worried about safety and that the airport is
vital to the agricultural community; its loss would be a shame and he would like to see it upgraded for
the future.
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Junior Scolars, 1150 Clear Springs Trail, said there have only been five plane accidents "outside the
fence" and there is a greater chance of getting hurt in a car accident than in a plane crash.
Jim Pierce, 310 Parkwood Lane, Red Eagle Aviation, asked the council to approve the expansion
because his businesses cannot be moved to GPI and he has a payroll of $350,000.
Jordan White, 830 LaBrandt Road, said he made a choice to become an aviator thanks to the city
airport and he wants to see the next generation share the same passion for airplanes that he has.
Fred Weber, 1286 Burns Way, remarked the airport footprint needs to be expanded to B-II so the
FAA will approve it.
Opponents
Fred Hammel, 505 7th Avenue West, remarked only city taxpayers should be allowed to talk at this
meeting and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will no longer give the city any grant money if
the airport is expanded.
Sally Meduna, 119 Pine Shelter, questioned why jets would be considered to land at this airport with
GPI so close and if we take federal money this is what we would get.
Russ Meduna, 119 Pine Shelter, asked what would happen if the expansion went 10% over budget
and commented the city is going out of its way to steal business from GPI.
Gerald Miller, Lakeside, stated if the council accepts money from the government the Feds will own it
and can close it any time. He commented that "general aviation has no friends."
Glen Cox, 805 Clark Drive, said he is a pilot but it is hard to swallow the expansion plan.
Bert Lenon, 630 West Arizona Street #1, commented there is no need to expand the airport because
things have changed and plane ownership has gone down. He said he's tired of seeing money wasted.
John DeNeeve, 670 Concord Lane, said having an airport on the west side is a safety issue and he is
concerned that the funding is going to a small group of people instead of making it safe for everyone.
He suggested shutting the airport down and using the land for "all of us".
Chris Devorn, 630 10 Street West, asked the council to approve the "do nothing" option with the
airport and not jeopardize the safety of the neighborhood.
Lex Blood, 844 3rd Avenue East, also asked the council to leave the airport as is and say "no" to
expansion, citing higher volumes of traffic, larger aircraft, and more noise.
Carl Feig, Forest Hills Village, asked that it be put to a vote because the airport has liabilities and is a
drain on the city's finances. He asked the council to "stop this madness."
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Archie Orenthen, 406 Blaine Lakeshore Drive, commercial and military pilot, remarked this is a waste
of money because we need more land for housing and we should move the airport to a less expensive
location.
Judith Pressmar, 844 3rd Avenue East, said an expansion would be fiscally irresponsible and would
bring increased air traffic, noise, and safety concerns.
Jim Lulkens, 432 4th Avenue East, asked that the airport be moved out of town because there is no
peace and quiet in his neighborhood and he questioned why people are being taught to fly over his
house.
Bill Cox, 501 4th Avenue East, urged the council not to expand the airport stating it would be a
disservice to the community at large because it is a "vanity project".
Jamie Loran, 29 8th Street East, read a letter in opposition to expanding the airport and detailing
some cost -benefit analysis regarding the expansion.
Mike Satterly, 905 4th Avenue West, stated he disagrees with the calculations and analysis of the
report and detailed his emotional response to the plane crash that happened next door to him 10 years
ago.
Romy Loran, 29 8th Street East, said she is concerned as a mother and a homeowner that some ofthe
planes fly so low that her windows shake and it wakes up her child.
Terry Hauter, 738 1st Avenue East, said she is strongly opposed to the expansion as a taxpayer.
Lynn Stanley, 838 2nd Avenue East, asked the council to focus on the core concerns of the
community and not vote in favor of this.
Paulette Lawrence, 1346 7th Avenue East, said she is not in favor of the expansion of the airport and
it needs to be moved because it is not safe or smart to be in town.
Matt Brake, 729 6th Avenue West, commented he is opposed not only because of the increased noise
and the detrimental impact on his quality of life, but also because he feels taxpayers are being asked to
subsidize a commercial and private activity at the airport.
Mark Paulson, 1045 3rd Avenue West, stated he has lived in his house for over 30 years and the air
traffic has gradually increased. He said upgrading the airport now would be a game changer for his
neighborhood.
Karlene Kohr, representing her parents at 904 4th Avenue West, remarked that expanding the airport
would be a duplication of services and a wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.
Henry Oldenburg, 1119 2nd Avenue East, spoke against the expansion and federal control, stating the
FAA does not control overfly and noise abatement. He said the city can expend some funds to
improve safety and use volunteer oversight.
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Jim Menke, Columbia Falls, stated having a flight path over a city is dangerous from a public health
aspect.
Diane Taylor, 920 3rd Avenue East, urged council to leave the airport as it is with no expansion.
Judy Rosenfeld -Cox, 501 4th Avenue East, remarked no one is worried about large jets; it is the small
noisy jets that will be landing.
Mary Munby, 21 Yellowstone Street, requested a public vote on the matter. She said we have gotten
lucky with airplane accidents and she doesn't see how an expansion will make us any luckier.
Pauline Sjordahl, 234 3rd Avenue West, questioned HUD requirements if the expansion goes through
and asked council to put the needs of the people first.
Mayor Fisher closed the public hearing.
