// THIS NEWSLETTER IS A BUNCH OF GARBAGE INFORMATION

The City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), a roadmap for all the major spending (anything over $25,000 with a useful life longer than one year) the City is expecting over the next five years, was discussed at a City Council work session last month. Tonight, it's on the agenda for approval, laying out the timeline for spending $551.7 million on 154 projects in the next five years. When we last covered it in the Bulletin, we offered a high-level picture of how the half-billion dollars would be divvied among the City's six departments. Since we already looked at the broad overview, we thought it would be instructive to take a deeper dive into the specific projects within a department…how about the landfill?!

One of the Billings Chamber's Leadership Billings classes recently heard from Debi Meling, the City's Public Works Director, about the department's work. Perhaps most fascinating—I'm not kidding—was the section of the presentation on our Billings City Landfill! Over the years, Public Works implemented very innovative approaches to dealing with residents's rubbish. They've been capturing millions of dollars of methane emissions since 2010. Because they were able to redirect FOG (fats, oils, and grease) to the landfill from the water reclamation facility, they saved millions of dollars in otherwise needed upgrades to the water reclamation facility. They recently implementing composting and cardboard recycling. And with 39% of the garbage going to our landfill comprised of yard waste and cardboard, diverting those two categories of trash drastically increases the longevity of the landfill.

While there is justifiable frustration with current water billing issues at Public Works, it's worth noting that our Public Works Department has a track record of foresight, innovation, finding efficiencies, and being prudent with the public's money. Part of that is due to innovative capital investments in the past like implementing methane capture. The CIP awaiting adoption tonight details new capital projects that will help improve those landfill operations and we've outlined them below.

Landfill Cell 6 Expansion & Leachate Pond



Description: This project is for the construction of cell 6 at the landfill.

Justification: The landfill will be nearing capacity of cells 3, 4 and 5. The construction of cell 6 is needed to continue the ability to take in waste from the City of Billings and surrounding areas. This project is included in the Solid Waste Master Plan. Also included in the master plan and as a part of this project is a second leachate containment pond.

FY Budgeted: 2027 & 2028

Total Cost: $16,329,000

Page of CIP: 144

Landfill Household Hazardous Waste



Description: This project constructs a new Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility adjacent to the existing drop-off building.

Justification: Currently, two containers located off of the paved roadway are used for HHW. Staff resources are needed to assist customers with their HHW which causes inefficiencies in operations. Additionally, the landfill is not currently in compliance with state regulations and needs this new facility to be in compliance.

FY Budgeted: 2026

Total Cost: $824,000

Page of CIP: 145

Landfill Lift 2 - Horizontal Gas Wells

Description: This project funds Lift 2 of the horizontal methane gas collection system in cells 3, 4, and 5 at the landfill.

Justification: Gas wells are required to help manage the methane. The landfill has reached the threshold put in place by the EPA that states we have to have a collection system in place to manage the gas. In 2022 the first phase of the horizontal gas collection wells was installed to address "hot spots" that staff was seeing from surface emissions monitoring. Horizontal gas wells will need to be installed on every other lift in cells 3, 4, and 5 until we have exhausted the airspace in this area. These wells will connect directly to the flare that has been constructed to help the landfill meet compliance under the air permit.

FY Budgeted: 2026

Total Cost: $906,000

Page of CIP: 146

Landfill Lift 3 - Horizontal Gas Wells

Description: This project will fund Lift 3 of the horizontal methane gas collection system in cells 3, 4, and 5 at the landfill.

Justification: Gas wells are required to help manage the methane. The landfill has reached the threshold put in place by the EPA that states we have to have a collection system in place to manage the gas. In 2022 the first phase of the horizontal gas collection wells was installed to address "hot spots" that staff was seeing from surface emissions monitoring. Horizontal gas wells will need to be installed on every other lift in cells 3, 4, and 5 until we have exhausted the airspace in this area. These wells will connect directly to the flare that has been constructed to help the landfill meet compliance under the air permit.

FY Budgeted: 2027

Total Cost: $933,000

Page of CIP: 147

Landfill Paving and Push Walls - Compost Facility

Description: This project funds paving and Push Walls at the Compost facility.

Justification: The commissioning of the compost facility in July 2024 brought to light some design issues that need to be addressed as the site grows and diverts more material. Currently, the majority of the site is gravel, making material movement a challenge. Part of this project will be asphalt or concrete pads and push walls to store material that is waiting to be mixed and composted. The other part of the project is more paving and push walls where the conveyor ends and material lands. The nature in which we must load mixed material onto the blower pipes is delicate. Currently, material is conveyed into a truck and then dumped on top of the pipes. This is not efficient and creates challenges later when trying to get more material on top of it.

