03-23-15 Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
MARCH 23, 2015
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
http://kalispell.com/mayor and city council/meetings.php
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00 P.M.,
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR MARK JOHNSON PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS
JIM ATKINSON, SANDY CARLSON, CHAD GRAHAM, PHIL GUIFFRIDA, TIM
KLUESNER, ROD KUNTZ, AND WAYNE SAVERUD WERE PRESENT. COUNCIL
MEMBER KARI GABRIEL WAS ABSENT.
Also present: City Manager Doug Russell, City Attorney Charles Harball, Planning Director Tom
Jentz, Senior Planner Jarod Nygren, Captain of Administration Wade Rademacher, and Community
Development Manager Katherine Thompson.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Flathead Parking District
Russell gave a brief history of the parking district discussions and asked for direction from council.
Guiffrida asked Harball to explain the Montana Supreme Court's ruling on Missoula's parking
districts.
Jentz explained why the parking district only covers five blocks at this point.
Mayor Johnson asked what would happen if School District 5 did not provide the parking they
promised. Jentz replied that if they do not provide parking, the parking district would need to grow to
approximately 10 blocks.
Jentz answered further questions.
There was discussion regarding signage and estimated maintenance costs.
Kuntz commented that streets should be included before avenues and asked staff to check with other
jurisdictions to see how they handle enforcement.
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
March 23, 2015
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Public Comment
Karlene Osorio-Kohr, resident of the area and a member of two parking committees, requested that
council take the time to review all parts of the plan and commented that residents should not be
penalized because the school district can't control its parking problem.
Donna Smith, 839 3rd Avenue West, member of a parking district committee, said the district is the
only way to force the school district to solve the parking problem and that streets should be part of
the district. She suggested ways the school district could cut down on students who drive.
George Giavasis, 545 3rd Avenue West, commented that emergency services are also affected by the
parking issue and that he would be paying an extra tax because he does not need to park on the street.
Mayre Flowers, Citizens for a Better Flathead, said she was contacted by residents who believe their
proposals were not adequately considered, but she could not locate the original parking plan for
research purposes. She questioned the burden being placed on the residents and not the high school.
Dan Zorn, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, defended the process and said the school district is
being portrayed inaccurately and unfairly; they have done everything the planning commission has
asked them to do and this is a good working proposal.
Zorn answered questions from council.
Elma Giavasis, 545 3rd Avenue West, thanked council for listening to the residents and noted that
the school district has done a lot, but more pressure needs to be applied to solve the problem.
Devin Kuntz, 725 2nd Avenue West, remarked that it would be a disservice to the neighborhood to
not create the parking district and asked council to consider the costs to the residents and not to
"double -tax" them. He said both parties need to be at the table working together.
Iris McCauley, 808 2nd Avenue West, commented that to force a senior citizen or handicapped
person to walk around the block to go home does not make sense.
Councilor Rod Kuntz, 611 3rd Avenue West, speaking as a resident, said it is not a matter of parking
spots, but rather the availability of parking and the disruption of services. He said the crux of the
matter is that it goes to livability of the neighborhood.
There was discussion.
Mayor Johnson remarked he does not see enough of a compromise yet; the school is a part of the
neighborhood as well. He suggested the city look at some other alternatives.
Kluesner commented he would like to educate himself on the issue further.
Russell suggested the next step should be that background data be provided to council and the issue
be revisited after everyone has a chance to study it.
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March 23, 2015
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Atkinson suggested moving forward to create the district and see what happens after determining
costs.
It was determined that further work sessions will be held after background data is received.
2. Washington, D.C. Talking Points
Russell explained that he, Thompson, and six members of council will be going to Washington, D.C.
tomorrow regarding the TIGER grant application for the rail park.
Thompson distributed suggested talking points for the meetings that are scheduled at various
agencies.
Public Comment
None.
MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER REPORTS
None.
ADJOURN
The work session was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Attest:
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
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Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
March 23, 2015
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