05-26-15 Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
MAY 26, 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, MAY 26, 2015, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR MARK JOHNSON PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS
JIM ATKINSON, SANDY CARLSON, KARI GABRIEL, CHAD GRAHAM, PHIL
GUIFFRIDA, TIM KLUESNER, ROD KUNTZ, AND WAYNE SAVERUD WERE
PRESENT.
Also present: City Manager Doug Russell, City Attorney Charles Harball, Planning Director Tom
Jentz, and Captain of Administration Wade Rademacher.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Flathead School Residential Parking District Process
Russell briefly explained the history of the Flathead Parking District discussions and noted this work
session is being held to discuss the process to move forward.
Kuntz proposed that council "start a process to work towards a conclusion". He volunteered to meet
with small groups of people, with councils' permission, in order to mediate a solution and hit the
reset button on the issue.
Harball noted council always has to be concerned with what perceptions are to others.
Kuntz gave examples of what kinds of information he will be looking for from staff.
There was discussion regarding members' recusal from voting and time constraints.
Mayor Johnson commented that not making a decision is making a decision and is just going with
the status quo.
There was further discussion about whether the plan would need to be sent back to the Planning
Board.
The consensus was to allow Kuntz and staff to attempt to make progress or reach a compromise
within the next two weeks and report back to council.
2. Parking Change Request / Parking Regulations Update
Russell briefly explained the Parking Advisory Committee's request to take over spaces in front of
Central School and turned the discussion over to Janet Clark of the Parking Advisory Committee.
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Clark detailed their request to change the 10 metered spaces in front of Central School to permit
parking only, stating the revenues from the meters are low and there is a waiting list for permit
parking there.
There was discussion and council asked questions.
Russell asked if council would like additional information and said this issue and the parking
regulations update will be placed on an upcoming agenda.
Kuntz wondered if a compromise could be reached on the number of meter spaces taken.
Public Comment
Karlene Osorio-Kohr, Main Street business owner, commented on the many changes to the original
parking district proposal, saying the process has been corrupted and council needs to do their job.
Donna Smith, 839 3rd Avenue West, stated she believes the parking district should be the original
larger size and that the school can do more to encourage students not to drive. She also offered
suggestions for parking at the school.
Mayre Flowers, Citizens for a Better Flathead, remarked that one of the most important items council
must deal with is who pays for the district and that costs need to be distributed fairly throughout the
county.
Gil Jordan, Northwest Montana Historical Society and director of Central School, commented he
was not notified about the parking district's request for their parking spaces until Capt. Rademacher
told him about it. He remarked the metered spots are all of the parking they have in front of the
museum and their senior patrons need to be able to park close by. He concluded that to simply take
their spaces without even talking to them is not right and there are a lot of alternatives to their
spaces.
Chris Hall, 115 West Evergreen Drive, asked for a summation of the parking district issue and
remarked he feels the solution is carpooling.
Laurie Happ, 187 Fairway Boulevard, President of the Northwest Montana Historical Society and
Central School Museum, said they are having their best year yet and their visitors, a lot of whom are
senior citizens, rely on that parking right by Central School.
Devin Kuntz, 725 2nd Avenue West, remarked that starting the parking district over from scratch is
not necessary, but things still need to be addressed, particularly costs. He said a decision needs to be
made quickly because long-time homeowners are leaving.
his McCauley, 808 2nd Avenue West, commented this is the high school's problem to solve, not the
residents. She asked council to remember the seniors and handicapped.
Dan Zorn, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, remarked that the school district was not involved in
the design of the original proposal and with the opening of Glacier High School the situation has
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May 26, 2015
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gotten demonstrably better.
George Giavasis, 545 3rd Avenue West, noted the proposed parking plan is just putting a band aid on
the problem and will just perpetuate it; the city needs to pressure the school to act now.
Mary Ann Mauritzen, 625 3rd Avenue West, commented that she lives close to the school and the
neighborhood is not safe because of teen drivers; she is concerned that this proposal will not affect
long-term substantial change and there are more systemic things that can be done.
Elma Giavasis, 545 3rd Avenue West, asked that Streets be included in the plan.
MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER REPORTS
Russell remarked that the budget should be available on May 27, and that the city has now joined
social media with Facebook and Twitter.
Kluesner asked what the status is of the pathway from Sunnyside Drive along the golf course;
Russell responded there is a problem with the right of way and more land will need to be purchased.
Mayor Johnson commented that after meeting with the Governor at the bypass last week, his
suggestion would be for council to send an email to our representatives in Congress regarding the
highway funding bill.
ADJOURN
The work session was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Attest:
Aimet Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
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