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
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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
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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