// BUILD BABY, BUILD: $500 MILLION ACCESSED VIA TIP

A Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a federal prerequisite for all Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to receive certain federal funding dollars. The TIP schedules funding, establishes priorities, and sets a short-range transportation vision. In order for an MPO to actually receive federal funds for a project, the project must be included in the approved TIP. The current draft has yet to be reviewed and/or approved by the City Council, County Commissioners, Policy Coordinating Committee, and MT Dept. of Transportation. You can bet they'll want to ensure the TIP sails through the approval process as it's required before over $500,000,000 (including matching dollars) in transportation funds is received and spent by FY 2028.

Those millions come from a variety of funding sources in the federal and state levels, including:

• Surface Transportation Program Primary (STPP)
• Surface Transportation Program Urban (STPU)
• National Highway (NH)
• National Highway Freight Program (NHFP)
• Interstate Maintenance (IM)
• Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (BR)
• Transportation Alternative (TA)
• And others…

The TIP must be reviewed and approved by a host of bodies before it is fully adopted. Tonight is City Council's first discussion on the topic, and they will approve the plan at their March 11th meeting. Afterwards, the TIP has a few more stops on the road to approval.

Technical Advisory Committee

Yellowstone County Board of Planning

Billings City Council

Yellowstone County Commissioners

Policy Coordinating Committee

MT Dept. of Transportation

Feb 08, 2024 ✅

Feb 27, 2024 ✅

Mar 11, 2024

Mar 12, 2024

Mar 19, 2024

TBD

Billings Heights residents will be major benefactors from the funds prescribed in the TIP. The Billings Bypass Project, which was started in 2019, will be completed in the next few years with $76,000,000 of state and federal dollars identified in this TIP to be dedicated over two years to the remaining segments of the bypass.

Residents interested in trails will be happy to see that Stagecoach Trail is included in the TIP, with $5.3 million scheduled from the federal government's Transportation Alternatives (TA) program in FY 2026. The shared-use trail would allow pedestrians and bikers a safe route from Skyline Trail down to Rimrock without having to brave Zimmerman Trail.

Tonight, Council will discuss the draft TIP with final approval scheduled on March 11th. Tune in to see the discussion over how a half billion dollars will be scheduled to be spent.

// 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 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON ALL ITEMS. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes during each public comment period or as set by the Mayor. 

1. SBURA Update – Recreation Center Next Steps. (Dick Zier, SBURA Consultant) 

- Public Comment Click to View 

2. 2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Program.

-Public Comment Click to View 

3. City Council Retreat Discussion.

-Public Comment 

4. 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:

• Love Serving Autism Tennis Program @ Billings Parks & Recreation
• Plans for the City's Arbor Day Celebration
• 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, March 5th

City Zoning Commission

4:30 - 6:30 pm @ Miller Bldg, 1st Floor Conference, 2825 3rd Ave N.

Agenda here.

South Billings Urban Renewal Area

7:00 - 8:00 pm @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Ln.

Wednesday, March 6th

North Park Neighborhood Task Force

7:00 - 8:00 pm @ North Park Community Center

// 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 _____ .

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

No vacancies listed.

REQUIREMENTS

(Those interested in serving in the future are encouraged to submit an application so it is already on file when seats open up.)

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The West End Neighborhood Plan website just launched. Two decades ago, the first West Billings Neighborhood Plan was adopted and it's time for an update. But not without input from the public. Make sure to get involved and make your voice heard.

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS