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1. Resolution 5609 - Authorizing CDBG Grant Submission - FVCC201 1 st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 406.758.7740 Fax: 406.758.7758 City of Kalispell * www.kalispelf.com Office of Community & Economic Development Memorandum To: Doug Russell, City Manager From: Katharine Thompson, Community Development Manager Subject: Submission of a Community Development Block Grant Economic Development (CDBG-ED) application on behalf of Flathead Valley Community College Meeting Date: March 4, 2013 Background: Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) has prepared a grant application to the Montana Department of Commerce, Community Development Division for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)--Economic Development program request. The grant application is for workforce development and training for the purpose of expanding the existing heavy equipment operator licensing program. The College is requesting up to $350,000 to purchase additional heavy equipment for practical training. FVCC will use the funds to acquire heavy equipment including: Caterpillar M Series 140 Grader, DC Class bulldozer, Cat 615-Size scraper, mid -size loader, 200 Class Excavator, 304 Class Excavator and a Sheep's Foot Kit for a 536 roller. If funded, this CDBG-ED application will provide FVCC the opportunity to expand its heavy equipment operators training program. FVCC's occupational trades programs tend to attract a high percentage of low to moderate income students. It is anticipated that this project will attract 80 students overall including at least 48 low to moderate income individuals. Flathead Valley Community College will provide matching funds from the college's reserves as required by the grant. If funded, the grant funded project is expected to take Z� two years to complete. Equipment will be purchased within the first six months of funding. Reporting for the program will continue over the following four semesters. Recommendation: Following public comment, City Council approve Resolution Number 5609 to authorize submission of a Community Development Block Grant — Economic Development grant application to the Montana Department of Commerce. Fiscal Impact: The City will receive an administrative fee of up to $7,000 which will be adequate for staff time and expenditures and $2,000 for audit fees. Alternatives: As suggested by Council. Respectfully submitted, KAharine Thompson Community Development Manager RESOLUTION NO.5609 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION TO THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR UP TO $350,000 TO ASSIST IN FUNDING THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TO EXPAND THE EXISTING HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR LICENSING PROGRAM THROUGH FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell is applying to the Montana Department of Commerce for a Community Development Block Grant for up to $350,000 to provide funds to Flathead Valley Community College for the purchase of equipment to expand the existing heavy equipment operator licensing program; and WHEREAS, on March 4, 2013, the City of Kalispell conducted a public hearing in conformance with CDBG requirements to obtain the views of citizens regarding the submittal of this grant application; and WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell has the legal jurisdiction and authority to provide assistance to Flathead Valley Community College. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I: That the City of Kalispell agrees to conform to the regulations, statutes, terms and conditions described in the CDBG Certifications for Application. SECTION II That the City Manager is authorized to submit on behalf of the City of Kalispell, the CDBG Grant to the Montana Department of Commerce and to provide such other additional information as may be required. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL THIS 4TH DAY OF MARCH, 2013. Tammi Fisher Mayor ATTEST: Theresa White City Clerk wuocz�na��c~�nmrm� Nick Rich CDBG-ED Program Specialist Business Resources Division Thank you for your role insupporting businesses in our community. We at Plum Creek, appreciate the opportunity toprovide input about some ofthe challenges xveare facing inour industry, explaining why we are supportive of the CDBG-ED application being submitted by Flathead Valley Community College for your consideration. For nearly 70 years, Plum Creek has produced quality wood products at our manufacturing fad!it|esinMontana,vvhichpmnduce|urnber,p|ywvoodandmoediumndenuitv#berbuard. The products are sold to construction, retail, industrial and other specialty markets. In addition, Plum Creek's rural |and sales and development experts work with people who wish toown recreational property. All ufPlum Creek's lands inMontana are open tothe public year-round for hunting, fishing and recreation without charge. VVeare the largest private landowner in Montana, employing nearly 75Opeople. The most recent economic downturn hit Northwest Montana han{. With asignificant reduction inresidential construction and new housing starts, xvewitnessed asignificant chunk ofthe construction workforce leave for other areas. Their departure has been punctuated bv the recent migration of workers in our region for the Williston Basin and the booming Bakken oil fields. These tvvo factors gutted the available talent in our industry in several key areas. One ufthe pronounced challenges vveare seeing baneed for qualified heavy equipment operators. VVehave aneed for abroad range of employees under this fairly broad umbrella, including forklift operators, excavators, and crane operators. These positions require a specialized certification in addition to the usual qualifications and experience in operating heavy equipment. Additionally, our forestry operations employ a significant number of logging contractors who also employ heavy equipment operators such gs excavators, feller bmncher operators, delimber operators, skidder operators, and commercial truck drivers. A skNed pool of operators will be critical as the economy continues to rebound in northwest Montana and infrastructure investment continues. While bisalways hard toproject our actual workforce needs into the future, vve anticipate asteady need for workers t8fulfill position(s) outlined below over the next three years. We would prefer to find local talent to fill Name of Business I Job Title Estimated Estimated # Estimated # Wage