Board of Directors Meeting February 23, 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Agenda 2 Minutes December 22, 2015 3 Balance Sheet 4 Financial Analysis 5 2015 Board Attendance 8 Business and Commercials Construction Projects 2016 9 2016 Government Affairs Action Report 10 2015 Membership Report 12 2016 Membership Report 13 2016 Digital Report 14 Luncheon Review: Economic Impact of the EPA Clean Power Plan 15 Review: Representative Zinke Visits Applied Materials 16 Media: Flathead Beacon, Economist: Clean Power Plan Could Have Major Impacts On State Economy 17 Daily Inter Lake, Coal closures would impact Northwest Montana 19 Daily Inter Lake, Economists optimistic about 2016 21 Flathead Beacon, Kalispel School District Considering New 25-Acre Property on North End 23 Flathead Beacon, Kelley’s Market Trends: Flathead Real Estate in Perspective 26 Daily Inter Lake, Marriott studies 111-room Whitefish hotel 27 Daily Inter Lake, Looking Forward to Pond Hockey 2017 29 Daily Inter Lake, 100 Years Ago: 30 Accreditation Status Report 31 Kalispell Public Schools Levy and Bond Information Presentation 33
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Board of Directors Meeting February 23, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Agenda 2
Minutes December 22, 2015 3
Balance Sheet 4
Financial Analysis 5
2015 Board Attendance 8
Business and Commercials Construction Projects 2016 9
2016 Government Affairs Action Report 10
2015 Membership Report 12
2016 Membership Report 13
2016 Digital Report 14
Luncheon Review: Economic Impact of the EPA Clean Power Plan 15
Media: Flathead Beacon, Economist: Clean Power Plan Could Have Major Impacts
On State Economy 17
Daily Inter Lake, Coal closures would impact Northwest Montana 19
Daily Inter Lake, Economists optimistic about 2016 21
Flathead Beacon, Kalispel School District Considering New 25-Acre Property on North End 23 Flathead Beacon, Kelley’s Market Trends: Flathead Real Estate in Perspective 26
Daily Inter Lake, Marriott studies 111-room Whitefish hotel 27
Daily Inter Lake, Looking Forward to Pond Hockey 2017 29
Daily Inter Lake, 100 Years Ago: 30
Accreditation Status Report 31
Kalispell Public Schools Levy and Bond Information Presentation 33
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Regular Board of Directors Meeting
Chamber Conference Room, 15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - 7:00 am
Agenda
I. 7:00 Call To Order: Lisa Brown, Chairman of the Board II. 7:00 CONSENT AGENDA – Bob Herron, Secretary/Treasurer
• Minutes of the January 26, 2016 regular meeting • Financial statement for January 31, 2016 • Board Attendance 2016 (information only)
III. 7:15 BOARD ACTION AND DISCUSSION ON INITIATIVES
• Presentation by Kalispell Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau on potential May mail-in operating levy ballot issue and fall building levy. The purpose of this session is to listen to Mark’s presentation, ask questions. The board decision on this ballot issue will be taken up at the March meeting. The presentation is available for your review at the end of the Board Package.
IV. 8:00 REPORTS, ACTIVITIES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (information only) • President’s Report: Joe Unterreiner • Accreditation Committee Reports:
Governance: Lisa B. Finance: Bob H. Human Resources: Chris O. Gov’t Affairs: Carbonari, Pence, Taylor
Programs: Gronley, Karas, Peterson, Tonjum Tech: Mark J. Comm.: Russell, Sprunger, Vine, Weaver Facilities: Waldenberg
• Feb-Mar Schedule: Feb 19-21 Pond Hockey Classic – cancelled Mar 4 Leadership Flathead: Business and Industry Mar 10 Oktoberfest orientation Mar 14 Council Workshop: Peccia transportation study results Mar 15 Schools Update luncheon featuring Mark Flatau and Jane Karas Mar 17 St. Patrick’s Day parade
• Board announcements
V. 8:30 Adjourn Next Meeting: March 22, 2016
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Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting 15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
MINUTES Board Members Present: Brown, Carbonari, Flatau, Hendrickson, Hensley, Hergesheimer, Herron, Johnson, Karas, Nye, Ohler, Pelc, Pence, Peterson, Smith, Sorensen, Sprunger, Taylor, Tonjum, Vine, Waldenberg Board Members Absent: Gronley, Phelps, Russell, Weaver Staff Present: Joe Unterreiner, Katie Brien, Kate Lufkin. Notice of the meeting having been given, the meeting was called to order by Brian Pelc at 7:03 am.
I. Board Action and Discussion 1. The minutes of the meetings for December 2015, were approved. The financials of December
31, 2015 was also reviewed and approved. 2. EPA Clean Power Plan: The board reviewed a draft resolution of the executive board to join the
amicus brief of the US Chamber seeking a stay of the final rule of the EPA Clean Power Plan. The draft resolution is based on the findings of the University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research’s economic impact analysis. Their findings include a projection of loss of nearly 1,000 jobs in northwest Montana. There was a 20 minute discussion on state of the coal industry, authority of the EPA on this rule, the level of harm to Montana, and the overall analysis of the report. A motion was made and seconded to join the US Chamber action as an amicus brief member. The motion was approved.
3. The following reports were heard: President’s Report – Joe Unterreiner Organizational development report – Katie Brien Marketing and communications report – Kate Lufkin Jan-Feb schedule was noted
4. Board Announcements: Jerry Sorensen announced his retirement from Plum Creek and resignation from the
board Mike Nye announced a tour of Applied Materials by Rep. Zinke on Jan 29th
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 am. After adjournment, the board broke up into their accreditation committees to work on their tasks.
Respectfully Submitted, Joe Unterreiner, President and CEO
2016 Board AttendanceJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Brown, Lisa XCarbonari, Joe XFlatau, Mark XGronley, Mark ~Hendrickson, Dawn XHensley, Mark XHergesheimer, Dave XHerron, Bob XJohnson, Mark XKaras, Jane XNye, Mike XOhler, Chris XPelc, Brian XPence, Mike XPeterson, Jim XPhelps, Maria ~Russell, Doug ~Smith, Mike XSorensen, Jerry XSprunger, Courtenay XTaylor, Laura XTonjum, Kary XVine, Tagen XWaldenberg, Dave XWeaver, Rick ~
21/252015 - 79%2014 = 84%2013 = 82%
Business and Commercial Construction Projects 2016Compiled By: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce - February 19, 2016
Est. Est. Est. Est.Project Place Start Complete SF $ millions
2016 Government Affairs Action Report - Kalispell Chamber of Commerce & CVB February 16, 2016
Issue/Bill Action Status LOCAL Expand commercial air service (AERO) Support 2016 bookings up 20%; next market priority is the Bay Area Glacier Rail Park Support $10M TIGER grant award announced Oct 26; contract to be fully-executed 1Q16 Kalispell Bypass Support Drivable by Nov ‘16 Kalispell Core Area Plan Monitor Kalispell Downtown Plan Monitor Kalispell Growth Policy Update Commented Comments submitted on Jan 5th; meetings every other Tues, 6pm, Feb-Mar Kalispell Pedestrian & Bicycle Plan Monitor Kalispell South Urban Renewal Plan Monitor CTA study published Jan ‘16 Kalispell Transportation Plan Monitor Peccia presenting and Council workshop Mar 14 Kidsports Support $1.4M grant received; Chamber raised $100,000; signatures of support from 235 businesses Westside Neighborhood Parking Plan Commented Pending STATE Montana Infrastructure Coalition Monitor FEDERAL EPA Clean Power Plan Regulations Amicus brief Joined amicus brief of the US Chamber; oral arguments Jun 2; SCOTUS stays action HR 712 Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees Support Takes important steps to stop abusive practice of “sue and settle”; greater participation in rules Trans Pacific Partnership Monitor Supported by US Chamber, National Association of Manufacturers POLITICS: Kalispell Schools Levy May 2 Monitor Kalispell Schools Facility Bond Monitor State Elections Nov 1 Monitor Government Affairs Committee Meetings – Meets every other Friday during the Session; second Monday at noon for balance of year Date Topic Presenter Action Attend Jan 11 Local issues in 2016 Russell, Pence, Flatau City, county, Kalispell Schools goals and projects on the table for 2016 16 Mar 14 Apr 11
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May 9 Jun 13 Jul 11 Aug 8 Sep 12 Oct 10 Nov 14 Dec 12 Letter to the Editor and Guest Editorial: Date Title Author Published Jan 3 5 takeaways on Flathead economy Joe Unterreiner, President Daily Inter Lake 1/3; Beacon 1/7
Communications15-Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
E-Mail Communication 2263Luncheon 1,173 (27%)UNWIND 1233 (28%)
Newsletter 645 (32%) 623 (31%)
Network 15-Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov DecFacebook Friends 2039 2119Total Facebook Reach 13,797 27,790Twitter Followers 81 98Twitter Impressions 1,247 1,615LinkedIn Followers 874 911
Pageviews
Opens
MONTHLY LUNCHEON SERIESFebruary 2016
Economic Impact of the EPA Clean Power Plan
Presented by Dr. Pat Barkey, Director of the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Impacts of the EPA Clean Power Plan:• The largest economic event to occur in Montana in three decades• Loss of 7,100 jobs in Montana over first three years of implementation• Northwest Montana could see a loss of nearly 1,000 jobs• Loss of over $500 million in income to Montana households• Loss of approximately $1.5 billion in gross output by Montana businesses• On February 9, 2016 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on this final rule• Oral arguments will be heard at D.C. Circuit Court June 2, 2016
Sponsored By:Media Coverage:
Daily Inter Lake: Coal closures would impact Northwest Montana
Flathead Beacon: Economist: Clean power plan could have major impacts on state economy
Representative Ryan Zinke Visits Applied Materials
• 80% of sales are outside the United States• 72% of 2015 sales were in Asia• 10,200 patents• Trade is the lifeblood of the company
Topics of discussion:
• Representative Zinke was thanked for his support of Trade Promotion Authority, granting fast-tracked negotiating
authority to the President.
• Zinke was also thanked for his support of Omnibus funding bill.
• Workforce topics included: - Number of employees in Montana - Employee mix of engineers, technology, and support - Research component to the work of Applied Materials, and more
• Applied Materials presented information on their community contributions.
January 29, 2016
Economist: Clean Power Plan Could Have Major Impacts on State Economy Centerpiece of Obama’s effort to fight climate change in limbo as Supreme Court temporarily halts Clean Power Plan BY JUSTIN FRANZ // FEB 14, 2016 // NEWS & FEATURES
Powerlines. Beacon File Photo
SHOW CAPTION
The power plant and mine at Colstrip are 530 miles from the Flathead Valley. And while many in Northwest Montana rarely give second thought to the coal-fired plant in the other corner of the state, its closure could have widespread impacts across Big Sky Country.
That was the message Patrick Barkey, director of the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, presented at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon during a presentation about the possible impacts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan.
“This would be one of the biggest economic events to hit the state in three decades,” Barkey said at the Kalispell luncheon on Feb. 11.
What has been heralded as a centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s plan to combat climate change is now in limbo after the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted its implementation until a series of lawsuits are sorted out.
The Clean Power Plan would require every state to significantly reduce its carbon emissions. The new regulations would hit coal-producing states especially hard, including Montana, which holds about 25 percent of the nation’s recoverable
coal reserves. In order for the state to comply with the new rules it is possible the Colstrip Steam Electric Station and associated mine would be shuttered.
According to a report by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research that was commissioned by NorthWestern Energy, implementation of the power plan could result in a loss of 7,100 jobs in Montana within three years. It would also result in a loss of over $500 million in annual income received by state households and a loss of $1.5 billion in gross output by Montana businesses.
While the vast majority of impacts would be felt in eastern Montana, the Flathead Valley would feel the effects, Barkey said. According to the study, Northwest Montana could lose up to 1,000 jobs as a result of the power plan. That’s attributed to a possible fluctuation in utility costs that would negatively impact businesses while the state searches for new energy resources. Barkey notes the state currently benefits from homegrown energy, but if Colstrip were shuttered more of it would have to be imported, thus raising prices.
The decline of the coal industry would also negatively impact the state’s coffers.
“Coal is a high-octane fuel for the state’s tax revenues,” Barkey said.
Since 1992, the Treasure State Endowment Program has awarded more than $200 million to local governments to help with infrastructure projects. That fund heavily relies on coal revenues. In the last 25 years, Flathead County alone has received more than $7.7 million from the fund; Lincoln County has earned $5.9 million; and Lake County has earned upwards of $11 million.
In the months since the EPA announced the Clean Power Plan, 27 states have sued the federal government. Last week, the Supreme Court announced that the EPA plan was stayed until the legal issues are resolved sometime this summer. The news was greeted with mixed reviews.
“The Supreme Court decision to issue a nationwide stay on the Obama administration’s misguided, job-killing rule is great news for Montana,” said Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines. “The so-called Clean Power Plan will kill Montana jobs and leads our country in the wrong direction – away from being an energy leader.”
But environmental groups lamented the decision and said if the courts killed the Clean Power Plan it would set the nation back in the battle against climate change.
“The Clean Power Plan is the largest step the United States has ever taken to tackle global warming pollution and is supported by nearly three-quarters of all Americans, including mayors, faith leaders, small businesses and public health professionals,” said Corey Bressler of Environment Montana, a state advocacy organization. “This decision is a huge loss for our kids’ future and for all Americans who care about the health of our planet, and a huge win for the polluters and the deniers.”
Coal closures would impact Northwest Montana Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2016 4:07 pm By SAM WILSON/Daily Inter Lake | 0 comments Impacts would be felt in NW Montana By SAM WILSON Daily Inter Lake Northwest Montana could see dramatic impacts from the Clean Power Plan if a challenge to the federal pollution regulations ultimately fails, University of Montana economics professor Patrick Barkey said on Thursday. Released by the Environmental Protection Agency last year, the plan creates a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. It got put on hold Tuesday, however, when the U.S. Supreme Court halted enforcement of the plan until a lawsuit filed by 27 states is resolved. Still, Barkey said during a Thursday presentation to the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce that if the plan is enacted, ripple effects from the fossil fuel-reliant eastern part of the state will be felt farther west. Montana would have to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 47 percent by 2030 — the largest cut of any state. Barkey’s study is founded on the premise that compliance will require shuttering all four generating stations at Colstrip’s massive coal-fired power plant. Officials with NorthWestern Energy, which commissioned the study and sponsored the Thursday luncheon, agreed. The utility company owns a 30 percent share of one of Colstrip’s four units and about 10 percent of the overall plant. Rick Burt, NorthWestern’s director of community relations, called the plant’s closure “a very reasonable expectation” if the plan is enacted, but stopped short of saying it was a certainty. Critics of the study have said it fails to consider other options, such as increasing energy efficiency and the state’s wind and solar capacity. Barkey said he looked at other scenarios and they just weren’t feasible.
“We couldn’t come up with any economic way of building up the wind and solar supply to what is lost at Colstrip,” he said. He found that if the plant shuts down, seven counties in Northwest Montana could lose nearly 1,000 jobs and face a range of other impacts to the region’s economy and population. “It’s the effect of higher electricity prices affecting investments,” Barkey said, adding that while the region’s plentiful hydroelectric energy is cheaper, producers will simply raise prices in response to lower regional supply. Barkey didn’t have specifics on where the regional job losses would come from but said the impacts would be spread throughout multiple sectors. Statewide, close to half of an estimated 7,150 job losses would come from construction and state and local government, the report found. The health care, retail and accommodation and food services industries would also see substantial losses. Barkey predicted manufacturing could also take a hit. “When electricity prices go up, energy-intensive industries will leave,” he said. Barkey’s report estimated more than 10,000 people would leave Montana as a result of the economic impact — further lowering tax revenues and demand for state and local government services. “When people move for economic opportunity, they tend to be younger,” he added. The decline of the state’s coal industry itself, he said, would have significant impacts on government funds. Four different taxes on coal help prop up the state’s budget — most notably the coal severance tax, which has yielded $2.1 billion for state coffers in the past four decades. Flathead County gets the fifth-largest payout from coal royalties through the Treasure State Endowment program, which awards grants to governments and special districts to fund infrastructure projects. In all, the county has gotten about $7.7 million since 1999. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Reporter Sam Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at [email protected].
Economists optimistic about 2016 Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2016 5:45 am By SEABORN LARSON/Daily Inter Lake | 0 comments Manufacturing, nonresident spending and a swelling health-care market are expected to cultivate another strong economic year for Montana and the Flathead Valley, economists said at Friday’s 2016 Economic Outlook seminar. “The real uncertainty in the Flathead is what’s going to happen with the Canadian dollar,” said Paul Polzin, director emeritus of the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research. This isn’t a new concept to Flathead businesses, where nonresident travel accounts for 20 percent of the economic base. The strong point of the valley’s economy is health care, Polzin said, which accounts for 10 percent of the economic base. “Flathead County began exporting health care three or four years ago and it’s still growing,” he said. “But because that’s related to the Canadians, we’ll see how that is affected.” Norma Nickerson, director of the Institution for Tourism and Recreation Research, projected another big year for national park visitation and ski resorts. She attributed the positive outlook for the parks to the National Park Service’s centennial and an increase in advertising. Along with the commercial side, she said millennials have found ways to travel more often and at cheaper rates, using services like airbnb and Uber. “This just shows that things are changing and we have to pay attention to that,” she said. Todd Morgan from the Bureau of Business and Economic Research said Montana manufacturers are expecting a better year than 2015. About 45 percent of surveyed manufacturers said they are planning an increase in employment, while 4 percent said they’re expecting to reduce staff.
Another positive indicator, according to Morgan: 36 percent of firms said filling a skilled labor force was the biggest issue of 2015. This year, only 25 percent of firms are worried about that issue. “That raised some interesting questions,” Morgan said. “Did they resolve this issue? We’re not quite sure.” Either way, it appears the manufacturing industry, which carries 120 firms in the Flathead Valley according to Morgan, can look forward to increased sales. “It’s a positive story for manufacturing in the Kalispell region,” Morgan said. “It has a lot to do with fuel and managing costs being low, especially in the wood products industry.” BUREAU DIRECTOR Patrick Barkey kicked off the seminar with some insight into what is propelling Montana’s economic growth. “Consumers are driving growth,” Barkey said. “Investment, on the other hand, has throttled back and not contributed as much.” Barkey presented a national outlook, highlighting weakening economies such as Canada and Mexico expected to hurt U.S. product export numbers. The U.S. economy, which has become much stronger in recent years, is pushing up the cost of U.S. goods while continued job growth over the past five years has increased Americans’ spending power. Montana has experienced the same effect with steady job growth and a slightly more rapid rise in wages. Every sector in Montana except mining increased wages in 2015. “They all tell the same story,” Barkey said. “The growth has been pretty broad.” Barkey said the Bureau expects growth to continue this way for at least three or four more years. Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at [email protected].
Kalispell School District Considering New 25-Acre Property on North End
Parcel off Whitefish Stage Road could be latest site for new elementary school BY DILLON TABISH // FEB 5, 2016 // NEWS & FEATURES
An empty section of land near Whitefish Stage Road on the north end of Kalispell. Beacon File
Photo
SHOW CAPTION
Kalispell school officials are considering the addition of an elementary school on the north side of town along with two new sites on the southern end to address overcrowding and projected growth over the next 20 years.
Mark Flatau, Kalispell School District 5 superintendent, told a steering committee on Wednesday that an informal dialogue is underway with a landowner who expressed interest in selling 25 acres for a new school off Whitefish Stage Road. The landowner
approached the district with the idea, Flatau said. The empty parcel is within city limits near Rose Crossing.
Flatau said a full report on the potential site will be delivered to the school board on Feb. 23.
The potential additional property comes as school administrators and staff are in the midst of long-range planning efforts to address Kalispell’s crowded elementary classrooms. Kalispell’s elementary school district hit its largest enrollment on record this fall with 3,018 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, 521 more than 10 years ago.
Since last summer, planners have worked with a local steering group to solve the growing need for new space.
