E3. Council Travel Related to Core Area Redevelopment and State Legislative SessionCity p of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903
Telephone: (406) 758-7701 Fax: (406) 758-7758
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor Johnson and City Council
From: Doug Russell, City Manager
Re: Approval of Council Travel related to Core Area Redevelopment and State
Legislative sessions
Meeting Date: January 5, 2015
BACKGROUND: Per our adopted Council Policies and Procedures, Section 6.1.1, Council
travel expenditures need to be pre -approved. As such, I am requesting the Council to approve
the travel listed below for its members. The travel relates to supporting our efforts for the Core
Area Development and our adopted legislative priorities.
Washington, D.C.:
Last year, Council traveled to Washington D.C., in support of the City's TIGER grant
application. We have discussed the benefits of this trip and the need to make the trip again in
2015 to speak to our Federal representatives and respective Federal agencies to discuss matters
related to the Core Area redevelopment. Not only do we have the opportunity to meet with
officials as it relates to possible funding from the TIGER grant program, which could provide
substantial financial resources for the development of the rail park, but to also discuss how our
redevelopment efforts are related to other programs within the programming of these agencies,
such as the Department of Transportation and Economic Development Administration.
As we anticipate the TIGER grant application process opening this spring, we have identified a
possible travel period to discuss these activities with our representatives and agencies in
Washington, D.C., on the dates of March 24-27. These dates are not final yet, as we are still
trying to finalize appointments. However, once dates are finalized, we will need to make
corresponding travel plans.
FCEDA Request to meet with Burlington Northern:
FCEDA has requested that Mayor Johnson accompany them to a meeting to meet with
representatives from Burlington Northern regarding the rail park development and possible
funding partnerships. Similar to above, this travel needs to be pre -approved. Details are yet to
be finalized, but we wanted to propose this to provide the opportunity for travel.
State Legislative Session:
The City Council has adopted a set of legislative priorities for the 2015 legislative session.
Additionally, Council has held election forums and a legislative roundtable to stress the
importance of our legislative platform. At the roundtable, the importance of meeting with the
legislators and testifying on respective bills to promote our priorities was stressed. In order to
accomplish this, travel to Helena for Council members may be necessary. Most of this can be
accomplished with single day travel, but occasional overnight stays may be necessary. As the
scheduling of legislative hearings may not be in accordance with our meeting schedule, pre -
approval would be appropriate to further our efforts to promote our legislative priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT: It is estimated that costs for D.C. travel would be approximately $2,000 per
council member. Travel to meet with Burlington Northern would likely be significantly less than
that amount. As the activity and the primary purpose for both of these trips would be to discuss
matters related to efforts in the Core Area redevelopment, funding would come from our
redevelopment line item, for which we have budgetary authority in the 2015 fiscal year budget.
Travel to Helena to promote our legislative priorities will be accounted for in the City Council
travel budget and is anticipated to be minimal (accounting for mileage, meals, and lodging when
necessary).
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council move to authorize travel to
Washington, D.C., for its members, travel to meet with Burlington Northern for the Mayor, and
travel to Helena for members of the Council to promote our legislative priorities during the 2015
legislative session.