Public comment urges pride flag designation, more affordable housing and winter placemaking

Public commenters at the Dec. 1 Whitefish City Council meeting pressed the council on several community priorities.

A resident who identified only as "Z" (418 E. 2nd St.) urged the council to "demonstrate moral courage and schedule a public hearing to discuss designating the pride flag as the official flag of the city of Whitefish," arguing that welcoming communities reduce suicide risk among LGBTQIA+ people and criticizing council inaction.

Cameron Blake (825 Lehi Trail) supported Habitat for Humanity’s expansion and urged the council to find land for workforce and ownership housing, referencing the community’s housing needs assessment and encouraging use of a request‑for‑proposals process to attract experienced builders.

Jamie Gogan (117 Washington Avenue) proposed winter placemaking ideas aimed at reducing isolation and improving year‑round public life, including a winter cinema and an "ice ribbon" connecting City Beach and the lodge to encourage outdoor gatherings.

Nathan Dugan (937 Kalispell Avenue) asked the council to consider the demographics of planning commissions during upcoming appointments, saying younger residents often feel unheard and that commission makeup matters for long‑range land‑use planning.

Councilors acknowledged the comments; no ordinance or formal action on the pride flag or placemaking was taken at the meeting. The council signaled interest in housing collaboration with Habitat and scheduled appointments and interviews for board and commission vacancies at a December 15 special session.