04-24-17 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
APRIL 24, 2017
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,
APRIL 24, 2017, 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, Finance Director Rick
Wills, Public Works Director Susie Turner, and Budget Resource Manager Terri Loudermilk.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Impact Fee Discussion
Turner gave council information on what the impact fees for a typical residential home would be:
water - $2,567; wastewater - $5,757; stormwater - $1,121; police - $41; and fire - $483, for a total
impact fee of $9,969.
Mayor Johnson remarked his concern is bonding for the west side interceptor and asked if we can
pay for it through rates.
There was discussion regarding building in the county vs the city and the importance of keeping
infrastructure updated so that development can happen.
Mayor Johnson commented that he feels the city is reaching a tipping point and it has to work hard to
bring businesses and subdivisions back into town. He said there is lots of growth in the county, but
not so much in the city, and his concern is the fees are pushing folks out to the county because it is
cheaper.
There was further discussion.
Guiffrida remarked that impact fees are dangerous, because the payment is based on speculation. He
said the problem is they are variable and inconsistent, and he would like to see the rate be 20 years.
He requested data on rates that would meet the capital improvement plans without using impact fees
and said he does not want to bond out for improvements and then not be able to make payments.
Public Comment
Jim Cossitt, outgoing member of the Impact Fee Committee, stated he wished he heard this impact
fee discussion years ago and said the committee does not have specific direction because of
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
April 24, 2017
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economic and political factors. He commented that growth paying for growth is not working because
there is no consistent political will as a revenue source. Cossitt concluded by thanking council for the
opportunity to serve on the Impact Fee Committee.
Tom Rygg complimented council on their discussion this evening, but stated council needs to close
the thinking that growth pays for growth and to think of the issues that are involved instead.
Kevin Tikka, AMI Development, commented they have built all over the country and Kalispell's
high fees hinder growth in residential areas. He said they have had groups back out of projects
because of costs involved.
CITY MANAGER/COUNCIL/MAYOR REPORTS
Mayor Johnson stated the 911 meeting is this Wednesday at 1:15 pm and they will be looking at the
budget. He said he will present a 911 committee report at the next City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned at 8:32 pm.
Attest:
Aim e Brunckhorst, CMC PAON
City Clerk SEA
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Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
April 24, 2017
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