Range Thank you for your time and consideration, Director, Human Resources BE, - nAg 'e N I Fits i I I V F AN MDU RESOURCES COMPANY Mountain States -Missoula Division 4800 Wilkie Road Missoula, MT 59808 (406) 532-5250 (406) 532.5200 Fax January 30, 2013 Nick Rich CDBG-ED Program Specialist Business Resources Division Montana Department of Commerce PO Box 200505/301 S. Park Avenue Helena, Montana 59620-0505 Dear Mr. Rich, www.knifedver.com Knife River appreciates the opportunity to provide input about some of the challenges we are facing in our industry and to explain why we support the CDBG-ED application being submitted by Flathead Valley Community College for your consideration. Located in the middle of the Flathead Valley, the Western Montana Division of Knife River is one of northwest Montana's largest and best -equipped excavation and paving contractors and ready -mix concrete suppliers. Knife River serves the entire Flathead Valley and most areas in northwest Montana. Our expertise includes wind farms, airport runways and taxiways, asphalt and concrete paving, site development and aggregate placement. One of the pronounced challenges we are seeing is a need for qualified heavy equipment operators. We have a need for a broad range of employees under this fairly broad umbrella, including forklift, excavator, asphalt, and compaction equipment operators. In addition, we are seeing real challenges in identifying qualified applicants for crane operations. These positions require a specialized certification in addition to the usual qualifications and experience in operating heavy equipment. A skilled pool of operators will be critical as the economy continues to rebound in northwest Montana and infrastructure investment continues. While it is always hard to project our actual workforce needs into the future, we anticipate a steady need for workers to fulfill upcoming projects. According to our best estimates, we anticipate needing to hire for the position(s) outlined below over the next three years. We would prefer to find local talent to fill these positions. Estimated # of New Full Time Equi alent Employees Job Title 2013 2014 2015 Wage Range Crane Operator I 1 1 $18 - $30/HR Roller/Loader Operator 5 5 5 $18 - $28/HR Paving Operator 3 3 3 $18 - $28/HR Excavator Operator 3 3 3 $18 - $28/HR Thank you for your ti e a consideration, _--S-1--� Eck Hale General Manager EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Date Nick Rich, CDBG-ED Program Specialist Business Resources Division Montana Department of Commerce PO Box 200505/301 S. Park Avenue Helena, Montana 59620-0505 Dear Mr. Rich, Swank Enterprises appreciates the opportunity to provide input about some of the challenges we are facing in our industry and explain why we support the CDBG-ED application being submitted by Flathead Valley Community College for your consideration. Swank Enterprises has specialized in complex, demanding construction projects since 1960. We have great diversity serving clients from every sector, public and private. We have built all levels of schools; projects for Federal, State and local governments; airports; lodging; retail; plants and every kind of health care facility. We area full service company and do much of our work with our own forces ensuring the very best quality.. After the recent economic downturn our region saw a significant reduction in residential construction and new housing starts; subsequently a large part of the construction workforce left for other areas. Their departure has been punctuated by the recent migration of workers in our region for the Bakken oil fields. These two factors reduced the available workforce in several key areas. One of the pronounced challenges we are seeing is a need for qualified heavy equipment operators. We have a need for a range of employees under this fairly broad umbrella, including forklift, skidsteerer, and crane operators. Some of these positions require a specialized certification in addition to the usual qualifications and experience in operating heavy equipment. A skilled pool of operators will be critical as the economy continues to rebound in northwest Montana and infrastructure investment continues. While it is always hard to project our actual workforce needs into the future, we anticipate a steady need for workers to fulfill upcoming projects. According to our best estimates, we anticipate needing to hire for the position(s) outlined below over the next three years. We would prefer to find local talent to fill these positions. Estimated # of New Full Time E uivalout Employm Job Title 2013 2014 2015 Wage Range C'iZ a n � -S Thank you for your time and consideration, Dewey Swank Executive Vice -President January 30, 2013 Nick Rich, CDBG-ED Program Specialist Business Resources Division Montana Department of Commerce PO Box 200505/301 S. Park Avenue Helena, Montana 59620-0505 Dear Mr. Rich, LHC, Inc. is a gravel excavation and site preparation contractor. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input about some of the challenges we are facing in our industry and explain why we support the CDBG-ED application being submitted by Flathead Valley Community College. After the recent economic downturn our region saw a significant reduction in residential construction and new housing starts; subsequently a large part of the construction workforce left for other areas. Their departure has been punctuated by the recent migration of workers in our region for the Bakken oil fields. These two factors reduced the available workforce in several key areas. One of the pronounced challenges we are seeing is a need for qualified heavy equipment operators. We have a need for a range of employees under this fairly broad umbrella. Some of these positions require a specialized certification in addition to the usual qualifications and experience in operating heavy equipment. A skilled pool of operators will be critical as the economy continues to rebound in northwest Montana and infrastructure investment continues. While it is always hard to project our actual workforce needs into the future, we anticipate a steady need for workers to fulfill upcoming projects. According to our best estimates, we anticipate needing to hire for the position(s) outlined below over the next three years. We would prefer to find local talent to fill these positions. Estimated # of New Full Time E uivalent Ern to ees Job Title 2013 2014 2015 Wage Range 9, Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincere J ffCtaridge Title