11-13-17 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 13, 2017
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
http://kalispell.com/mayor and city council/Streaming AV.12hp
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00 PM ON
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 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, ROD KUNTZ, AND WAYNE SAVERUD WERE PRESENT. COUNCIL
MEMBER TIM KLUESNER WAS ABSENT.
Also present: City Manager Doug Russell, Planning Director Tom Jentz, and GIS Specialist Jason
Singleton.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Specialty License Plate Discussion
Russell began a general discussion regarding the possibilities of creating a city brand and being able
to derive revenue from that branding.
Kuntz took up the discussion of a specialty license plate design for the city, stating the city does not
present a consistent image. He said the city should find a long term marketing strategy and this is an
opportunity to dovetail with everything else we are trying to accomplish.
Russell explained at his previous job in Yankton they did a Request for Submission for a centennial
license plate; he said the committee selected a design which was ultimately donated to Yankton, but
design work generally requires a financial outlay.
Russell asked council for initial direction.
There was lengthy discussion.
Russell suggested the first step could be to set up a budget and establish a community -based
committee.
Carlson commented there are lots of young artists at FVCC and the high school, and suggested
setting up a design competition to generate community support.
Mayor Johnson remarked he would rather let the community push the issue if they want to; he would
like to take council out of the issue and does not want to market "government".
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
November 13, 2017
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Guiffrida noted this is not the core role of government and the Business Improvement District (BID)
or the Chamber should take it on. He commented he would want to know what the fiscal payback
would be, and there might be a significant difference in return.
Russell suggested just focusing on a logo and overall vision for the city.
Mayor Johnson remarked a license plate is a branding deal that should be driven by private
enterprise, but the city creating a logo would be okay.
Russell suggested bringing the logo idea back in the spring with the possibility of one or two
initiatives.
2. Buil_ding\Planning\Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Presentation
Russell introduced Jason Singleton, the GIS Specialist, who gave an presentation about new things
that are happening within the Building, Planning and GIS Departments, with emphasis on drone
usage.
There was discussion and accolades were given.
MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER REPORTS
Russell remarked he will be meeting with the Chamber regarding the possibility of a partnership with
them regarding Core Area and Rail Park information sharing; informed council the new web site
design is underway and that IT will be meeting with each department this week; and noted that staff
is requesting the Downtown Plan be tabled at the November 20 meeting so an additional work
session can be held on November 27.
Mayor Johnson remarked he is looking forward to having a long conversation about the comments
received regarding the Downtown Plan.
Kuntz commented he would like an update on Old School Station.
Saverud requested a report on the 911 center outage from last week.
Public Comment
Tom Rygg commented that Mr. Singleton should develop a manual and sell it to other municipalities
because he has created new systems and processes and the city should not give that information
away. He also suggested that local newspapers be contacted to write a story regarding the publics'
interest in a city license plate.
ADJOURN
The work session was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
November 13, 2017
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Prepared by:
Judi Funk
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Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
November 13, 2017
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