December 17, 2007 CMT Meeting
Missoula College of Technology
Members Present:
Michelle Parks, Saundra Long, Maggie Driscoll, Janet Vandyke, Lynn Stocking, Sundee Carr, Kelly Deniger, Wolf Ametsbichler, Chris Mitchell, Tamara Kindred, Paula Marcinkowski, Yvonne Brady
Guest Presenters:
Gary Bakke-Chamber of Commerce Business Advocate
Jack Chambers-CEO of Opportunity Resources, current president of Missoula Chamber of Commerce
Gary:
Historically the Chamber of Commerce has not been politically active, a couple years ago they created his position to work on a lot of issues, attend meetings and give a businessmans perspective to local issues. His first meeting was in Helena about changes in Liquor Licenses, he came up with a proposal that was accepted. Second task was West Broadway as voice of business community tried to get the “road diet” eliminated, was not successful. Compared 3 years of traffic on road, 92 crashes on Orange street to Toole street, one fatality, 29 injury crashes, 62 caused damage, 8 pedestrians hit and 2 bicycles hit. The business community thought it reduced exposure, eliminated parking, cueing was extended considerable. Six month study before the diet, 2005 10 accidents, 0 fatalities. 2007 six month study in same time frame accidents increased to 19 accidents. Next issue East Broadway, should it be reduced down 3 lanes, most businesses say no. Gary has also worked on the Bitterroot Resort, could employ up to 3000 employees, many would be seasonal, golf courses and ski resort. The issues are increased traffic and airport limitations. Partnered with MAEDC to do a feasibility study, $40,000 for the study, well worth the money to get the unbiased information, it is on the web site and 80 pages long.
Future projects include a road diet on N Higgins and an ordinance on voluntary residential inspections. If the residential inspection passed, there are some situations that it would take low income housing out of the housing market. If they do not pass they are condemned until they pass the inspection. This proposal passed in the City Council Committee. Asbestos abatement is also an issue, you must survey what is there, the state controls the abatement, the city of Missoula says the state is too busy, so they are drafting a bill to require all builders to contract with an inspector to look and survey the asbestos. There are no requirements for the inspector, they can be on staff. The industry may be policing themselves.
The Chamber has around 1000 members, sends out regular e-mails, surveyed members about airport use. Sent out last week, in 30 minutes 51 responses, now over 200 responses. If you are looking at expanding business, Jan 1 outdoor lighting ordinance on what kind of lights you can, if you are going to expand the size on any building in the City of Missoula you will be assessed an impact fee for transportation. City has lost revenue and is looking for new areas to help support the infrastructure.
Jack:
Opportunity is a non-profit but one of our areas largest employers. One of the first presidents to be from a non-profit. It is sometimes hard because non-profits also have social causes. The biggest issue that the Missoula area is facing, is that it is a service community, from non profits, tourists, health care, retired folks. See a huge crisis in the workforce issues. Employers are trying to get creative to recruit employees. Unemployment is 2% or less, most people that want to work are working, housing costs are in the median across the United States. You really don’t work in Missoula for minimum wage any more, high cost of housing and low wages make it difficult. We will need to be creative in how we will fill positions. Employee pools are pretty precious when employers like DirecTV comes in, it reduces the pool. The Chamber’s role is to gather information and inform the membership.
Paula- Disability Navigator.
5 half time positions through out the state. Makes it easier for job seekers, business partners and community partners know what is going on. It is basically a referral and a resource, previously called a disability coordinator. Worked to identify the issues and needs to create a bigger resource and referral system. Try to get the word out and train as many people as possible. Talking about entitlement programs, fear of losing cash or income assistance. Looking at community support, trying to develop more partnerships. In Missoula there are a lot of non-profits that do a lot of the work. Paula’s territory is Ravalli, Mineral, Lake and Sanders County.
Allen-UM College of Technology Admissions
Catalog is on CD now. 1532 students, 1245 FTE, significantly higher than past, 145 FTE increase. 50 new students from Stimson layoffs.
Brand new Computer System Technician 1 yr program, also Energy Technician online certificate program, the focus on traditional and alternative energies, 18 students admitted. Associates of Arts programs is getting more and more attention. Very popular for nontraditional students as well, it is a transfer degree. The Health Core also attracts a lot of students, they go through the core in preparation for other Health programs. After you go through the core then you apply for admission into the health program, very competitive in some programs. What happens to those that don’t get in? Some choose other programs, most of the core classes are general education requirements so they count toward other degrees. What is the COT capacity? Now offering Saturday classes, move more into evening classes also to address space issues, but also to have programs in the evenings. It takes a paradigm shift to think about going to classes in the evening or weekend. A new building project is beginning, only for the east campus, not the industrial piece. It may be built on the golf course. Online is also taking some of the load, the College of Technology has the highest number of online courses being offered. More teaching is offered on how to take an online course. It will become more accepted and comfortable. Biggest population is in the dorms taking online courses. People who are only doing online classes can have some of the fees waved that are campus oriented. One foot on campus will change the fee structure.
Question? Felonies for application to COT, there is a screening committee to review applications with Felony convictions, often times students can come in, sometimes they are denied, or asked to reapply at another date. Students must also look into state and national licenses which sometime prohibit certain types of offences.
Old Business-
Approval of the Minutes-tabled until the next meeting.
New Business-
At the last Workforce Council meeting we talked about having more guest speakers-power hours in between our regular meetings to learn about the issues. January 28, power hour no business, meeting from 1:30-2:30 at The Lifelong Learning Center. Traditional meeting in February, Steve Earl is confirmed from Mountain Line. Roger may be guest presenter for Power hour in March. All the meetings will be at The Lifelong Learning Center.
Round Table:
Missoula Job Service Job Fair, April 16, at the Hilton. Will have partnered with UM School of Business and they are requiring juniors and seniors to attend. Businesses are finding it harder to recruit employees. Meeting with the Missoulian to get an insert or tab and information about how to ready for meeting with employers, the Job Service also provides the content so if you want to put content in let the Job Service know, it is coming out the Sunday before the fair. $125 is the fee to be part of the job fair. Western Montana Premier Employment and Training Event. You can make a tax deductible contribution to the fair. Want people to see that pathways that they need to do get a better paying job.
Missoula Housing Authority, Homeless Connect Jan 31, 2007 same day they do the homeless survey.
Next meeting is January 28 at the Lifelong Learning Center 310 S Curtis from 1:30-2:30 with guest presenter Marci from BREDD.
