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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.