City Council Agenda

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA September 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers, 201 First Avenue East See the bottom of the agenda to learn how to provide public comment and watch meetings live or later. A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. DISCUSSION 1. Ownership Request from Northwest Montana History Museum for Central School Property 2. Third Party Ambulance Billing 3. City Manager Recruitment D. PUBLIC COMMENT Persons wishing to address the council are asked to do so at this time. See the bottom of the agenda to learn the protocol for providing comment. E. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS F. ADJOURNMENT UPCOMING SCHEDULE Next Regular Meeting – September 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. – Council Chambers Next Work Session – September 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. – Council Chambers PARTICIPATION When addressing council please give your name and address, see the last page of the agenda for the proper manner of addressing the council, and limit comments to three minutes. Comments can also be emailed to publiccomment@kalispell.com. To provide public comment live, remotely, join the video conference through zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-zT9PWurQUemz9RFmGYCRQ. Raise your virtual hand to indicate you want to provide comment. Due to occasional technical difficulties, the most reliable way to participate is through in-person attendance. Electronic means are not guaranteed. Page 1 of 2  Kalispell City Council Agenda, September 8, 2025 Watch council sessions live with the agenda and supporting documents or later with documents and time stamped minutes at: https://www.kalispell.com/MeetingVideos or live or later on YouTube at: www.kalispell.com/YouTube. The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, activities, and employment practices. Auxiliary aids are available. For questions about disability accommodation please contact the City Clerk at 406-758-7756. ADMINISTRATIVE CODE Adopted July 1, 1991 Section 2-20 Manner of Addressing Council a. Each person not a Council member shall address the Council, at the time designated in the agenda or as directed by the Council, by stepping to the podium or microphone, giving that person's name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record, and unless further time is granted by the Council, shall limit the address to the Council to three minutes. b. All remarks shall be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any member of the Council or Staff. c. No person, other than the Council and the person having the floor, shall be permitted to enter into any discussion either directly or through a member of the Council, without the permission of the Presiding Officer. d. No question shall be asked of individuals except through the Presiding Officer. PRINCIPLES FOR CIVIL DIALOGUE Adopted by Resolution 5180 on February 5, 2007 ◼ We provide a safe environment where individual perspectives are respected, heard, and acknowledged. ◼ We are responsible for respectful and courteous dialogue and participation. ◼ We respect diverse opinions as a means to find solutions based on common ground. ◼ We encourage and value broad community participation. ◼ We encourage creative approaches to engage in public participation. ◼ We value informed decision-making and take personal responsibility to educate and be educated. ◼ We believe that respectful public dialogue fosters healthy community relationships, understanding and problem solving. ◼ We acknowledge, consider and respect the natural tensions created by collaboration, change, and transition. ◼ We follow the rules & guidelines established for each meeting. Page 2 of 2  201 1st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone: (406) 758-7700 REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor Johnson and City Council FROM: Jarod Nygren, Interim City Manager SUBJECT: Ownership Request from Northwest Montana History Museum for Central School Property DATE: September 8, 2025 BACKGROUND: At the July 28, 2025, work session, Council discussed a request from the Northwest Montana History Museum about their interest in acquiring ownership of the Central School Property. The Northwest Montana History Museum is owned by the City of Kalispell and is located at 124 Second Avenue East. The City has leased the property to the Museum since 1997 under the terms of the attached lease. Following the initial investment by the City of Kalispell in 1997, the lease identifies that the Museum is responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the premises. Staff provided the provision within Section 7-8-4201 (3), M.C.A., that would allow the City to transfer the property to the Museum. During discussion there were a number of questions in regards to parking, open space, reversionary clause provisions, and how a loan would impact the property in the future. Staff has researched the aforementioned discussion items and is prepared to continue the discussion with representatives of the Museum Board also in attendance for questions. At the meeting, it is recommended the Council further discuss the request and if there is