(Letters received prior to and during the public hearing are attached hereto and made a part of the
official record)
E. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL ACTION
E/1. RESOLUTION 5552 — ANNEXATION REQUEST — JOSHUA & SHELBY
FARNHAM (Removed from Agenda)
E/2. ORDINANCE 1713 — ZONING WITH PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
OVERLAY — JOSHUA & SHELBY FARNHAM -- 1ST READING (Removed from
Agenda)
E/3. RESOLUTION 5557 — PRELIMINARY PLAT EXTENSION — STARLING
SUBDIVISION PHASE 1
This is a request for a two-year extension of the preliminary plat of Starling Subdivision Phase 1
located at the northeast corner of Section 35 at the intersection of Stillwater Road and West Reserve
Drive.
Jentz gave a report.
Public Comment
None.
Atkinson moved Resolution 5557, a resolution approving a two-year extension to the
preliminary plat of Starling Phase 1, more particularly described as Lots 1-236 in the northeast
corner of Section 35, Township 29 North, Range 22 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana.
The motion was seconded.
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Council Discussion
None.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/4. RESOLUTION 5558 — PRELIMINARY PLAT EXTENSION — MOUNTAIN VISTA
ESTATES PHASE 4
This is a request for a two-year extension of the preliminary plat of Mountain Vista Estates Phase 4
located on the north side of Three Mile Drive approximately one-half mile west of Stillwater Road.
Jentz gave a report.
Public Comment
None.
Atkinson moved Resolution 5558, a resolution approving a two-year extension to the
preliminary plat of Mountain Vista Estates Phase 4, located on the north side of Three Mile
Drive approximately one-half mile west of Stillwater Road. The motion was seconded.
Council Discussion
None.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/5. RESOLUTION 5559 — AUTHORIZING REFINANCING OF GENERAL
OBLIGATION BONDS
This resolution authorizes the inquiry and negotiation for the refinancing of existing general obligation
debt.
Robertson gave a report and staff answered questions.
Public Comment
None.
Kenyon moved Resolution 5559, a resolution relating to General Obligation Refunding Bonds,
Series 2012; authorizing the issuance and sale thereof; and delegating the award of the bonds
to certain city officials. The motion was seconded.
Council Discussion
None.
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The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/6. RESOLUTION 5560 — AUTHORIZING REFINANCING OF WATER BONDS
This resolution authorizes the inquiry and negotiation for the refinancing of existing debt on the water
utilities.
Public Comment
None.
Saverud moved Resolution 5560, a resolution relating to city Water System Revenue Bonds;
preliminarily authorizing the issuance and negotiated sale of Water System Revenue
Refunding Bonds to refund certain outstanding Water System bonds. The motion was
seconded.
Council Discussion
None.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/7. RESOLUTION 5561 — AUTHORIZING REFINANCING OF SEWER BONDS
This resolution authorizes the inquiry and negotiation for the refinancing of existing debt on the
wastewater utilities.
Public Comment
None.
Kenyon moved Resolution 5561, a resolution relating to City Sewerage System Revenue
Bonds; preliminarily authorizing the issuance and negotiated sale of Sewerage System Revenue
Improvement and Refunding Bonds to pay for certain sewer improvements and refund certain
outstanding Sewerage System Bonds. The motion was seconded.
Council Discussion
None.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/8. RESOLUTION 5562 — STOP SIGNS
Resolution 5562 authorizes the placement of two stop signs at the intersection of Windward Way and
East Meridian.
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Harball gave a report.
Public Comment
None.
Kenyon moved Resolution 5562, a resolution approving the placement of stop signs on
Windward Way at its intersection with East Meridian Road and declaring an effective date.
The motion was seconded.
Council Discussion
None.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
E/9. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Fisher recommended the following applicants be appointed to the various boards listed below:
Business Improvement District Board (Downtown) — Tim Price and Jon Fetveit
Conrad Mansion Board — Everit Sliter
Economic Development Revolving Loan Committee — Dave Hanson and Steven Moss
Impact Fee Committee — Chad Graham, Michael Johnson, Jason Mueller, Larry Sartain
Parking Advisory Board — Janet Clark and Mark Pirrie
Planning Board — Richard Griffin, Ken Hannah, Charles Pesola, Bryan Schutt
Police Commission — Barbara Truckner
Street Tree Commission — Bette Albright, Marshall Dressel
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) — Tim Larson
Urban Renewal Agency Board — Murphy McMahon
Public Comment
None.
Council Discussion
Atkinson questioned the decision not to recommend the reappointment of an acting planning board
member.
Guiffrida commented he likes the idea of new people serving on the board and he supports the
Mayor's recommendations.
Atkinson moved council accept the Mayor's recommendations for the board appointments as
stated, with the exception of the planning board. The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
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The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
Guiffrida moved council accept the Mayor's recommendation for the planning board. The
motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried upon roll call vote with Gabriel, Guiffrida, Ilafferman, Kluesner, Saverud,
Zauner, and Mayor Fisher voting in favor, and Atkinson and Kenyon voting against.
Angie Bowman and Lori Fisher were appointed to the board of directors at the April 4 TBID meeting
and council confirmation was requested.
Public Comment
None.
Gabriel moved council confirm the appointment of Angie Bowman and Lori Fisher to the
TBID Board of Directors. The motion was seconded.
Council Discussion
None.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
Guiffrida noted there are still some outstanding questions regarding the airport and he would like the
answers as soon as possible.
Gabriel announced she helped welcome the Calgary Stampede delegation that toured the bronze
casting foundry in Kalispell and noted everyone had a good time.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 p.m.
Theresa White
City Clerk
Approved May 21, 2012
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