Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 1.8.13

6 | JANUARY 8, 2013 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM

New Mayor Eager to Lead City’s Growth, Redevelopment

An interview with Kalispell’s

incoming mayor Mark Johnson

on the city’s present issues and

future direction

By DILLON TABISH of the Beacon

Mark Johnson was sworn in as the 30th mayor of
Kalispell on Monday night inside City Hall. The politi-

cal newcomer, who cruised to victory unopposed in the
municipal election, is replacing Tammi Fisher as the
city’s principal civic chief.
Johnson, a 1987 graduate of Whiteish High School,
has made Kalispell his home over the last decade,
working as a inancial advisor while being involved
with several community boards, including the Cham-
ber of Commerce.

Last week he sat down with the Beacon to discuss
his new turn as mayor and the goals and priorities he’s
setting forth, as well as several issues topping the city’s
agenda.
Here is an abridged transcript of Johnson’s inter-
view. For the complete interview, visit www.lathead-
beacon.com.

BEACON: How would you describe your mindset go-
ing in?

MARK JOHNSON: Excited. I’m ready for it. Incoming mayor Mark Johnson is pictured at Kalispell City Hall. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON

BEACON: What are some topics and priorities at the
nice. That can help alleviate some of the traic prob- tant about what the end result is going to be, because I
top of your mind?
lems that we see. We look at communities that have a hear diferent reports that the runway is ine and other

main highway – we have two main highways through reports that it’s unbelievable and ‘I don’t know why I
JOHNSON: The impact fee committee has recom- our core – it gets tough with traic to try to make it con- even land there.’ The city has an asset and it’s an enter-
mended increasing impact fees, so that will be in front of ducive to a walkable downtown. With the completion prise fund, so it has to be self-supportive.
the council fairly quickly. Working through that process of the bypass, we can deinitely make some improve- My concern is, what is the long-term funding? The
will be important because the last thing we want to have ments with the walkability of downtown, reinvigorate other questions I have are some of the liability issues
happen is our impact fees stymie or prevent growth and the core and see some multi-use residential and com- that have been pointed out. The study has been com-
development in Kalispell. Development does have to pay mercial development.
pleted. We have it in black and white: we have an issue
for itself. But typically, when you look at most subdivi- with radio towers to the south, we have an issue with the

sions, the developer does pay their fair share. When I BEACON: While the bypass construction moves to- light poles at Legends Stadium. God forbid, if anything
look at impact fees, I look at how they’re used and are ward completion, what role should the city of Kalispell ever happened with one of those, my concern is that the
they really being used to pay for the impact that that de- play in the meantime? How should the city prepare for city would be open for a lawsuit. To have something hap-
velopment had? Or are we using them as a pot of money that day when the alternate highway is complete?
pen where we know there is the potential, it’s an issue
to do other growth or other development and expansion for me. We need to mitigate those potential liabilities.
within the city? I have some real concerns about that. JOHNSON: We need to look at what the impacts will
So I want to make sure that impact fees that are collect- be. How do we drive through traic around to that by- BEACON: How do you feel about this new-look coun-

ed are used for the true impact. That’s what they’re for. pass, yet not lose that casual tourist? We will need to do cil? Do you think this council will be able to work to-
That said, I’m not a fan of impact fees. But we have them, some things that attract the person who wants to come gether well and ind consensus, or do you see potential
and I don’t think I’ll change that.
spend some time and spend some money in Kalispell, gridlock?
I’m excited about the core area redevelopment. The but at the same time let the commuters loop around.
real estate development side of me, and the experience We don’t want to become a victim of a bypass that JOHNSON: I don’t necessarily see gridlock. I see
I have in that area, is kind of savoring what’s going to routes all the traic and then we wither. So it’s a careful us working together. My concern is, you don’t have a
happen with this. And the rail park that (Montana balance. How we drive traic to Kalispell will be key.
healthy council if every vote is unanimous. That’s not a
West Economic Development) and (Flathead County healthy council because not every member of this com-

Economic Development Authority) are working on, BEACON: Growth appears to be returning to the munity is going to think the same way. I’ll agree to dis-
that’s a key component to helping us pull of the plan valley and economists are predicting a continued re- agree with someone and I’ll respect their opinion. All
of the core area. Now that we have the core area vi- bound. How can Kalispell help furnish healthy growth the council members have their own opinions and their
sion, it’s how do we implement that? How do we put the across the city?
constituents that they have to answer to. On the easy
guidelines in place to see the growth that we want to topics, yes, unanimous decisions are simple. But when
see here, to make a reinvigorated downtown? There’s a JOHNSON: It’s going to really boil down to this: you we get to weighty matters, I never expect to see una-
couple things that have to happen: movement of some can have the economy improve but you still need the nimity in the decision. I never want to see that. If we

of the industry out to the rail park and working with predictability and the fairness of our regulations, our see that, we haven’t discussed it thoroughly, we haven’t
CHS to make sure they get something that’s fair and fees. That’s where I’m concerned about the impact fees. brought in everybody’s perspective that we need to
equitable to them to move so they can be competitive Now that we’re starting to see growth, we can’t squash and, in all reality, somebody’s not doing their job. If
and maintain their position as a good employer in the it before it’s fully lit. It’s an ember now. But we can’t you disagree, stand up and say you disagree. That’s
city. Getting the rail line moved out (of downtown) is dump water on it.
why we’re elected. It may not be popular but you have
another one of those key components to this, obviously.
to do it, because there is somebody out there who has
The other important part, I think too, is completion BEACON: The municipal airport, where do you stand that same opinion and it needs to be heard. Sometimes,
of the bypass. I’m glad to see that the state has put that on it now?
something that’s contentious, good things can develop

on the fast track. In four years, if I can be the mayor out of that.
that cuts the ribbon on the bypass, that would be pretty
JOHNSON: The voters have spoken. I still am hesi-
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