FY Budgeted: 2026

Total Cost: $1,030,000

Page of CIP: 148

// BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA - 5:30 p.m. - BILLINGS CITY HALL

In this section, we will include the meeting agenda for you to view. Clicking on the items will take you to more information. No need to read it all, but if something catches your eye, be sure to check it out.

COUNCIL REPORTS: 

ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS - CHRIS KUKULSKI PUBLIC

COMMENT on “NON-PUBLIC HEARING” Agenda Items: 1, 3 and 4 ONLY. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes or as set by the Mayor.

1. CONSENT AGENDA -- Separations: 

A. Mayor Cole recommends that Council confirm the following appointments:

B. Bid Awards: 

1. Snow Hauling. (Opened 11/19/24) Recommend JC Excavation. 

2. Snow Plowing. (Opened 11/19/24) Recommend K2 Civil. 

C. Contract with A & E Design for Design Services for Amend Recreation Campus.  

D. Contract with Fisher's Technology for a print management program. 

E. City-County Special Investigations Unit (CCSIU) Agreement with Yellowstone County. 

F. Professional Services Agreement with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. for water and wastewater rate studies. 

G. Park 1 Condominium Declaration and Association ByLaws. 

H. Limited Commercial Aviation Ground Lease with Aerotronics Properties, LLC. 

I. Commercial Aviation Ground Leases with Edwards Jet Center Montana, Inc. 

J. Memorandum of Understanding with Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Beartooth RC&D). 

K. Donations to the Billings Public Library from Billings Library Foundation and various patrons. 

L. Donation to Police Department SWAT Team from Phillips 66. 

M. Final Plat of Clearwater Estates Subdivision. *Quasi-Judicial 

N. Resolution approving FY26 Technology Replacement Program (TRP). 

O. Resolution approving the FY26 Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP). 

P. Bills for the Weeks of: 

1. November 4, 2024 

2. November 12, 2024  

REGULAR AGENDA: 

2. PUBLIC HEARING for land use contrary to zoning for Yellowstone County - Street Trees at the Miller Building. No action necessary. 

3. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ASSISTANCE from the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal District (SBBURD) to Service Pro Express Lube (DBA 5 Polacks, Inc.) for reimbursement of qualified expenses for improvements made, up to a maximum reimbursement of up to $215,170, South Billings Urban Renewal Association (SBURA) Board recommends approval. 

4. RESOLUTION approving the FY2026-FY2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Staff recommends approval.  

PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-AGENDA ITEMS”. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or as set by the Mayor.

COUNCIL INITIATIVES: 

ADJOURN:

// WATCH THE MEETING ON COMMUNITY 7 TELEVISION

// CITY ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY REPORT

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:

• BIL Airport Concessions Break Records
• City Working Toward Vet Ready Program
• And much more...

// GET MORE INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY

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, December 10th

Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee

12:00 - 1:00 pm, Rm 3108, 3rd Floor Stillwater Building, 316 N. 26th St.

Agenda here.

Midtown Community Collaborative Task Force

7:00 - 8:00 pm, Black Dog Coffee House, 1528 N. 24th St. W.

Wednesday, December 11th

City Council Budget & Finance Committee

9:00 - 11:00 am, City Hall Conference Room, 210 N. 27th St.

Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan Meeting

9:30 - 10:30 am, 2nd Floor Conf Room @ Airport, 1901 Terminal Circle

Parks, Recreation, and Public Land Board Meeting

11:00 - 1:00 pm, Parks & Recreation Offices, 390 N. 23rd St.

City Council Legislative & Local Affairs Committee

4:00 - 5:00 pm, City Hall Conference Room, 210 N. 27th St.

// THE SQUEAKY WHEEL

// BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS

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.

The DEADLINE for applications is ASAP.

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

N/A

REQUIREMENTS

N/A

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Great news from our airport! Information below from CA Weekly Report.

BIL Airport Concession’s Quarterly Sales Break Records

For the first time, BIL’s gift shop exceeded $500,000 in quarterly sales, during the first quarter of FY 2025 (July 1 – September 30), with sales totaling $526,108. This resulted in commissions totaling $131,527 (25% of sales) paid to the airport during this period.

BIL’s Sky Dine food and beverage concession sales also exceeded $1 million in total quarterly sales for the first time during the first quarter of FY 2025 (July 1 – Sep 30), with sales totaling $1,047,299. This resulted in commissions totaling $83,783 (8% of sales) paid to the airport during this period.

These record-breaking non-airline revenue sources help the airport keep airline revenue requirements lower.

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS