Monday, May 12, 2008
Next CMT Meeting
Our next CMT Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 23 at 1:30 at the Lifelong Learning Center.
Monday, April 28, 2008
April 28, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Saundra called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. and initiated a round table introduction.
Meeting minutes from the March 17, 2008 CMT meeting at the Lifelong Learning Center were approved with one change.
Mayor John Engen showed a movie about housing issues in Missoula called “Housing in Missoula: A Community Conversation.” His call to action involves the community coming together to answer the following questions:
Who needs affordable housing in Missoula?
Where is the housing appropriate?
What should the housing look like?
How do we help pay for affordable housing?
Mayor Engen said that all City Council members acknowledge that this is an issue. He provided a copy of this packet about housing affordability in Missoula. The video can be viewed on MCAT. Mayor Engen also offered show the video at any of our organizations and answer questions. Contact his office for more information.
Charlie Wright from the Department of Commerce discussed “Workforce Housing.” If you would like a copy of Charlie's presentation, please email Saundra at SLong@mt.gov to request a copy.
The next CMT meeting will be on Monday, June 23, at 1:30 pm, location to be arranged.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 pm.
Meeting minutes from the March 17, 2008 CMT meeting at the Lifelong Learning Center were approved with one change.
Mayor John Engen showed a movie about housing issues in Missoula called “Housing in Missoula: A Community Conversation.” His call to action involves the community coming together to answer the following questions:
Who needs affordable housing in Missoula?
Where is the housing appropriate?
What should the housing look like?
How do we help pay for affordable housing?
Mayor Engen said that all City Council members acknowledge that this is an issue. He provided a copy of this packet about housing affordability in Missoula. The video can be viewed on MCAT. Mayor Engen also offered show the video at any of our organizations and answer questions. Contact his office for more information.
Charlie Wright from the Department of Commerce discussed “Workforce Housing.” If you would like a copy of Charlie's presentation, please email Saundra at SLong@mt.gov to request a copy.
The next CMT meeting will be on Monday, June 23, at 1:30 pm, location to be arranged.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 pm.
Monday, March 17, 2008
March 17, 2008 CMT meeting
Community Management Team Meeting
March 17, 2008 Minutes
The Lifelong Learning Center
Members Present: Jodie Rasmussen-The Lifelong Learning Center, Chris Mitchell-OPA, Marie Garrison-REO, Mark Cumming-Voc Rehab, Brenda Warning-Experience Works, Ron Ciszak-WORD, Kellyann Deniger-Msla Job Service WORC, Chris Mitchell-OPA, Michelle Parks-Child Care Resources, Matt Clausen, Missoula County Public Schools. Larry DeGarmo-Salvation Army, Jason Wiener-City Council, Sundee Carr MPRC
1:30 pm Meeting called to order by Michelle Parks
1:30 pm Guest Speakers:
Paige Singleberry from DirecTV-HR Consultant, recruiting and staffing.
The job market is pretty competitive and DirecTV has high hiring expectations. It is a call center with 1,000 employees, 850 of which are customer service representatives.
They are always looking for people with computer and customer service skills. Wages start at $9 per hour with great benefits. Unemployment is very low so it has become more difficult to find and retain employees. To face this challenge DirecTV is looking at changing recruitment strategies. They went through employees that didn’t make it and asked them why they weren’t successful. The answers were interesting, for example, people with waitress experience have great customer service skills but may not have been successful because they couldn’t move around, you are essentially confined to your desk area and can only leave for structured breaks and lunch. Through an advertising analysis they determined that the best employees came from referrals from other employees. This was in part because they had a good sense for what the job was really like before they were hired. Now they get bonuses for giving good employee referrals. They also tried to give them a more realistic idea of what the job is about, if you don’t want to work with satellites it might not be a good fit. In Missoula area, people were not as aware of what the job really was because we don’t have a lot of call centers. Really looking for a long term fit.
Retention: Training process, if they have not have experience in that position how do you set them up for success? Training is four weeks in the classroom 8 hours a day, and two weeks of on the job training. DirecTV is constantly changing curriculum to keep up with equipment, always sprinting to keep up. Employees can not miss one day during the first four weeks, but have training on several different shifts. Strict attendance policy, scheduled very tightly so they can handle the call volumes.
New attendance policy-used to be one minute late and was counted against you, now looking for more of a trend to account for more life circumstances. More flexibility now for the supervisors to make some of those calls but employees still need to have a plan B to deal with life circumstances. Childcare is a challenge, only school and religious accommodations are made. Former employees can reapply at any time if things change. If it was after 90 days they would have to go through training again.
Computer training skills-Employees must have the ability to multi task, alt tab through windows, up to 10 windows are open at a time. Internet scavenger hunts are good training tools, it is necessary to be able to problem solve and find answers. The deal with two databases, one with customer information and one with the technical help. Also need the ability to cut and paste and type up to 35 words per minute and use you mouse very well. Very fast pace environment and need to have the ability to read scripts while looking for other information.
Positive attitude is also very important. Need to have confidence is their skills. Looking for full time right now, 5-10 pm is a good time for part-time because it is when their calls are highest. Part time can be 20, 25, or 30 hrs, they take a regular shift and shrink it to when call volume is the highest. Employees need to bid into the shifts. Mandatory shift bids about every six months, Occasionally they need to readjust all the shifts which makes it more difficult for employees.
DirecTV is also splitting out call types between billing and general inquiry questions and technical training. This lets people stay longer in the areas that they enjoy the most and are more competent in.
Marci Allen BREDD
Marci has been with the Bitterroot Economic Development group for about a year and a half, it has a regional designation by the Department of Commerce. BREDD just finished a comprehensive economic strategy for the region this fall. Redevelopment, business, land use planning, infrastructure and workforce groups participated. Hopefully this will be a document that people use to help guide our future.
EDA administers several different grants, public works for water and sewer districts. It is also is used for MonTec. Marci recently submitted the Mineral County Challenge grant to help in that area, Workforce adjustments programs can assist with unemployment and layoffs in a certain industry although the numbers have to be pretty high (500 layoffs) in a year to qualify. BREDD also partners with other economic development organizations and creates a foundation for them to run their programs.
Currently they are working on a communication infrastructure assessment of the county and potential strategies to serve underserved areas. Also trying to develop a green building center, that would impact many different sectors. We have choices about what we want to develop and grow in our community, whether it is businesses that we are attracting from out of state or ones we are identifying and growing on our own.
Economic growth is the numbers, economic development is planned, well thoughtout and long term. If the growth isn’t something we really desire then it all growth is not always desirable. One goal is to further develop relationships between the workforce, business and economic development agencies. Human capital is something that people recognize and is essential for growth. Also, BREDD is charged with going after resources to help businesses and people in the three counties to provide solutions.
Child Care Resources is looking for grants to provide incentives for quality non-standard care. Many of the employees at DirecTV do not qualify for the Scholarship program. DirecTV has done child care surveys and passed it on to Child Care Resources. They are considering changing the times shift start and looking at wages.
BREDD if looking for broad-based projects. Outreach to Mineral County for teleconferences for example, they currently work with Flathead Community College for AP classes. Would like to identify industries that people would like to develop in the Missoula area that would create jobs in the rural comities also. Green building center would serve engineers, architects, builders, retails, nurseries, and hundreds of other industries. It is in the very beginning concept stage, the group that is trying to do it has more than enough people who are interested in the sharing the space. Looking at very creative financing so probably won’t come up for at least a year.
www.bredd.org
Next meeting date & location
On April 28 from 1:30-3:00 at the Lifelong Learning Center we have Mayor John Engen and Charlie Wright scheduled. Mayor Engen will discuss affordable housing, Urban Renewal Plans, and answer questions. Charlie Wright will be discussing regional activities of the Department of Commerce.
2:00 pm Meeting adjourned
March 17, 2008 Minutes
The Lifelong Learning Center
Members Present: Jodie Rasmussen-The Lifelong Learning Center, Chris Mitchell-OPA, Marie Garrison-REO, Mark Cumming-Voc Rehab, Brenda Warning-Experience Works, Ron Ciszak-WORD, Kellyann Deniger-Msla Job Service WORC, Chris Mitchell-OPA, Michelle Parks-Child Care Resources, Matt Clausen, Missoula County Public Schools. Larry DeGarmo-Salvation Army, Jason Wiener-City Council, Sundee Carr MPRC
1:30 pm Meeting called to order by Michelle Parks
1:30 pm Guest Speakers:
Paige Singleberry from DirecTV-HR Consultant, recruiting and staffing.
The job market is pretty competitive and DirecTV has high hiring expectations. It is a call center with 1,000 employees, 850 of which are customer service representatives.
They are always looking for people with computer and customer service skills. Wages start at $9 per hour with great benefits. Unemployment is very low so it has become more difficult to find and retain employees. To face this challenge DirecTV is looking at changing recruitment strategies. They went through employees that didn’t make it and asked them why they weren’t successful. The answers were interesting, for example, people with waitress experience have great customer service skills but may not have been successful because they couldn’t move around, you are essentially confined to your desk area and can only leave for structured breaks and lunch. Through an advertising analysis they determined that the best employees came from referrals from other employees. This was in part because they had a good sense for what the job was really like before they were hired. Now they get bonuses for giving good employee referrals. They also tried to give them a more realistic idea of what the job is about, if you don’t want to work with satellites it might not be a good fit. In Missoula area, people were not as aware of what the job really was because we don’t have a lot of call centers. Really looking for a long term fit.
Retention: Training process, if they have not have experience in that position how do you set them up for success? Training is four weeks in the classroom 8 hours a day, and two weeks of on the job training. DirecTV is constantly changing curriculum to keep up with equipment, always sprinting to keep up. Employees can not miss one day during the first four weeks, but have training on several different shifts. Strict attendance policy, scheduled very tightly so they can handle the call volumes.
New attendance policy-used to be one minute late and was counted against you, now looking for more of a trend to account for more life circumstances. More flexibility now for the supervisors to make some of those calls but employees still need to have a plan B to deal with life circumstances. Childcare is a challenge, only school and religious accommodations are made. Former employees can reapply at any time if things change. If it was after 90 days they would have to go through training again.
Computer training skills-Employees must have the ability to multi task, alt tab through windows, up to 10 windows are open at a time. Internet scavenger hunts are good training tools, it is necessary to be able to problem solve and find answers. The deal with two databases, one with customer information and one with the technical help. Also need the ability to cut and paste and type up to 35 words per minute and use you mouse very well. Very fast pace environment and need to have the ability to read scripts while looking for other information.
Positive attitude is also very important. Need to have confidence is their skills. Looking for full time right now, 5-10 pm is a good time for part-time because it is when their calls are highest. Part time can be 20, 25, or 30 hrs, they take a regular shift and shrink it to when call volume is the highest. Employees need to bid into the shifts. Mandatory shift bids about every six months, Occasionally they need to readjust all the shifts which makes it more difficult for employees.
DirecTV is also splitting out call types between billing and general inquiry questions and technical training. This lets people stay longer in the areas that they enjoy the most and are more competent in.
Marci Allen BREDD
Marci has been with the Bitterroot Economic Development group for about a year and a half, it has a regional designation by the Department of Commerce. BREDD just finished a comprehensive economic strategy for the region this fall. Redevelopment, business, land use planning, infrastructure and workforce groups participated. Hopefully this will be a document that people use to help guide our future.
EDA administers several different grants, public works for water and sewer districts. It is also is used for MonTec. Marci recently submitted the Mineral County Challenge grant to help in that area, Workforce adjustments programs can assist with unemployment and layoffs in a certain industry although the numbers have to be pretty high (500 layoffs) in a year to qualify. BREDD also partners with other economic development organizations and creates a foundation for them to run their programs.
Currently they are working on a communication infrastructure assessment of the county and potential strategies to serve underserved areas. Also trying to develop a green building center, that would impact many different sectors. We have choices about what we want to develop and grow in our community, whether it is businesses that we are attracting from out of state or ones we are identifying and growing on our own.
Economic growth is the numbers, economic development is planned, well thoughtout and long term. If the growth isn’t something we really desire then it all growth is not always desirable. One goal is to further develop relationships between the workforce, business and economic development agencies. Human capital is something that people recognize and is essential for growth. Also, BREDD is charged with going after resources to help businesses and people in the three counties to provide solutions.
Child Care Resources is looking for grants to provide incentives for quality non-standard care. Many of the employees at DirecTV do not qualify for the Scholarship program. DirecTV has done child care surveys and passed it on to Child Care Resources. They are considering changing the times shift start and looking at wages.
BREDD if looking for broad-based projects. Outreach to Mineral County for teleconferences for example, they currently work with Flathead Community College for AP classes. Would like to identify industries that people would like to develop in the Missoula area that would create jobs in the rural comities also. Green building center would serve engineers, architects, builders, retails, nurseries, and hundreds of other industries. It is in the very beginning concept stage, the group that is trying to do it has more than enough people who are interested in the sharing the space. Looking at very creative financing so probably won’t come up for at least a year.
www.bredd.org
Next meeting date & location
On April 28 from 1:30-3:00 at the Lifelong Learning Center we have Mayor John Engen and Charlie Wright scheduled. Mayor Engen will discuss affordable housing, Urban Renewal Plans, and answer questions. Charlie Wright will be discussing regional activities of the Department of Commerce.
2:00 pm Meeting adjourned
Minutes from March 3, 2008 Workforce Council Meeting
Workforce Council Meeting
March 3, 2008 Agenda
Missoula Job Service
Members present: Jodie Rasmussen-The Lifelong Learning Center, Maggie Driscoll & Jim Morton-District XI HRC, Wolf Ametsbichler & Saundra Long-Job Service, Diana Stacey-Reetz, Michelle Parks-Child Care Resources, Janet VanDyke
10:00 am Meeting called to order
Michelle called the meeting to order. Minutes from the last meeting were approved.
New Business
Ø BREDD Presentation-Wolf left a voice mail for possible March 17 meeting. Job Service will contact DirecTv to see if they want to do a short presentation at the March meeting.
Ø April Meeting-speaker and no agency focus for April, the speakers are the mayor and Charlie Wright. April 28th. Jim will send a reminder. Possible Health Focus guest speaker for May-Career Ladders and new directions. Diana will talk to Lynn about speakers.
Ø Renewal Paperwork? Have received a phone call, said they will make it as simple as possible. No visits from a state workforce member.
Ø Participation Decline. Some agencies have not attended for a long time. Should we start talking to them to see if they are still interested? Jim will talk to Larry at the Salvation Army. Janet will talk to Mike Flariety at Community Worcs, Wolf will talk to Craig from Job Corps and Sundee from Pre-release.
Ø 3 pm forum, is anyone using it? No, do we need to change the time or drop it from the agenda?
Ø Should we ask other people if they want to join the council, perhaps the school district. Jodie will ask Matt from the School District to participate on the CMT. Jim will ask Dennis from the Carpenters Union.
Ø Community Partner Grant-Energy Construction
o Federal Grant looking for programs that have programs in place in high growth areas. Looking for employers, education partners and Workforce Investment partners. Want partners involved in the process. 3 year grant of 500,000 to 1 million dollars.
o Human Resources runs the Weatherization program and would like to participate, Wolf would like to participate, Dennis Danike from the carpenters union might, Adult Education will participate
Ø Saundra will send out e-mail reminders and agendas, Jodie will do minutes and post to the blogs.
Next meeting date & location-May 5 at HRC 10 am.
Meeting adjourned
March 3, 2008 Agenda
Missoula Job Service
Members present: Jodie Rasmussen-The Lifelong Learning Center, Maggie Driscoll & Jim Morton-District XI HRC, Wolf Ametsbichler & Saundra Long-Job Service, Diana Stacey-Reetz, Michelle Parks-Child Care Resources, Janet VanDyke
10:00 am Meeting called to order
Michelle called the meeting to order. Minutes from the last meeting were approved.
New Business
Ø BREDD Presentation-Wolf left a voice mail for possible March 17 meeting. Job Service will contact DirecTv to see if they want to do a short presentation at the March meeting.
Ø April Meeting-speaker and no agency focus for April, the speakers are the mayor and Charlie Wright. April 28th. Jim will send a reminder. Possible Health Focus guest speaker for May-Career Ladders and new directions. Diana will talk to Lynn about speakers.
Ø Renewal Paperwork? Have received a phone call, said they will make it as simple as possible. No visits from a state workforce member.
Ø Participation Decline. Some agencies have not attended for a long time. Should we start talking to them to see if they are still interested? Jim will talk to Larry at the Salvation Army. Janet will talk to Mike Flariety at Community Worcs, Wolf will talk to Craig from Job Corps and Sundee from Pre-release.
Ø 3 pm forum, is anyone using it? No, do we need to change the time or drop it from the agenda?
Ø Should we ask other people if they want to join the council, perhaps the school district. Jodie will ask Matt from the School District to participate on the CMT. Jim will ask Dennis from the Carpenters Union.
Ø Community Partner Grant-Energy Construction
o Federal Grant looking for programs that have programs in place in high growth areas. Looking for employers, education partners and Workforce Investment partners. Want partners involved in the process. 3 year grant of 500,000 to 1 million dollars.
o Human Resources runs the Weatherization program and would like to participate, Wolf would like to participate, Dennis Danike from the carpenters union might, Adult Education will participate
Ø Saundra will send out e-mail reminders and agendas, Jodie will do minutes and post to the blogs.
Next meeting date & location-May 5 at HRC 10 am.
Meeting adjourned
Monday, March 3, 2008
Next Meetings-Mark Your Calendar!
Our next CMT meeting will be at the Lifelong Learning Center on March 17 from 1:30-2:30. Marci Allen from BREDD will discuss Economic Development issues. Paige Singleterry from DirecTV will discuss staffing challenges, innovative things that DirecTV has started doing to combat those shortages, tell us more about their two part training, and take some time to answer questions.
On April 28 from 1:30-3:00 at the Lifelong Learning Center we have Mayor John Engen and Charile Wright scheduled. Mayor Engen will discuss affordable housing, Urban Renewal Plans, and answer questions. Charlie Wright will be discussing regional activities of the Department of Commerce.
On May 19 from 1:30-2:30 at the Lifelong Learning Center we will have speakers discuss health care topics related to career pathways, education opportunities, hiring needs, and staffing outlook.
On April 28 from 1:30-3:00 at the Lifelong Learning Center we have Mayor John Engen and Charile Wright scheduled. Mayor Engen will discuss affordable housing, Urban Renewal Plans, and answer questions. Charlie Wright will be discussing regional activities of the Department of Commerce.
On May 19 from 1:30-2:30 at the Lifelong Learning Center we will have speakers discuss health care topics related to career pathways, education opportunities, hiring needs, and staffing outlook.
CMT Council March 3 Agenda
Council Meeting
March 3, 2008 Agenda
Missoula Job Service
10:00 am Meeting called to order
New Business
Ø BREDD Presentation
Ø April Meeting-speaker and agency focus
Ø Renewal Paperwork?
Ø Participation Decline
Ø 3 pm forum, is anyone using it?
Next meeting date & location
Meeting adjourned
March 3, 2008 Agenda
Missoula Job Service
10:00 am Meeting called to order
New Business
Ø BREDD Presentation
Ø April Meeting-speaker and agency focus
Ø Renewal Paperwork?
Ø Participation Decline
Ø 3 pm forum, is anyone using it?
Next meeting date & location
Meeting adjourned
Monday, February 25, 2008
Feb 25th CMT Minutes
Community Management Team Meeting
Feb 25th 2008 Minutes
The Lifelong Learning Center
Members Present: Jodie Rasmussen & Monique Fortmann-The Lifelong Learning Center, Marie Garrison-REO, Maggie Driscoll-District XI HRC, Mark Cumming-Voc Rehab, Steve Earle-Mountain Line, Wolf Ametsbichler-Job Service, Brenda Warning-Experience Works, Ron Ciszak-WORD, Kelly Deniger-Msla Job Service WORC, Chris Mitchell-OPA, Michelle Parks-Child Care Resources
1:30 pm Meeting called to order by Michelle Parks
1:30-2:00 pm Guest Speaker Steve Earle from the Mountain Line
Steve started at the Mountain Line over 20 years ago and has held many positions over the years. The Mountain Line was formed when the Urban transportation district got an overwhelming 65% approval when it was first placed on the ballot. If you look at your taxes there is a line item if you are in the district, it roughly is from Smurfit Stone to Milltown.
2007 set a record for ridership, it is a 60% increase in ridership with only a 10% increase in service. Transit dependant people are pretty easy to get because they do not have other options, the other population is a choice rider who rides the bus because they chose to, not because they have to. They chose to because of economic, environmental or time management reasons, some people also like the social environment on the bus. The Mountain Line has about 3.6 million annual budget and employs about 55 people. The majority of funding comes from a tax increment $35 per year for every $100,000 of home value, it also receives grants and passenger revenue. 22% of budget comes from user fees/fair box. $180,000 from UM for students, staff and faculty. Everyone who works for a business downtown gets a free bus pass.
Everyone in Missoula rides the bus an average of 12 times per year. All buses are ADA accessible with either a ramp or a lift. They all also have bike racks. Guaranteed ride home system is available but not well utilized, you can call a cab up to 4 times a year, show the taxi a bus pass or UM card and they will get you a ride home if you have to work late or otherwise miss your bus or have an emergency. Busses are free when air quality is poor. New service to the airport was recently added-route 11. You can park for free at Lewis and Clark housing and then there is free bus service to downtown. You can also rent a covered space in the parking garage for $27 a week, including the bus service to the airport. The Mountain Line also partners with Missoula in Motion and Missoula Ravalli transportation that runs the bus from Hamilton to Missoula and Missoula to Polson. Combined they carry 5,000 people a day in Missoula.
What’s new? Trying to increase midday service and take route 8 which goes up and down 5th and 6th to the mall. Long Range Transportation plan, looking at ways to couple land development with future transportation needs. 93 corridor study is finding that it is cost prohibitive to add another lane from Missoula to Lolo. It is also cost prohibitive to add a road from Florence to Miller Creek. Rail into Bitterroot is feasible but costs a million dollars a mile and a million dollars a crossing. Dedicated lanes for busses only is a feasible option, but right now you can not take a bus to Lolo, will probably have fixed route service to Lolo within the next year.
Questions? Any plan in the future for low income people to ride the bus? The Mountain Line is already heavily subsidized so it is the primary responsibility of the agencies to provide the passes, although the Mountain Line offers discounted passes.
Entry Level Jobs start at $11-12 for a service person, eight people on call, six days a week. Look for people who are service oriented, easier to train people to drive the bus than the soft skills and people management. Must have a CDL and be 21 years old. Mountain Line trains them and helps them get their CDL. Not very high turn over rate about 10 years, many have been their 25 years.
Now also service DirecTV and Carl Tyler etc. For planning purposed they look at the number of trips they have that are standing room only and then look at adding new routes. Broadway road diet created issues for staying on time. You need to be able to cross the street, a route on Reserve street did not work because people couldn’t get across the street. Miller Creek developers have agreed to put the starting match in to get bus service, but now they need to get the state to put the rest of the money in, it is out of the transportation district. Grandview apartments off of 39th also do not have good bus service. 51% of property owners have to agree to be part of the transportation district or you can put it on the ballet. Now, when developments are formed and subdivided they were required to petition into the district.
I 105 froze property taxes so you can only increase the levies very small amounts usually less than 1% per year. The true cost per ride is $4 but riders only pay $.85, ADA vans cost considerably more. The Mountain Line is building a new $4 million facility which will be completed in Mid-May on Shakespear street.
2:00-2:05 pm New Business-Approved
Ø Agenda
Ø Minutes from Dec meeting
Ø New meeting structure March Meeting
Ø Power Hour- March 17 1:30-2:30 Roger Miller Office of Planning & Grants was planned but may see if we can have Marci from BREAD reschedule instead.
Ø The next regular CMT Meeting is April 28th
o Monique and Jodie are out of Town, Saundra will take minutes.
2:05-2:15 pm Agency Focus
The Lifelong Learning Center Spring Catalog is out and lots of new classes in cooking and the trades area.
Child Care Resources is looking for children in the Scholarship program. There are no waiting lists this year so it is a good time to get assistance for scholarships. Also Child Care Resources has some unrestricted money available to help people who need help for some of the care that is not eligible on the Scholarship program. This includes Drop in and summer camps that may not be licensed.
Provider Services is having a Parade of Child Care facilities April 26, Providers on the parade are accredited and star providers so families can look at different quality settings. Several providers recently opened specifically to serve the DirecTV employees.
Also the Spring conference is coming up March 8, 2008 with a nationally know Native American speaker Jack Gladstone and is open to the general public.
2:15-3:00 pm Roundtable-New updates from agencies
REO-Rural Montana Saves, Individual Development accounts matches $500 of savings with $3,000. New eligibility guidelines now accept TANF clients from the past 5 years, instead of 3 years. Can not live in Missoula County
Project Challenge lost the Dislocated Worker Program it is now housed at the Job Service on 3rd Street. Wednesday of that week was Craig’s last day and moved it immediately to the Job Service. Roughly 120 active workers are being served in the dislocated worker program. Seriously underspent dollars the dollars available, People are eligible regardless of income, including vets coming out of the service. Also if their hours are severally reduced but they are not laid off they may be eligible. $1,250,000 per year and only 16% spent. Eight AFL-CIO workers were laid off in the process.
President Bush’s next year budget does not have employment services funding for 2008-2009.
Experience Works-New mandate to serve the highest priority people, now must also move them through the program as fast as they can. If services take more than 90 days then they may need to refer to other services. The state program is over enrolled.
Worc Program needs letter of support, now must RFP this year. Four small offices in Department of Labor and DPHHS had some disagreements which have since been resolved but everyone still must submit a RFP again this year. Need the letters of support by March 15, 2008.
The Job Service WORC program was refunded for FESS starting July 1, 2008. Over 60 participants in program. Not a lot were successful in finding employment so this year so they will do more intensive case management. They have not had a lot of success placing people from the Dental Assistant program but more success in the Medical Office Essentials program.
LIAP still has funding but is winding down in April, the funding is the same if they apply now instead of the fall. Ravalli county is attempting to establish a health clinic in Hamilton at Marcus Daily Hospital. Hoping to hear something by summer. It is a really needed service in Ravalli county. Will be part-time at first but are hoping that once established the hours could be increased.
3:00 pm Next meeting date & location
March 17 at The Lifelong Learning Center-Wear your green!
Meeting adjourned
Feb 25th 2008 Minutes
The Lifelong Learning Center
Members Present: Jodie Rasmussen & Monique Fortmann-The Lifelong Learning Center, Marie Garrison-REO, Maggie Driscoll-District XI HRC, Mark Cumming-Voc Rehab, Steve Earle-Mountain Line, Wolf Ametsbichler-Job Service, Brenda Warning-Experience Works, Ron Ciszak-WORD, Kelly Deniger-Msla Job Service WORC, Chris Mitchell-OPA, Michelle Parks-Child Care Resources
1:30 pm Meeting called to order by Michelle Parks
1:30-2:00 pm Guest Speaker Steve Earle from the Mountain Line
Steve started at the Mountain Line over 20 years ago and has held many positions over the years. The Mountain Line was formed when the Urban transportation district got an overwhelming 65% approval when it was first placed on the ballot. If you look at your taxes there is a line item if you are in the district, it roughly is from Smurfit Stone to Milltown.
2007 set a record for ridership, it is a 60% increase in ridership with only a 10% increase in service. Transit dependant people are pretty easy to get because they do not have other options, the other population is a choice rider who rides the bus because they chose to, not because they have to. They chose to because of economic, environmental or time management reasons, some people also like the social environment on the bus. The Mountain Line has about 3.6 million annual budget and employs about 55 people. The majority of funding comes from a tax increment $35 per year for every $100,000 of home value, it also receives grants and passenger revenue. 22% of budget comes from user fees/fair box. $180,000 from UM for students, staff and faculty. Everyone who works for a business downtown gets a free bus pass.
Everyone in Missoula rides the bus an average of 12 times per year. All buses are ADA accessible with either a ramp or a lift. They all also have bike racks. Guaranteed ride home system is available but not well utilized, you can call a cab up to 4 times a year, show the taxi a bus pass or UM card and they will get you a ride home if you have to work late or otherwise miss your bus or have an emergency. Busses are free when air quality is poor. New service to the airport was recently added-route 11. You can park for free at Lewis and Clark housing and then there is free bus service to downtown. You can also rent a covered space in the parking garage for $27 a week, including the bus service to the airport. The Mountain Line also partners with Missoula in Motion and Missoula Ravalli transportation that runs the bus from Hamilton to Missoula and Missoula to Polson. Combined they carry 5,000 people a day in Missoula.
What’s new? Trying to increase midday service and take route 8 which goes up and down 5th and 6th to the mall. Long Range Transportation plan, looking at ways to couple land development with future transportation needs. 93 corridor study is finding that it is cost prohibitive to add another lane from Missoula to Lolo. It is also cost prohibitive to add a road from Florence to Miller Creek. Rail into Bitterroot is feasible but costs a million dollars a mile and a million dollars a crossing. Dedicated lanes for busses only is a feasible option, but right now you can not take a bus to Lolo, will probably have fixed route service to Lolo within the next year.
