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Council adopts tighter junk-vehicle rules after debate on poverty exemptions and enforcement timelines
Summary
On second reading the council approved Ordinance 19-35 updating Kalispell’s junk-vehicle code. The measure passed 5–3 after councilors voiced concerns about timeframes for removal and impacts on low-income residents.
The Kalispell City Council approved Ordinance 19-35 on second reading Monday, amending the city’s junk-vehicle code to add new definitions and streamline abatement procedures.
City staff presented the ordinance as a refinement of existing code language; it had passed first reading on a 5–3 vote. The second-reading motion was made by Councilor Gabriel and seconded by Councilor Fisher, and the ordinance passed on a 5–3 roll-call vote.
Several councilors expressed concerns before the vote. One commenter during discussion, identified in the record as “Mr. Henry,” asked that enforcement include outreach to people in poverty and noted the county’s free vehicle-removal program; he said he remained concerned about people who keep inoperable vehicles for spare parts. “I still do not feel comfortable about making it illegal to have an inoperable vehicle on your property,” he said, urging staff to notify residents about available county removal programs before enforcement.
Councilor Dowd opposed the ordinance citing the shortened notice period for owners: “The biggest one for me is an unprecedented drop in the response time that the individual would have. It goes from 30 days down to 10 days in this case,” he said.
The roll-call vote on second reading recorded five ayes (Councilors Nunnally, Gabriel, Graham, Fisher and Mayor Johnson) and three no votes (Councilors Hunter, Dowd and Dahlmann). The ordinance was declared adopted.
