05-09-16 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
MAY 9, 2016
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
http://katispell.com/mayor-and-- city council/meeting php
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY,
MAY 9, 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, City Attorney Charles Harball, Public Works Director
Susie Turner, Planning Director Tom Jentz, Senior Planner Jarod Nygren, and Planner II PJ
Sorensen.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Request for Sewer Treatment from a Property Owner Outside of the Evergreen Sewer
District located at 135 West Reserve Drive
Russell introduced the issue and then turned the discussion over to Turner, who answered questions.
The applicant, Carol Fontaine, was asked to answer questions.
Mayor Johnson remarked he would like to learn more about Evergreen's RSID (Rural Special
Improvement District).
There was discussion regarding expanding the RSID and the need to have a conversation with the
Evergreen Sewer District.
Turner said she will have additional information available in approximately one month.
Public Comment
Carol Fontaine, 135 West Reserve Drive, applicant, commented that councils' concerns make sense
to her, but she does not want to wait 15 years for service. She thanked council for their consideration.
2. Request from Flathead County for City Sponsorship of a Community Development
Block Public Facilities Grant from the Montana Department of Commerce to complete
ADA improvements at the Fairgrounds
Russell explained Flathead County's request for sponsorship.
There was discussion regarding the county using the city's grant funds eligibility when it may be
needed for city projects.
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
May 9, 2016
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Public Comment
Whitney Aschenwald, Grant Administrator for Flathead County, noted the county's current project is
building upgrades for ADA compliance for the four Senior Centers in the valley. She said their slot
will be open next year because projects just need to be "substantially complete" in order to apply for
other grants.
Mark Campbell, Fairgrounds Manager, noted the fairgrounds are important to the entire valley and
detailed the four ADA projects they would like to accomplish: an ADA accessible ramp by the
grandstand; renovation of the restrooms by the grandstands; renovation of the food court area; and
expansion of the restroom at the north end. He said they anticipate being done by the end of June.
3. Zoning for Short Term Residential Rentals (VRBO's - Vacation Rentals By Owner)
Mayor Johnson explained that this was pulled out of the zoning update as a separate issue because
council wanted more time for public comment and to talk about the issue.
Sorensen answered questions.
There was lengthy discussion.
Jentz remarked this has not been a big issue in the past; there are approximately 35 listings in the city
now and the typical scenario has a family staying in them. He said this is not a runaway problem here
and perspective is important.
There was further discussion.
Public Comment
Jeff Hutton, Kila, noted they have a VRBO in Kila and they also have had one in Kalispell since
2008. He said they have both been very successful, are rented for more than 300 days, and have been
great for their retirement.
Brad Helving stated he lives in his VRBO home and stays with relatives when necessary, and feels
short term rentals should be treated the same as long term rentals. He said this has been a positive
experience for them.
Scott Lester, 611 2nd Avenue West, said he had problems when he rented out his house as a long-
term rental initially and decided to try the VRBO option instead of selling the house. He said it has
been a win for his family and his guests and the experience of living in a community is a positive
thing for tourists.
Tom Rygg asked what the plan of action was for Tuesday's budget work session.
Council requested a further work session on the issue.
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May 9, 2016
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CITY MANAGER/COUNCIL/MAYOR REPORTS
Russell noted the budget work session will begin at 6:00 pm Tuesday in the Lower Level Conference
Room and continue on Wednesday in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Johnson reminded council that the Candidate's Forum will be held Thursday at 7:00 pm in the
Council Chambers.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned at 9:38 pm.
Prepared by:
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Judi Funk
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City Clerk 4,n�P"e `
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
May 9, 2016
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