Kalispell resident urges city action after nights of loud burnouts, alleged drug activity at city-owned parking lot

A Kalispell resident told the City Council on April 7 that hundreds of neighbors are suffering repeated late‑night disturbances at a city‑owned parking lot at the end of 1700 First Avenue West, calling the site a “hot spot” for loud vehicle burnouts, racing engines, trash, and what the speaker described as gang‑type behavior.

Dale Boles delivered the public comment and said residents across the street — including families with young children — are frequently awakened after 11 p.m. by revving engines, bright headlights and tire burnouts. He said Kalispell police have increased patrols but enforcement is limited because officers must observe a crime to make an arrest and identification of specific vehicles is difficult when groups disperse.

Boles offered several near‑term remedies: revise signage to shorten the posted curfew from 11 p.m. to 9 p.m., and install control posts and lockable 36‑foot chains at the lot’s two entrances (on First Avenue West and Sixteenth Street) to permit locking the lot outside of brief windows for school events. He said the lot is needed for approximately 10 weeks of school sports each year and is idle the rest of the time. Boles said Public Works Director Susie Turner told him she could install three new signs and that she would help carry out any changes the council authorized; Boles also offered to pay for posts and chain materials if the city approved them.

Council response and next steps: Council members acknowledged the complaint and indicated staff would research options. Councilor Hunter asked for clarification about the lot and the record; the city manager and staff said the issue falls under police authority for hours and enforcement but that a dedicated council work session could be scheduled to explore policy changes, signage, parking authority, and operational logistics. Councilor Dowd requested staff provide call‑volume data and other history when the work session is scheduled. The mayor and other councilors said staff would prepare information to support next‑step decisions.

What the city can and cannot do (as explained in the meeting): the transcript indicates police enforcement is assisted by increased patrols but limited by the need to identify perpetrators at the moment of wrongdoing; staff explained municipal code places authority for hours and some parking enforcement with police; physical access controls (posts and chains) and earlier curfew signage are within the city’s operational control if council authorizes them.

Context and clarifying details from the speaker: - Location: city‑owned lot at the end of 1700 First Avenue West, adjacent to school parking and near Airport Road. - Current posted curfew: 11 p.m.; resident proposed changing signs to 9 p.m. - Proposed physical control: two entrances (First Avenue West and Sixteenth Street) each fitted with posts and a lockable 36‑foot chain; the speaker offered to pay for materials. - Seasonal use: school sports season about 10 weeks a year; resident asserted lot unused or lightly used remainder of the year.

Provenance: public comment began at approximately 264.79 seconds in the meeting record (Dale Boles’ remarks) and concluded before the public hearing for the bond item. Council discussed staff follow-up later in the meeting and committed to provide additional information and to consider a work session.

Ending: Council requested staff return with data and options; a council work session will be scheduled to consider operational, code and physical-controls options for the city‑owned lot.