interest in transferring ownership of the property to the museum. If there is interest, it is recommended the Council further discuss what the terms of that transfer would entail, such as price, timeline, etc. ATTACHMENTS: 1997 Lease Agreement Letter Requesting Ownership  OPTION TO LEASE AGREEMENT This Option to Lease Agreement, made and entered into on 1997, by and between the City of Kalispell, a municipal corporation of the State of Montana, hereinafter referred to as CITY and the Northwest Montana Historical Village and Museum, Inc., a Montana Non -Profit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of Montana, hereinafter NMHVM, WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, The CITY for and in consideration of the sum of One Dol ar and other valuable consideration 1. 00 and ovc)paid by the NMHVM, the receipt and suf iciency of which is hereby acknowledged, does grant to the NMHVM the exclusive option to lease the within described premises owned by the CITY and commonly known as the Central School,more particularly described as follows: The East one-half ( E '/ Block 44, Kalispell z), Original Townsite, together with the building located thereon,for the purpose of operating a museum, together with exclusive conces ion right and privilege to charge admission, and to sell novelties, gifts, memorabilia, food products, and refreshments, and all other activities incidental to the primary purpose of operating a museum. NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows. The option to lease granted herein is subject to the following terms and conditions: The option to lease the premises hereby granted to the NN4 IVM shall become ef ective upon the date of execution of this Agreement, and shall be subject to the following terms and a.This shall terminate one ( conditions: 1) year after execution unles sooner exercised by NMHVM in hereof; the manner hereinafter set forth; b.Any extensions hereof shall be ef ective only if made in writing by mutual agreement of the NMHVM and the CITY; The CITY must agree to invest the sum, not to exceed, Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500, 000)for the purpose of designing and reconstructing said premises for use as d.CITY will not expend funds for other a museum, and; than architectural fees, unless and until NMHVM, complies with e, and 1: lwp\ nmhvn. wpd December 19, 1997  j jq- 1() e. The NMMTM, prior to exercising this Option, can demonstrate to the CITY that it has the requisite financial capability of operating said premises as a museum for a period of two years.For purposes of this Option, NMHVM shall be considered to have met the financial viability requirements of this paragraph if the NMHVM raises, and places in escrow, the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250, 000) cash, and has said sum available and earmarked only for the purpose of maintenance and operation of the museum. 2.If the NMHVM fails to exercise the option to lease within the time prescribed, this Option shall lapse and the CITY may retain the above stated consideration of One Dollar ($1. 00).3.NMHVM may not sell, transfer, assign or otherwise part with any or all of its rights under this Option Agreement. 4. The Option herein granted shall be exercised in the fol owing manner: a. On or before the termination date above, the NMHVM shall execute the Leasc .^ hereto as Exhibit "A", igreement, attached and in the event of such exercise the payment shall be applied to the consideration due from the NMHVM under this Option Agreement, 5. It is further understo d and agreed that time is of the essence in this Option Agreement, and that the Option must be exercised on or before the termination date, and if not so exercised, all rights of the NMHVM granted by this Option shall cease, and the CITY may retain the above stated consideration of $ 1. 00 given by NMHVM for this Option. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the NMHVM and the CITY have caused this Option Agreement to be executed on the day first above written. ATTEST: i) q iwpinmhvn. wpd July c: - Council ATTEST: I: 29, 1997 CITY OF KALISPEL Debbie Gifford f Douglas). Rauthe - f Clerk of Mayor NORTHWEST MONTANA HISTORICAL VILLAGE AND MUSEUM, INC. By: Its:  STATE OF MONTANA ) ss County of Flathead ) On this me, a Notary] Public in and for the of 1997, day . L,: , before State of Montana, personal y app ared Douglas D.Rauthe and Debbie Gifford, known to me to be the Mayor and the Clerk of Council of the City of Kalispell, a municipality, that the within instrument, executed and acknowledged that such Mayor and Clerk of Council subscribed, sealed and delivered said instrument as the free and voluntary act of said municipality, for the uses and purposes therein set forth, and that he was duly authorized to execute the same on behalf of said municipality. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal the day and yeax fir1above written. Notary Public, State of Montana SEAL Kalispel , Residing at MT C— 6 My Expires:c Commis ion STATE of 1997, —before , me, a 18hr Nptary Public in and OF MONTANA) s County of Flathead ) for the State of Montana, personal y ap eared On this Z, N day wes3 _ and. known to me to be the ' c of_ and r * Northwest Montana Historical Village and Museum, that executed the within the sealed Inc., instrument, and acknowledged that such officers subscribed, and delivered said instrasument the free and voluntary act of said corporation, for the uses and purposes therein set forth, and that he was du1_ y authorized execute corporation. N, to WITNESS the same on behalf of said WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal the day and year f rst above written. s y No Public, State of Montana Resi ng at Kalispell, MT t, My ommission Expires: f:\ wp\ i vn.wpd July 29, 1997 3  iqq-4 35G 1997 I - w EXHIBIT " A" LEASE AGREEMENT This Lease made and entered into ;' - I ,1991 is by and between the CITY OF KALISPELL, a municipal corporation, hereinafter CITY, and the NORTHWEST MONTANA HISTORICAL VILLAGE AND MUSEUM, INC. a Montana Non P -rofit Corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of Montana, hereinafter NMHVM: WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, The CITY is the owner of certain real property and the improvements situated thereon located in the City of Kalispell, more commonly referred to as the Central School; and The NMHVM is an organization created by citizens for the purpose of establishing and operating a historical museum within the City limits of Kalispell; and WHEREAS, The NMHVM desires to lease from CITY the Central School premises in furtherance of its goal of establishing and operating a museum within the City of Kalispell. NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants contained herein the parties hereto agree as follows: The CITY hereby leases to the NMHVM and the NMHVM hereby leases from the CITY that certain real property situated in the City of Kalispel , Flathead County, Montana, more particularly described as follows, to wit: -East 1/2 , Block 44, Kalispell Original Townsite, excluding the parking lot on the North end of said 1/ 2 block,together with the building situated thereon,commonly known as the Central School. 2.The term of this Lease shall be for a term of forty ( 40) years commencing 2 - 1- 7 1997 , and ending 1 -- - 7 , .. C 3. -), NMI- IVM shall use the Premises only for purposes connected to and consistent with the operation of a public historical museum and related services and programs, including the exclusive concession, right and privilege to charge admission, and sell novelties, gift,memorabilia, food products and refreshments, provided however, that the NMHVM may use the Premises for any other lawful purpose with the CITY' S advanced written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. I: Iwpinmhvn. wpd December 19,  5 199121135G I ig1O 4.CITY and NMHVM acknnwledge that the premises will receive- major renovation at CITY' s expense, including structural, plumbing, heating and ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, floor and wall covering, general lighting and other renovation and improvements to bring the building on the leased premises to current Kalispell building code requirements suitable for the building' s use as a museum and such other purposes as contemplated by Paragraph 3 of this Lease. NMHVM shall be responsible at its expense for such interior improvements as display cabinets,shelving specialized lighting, and other requirements unique to museum purposes. The rent or rents to be paid to the CITY by the NMHVM are in the amounts and on the basis and terms as fol ows. a. NMHVM shall pay to the CITY as rent for the Premises the sum of ten dol ars ($ 10. 00)per year t6r each year during the term of this Lease. The rent shall be payable on or before 3Zw in eachq , year. b.The NMHVM shall be solely responsible for the costs of any and all special facilities, including City special assessments, equipment and materials, and re quired by the NMHVM, which by virtue of the services NMHVM occupancy of the premises, NMHVM deems necessary for operation and maintenance of the premises as a museum. This however, does not grant to NMHVM the right to make any structural alterations to the building or to the premises in general without the express prior written consent of the CITY, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. NMHVM shall be solely responsible for all labor and services and materials necessary for NMHVM' s use of premises, exterior building maintenance, grounds maintenance, including snow removal from sidewalks fronting l s` Street East and 2" d Avenue East, and all interior building maintenance including, but not limited to,heating systems, ductwork, electrical systems, conduit, plumbing, sewer,and HVAC. CITY shall assign to NMHVM all its rights under any warranties with respect to the renovation of the building, including any warranties covering roofing, heating systems, ductwork, electrical systems, conduit, plumbing, sewer, and HVAC. d. NMHVM keep an accurate account of all monies received through its shall operation upon the premises, and the CITY shall the right to audit such accounts and any :;, cords pertaining to the accounts in conjunction with the CITY' S normal auditing cycle, and at CITY expense. 