BILLINGS CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN // feb.26.2024

// NEVER MIX BUSINESS AND POLITICS...EXCEPT WHEN YOU DO.

Before we talk Candidate School, a brief recap and thanks from last week are in order. Last week, City Council directed staff to move forward with a draft letter to County Commissioners offering $2,000,000 to assist in the creation of a 72-hour arraignment hold facility. As we detailed in last week's Council Bulletin, the facility is intended to ensure low-level criminals are seen by a judge and most only allowed release on bond or GPS monitoring. This will significantly help address the "catch and release" problem our police officers face when an offender is released back into the public without consequence because there is no room at the jail. The Billings Chamber would like to thank our City Council for continuing this partnership discussion with County Commissioners on a major community need. 

READ THE LATEST DRAFT LETTER FROM CITY TO COUNTY

FEB 29th // 8:00 - 12:00 // @ Billings Chamber


Have you ever thought about running for public office? We always need more business-minded Billings residents running for office, bringing common sense business principles into the political arena. We want to remove some of the barriers that might discourage business-minded people from throwing their hat in the ring. To that end, the Billings Chamber hosts a Candidate School every year to demystify the process of running for local office, but it’s not just for candidates.


Anyone who is on the fence about running for office—now or in the future—or anyone who is simply interested in learning more about local elections can benefit from this FREE event.


The program agenda includes:


—Welcome // Katie Vaughan

Director of Civic Engagement, Mansfield Center


—Campaign Finance // Chris Gallus

Commissioner of Political Practice


—Legislative Insights // Jerry Howe

Chief of Legislative Staff, Legislative Services Division


—Digital Campaign Marketing // Tim Stark

Owner, Target Acquired


—Media Relations // Victoria Hill

Public Information Officer, City of Billings


—Campaign Canvassing // Henry Kriegel

Legislative Director, Americans for Prosperity


—Local legislator panel to share first-hand experience


Attendees will learn the basics of campaign finance, how to go about drafting a bill once elected, knocking on doors, and more.


“Everyone serving in elected office was a first-time candidate at one point, inspired to serve but unaware of where or how to start. Candidate School helps with that where and how.”

—Jack Jennaway, Business Advocacy Manager

RESERVE YOUR SEAT @ BILLINGS CHAMBER CANDIDATE SCHOOL

// 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.


PROCLAMATIONS:  March - Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 


COUNCIL REPORTS: 


ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS - CHRIS KUKULSKI 


PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-PUBLIC HEARING” Agenda Items: 1 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. W.O. 24-01: Contract 1, 2024 Water Main Replacement, Schedules 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 3. (Opened 2/6/24) Recommend Western Municipal Construction, Inc. Click to View 

2. W.O. 24-03: Contract 2, City Chip/Scrub Seal. (Opened 2/6/24) Recommend Hardrives Construction, Inc. Click to View 

3. W.O. 24-11: WRF Solids Processing Building Roof Replacement. (Opened 2/6/24) Recommend Empire Roofing. Click to View 


C. Purchase 2024 Asphalt Roller for Public Works from RDO Equipment Co. Click to View 


D. Purchase 3 new vehicles for Public Works from Freemont Motors. Click to View 


E. Contract for W.O. 24-21: 1st Avenue North Two-Way Conversion Feasibility Study; Sanderson Stewart. Click to View 


F. Funding, Maintenance, Construction and Local Agency Guidelines Agreement with MDT for Stagecoach Trail. Click to View 


G. West End Hangar Ground Leases with Beacon Air Group, LLC. Click to View 


HDonation to Parks and Recreation Department from Streeter Brothers Insurance. Click to View 


I. Donation to Police Department from Yellowstone County DUI Task Force. Click to View 


J. Preliminary Plat Extension for Hunters Point Subdivision. *Quasi-Judicial Click to View 


K. Resolution calling for Election of a Local Government Review. Click to View 


L. Letter of Support to Yellowstone County providing financial support to construct a short-term detention facility. Click to View


M. Bills for the Weeks of: 

1. January 22, 2024 Click to View 

2. January 29, 2024 Click to View 


REGULAR AGENDA: 


2. PUBLIC HEARING for Low-Income Multi-Family Housing Project - Rose Park Plaza Apartments. No action required. Click to View 


3. PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION assessing nuisance property abatements. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 


4. PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION assessing weed abatements. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 


5. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE FOR ZONE CHANGE 1042: located at 655 West Wicks Lane. Zoning Commission recommends approval and adoption of the 10 review criteria. *Quasi-Judicial. Click to View 


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

COMM 7 TV
C7 FACEBOOK
C7 YOUTUBE

// 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:


  • South Billings TIF Semi-Annual Report (Jul-Dec), showing three projects that will be completed and reimbursed for $1,909,830.
  • Improved summer program coordination between the YMCA, SD2, and City Parks.
  • And much more...
READ MOST RECENT CA REPORT
VIEW PREVIOUS CA REPORTS

// 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, February 27th


Heights Task Force

7:00 - 8:00 pm @ Oasis Water Park, 543 Aronson Blvd.

// THE SQUEAKY WHEEL

(click to enlarge)

READ CITY COUNCIL EMAILS
EMAIL ALL OF CITY COUNCIL

(Your email will be publicly available, similar to those you can read by clicking the button above.)

// BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS

"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

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 _____ .

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

No vacancies listed.

REQUIREMENTS


APPLY HERE

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Safe Routes to Schools:Phase 2 draft is available. The report studies 17 schools that were not evaluated in the original Safe Routes to Schools Plan.


Below are the total high, medium, and low impact projects, their cost, and a breakout of the needs at each school.

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

VISIT SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS WEBPAGE

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE
CITY COUNCIL ROSTER
BUSINESS ADVOCACY WEBSITE

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS

Questions/Comments?

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.





EMAIL DAN HERE
Billings Chamber of Commerce | Website
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