11-14-16 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 14, 2016
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
http://kalispell.com/mayor and city council/Streaming-AV.php
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY,
NOVEMBER 14, 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 and Police Chief Roger Nasset.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Law Enforcement/COPS Grant Funding Update
Chief Nasset gave some background on the police department personnel, explaining the topic came
up at a Coffee With the Chief meeting. He said the department is looking at adding both a canine
team and an additional officer.
Nasset gave some information on "calls for service" and said they deal with Crimes Against Property
(Theft) the most and that drugs and alcohol are almost always involved. He also said that officers
deal with lots of transients, sometimes over and over, and all 911 hang-ups are investigated.
Nasset answered questions.
There was discussion.
Russell explained that one officer is completely funded by the COPS grant right now.
Council expressed support for two officers and a dog, and directed staff to start moving in that
direction.
Public Comment
Doc Harkins remarked he has worked with K9s in the past and they contribute greatly to law
enforcement success. He said all parts of the law enforcement system are bogged down and the only
thing that will help is money.
An unknown speaker commented that the hospital has the facilities that could help with mental
health, etc. and would not need to be paid.
Sylvia Owen stated she went through the Citizens' Academy and was very impressed. She said she
has created a non-profit group called Friends of Law Enforcement to show all law enforcement in the
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
November 14, 2016
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valley support and thanked council for giving the community what it needs.
Nathan Hunt, 2nd Avenue East, commented that he experienced a theft and he is open to paying
more taxes in order to increase law enforcement. He also offered any forensic talent that may be
needed.
CITY MANAGER/COUNCIL/MAYOR REPORTS
Russell reminded council there will be a Local Option Sales Tax talk on Tuesday at MWED at 9:30
am.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned at 8:36 pm.
Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Attest: Wv� lolls /j/ Deputy City Clerk
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk 1 'N
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Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
November 14, 2016
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