6. Except as otherwise permitted by this Lease Agreement, the NMHVM covenants not to do or suffer any demolition, waste or damage, disfigurement or injury to the premises or the building or any part of it, or permit or suffer any overloading of its structural members or floors. I: Iwp\n hvn. wpd July 29, 1997  1997 3561 t NMHVM shall permit the authorized representatives of CITY to enter the premises or any part of it at all times during usual business hours after reasonable notice under the circumstances prevailing for the purpose of making reasonable inspections. 7. All portions of the sidewalks and passageways, and all ways of access to public utilities of the premises shall be kept ubstructed by the NMHVM and shall not be used for any purpose other than ingress and egress to and from the premises. The doors, stairways or openings into any place in the structure, including hallways, corridors and passageways shall in no way be obstructed by the NMHVM. 8.Commencing with the date of NMHV1' s oc upancy of the premises, NMHVM shall indemnify and save harmless the CITY from all losses, costs and expenses including attorneys' fees) arising out of any liability, claim of liability, for injuries to persons or property sustained or claimed to have been sustained by anyone, by reason of the use or occupancy of the premises, whether such use is authorized or not, or by any act or omission of the NMHVM or any of its officers, agents, employees, patrons, guests or invitees, and NMHVM shall pay for any damage to the property of CITY, or loss or theft of property, &ne or caused by such persons. 9. Com encing with the date of NMHVM' s occupancy of the premises, NMHVM shall provide the CITY a comprehensive liability insurance policy, including bodily injury and property damage, written by a company approved by the CITY, covering premises, operation and productions in amounts as stipulated below: For any one person:-------- 750, $ 000. 00 For any oneac ident:- - - $ 1, 500, 000.00 Property Damage:---------- 50,$ 000. 00 a. In the event the CITY is not named as an additional named insured on NMHVM insurance policies, dice policies shall contain a provision waiving all subrogation rights against the CITY.b. Certified copies of above policy or a certificate evidencing its existence or a binder shall be delivered to the CITY upon occupancy of the building by the NMHVM. In the event a binder is delivered, it shall be replaced with 30 days by a certified copy of the policy. Each copy or certificate shal contain a valid provision or endorsement that the policy may not be canceled, terminated, or modified without giving 30 days' written notice to the CITY. C.A renewal insurance policy shall be delivered to the CITY not less than 30 days prior to a policy's expiration date except for any policy expiring on or after the termination date of this LeaseAgre ment.I: lwpinmvn. wpd July 29, 1997  I0. CITY shal , at its sole expense, procure and maintain throughout the term of this lease a policy of insurance, insuring against loss to the building leased herein by fire and all other risks of direct physical loss to the building and other improvements comprising a part of the premises. The amount of insurance required shall be not less than the full replacement cost of the building, as determined at the commencement of the lease, and redetermined thereafter every three (3) years.The policy insurance shall of be written with a reputable insurance agency licensed to do business in the State of Montana. If the estimated cost of restoration of the building following an insured loss exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost, the CITY shall not be obligated to restore the building. If the estimated cost of restoration of the building following an insured loss is fifty percent (501/o)or less the CITY shall restore the building. 11.In the event any portion w'd e Central School Museum leased to the NMHVM is not vacated at the end of the term of this Lease Agreement, the CITY is authorized to remove from the premises, at the expense of the tenant, all the property of any kind which may be occupying a portion of the museum on which the terra of this Lease Agreement has expired,and the CITY shall not be liable for any damages to or loss of such property sustained either duringremoval or storage and the CITY, its agents, employees, its and officials, are released from all claims for such loss or damage. Upon termination of this Lease Agreement, the NMHVM will deliver to the CITY the premises in as good condition as they shall be found at the beginning of the term of this Lease Agreement, except for normal wear and tear.12. It is agreed that all receipts and funds received by the NMHVM in operation of the museum are the property of the NMHVM. 13. The CITY assumes no any property placed in the premises, and the CITY is responsibility for released and discharged from any and all liabilities for any loss, injury or damages to person or property that may be sustained by reason of the occupancy of the premises under this Lease Agreement; and all guards or other protective services desired are the responsibility of the NMHVM. Further, it shall be the sole responsibility of NMH' v M to procure insurance against losses to any museum contents, including but not limited to, fin- nishings and fixtures, equipment, museum display items and artifacts, and any and all other property placed in the premises by the NMHVM, its agents, employees, and representatives. 