Questions? Any plan in the future for low income people to ride the bus? The Mountain Line is already heavily subsidized so it is the primary responsibility of the agencies to provide the passes, although the Mountain Line offers discounted passes.
Entry Level Jobs start at $11-12 for a service person, eight people on call, six days a week. Look for people who are service oriented, easier to train people to drive the bus than the soft skills and people management. Must have a CDL and be 21 years old. Mountain Line trains them and helps them get their CDL. Not very high turn over rate about 10 years, many have been their 25 years.
Now also service DirecTV and Carl Tyler etc. For planning purposed they look at the number of trips they have that are standing room only and then look at adding new routes. Broadway road diet created issues for staying on time. You need to be able to cross the street, a route on Reserve street did not work because people couldn’t get across the street. Miller Creek developers have agreed to put the starting match in to get bus service, but now they need to get the state to put the rest of the money in, it is out of the transportation district. Grandview apartments off of 39th also do not have good bus service. 51% of property owners have to agree to be part of the transportation district or you can put it on the ballet. Now, when developments are formed and subdivided they were required to petition into the district.
I 105 froze property taxes so you can only increase the levies very small amounts usually less than 1% per year. The true cost per ride is $4 but riders only pay $.85, ADA vans cost considerably more. The Mountain Line is building a new $4 million facility which will be completed in Mid-May on Shakespear street.
2:00-2:05 pm New Business-Approved
Ø Agenda
Ø Minutes from Dec meeting
Ø New meeting structure March Meeting
Ø Power Hour- March 17 1:30-2:30 Roger Miller Office of Planning & Grants was planned but may see if we can have Marci from BREAD reschedule instead.
Ø The next regular CMT Meeting is April 28th
o Monique and Jodie are out of Town, Saundra will take minutes.
2:05-2:15 pm Agency Focus
The Lifelong Learning Center Spring Catalog is out and lots of new classes in cooking and the trades area.
Child Care Resources is looking for children in the Scholarship program. There are no waiting lists this year so it is a good time to get assistance for scholarships. Also Child Care Resources has some unrestricted money available to help people who need help for some of the care that is not eligible on the Scholarship program. This includes Drop in and summer camps that may not be licensed.
Provider Services is having a Parade of Child Care facilities April 26, Providers on the parade are accredited and star providers so families can look at different quality settings. Several providers recently opened specifically to serve the DirecTV employees.
Also the Spring conference is coming up March 8, 2008 with a nationally know Native American speaker Jack Gladstone and is open to the general public.
2:15-3:00 pm Roundtable-New updates from agencies
REO-Rural Montana Saves, Individual Development accounts matches $500 of savings with $3,000. New eligibility guidelines now accept TANF clients from the past 5 years, instead of 3 years. Can not live in Missoula County
Project Challenge lost the Dislocated Worker Program it is now housed at the Job Service on 3rd Street. Wednesday of that week was Craig’s last day and moved it immediately to the Job Service. Roughly 120 active workers are being served in the dislocated worker program. Seriously underspent dollars the dollars available, People are eligible regardless of income, including vets coming out of the service. Also if their hours are severally reduced but they are not laid off they may be eligible. $1,250,000 per year and only 16% spent. Eight AFL-CIO workers were laid off in the process.
President Bush’s next year budget does not have employment services funding for 2008-2009.
Experience Works-New mandate to serve the highest priority people, now must also move them through the program as fast as they can. If services take more than 90 days then they may need to refer to other services. The state program is over enrolled.
Worc Program needs letter of support, now must RFP this year. Four small offices in Department of Labor and DPHHS had some disagreements which have since been resolved but everyone still must submit a RFP again this year. Need the letters of support by March 15, 2008.
The Job Service WORC program was refunded for FESS starting July 1, 2008. Over 60 participants in program. Not a lot were successful in finding employment so this year so they will do more intensive case management. They have not had a lot of success placing people from the Dental Assistant program but more success in the Medical Office Essentials program.
LIAP still has funding but is winding down in April, the funding is the same if they apply now instead of the fall. Ravalli county is attempting to establish a health clinic in Hamilton at Marcus Daily Hospital. Hoping to hear something by summer. It is a really needed service in Ravalli county. Will be part-time at first but are hoping that once established the hours could be increased.
3:00 pm Next meeting date & location
March 17 at The Lifelong Learning Center-Wear your green!
Meeting adjourned
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