09-14-15 Work Session MinutesKALISPELL
COUNCIL WORK
• SESSION
MINUTES
t ; ! 14,2015
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
htip://kalispell.com/mMor and city council/meetings.php
r .
•LSON, KARI GABRIEL, CHAD GRAHAM, PHIL
ROD .:
PRESENT.
Also present: City Manager Doug Russell, City Attorney Charles Harball, Planning Director Tom
Jentz, and Finance Director Rick Wills.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
1. Downtown Business Improvement District Joint Meeting
Members of the BID board introduced themselves, including Chairman John Fetveit, Tim Price, John
Hinchey, Marshall Noice, and Pam Carbonari.
Various council members commented regarding the downtown area.
Kuntz asked how the city could help and what gets in the way.
Fetveit detailed some things the city can help with, including beautification and revitalization; traffic
and parking; economic development; and creating an entertainment district. (The list of discussion
items is attached hereto and made a part hereof.)
There was discussion regarding each item.
Kluesner requested that the BID publicly support the core area plan and the rail park regardless of
whether or not the city wins the TIGER grant.
Carbonari asked for continuity in design standards between the downtown and the core area.
Public Comment
Tom Rygg commented that his wife was chatting with a visitor from out of town who stated that her
opinion was neutral regarding the downtown, and that many other communities do it better.
Kalispell City Council work Session Minutes
September 14, 2015
Page I
2. Dog Licensing
There was discussion regarding whether the city should continue to issue dog licenses or turn them
over to the county.
The consensus was to let the county issue them, as long as databases are sharable between the county
and city.
The work session was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Attest:
'LlinI I
CiIrd,
Ailpee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
September 14, 2015
Page 2
What does "success" look like for Downtown Kalispell?
A thriving and attractive location for property owners, business owners, and residents.
A popular destination for visitors and a favorite for locals.
Some examples of what has the BID accomplished so far with the support of the City:
1) Flowers, planters and trees
2) Events - ThursdaylFest, Chocolate Affair, Run Through History, First Fridays, Art Walk
3) Facade improvement program, including a grant from the State
4) Wayfinding signage with a Federal grant
5) Downtown Ambassador who provides cleanup, watering and friendly information
6) Park bench restoration
7) Walking tour brochure for historical points of interest
8) Online, print, television and radio marketing campaigns
And much, much more!
A Plan for Downtown Kalispell:
We would like to see from the City a practical and effective plan for Downtown Kalispell with
adequate funding for implementation.
Ideas for discussion:
1. Beautification and revitalization:
a. Encourage development with coherent design standards that also retain historical
significance.
b. Public works impact on development downtown - how issues are mitigated
c. Ongoing maintenance of trees downtown - removal of tree grates and replacement with
water tubes (example at Imagine If Libraries)
d. Landscaping and improvements for Valley Bank Parking lot
e. Policies to discourage parking lots on Main Street
2. Traffic and Parking
a. Long- and short-term parking solutions
b. Main Street - narrower lanes to discourage truck traffic
c. Willow Glen - East side route
3. Economic development - attract and retain businesses
a. Create financial incentives to invest downtown
b. Alternative fire suppression solutions (chemicals, tanks)
4. Entertainment district
a. Incentives for restaurants, bars and other entertainment
b. A live performance venue
c. State-wide liquor law that includes additional non -transferable licenses within a BID
d. Address 300' buffer from church requirement for an establishment serving alcohol
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