// WE CAN'T ALL RIDE DRAGONS TO WORK

Those of us who don't have Targaryen or Valyrian blood flowing through our veins might want to tune in tonight. After a marathon meeting last week discussing the FY25 budget, it looks like City Council will have a quick discussion on two items for non-dragon-riders: an update on the pedestrian bicycle master plan and street maintenance program funding.

Last July, when City Council approved the contract for an updated study, we did a deep dive into what we learned from the 2017 Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan.

The 2024 update of the plan will look at new bike and pedestrian construction, evaluate those connections, and offer recommendations for further completion. Staff will also report on the first round of public meetings which included:

• 75 attendees to public meeting
• 201 survey respondents
• 189 interactive map comments
• 92 citizens signed up for updates

Since the 2017 plan, new bike and pedestrian infrastructure has been added, including:

• 12.2 miles of bikeways
• 33 miles of sidewalks
• 20.5 miles of shared use paths

Click on the map below for a larger image of recently completed projects. You can also find more information and sign up for updates on the project webpage, managed by Sanderson Stewart here. We hope you'll tune in to learn more about this important community planning project.

// WORK SESSION 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.

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cole 

CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION - LITIGATION UPDATE (4:30 PM - 5:30 PM) 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON ALL ITEMS. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes during each public comment period or as set by the Mayor. Speaker sign-in required. Please sign the roster at the cart located at the back of the Council chambers or at the podium. 

1. Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan.

-Public Comment Click to View 

2. Street Maintenance Program Funding.

-Public Comment Click to View 

3. Highlight Upcoming Agenda Items of Council Interest.

-Public Comment 

COUNCIL DISCUSSION: 

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

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:

• Update on MT DEQ Nutrient Rules Proposal
• Edits to Subdivision Regulations (starting pg. 4)
• Proposed fee increases for planning applications (pg. 157-159)
• 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, June 18th

Pioneer Park Task Force

6:00 - 7:00 pm @ Black Dog Coffee, 3115 19th Ave. N.

Westend Neighborhood Task Force

7:00 - 8:30 pm @ Connections Chuch, 56th & Grand Ave.

Wednesday, June 19th

Legislative & Local Affairs Committee

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

Thursday, June 20th

Southside Neighborhood Task Force

6:30 - 8:00 pm @ Family Church, 501 S. 29th St.

Billings Central Terry Task Force

7:00 - 8:30 pm @ TOPLINE HAIR, 1331 Central Ave.

Saturday, June 22nd

North Park Grand Reopening

12:00 - 6:00 pm @ North Park, 6th Ave. & N. 19th 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 NO LATER THAN APRIL 1st .*

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

Human Relations Commission (2)

REQUIREMENTS

Must live in Billings

* - this has not been updated on the city website.

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) held a hearing last week to discuss new nutrient standards proposed by the MT DEQ. The proposed rules could have cost the City of Billings over $100 million (over $800 per Billings citizen) to comply with, while offering no noticeable improvement to water quality of the Yellowstone River. The Billings Chamber offered our comment via letter to the MT DEQ and the legislative Environmental Quality Committee. Thankfully, the MT DEQ is pausing the rule-making process in response to the considerable pushback received at last week's meeting. You can read our letter below.

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS