BILLINGS CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN // apr.1.2024 | |
// "WHAT ARE WE WITHOUT CHILDREN?" | |
Do a quick Google search for pedestrian deaths in the U.S. and you'll find no shortage of articles and analyses on the disturbing trend of a 40-year high for pedestrians killed by vehicles. It's not just the total number increasing, which we would expect because of population increase; a webpage published by the Governors Highway Safety Association, an organization aimed at tackling traffic safety, shows the rate of pedestrian fatalities steadily increasing. They also show that Montana, while it's not one of the worst states, had double the rate of pedestrian fatalities in 2022 than our neighbor, Idaho. | |
If you're curious about how Billings is planning to increase safety for pedestrian travelers—perhaps our most important walkers and bikers—tune in tonight. Staff will provide City Council a presentation on the current Safe Routes to Schools, Phase 2 plan. This study looks at the pedestrian conditions, barriers that keep kids from walking or biking to school, and recommends projects to improve the current situation at 17 Billings schools, displayed below along with the number, priority, and cost of recommended projects. | |
If you want to dig in deeper—and we always recommend you do—the 291-page report includes an in-depth assessment of each school, including a visualization of the pedestrian network, concerns identified by public comment, observations from on-site visits, and a list of projects to address identified issues. Some highlights from the section on Castle Rock are below. | |
Note the particularly worrying summary of public feedback, "Numerous public comments report that Governors Blvd. at Castle Rock is 'terrifying,' and 'very dangerous,' for student crossing during pick up and drop off." | |
One recommendation in the plan is to reconfigure Governor's Blvd, adding protections for pedestrians and bikers and slowing down traffic through increased visual friction, with an estimated cost of $131,000. | |
Altogether, the report estimates around $23,000,000 of recommended projects with about $13,000,000 identified as "High Impact" projects. | |
| High Impact | 36 Projects | $12,976,900 | | Medium Impact | 36 Projects | $6,021,800 | | Low Impact | 33 Projects | $3,929,700 | | TOTALS | 105 Projects | $22,928,400 | | |
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The report also notes the current FY24 - FY28 Capital Improvement Plan only budgets $3.3 million over a 5-year span for Safe Routes to Schools, an average of $660,000 annually. If current funding continues at this level, it would take 35 years to implement all of the Safe Routes to Schools recommendations. Today's kindergarteners would be sending their kids to high school at that point. (Granted, the City is not the "Responsible Party" on every recommendation since some schools are in the County and the School District is responsible for some recommendations, but the City is included on the vast majority of recommendations.)
The report's Executive Summary begins with an epigraph, a quote from Johnna Jablonski, the mother of a Billings student who was injured biking to school:
"What are we without children? What is our community? Why aren't we focusing on keeping them safe so…parents don't have to be stressed or worry, 'Is my kid going to make it to school safe today?'"
Tonight is a work session meeting, intended for City Council to learn about the plan and ask questions of staff. Next week, they will vote on whether to forward the plan to the Policy Coordinating Committee. More importantly, in the next couple months, City Council will be working on their budget. Many of the safety recommendations identified in this plan won't be completed unless Safe Routes to Schools funding is increased. If you feel strongly that Safe Routes to Schools needs to be a priority for City Council, they need to hear from you.
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// WORK SESSION AGENDA - 5:30 p.m. - BILLINGS CITY HALL | |
// WATCH THE MEETING ON COMMUNITY 7 TELEVISION | |
// CITY ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY REPORT | |
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City Administrator Chris Kukulski began the routine of sending a weekly report every Friday to City Council and department heads with the intent to, "communicate the highlights of the past week and any critical issues coming up." The most recent CA Report includes updates on:
- Department budget proposals were submitted to City Administrator
- Grant funding updates
- And much more...
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// GET MORE INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY | |
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Below are some additional public meetings being held this week, along with information about when and where to attend, and what's on the agenda (if one is available).
Tuesday, April 2nd
City Zoning Commission
4:30 - 6:00 pm @ Miller Building, 1st Floor Conf. Room, 2825 3rd Ave N.
Agenda here.
South Billings Urban Renewal Association (SBURA)
7:00 - 8:00 pm @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Ln.
Wednesday, April 3rd
City Board of Adjustment
6:00 - 7:00 pm @ Miller Building, 1st Floor Conf. Room, 2825 3rd Ave N.
Agenda here.
North Park Neighborhood Task Force
7:00 - 8:00 pm @ North Park Community Center
Thursday, April 4th
City Council Operations Committee
4:00 - 5:00 pm @ 1st Floor City Hall Conf. Room, 210 N. 27th St.
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(Your email will be publicly available, similar to those you can read by clicking the button above.) | |
// BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS | |
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"It takes a little time and commitment, but it's incredibly rewarding to give back to our community which has given us so much."
-- Greg McCall, Zoning Commission and Owner, McCall Homes
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The Mayor's Office is accepting letters of interest to fill the vacancies listed on the city website. For more information on each specific board, visit the city website. City Boards and Commissions are appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by City Council, are advisory only, and members serve without compensation.
Submit applications to: Mayor's Office, PO Box 1178, Billings, MT 59103-1178 NO LATER THAN APRIL 1st .
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BOARD OPENING (SEATS)
Human Relations Commission (2)
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REQUIREMENTS
Must live in Billings
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Last week, Q2 ran a story highlighting some good news for the Billings airport. More flights and more travelers means lower airfares.
“Three to five percent more passengers this year over last year,” Roach said. “We expect that as the number of flights and different flight opportunities increase here, we’ll see a lowering of airfares through the competitive process.”
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// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES | |
// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS | |
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Please don't hesitate to reach out to the Billings Chamber's Business Advocacy Director, Dan Brooks with questions, comments, or to chat about the City Council.
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Billings Chamber of Commerce | Website
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