// IFC VS UFC

Tonight, City Council will get two presentations for their work session meeting. The first is a presentation on adopting the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC). The staff memo identifies the IFC as the staff preference, while the National Fire Protection Protection 1/ Uniform Fire Code (UFC) is the alternative.

The second presentation relates to Councilman Kennedy's initiative regarding city employee pay. The staff memo notes that employee pay makes up $88.3 million, over 18%, of the city's $479.6 million budget. It's important that City Council investigate the City's pay approaches, inflationary adjustments, pay matrix steps, and labor contracts.

Admittedly, it's a slow week for Council and an in-depth Council Bulletin…

All the more reason for you to get excited about our Coffee with Candidates Forums—Tuesday and Thursday of this week!

Where do the candidates stand on property taxes? Addressing public safety needs? Allowing more housing to be built? We’re going to answer all those questions and more. We believe it’s important to bring candidates and members together, not just to answer policy questions, but to connect with each other. When something comes up during the legislature, you’ll be glad you met your representative and feel comfortable calling them about an issue.

Each Coffee with Candidates forum will feature a moderated question and answer segment with time reserved for questions from the audience. The forums are free to attend and open to anyone interested in meeting the candidates for state legislature running this election cycle. Billings Association of Realtors is located at 2021 Overland Avenue. Residents can find out which district they live in here. RSVP’s are requested for planning purposes as complimentary coffee and light breakfast items will be available.

// 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. 2021 International Fire Code Adoption.

-Public Comment 

2. Employee Pay Discussion (CM Kennedy Initiative).

-Public Comment 

HIGHLIGHT UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS OF COUNCIL INTEREST: 

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:

• Updates on Pioneer, Castle Rock, and Poly Vista Park projects.
• [Billings Chamber] hosted safety meeting with city and state leaders
• 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, Sept. 17th

Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board

8:30 - 9:30 am @ Billings PW Depot, 2224 Montana Ave.

Agenda here.

Pioneer Park Task Force

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

West End Neighborhood Task Force

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

Wednesday, Sept. 18th

Rimrock Neighborhoods Task Force

7:00 - 9:00 pm @ Mayflower Congressional Church, 2940 Poly Dr.

Thursday, Sept. 19th

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.

// 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: OCTOBER 7, 2024.

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

Billings Business Improvement Dist. (1)

Community Development Board (1)

Community Development Board (1)

REQUIREMENTS

Must own land in BID district

Must live in Billings (Low-Mod)

Must live in Billings

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Open House planned for Billings Heights Neighborhood Plan

From the CA Weekly:

A public open house will be held on September 25 at Oasis Water Park to share information about the project and allow the community to provide input.

Heights Neighborhood Plan Open House

Wednesday, September 25, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Oasis Water Park 543 Aronson Avenue, Billings, MT 59105

The Heights has grown consistently since the 2006 Plan was adopted and is now home to almost one-third of Billings’ total population. The 2006 Plan helped guide many of the improvements that have been made to manage growth in the Heights over the last 18 years, including new roadway connections, schools, housing developments, parks, and zoning changes. The updated Plan will provide guidance for the next 20 years of growth and will result in a future land use map to guide future land use decisions for the City of Billings.

The updated plan aims to:

• Summarize existing conditions and identify areas of predicted growth.
• Identify additional residential and commercial development opportunities.
• Incorporate thoughts and ideas from the community.
• Highlight transportation deficiencies and recommendations for future improvements.
• Provide goals and implementation strategies that align with the new Montana Land Use Planning Act requirements.

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS