02-08-16 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 2016
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
htt_p:Hkalispell.com/mayor and city council/meetings.php
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY,
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 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, Planning Director Tom Jentz, Senior Planner Jarod
Nygren, and Public Works Director Susie Turner.
Mayor Mark Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Majestic Valley Arena Request for County B-3 Commercial Zoning - Comment
Russell gave a brief history of the area and explained Majestic Valley just requested a commercial B-
3 zoning change from the county on 40 acres in order to market the parcel. Russell noted the
applicants recently had a meeting with him and he laid out some of their options, including an
annexation boundary line adjustment, a waiver of protest of annexation, or a growth policy
amendment.
Jentz supplied further history and information, adding that a county B-3 zone would be ill-advised at
this location and the owners are not ready for a direct annexation at this point.
Jentz and Russell answered questions.
There was discussion.
Erica Wirtala, Sands Surveying, representing the owners, said the Parkers wanted to annex in 2011
and council told them no. She said any development would be ancillary to the arena, possibly
including a hotel, restaurant, and car wash. Wirtala commented they need to have the zoning in place
before it is marketed, they would be willing to come in with a PUD, and concluded by stressing how
much money the arena brings into the community.
Jan Parker, owner of Majestic Valley Arena, commented that they held a meeting in order to
compromise and are willing to sign a document saying they will come in as a PUD and that any
subsequent owner would have to adhere to that agreement. She said they have been more than
accommodating and want to build to city standards to receive services and they need a hotel, feed
store, car wash and restaurant. Parker remarked their other option is to go through the county and
build their own sewage treatment plant, but it is in everyone's best interest to go through the city.
There was discussion regarding a growth policy amendment.
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
February 8, 2016
Page 1
Public Comment
Sharon DeMeester, 415 Chestnut Drive, noted she is concerned that a county B-3 zone is wide open
and if this were annexed it should be B-1/PUD; she wants some assurances.
Russell confirmed that consensus of council was to work with the Parkers to move in the direction of
amending the growth policy and adjusting the annexation boundary.
(There was a brief recess)
2. National Forest Service Building Offer
Russell explained the Forest Service has offered to sell approximately two acres of land back to the
city for the cost they paid ($828), but the buildings would not be included in that price. He said the
city sold the land to the Forest Service years ago and there is a reversionary clause in the contract,
noting deferred maintenance of the buildings is significant and could require a new roof, fixing water
damage, paint, etc.
There was discussion.
It was determined the first step in the process would be to get an appraisal of the property and
buildings.
Public Comment
None.
MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER REPORTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Attest:
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
February 8, 2016
Page 2