06/18/07 City Council MinutesA REGULAR. MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M., MONDAY, JUNE 1$9 2007, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR. PAMELA B. KENNEDY PRESIDED, COUNCIL
MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, KARI GABRIEL, BOB HAFFERMAN, RANDY KENYON,
HAND OLSON, DUANE LARSON, AND WAYNE SAVERUD WERE PRESENT. COUNCIL
MEMBER TIM KLUESNER WAS ABSENT.
Also present: City Manager James Patrick, Adjutant City Attorney Richard Hickel, City Clerk
Theresa white, Police Chief Roger Nasset, Public works Director Jim Hansz, Administrative
Coordinator Terri Loudermilk, Fire Chief Randy Brodehl, Fire Operations Chief Dan Diehl,
Assistant Fire Chief/Prevention DC Maas, Finance Director Army Robertson, Parks Director Mike
Baker, Human Resource Director Terry Mitton, Planning Director Tom Jentz, and Recording
Secretary Judi Funk.
Mayor Kennedy called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A. AGENDA APPROVAL
Larson moved approval of the Agenda. The emotion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with K.luesner absent.
B. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
1. Council Minutes -- Regglar iVMeetin — June 4 2007
2. Award Bid — Electrical Generators and Transfer Switches
Four bids were received for sewage lift station electrical generators and associated
equipment. The two responsive bids were from Interstate Power Systems ($126,827) and
Nelson Electric ($180,230). Staff is recommending the bid be awarded to Interstate Power
Systems of Missoula.
3. ordinance 1 6 11— Flood Plain ordinance --- 2nd Readin
Ordinance 1611 adopts updates to the floodplain maps presented by Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the Montana Department of Natural Resources. ordinance 1611
passed unanimously on first reading June 4.
4. ordinance 1612 — Initial Zonin --- Ashle Park Phase 9 — 2nd Readin
City R-4, Two -Family Residential, has been proposed for this property which allows both
single-family residences and duplexes as permitted uses on approximately nine acres located
immediately south of Ashley Park Subdivision Phase 7. ordinance 1612 passed unanimously
on first reading June 4.
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June 18, 2007
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S. Ordinance 1614 -- Zonin Text Amendment — I-1 Zonin District -- 2nd Readin
This is a request by the City of Kalispell to amend the Kalispell Zoning ordinance to allow
"Technology — Research, Design, Engineering, and Telecommunication Facilities" as a
permitted use in the I-1, Light Industrial, zone. Ordinance 1614 passed unanirnously on first
reading June 4.
Larson moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded.
Hansz answered a question concerning the bid amounts.
There was no further discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote with Kluesner absent.
C. STUDENT ISSUES
None.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Timm Twardoski, Hamilton, stated he is the field representative for the AFSCME union and this is
one of the most difficult negotiations he has ever been through. He stated that morale is down, long
term employees are leaving, and members picketed this evening to raise awareness about their
wages. Twardoski explained the City gave them a complicated wage matrix that the union does not
want and they deliberately misinterpreted language concerning longevity after an initial agreement
was signed. He said the process has been so frustrating the union has filed charges for Unfair Labor
Practices and a hearing is pending. He said a 2006 Flathead County Wage Study showed the City's
wages are far below both the private and public sector in this valley. Twardoski asked the Council to
look at the longevity provisions and ask the City Manager to hold up his end of the agreement.
Mike Nicholson, 111 Ardell Drive, local union president, stated that members are frustrated and the
biggest frustration is the wage difference with private industry. He said the members did not want a
merit -based matrix because they did not understand it, and the criteria did not fit all departments.
Nicholson stated the longevity issue is frustrating and all the members want is to be compensated
fairly.
John Cureton, 49 River Road, said he has been with the City for 16 years and has helped negotiate
three previous contracts, adding he has never been so frustrated in his life than with these
negotiations. He stated the management has been very unprofessional and has been stonewalling.
Lara Risenhoover, 92 14th Avenue West, reported she is a member of the negotiating committee and
the committee wants to finish. She said the money will be well spent if it keeps employees here and
happy; they are not trying to get rich, they are just trying to get by.
Lars Hagre, County road department, commented it appears that longevity pay is the hang up and ten
cents is a small amount to pay for efficiency and safety for these people to stay around.
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E. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL ACTION
E/1. PRELIMINARY BUDGET ADOPTION AND CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Each year the Council must adopt the preliminary budget and set a public hearing. Following the
hearing the Council will review public comments, make changes, and adopt a final budget in August.
A public hearing on the budget will be scheduled for July 16.
Atkinson moved Council adopt the preliminary budget and call for a public hearing on July
169 2007. The motion was seconded.
Patrick gave a staff report.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with Kluesner absent.
E12. BOARD APPOINTMENTS --- STREET TREE COMMISSION
Three people have applied for three openings on the Street Tree Commission; David Jones, Ann
LaVoie, and Jeannie Sherlock. Because Ordinance 1610 changed the residency requirements from
City residents only, to citizens residing within the City of Kalispell Growth Policy area, all three can
now be appointed.
Mayor Kennedy recommended the Council appoint David Jones, Ann LaVoie, and Jeannie Sherlock
to the Street Tree Commission.
Olson moved Council accept the Mayor's recommendation and appoint David Jones, Ann
LaVoie, and Jeannie Sherlock to the Street Tree Commission. The motion was seconded.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote with K.luesner absent.
E13. BOARD APPOINTMENT — PARKING COMMISSION
Richard Nelson has resigned from the Parking Commission leaving a vacant seat for the rest of his
term which expires April 30, 2009.
Mayor Kennedy recommended that Joel Schoknecht be appointed to the Parking Commission for the
remainder of Nelson's term.
Saverud moved that Council accept the Mayor's recommendation and appoint Joel
Schoknecht to the Parking Commission for the remainder of Nelson's term. The motion was
seconded.
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June 18, 2007
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There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon Grote with Kluesner absent.
F. MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS No Action
Hafferman asked that the Tinseth request be discussed at the next workshop.
Olson asked that the City look into signs that are unique to advertise our museums and attractions.
Patrick said he is able to address any of the questions the Council may have concerning the union
comments made tonight, however, he does not want to negotiate the contract in a public forum.
Mayor Kennedy asked for an opinion from the Adjutant City Attorney concerning Council
communications with employees regarding negotiations.
Hickel said he doesn't see any problem with Council members discussing the situation with
employees.
Mayor Kennedy stated she is still concerned with Council members having individual conversations
about the union negotiations and how that may be construed.
Patrick reminded Council that the ribbon -cutting ceremony for the Hilton Garden Inn is next
Monday, and a MLCT District Meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday at 1:30 in the Council
Chambers.
G. ADJOURN
11IIWI-- �1/
The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
ATTEST:
Theresa White
City Clerk
Approved July 2, 2007
amela B. en dy
Mayor
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June 18, 2007
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