The Kalispell City Council is poised to adjust the way it goes about making board appointments and to go with a name change for Eastside Park.

No action was taken on these topics at a Monday night work session,

The council discussed the procedure for appointments and whether city policy should require City Council members to serve on some boards.

Council member Bob Hafferman said the council should have a presence on county boards “because they are our eyes and ears for what goes on in the county.”

He was referring specifically to the Solid Waste Board and the need to have a representative on behalf of city taxpayers.

It was noted that citizen members appointed to boards often report to city staff rather than directly to the council, and that there should be an emphasis on direct reports to the council.

Council member Jeff Zauner said that while it may be preferable to have City Council members serve on some boards, it should not be mandatory because that can involve substantial time commitments that can cause conflicts with work schedules.

He also said board appointees should be held more accountable for attending meetings.

“If you can’t make your meetings because of your career or other issues, I don’t think that’s right,” he said.

In the end, the council appeared to reach consensus that in some cases, it will be preferable but not required to have City Council representation on boards.

The council also seemed to reach consensus on adjusting the mayor and council roles in appointments. Earlier this month, Mayor Tammi Fisher recommended that former council member Dale Haarr serve on the Solid Waste Board, but the council rejected that recommendation.

Then a motion was made to reappoint Hank Olson, who has served on the board for 14 years.

But Fisher didn’t make that recommendation, as required by current policy, and the motion was tabled.

“I think it’s disappointing that the mayor can hold the majority of the council hostage,” council member Randy Kenyon said Monday night.

Council members agreed that the mayor should continue to review applicants and make recommendations for appointments, but the policy should be changed so that if her recommendation is not supported, council members should be able to advance an alternative candidate without the mayor’s recommendation.  

The Solid Waste Board appointment should come up again soon, but City Attorney Charlie Harball said the council will make most appointments in April.

On another issue, the council did not come to any agreement on what the exact name would be, but it was clear there will be a new name for Eastside Park to formally recognize John “Gus” Thompson.

Thompson was a Kalispell resident who had the rare distinction of playing Major League Baseball and pitching in the first-ever World Series in 1903.

A baseball field at Eastside Park, located on 10th Avenue East, has been recognized as  Thompson Field for decades even though it has fallen from use as a venue for organized baseball in recent years. About seven years ago, neighbors fixed up the park and it was named Eastside Park.

More recently, some neighbors have advocated restoring Thompson’s place in local history. The suggestions raised Monday included “Thompson Park” and “Thompson Field at Eastside Park.”

Council members agreed there should be a new sign and there should be a commemorative plaque to recognize Thompson’s place in history.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.