Flatau said the latest possibility is acquiring the land off Whitefish Stage Road and building an elementary school. At the same time, the district would also build an elementary school and middle school on the district’s 25-acre property along Airport Road on the south end of town.
“That’s where the discussions are at right now,” he said, emphasizing that the plans were very preliminary.
Voters would have to approve a bond measure giving the district funding to build any new schools. Previous estimates showed costs between $24 million to $50 million for new facilities and maintenance.
The original plan was solely focused on developing school facilities on the south property with several ideas floated by planners, including an early education center for pre-school and kindergarten students.
Yet a problem emerged as plans were further reviewed, Flatau said. Building a new elementary school and early education center in south Kalispell would only clear up enough space in the city’s elementary classes for 15 years before classrooms were filled again. This forecast is based on a projected growth of 2 percent annually, which is consistent with recent population trends.
“It would be very short-sighted to go out for a bond and six or seven years later, ask for another bond,” Flatau said. “I think our community expects us to do better planning than that.”
Flatau said the district should consider utilizing the north property based on both need and opportunity.
“If I could’ve picked a site on the north end for a new school, that’s exactly where I would pick. It’s ideal,” he said.
Both north and south ends of Kalispell have experienced significant residential growth in recent years with more expected in the near future.
The area along Whitefish Stage Road is already platted for a large residential development.
Four of Kalispell’s five elementary schools are at least 60 years old, and almost every site is filled to capacity as enrollment keeps growing. Kalispell Middle School, with nearly 1,100 students, is the lone middle school in town and the largest in Montana. The city’s newest elementary school, Edgerton, was built in 1987 and had over 600 students this year.
Flatau said the idea of creating an early education center had merit but that it would create less flexibility in terms of addressing the student population’s greatest needs.
“For that reason, we need to stay with the K-5 model,” he said.
The next steering committee meeting is March 2 at the middle school, starting at 6p.m.
Marriott studies 111-room Whitefish hotel Posted: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 3:10 pm By LYNNETTE HINTZE/Daily Inter Lake | 0 comments
Marriott has filed pre-application paperwork with the Whitefish Planning Office for a three-story, 111-room hotel along U.S. 93 just south of Mountain Mall in Whitefish. The preliminary application — not yet a formal application — details the design of the 63,171-square-foot TownePlace Suites by Marriott on three acres of wooded land near the Mountain Mall pond. TownePlace Suites are designed for extended-stay travelers “who want to feel at home and stay productive,” the hotel corporation states. The hotel would offer a mix of rooms, including suites with full kitchens. The Whitefish Architectural Review Committee will hold its second discussion about the design of the Marriott when the committee meets Tuesday, Feb. 2. “This project will need City Council approval before there is any final approval from the Architectural Review Committee,” Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring said, noting that Marriott’s preliminary plans could change. Architectural renderings submitted to the Planning Office show a hotel facade of natural stone, stucco and board-and-batten material. The property is located in the secondary business district, which requires a conditional-use permit for building footprints over 15,000 square feet. Marriott’s proposal is the third hotel project to surface in Whitefish over the past year.
The three-story, 86-room Firebrand Hotel is nearing completion at the downtown corner of Second Street and Spokane Avenue. It is expected to open in early June but is booking reservations for Aug. 1 and later in case of any delays. The Firebrand is being developed by Averill Hospitality, which also owns and operates The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. On U.S. 93 South in Whitefish, a 76-room Hampton Inn and Suites is scheduled for completion in late spring or early summer. The 20,030-square-foot hotel, located off the highway behind the former Wendy’s restaurant site, also is three stories high. If the Marriott TownePlace Suites project moves forward, it and the other two new hotels would add an additional 273 rooms to Whitefish’s lodging inventory that currently offers more than 1,127 rooms. That total does not include vacation rental-by-owner properties that are becoming increasingly popular in the resort town. Hotel construction is underway in Columbia Falls and Kalispell, too. Marriott is building a four-story, 101-room Springhill Suites in the Spring Prairie commercial subdivision in north Kalispell. That hotel is scheduled to open in late May. Columbia Falls is getting its first new hotel within city limits. Construction is underway on Cedar Creek Lodge east of the city swimming pool and Pinewood Park. Ruis Holdings is building the three-story hotel in two phases. The first phase will have 64 rooms, with 18 future rooms planned pending demand.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at [email protected].
