City Council to replace lame ducks with new members

After a holiday hiatus, the Kalispell City Council will convene at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2 in the council chambers in City Hall.

The agenda is short but important. This is the final meeting where power is transferred from ousted and retiring city councilors to newly elected or reelected ones.

Newcomer Kyle Waterman, who works as a non-profit consultant and has amassed lots of fundraising experience, unseated longtime incumbent Jim Atkinson in November’s election in a race that drew complaints over the amount of outside money that flowed in from other parts of the state. Waterman will represent Ward 3.

Council member Tim Kluesner of Ward 4 was reelected in the only other contested race against challenger Sid Daoud.

Council Members Sandra Carlson of Ward 1 and Chad Graham of Ward 2 and Mayor Mark Johnson were reelected in uncontested races.

Once the new council is seated, they will hold an election for Council President.

A City Council working session will be held on Monday, Jan. 8. City Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As a result, the next regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Reporter Peregrine Frissell can be reached at (406) 758-4438 or pfrissell@dailyinterlake.com.