Council ratifies settlement, restores Flathead Warming Center conditional-use permit and apologizes to its director

Kalispell City Council unanimously approved Resolution 6246 to ratify a settlement agreement between the City and the Flathead Warming Center, authorize the city manager to execute a mutual release, rescind Resolution 6227, and reinstate the warming center’s conditional-use permit (CUP).

City staff advised the council that the case remains in active litigation until the mutual release is submitted to and accepted by the court. Staff explained that, if the court accepts the agreement, the litigation would end and the parties would be released from the claims in the case; timing on that outcome depends on the judge.

The council voted 8-0 (one councilor previously recorded differently at first-reading stages) to approve the settlement at the meeting. Councilor Nunnally moved the resolution; Councilor Carlson seconded. The roll call recorded all present councilors voting yes.

The public comment period included multiple supporters of the warming center and guests…