It is the request of the Chamber staff to keep the following committees active within the Board of Directors beyond the time of re-accreditation. Each year the committee personnel will change and with the assistance of the Chamber staff will review each secti on to discuss changes and track progress. The intent would be to keep the Board of Directors involved in more detail of the operations of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitor Bureau, and maintain active and update to date records to be used in re-accreditation processes. Below are the updates from the committee thus far and their recommendations to the Board of Directors: Section 1-Governance Section-Finance
1. Savings Account a. Recommendation: move $225,000 to WFCU from the Wells Fargo
checking account for a .68% return. 2. Second signer on bank accounts
a. President/CEO (Joe Unterreiner) is primary on all accounts. b. Convention & Visitor Bureau Director (Diane Medler) has signing
authority on all TBID/Bed Tax/CVB Events accounts. c. Recommendation: add the Administrative Services Manager (at this time
Katie Brien) as a signer on all accounts—will sign President/CEO’s absence.
d. All hand written checks must have the President/CEO’s signature on the check stub acknowledging the payment. In the case that the President/CEO needs to hand write a check OR the President/CEO is not able to sign the check stub, the Chairman of the Board or Treasurer must sign the check stub.
e. The President/CEO must be notified if a check (either printed or hand written) needs to be processed in his absence.
f. Recommendation: add Chairman of the Board to all accounts so in the case any signers are not able to fulfill their duties, the Chairman has the authority (under board resolution) to add a new signer to the accounts.
3. Signing Authority by Staff without Board of Directors acknowledgement a. 2015 high monetary checks written
i. $25,000-approximatley 20 per year
ii. $30,000-approximatley 5-6 per year
iii. $50,000-approximately 1 per year b. Recommendation: Chamber staff has signing authority without Board
acknowledgement up to $50,000. Any check above this amount will require a signature from the Chairman of the Board or Treasurer acknowledging the payment.
4. Investment Account
a. Recommendation: establish an investment account to receive stock donations for the Foundation.
5. Reserve Account a. Recommendation: TBD
6. Credit Cards a. Recommendation: Add an administrative credit card for use by the
Administrative Services Manager for small administrative purchases (UNWIND supplies, small office supplies, event supplies, Ambassador supplies). Limit of no more than $1000.
Section 3-Human Resources
1. Katie will review and update employee handbook and provide recommendations on the following: a. Holiday/Vacation/Sick Time pay schedule b. Dress policy c. Onboarding procedures d. Employee benefit policy
2. Have an outside organization review the updated employee handbook to check for compliance with employment law.
Section 4-Government Affairs—TBD Section 5-Program Development
1. Jodi Smith will facilitate an environmental scan and SWOT analysis at the March meeting and will provide a follow up report for our use.
2. Recommendation: add a yearly environmental scan and SWOT analysis to the agenda of the Board of Directors’ retreat.
Section 6-Technology--TBD Section 7-Communication—scheduled to meet February 22 at 4:00pm. Section 8-Facilities--TBD Section 9-Benchmarking—Data to be submitted by Chamber staff to ACCE by February 26, 2016.
2/19/2016
1
Kalispell Public Schools Levy and Bond information
Kalispell Chamber of commerce
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016
Kalispell Public Schools Mission/purpose
Kalispell Public Schools will provide diverse educational opportunities and challenges for all students that; meet their unique needs, prepare
them to be life/career/college ready, and result in responsible citizens of our communities.
Discussion Points
• Levy Timelines
• Enrollment History
• General Fund Projections
• Comparison Data – AA Schools
– Valley Schools
• Questions and Answers
Levy TIMELINE
• January 5 Facilities Planning Meeting • January 12 Board of Trustees Meeting • February 1 Second and Final Student Count • February 3 Facilities Planning Meeting • February 9 Board of Trustees Meeting • February 23 Deadline to call for Election • March 2 Facilities Planning Meeting • March 8 Board of Trustees Meeting – March 22 Board Work Study/Levy Campaign Begins