KALISPELL — The Kalispell City Council held a special meeting on Monday evening to discuss the potential of pulling the permit for the Flathead Warming Center.
The center provides resources for the homeless population in Kalispell by offering beds, showers laundry and other resources for the community.
Flathead Warming Center representatives had their first chance to address the Kalispell City Council about the possible revocation of their permit.
The city council began discussing the possible revocation of the Flathead Warming Center’s Conditional Use Permit in April after receiving complaints from nearby residents about loitering, increase in homeless population presence, littering and more.
“Tonight, we defend the very existence of the Flatland Warming Center,” said the center's executive director Tonya Horn.
The Flathead Warming Center had received a letter from the Kalispell City Attorney stating nine assertions as to how the Warming Center has violated its permit. On Monday, they had a chance to address the assertions.
These assertions all begin with “contrary to initial representations by the Flathead Warming Center,” referencing their Conditional Use Permit application.
“Eight times we read, this assertion is supported by public comments to council. What is the contents of the comments? Who made them? Then what was the standard used by the council in their decision to accept an act on them?” asked Horn.
The issues that were addressed at Monday's meeting included being a good neighbor and what is technically considered a neighbor, accountability for neighbors' concerns, littering, loitering, an increase in homeless individuals in the area, increase in law enforcement and transportation for Flathead Warming Center guests.
“The city council will hear from the Flathead Warming Center so that tomorrow you may decide if the Flathead Warming Center must be shuttered, a decision that would force homeless individuals onto the street in the coldest nights of winter and separate them from potentially lifesaving assistance,” said Horn.
The Kalispell City Council will continue to hear public comment and vote on the revocation of the Flathead Warming Center permit on Tuesday Night.