14. CITY shall have the power and authority to terminate this lease for any of the following reasons: a. Recission by mutual consent of the parties; b.For violations of any of the terms and conditions of this lease; I: lwpVunhvn. wpd July 29, 1997 7  July 29, 1997 8 C. For using the premises for any purpose other than those authorized by this lease or for any other misuse of the premises. 15. If there is default or violation of any of the covenants or conditions in this Lease Agreement involving the failure of the NMHVM to keep the premises in good condition and repair in accordance with the provision of this Lease Agreement, or to take any action required by the terms of the Lease Agreement, then the CITY shall have the right to,but shall not be required, to make good any default of the NMHVM. Nothing in this Lease Agreement shall imply any duty upon the part of the CITY to do any work which, under any provisions of this Lease Agreement, the NMHVM is required to perform, and the performance of it by the CITY shall not constitute a waiver of NMHVM' s default in failing to perform. it.The CITY may, during the progress of any work elected to be performed by it on the premises or the building, enter with contractors, agents, and employees and keep and store upon the premises and in the building or any part of it all neces ary materials, tools and equipment. The CITY shall not in any event be liable for any inconvenience, annoyance, disturbance, loss of business or other damage of or to the NMHVM by reason of bringing materials, supplies and equipment into or through the building during the course of work, and the obligations of the NMHVM under this Lease Agreement shall not be a& Fected in any manner whatsoever, provided that the CITY uses reasonable care under the circumstances prevailing to avoid unnecessary inconvenience, annoyance, disturbance, loss of business or other damages of or to the NMHVM. 16. To the extent not prohibited by law, all expenses, including reasonable attorney fees and court costs, incurred by the CITY by reason of any default by the NMHVM whether or not any with any action or proceeding proceeding is instituted) or in connection affecting this Lease Agreement or premises, shall be paid to the CITY by the NMHVM on demand. Conversely, the NMHVM shall be entitled to similar expenses incurred because of the CITY' S default, without default on the NMHVM' s part. 17. All sums advanced by the CITY pursuant to 14 and § 15 and all § necessary incidental expenses, and attorney' s fees in con ection with the performance of any acts shall be deemed additional rent and shall be promptly payable by the NMHVM, in the respective amounts so advanced by the CITY. This reimbursement shall be made on demand. Conversely, the NMHVM shall be entitled to receive from the CITY prompt payment or reimbursement on any sum due and owing from the CITY to the NMHVM. 18. Any notice 19 which the CITY may desire to give the NMHVM shall be deemed suf iciently given if the not i c e is in writing and sent by certified mail addressed to the NMHVM, at Rm 8 - IST Street East, 213, P.Q.Box 2293, Kalispel , MT 59903- 2293 or at the substituted address by the NMHVM latest in writing to the CITY,or left at such address or delivered to the NMHVM representative at the premises;and the lwpl imhvn. I: 9 t 5> I %,,;,, Iq 0 wpd  199,23, 56 t i q-1(D time of giving of the notice shall be the time when the notice is mailed, Ieft or delivered as proved herein. Any notice from the NMHVM to the CITY shall be validly given if sent by certified mail addressed to CITY MANAGER, P.O. Box 1997, Kalispell, MT 59903- 1997, or at such other address and the CITY shall designate by notice to the NMHVM. 19. Time is of the essence in this Lease Agreement. 20.Upon termination of this lease, NMHVM shall peaceably yield up and sur ender the possession of the premises to CITY or its agents, or to subsequent lessees or grantees. 21. NMHVM waives all claims against the City for compensation for any loss or damage sustained by reason of any defect, failure, or impairment of the water or sewer system, leading to or on the premises. In the event the premises or any part thereof is damaged by fire or if for any other reason, including failure of utilities or any act of God which, in the judgement of the CITY,renders fulfil ment of this Lease Agreement by the CITY impossible, then at the option of the CITY this Lease shall terminate, upon reasonable notice to NMHVM. 22. Traffic control and parking on or near the premises under this Lease Agreement shall be subject to approval of the CITY' S Public Works Department and the Kalispel Parking Commission, 23. NMHVM shall be responsible for arranging any paying for electrical, heating, water, sewer, and any other customary utility charges. 24. This Lease Agreement snail and its terms and conditions shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective parties their heirs, successors and assigns. