Kalispell mayor condemns vandalism, bigotry

The Kalispell City Council discussed homelessness, a recent spike in vandalism and other issues at a brief meeting Tuesday evening.

As previously scheduled, the council took time for a public hearing on a new stormwater ordinance at the meeting, but there were no public comments on the proposed change. The council did not vote on the ordinance.

Council member Tim Kluesner was reappointed to the Flathead County Solid Waste District Board. Kluesner has served on the board since 2016.

“It’s a really good board to serve on,” Kluesner said. “I have to say I’ve learned a ton about our landfill, our county waste disposal [and] things like that that affect all of us.” The Solid Waste Board works on issues such as refuse collection and recycling throughout Flathead County.

Mayor Mark Johnson said he “wholeheartedly” endorsed Kluesner’s reappointment. However, he added he hoped to involve new council members on this and other boards moving forward.

“I’d like to try to find ways to get the council a little more active in some of our subcommittees,” he said. “I think it’s important to get different blood on these boards as we go forward over the years.”

In his city manager report, Doug Russell reminded the council about next week’s work session to tackle the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Conrad Drive, Second Street East and Woodland Avenue. The work session will follow a public open house on the proposal, and he pointed out the location of this work session has been changed from the ImagineIF Library to the council chambers at City Hall.

He also said there would be no work session during the week of November 11 due to the holiday.

During the public comment period of the meeting, B. Bradford implored the council to address issues with homelessness and workforce shortages in Kalispell.

At the end of the meeting, Johnson issued a statement, condemning the recent vandalism of the Community Spirit Monument in Woodland Park and the distribution of anti-Semitic literature throughout the valley.

“The city of Kalispell condemns these actions and wholeheartedly supports our Jewish friends and neighbors every day and especially during the high holy holidays,” he said. “The city of Kalispell values, recognizes and includes all citizens without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, ability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.”

“We are a stronger community because of the diversity, mutual respect and the human kindness that bonds us together,” he added.

Johnson also addressed “patently false” information he had seen circulating related to the upcoming council elections. He lauded the current council members for their work to improve pedestrian and bike connections within the city limits.

For his final word on the upcoming elections, he said, “I would say a breath of fresh air may not be what’s needed, especially if that breath is mostly hot air.”

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.