City Commissioners approved projects for new state funding during their March 5 meeting.
There was no public comment on the proposal.
Commissioner Rick Tryon said they were “really great projects.”
Tom Hazen, city grant and project manager, said the funding was available through the Montana State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act, which was established during the 2023 legislative session.
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The bill allocated about $20 million from the state general fund to the Montana Department of Commerce to be distributed to cities and towns to help them fund the maintenance or repair of local government facilities on a partnership basis, with local governments supplying a cash match.
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The city was allocated $755,461 through the program.
Hazen said that only existing infrastructure can be maintained or repaired, the funds can’t be used to expand or build new and can’t be used on private property, such as to support the replacement of lead water lines for homeowners.
Water systems, fire suppression systems, roads, street lights, airports, public buildings and grounds are among the eligible projects.
Local governments must provide a 25 percent match to the total project cost.
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Hazen said the law wasn’t clear in the application process for the funds, but during an informational session with Commerce, it was clarified that cities and towns were to request that city departments submit proposed projects by Dec. 31, 2023.
Hazen said his office sent a memo to city department heads outlining eligible projects, the match requirements and submit their proposals by Dec. 15, 2023.
Seven departments submitted a total of 23 projects for a combined $8.4 million.
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Hazen reviewed the proposals for eligibility, then with the criteria for recommendation, then discussed them with the finance director and city manager.
The criteria for recommendations, Hazen said, was whether the projects were previously recommended for funding, specifically American Rescue Plan Act, or federal COVID relief, funds.
He said city staff had vetted dozens of projects for ARPA funds and identified several as tier one projects, but some of those got eliminated as other priority projects had higher costs, or were among the tier two projects, to be done if there were remaining ARPA funds after the tier one projects were completed.
Those projects were considered priorities for the new state funding program, Hazen said.
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Other criteria included whether other funding was available for the project and if the proposing department was willing to provide the match out of its own budget.
Commissioners reviewed Hazen’s recommendations during the Feb. 20 work session and since commissioners approved the projects, staff will submit them to the state by March 30.
Hazen’s recommendations are:
- Great Falls Police Department front counter remodel: $85,000 total project cost, $23,250 required match, proposed from the police special revenue fund. Project would remodel the front counter area with bulletproof glass and other increased security measures. This project was one of the original tier one ARPA projects.
- Civic Center elevator: $120,000 total project cost, $40,000 required match, from the general fund. Project would replace hoist, motor, electrical system and address code compliance. This project was and original tier one ARPA projects. The transition of the Municipal Court from the basement to the third floor significantly increases the need for this project.
- Mansfield Theater seat replacement: $650,000 total project cost, $162,500 required match from the general fund. Replacement of auditorium seating installed in 1938 with newer more comfortable seats that still maintain historic character. The project was identified as a potential priority use of ARPA funds in 2022. The previous commission decided to wait until the city received notification of the result of an application for the Montana Historic Preservation Grant application. The city was awarded a $250,000 grant. This was a tier two ARPA project.
- Animal Shelter canine housing improvements: $96,650 total project cost, $24,162.50 match proposed from shelter’s capital fundraising campaign. Project would reseal concrete and block surfaces which will protect them from water corrosion and bacterial growth. The animal shelter has a long list of capital improvement projects that all require immediate attention. Funding opportunities for animal shelters are extremely limited.
- Animal Shelter main exterior door repairs: $11,000 total project cost, $2,750 match proposed from the shelter’s fundraising campaign. The front entry door has become corroded and will not seal properly against the elements. This project will repair the door, frame, and side light.
- Animal Shelter kitchen repairs: $7,000 total project cost, $1,750 match proposed from shelter fundraising campaign. Project would remove and install new cabinets and countertops.
- Parks and Recreation visitor center parking lot: $40,000 total project cost, $10,000 match proposed from park special revenue fund. This project is will receive $28,223.50 from the new state funding program. The parking lot at the visitor center, which is currently leased to Visit Great Falls Montana Tourism, needs a mill and overlay along with parking stall painting. Costs will be offset by the park special revenue fund.