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the CITY and the NMHVM have caused this Lease Agreement to be executed the day and year first above writ en.ATTEST: AJ 1 gad Debbie Gifford Clerk of Council ATTEST: 1: Mayor NORTHWEST MONTANA HISTORICAL 29, VILLAGE AND MUSEUM, INC. 1wpVunhvn. wpd 1997 emu' CITY July OF KALISPELL Dougla§ Le JD.Rauthe - By: t: r ..,: _ Its:  STATE OFMONTANA) ss County of Flathead ) On this /7 914 day of ,1997, before me, a Notary Public in and for the State of Montana, personal y appeared Douglas D.Rauthe and Debbie Gifford,known to me to be the Mayor and the Clerk of Council of the City of Kalispel , a municipality, that executed the within instrument, and acknowledged that such Mayor and Clerk of Council subscribed, sealed and delivered said instrument as the free and voluntary act of said municipality, for the uses and purposes therein set forth, and that he was duly authorized to execute the same on behalf .cipality. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto of said muni set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal the day and yCa r f rst above written. r Notary Public, State of Montana Notary Public in before andfor the me, State of aMontana, personally Residing atKalispel , MTMyCommission Expires: OF a peared p Z and Y/') Zw STATE known to me to MONTANA) ss County of be the and Vile, of the Flathead ) On 1997, this day of Northwest Montana Historical Village and Museum, Inc.,that executed the within instrument, and acknowledged that such of icers subscribed, sealed and delivered said instrument as the free and voluntary act of said corporation, for the uses and purposes therein forth,and that he was duly to execute the same on behalf of said set IN WITNESS authorized corporation. V TIEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and axed my Notarial Sea! the day and year first above written. 1: lwpinmhvn. wpd July 29, 1997 10  Kalispell Fire Department 312 1st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone: (406) 758-7700 REPORT TO: Jarod Nygren, Interim City Manager FROM: Jay Hagen, Fire Chief SUBJECT: Third Party Ambulance Billing MEETING DATE: September 8, 2025 (Work Session) BACKGROUND: The Kalispell Fire Department currently manages ambulance billing in- house and would like to procure third party ambulance billing for more efficiency. Kalispell is the only Class One city in Montana still performing this function internally. Currently, billing is done with one full-time employee. With call volumes expected to surpass 5,000 billable alarms in the coming year, moving towards third party billing will ensure the City is taking the necessary steps to improve collection rates through specialized expertise, software, and compliance processes. Attached is the payer mix/incident types for ambulance calls, which is comprised of 77% federal and state coverage paid. Currently, the City receives approximately 37% of billed charges and write-offs the uncollected balance (approximately 63%) for those types of coverage. It is expected that moving towards 3rd party ambulance billing will result in more revenue collected. RECOMMENDATION: Provided Council agrees with procuring third party services, staff will provide a recommendation for services at a future Council meeting. ATTACHMENTS: Payer mix chart / Incident types  City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 Telephone (406) 758-7700 Fax - (406) 758-7758 MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Denise Michel, Director of Human Resources Re: City Manager Recruitment Meeting Date: September 4, 2025 BACKGROUND: In August, the City of Kalispell retained GMP Consultants for the executive search of the City Manager position. As part of the ongoing recruitment process for the City Manager position, this item seeks City Council’s input and recommendations regarding three key elements: • Recommended Salary Range • Recommended Starting Range • Residency Requirement for the City Manager Based on a review of current wages for City Managers in six comparable cities across Montana, the following salary structure is proposed: • Salary Range: $195,000 - $219,007 • Starting Salary Range: $195,000 - $207,003 This recommendation ensures the City remains competitive in attracting and retaining high- quality candidates while maintaining equity with similar jurisdictions. As part of the profile development, GMP would prefer to know if residency requirements are required. City codes are contradictory in this regard as code 2-36 refers to residence requirements for the City Manager and code 20A-1 allows all city employees to live outside city limits. This could also be negotiated during contract development with potential hire. Considerations of this requirement may include: • Talent pool limitations • Community presence and engagement • Housing availability and cost within and outside city boundaries Your guidance on these matters will ensure clarity and consistency as we move forward with the recruitment profile development. ATTACHMENTS: Salary range comparison Code 2-36 Ordinance 1872 repealing Code 20A-1  City Manager Salaries Kalispell $ 187,512 Billings (population 123,290) $ 219,007 Helena (population 35,944) $ 198,594 Belgrade (population 13,721) $ 212,529 Whitefish (populatin 10,035) $ 198,266 Livingston (in Nov) (population 9,196) $ 195,000 Great Falls (population 60,406) $ 207,757 Average: $ 205,192 Midpoint: $ 207,003 Salary Range: $195,000 - $219,007 Starting Salary Range: $195,000 - $207,003