// TAKE TWO: THE SPORTS & RECREATION CENTER SEQUEL

The Southside Sports & Rec Center concept has received renewed interest from a major Billings-area business after a Parks & Rec ballot issue, that would have built a new ice facility and more, was turned down by voters last fall. Signal Peak Energy, whose mine in Roundup provides over 250 well-paid jobs and over $200 million in Montana tax revenue, wants to invest a few million toward, ideally, two sheets of indoor ice in Montana's City.

The current draft plan for the Amend Recreation Campus (ARC) is to use TIF money to provide infrastructure, parking, sports courts that could be managed by the city, and another turf field for soccer/lacrosse that could be managed by the Amend Park Development Council. Additionally, a few pad sites will be prepped for development, including one that could be used for construction of a two-sheet ice facility. 

Two sheets of ice would put Billings on par with other Montana cities like Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell which have more demand for ice time than their two sheets can provide. Two sheets allows more flexibility for tournaments, sharing the facility with diverse community interests, and more revenue since two sheets can utilize the same refrigeration system infrastructure. Additionally, the Billings Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) which collects a fee from area hotels to promote travel to Billings, could offset any operations deficits the facility encounters.

Tonight's discussion will focus on the next steps and staff direction. The Billings Chamber is strongly supportive of a public-private arrangement to effectively build and operate a sports campus and provide major economic benefits for Billings. Last week, we hosted a gathering of community partners, including businesses, the sports community, and members of City Council, to discuss how we can "fly together."

As we've discussed in previous Bulletin newsletters, TIF is in the spotlight, with district values declining and a Legislative Session on the horizon. Some councilmembers may be hesitant to support the ARC. But with businesses like Signal Peak Energy demonstrating their commitment to major funding for this community need, we strongly encourage City Council to work with our businesses, the sports community, and residents, to get this project done and notch a big win for Montana's City. 

// 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 

RECESS TO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION* - City Administrator Performance Review

*Note: The Executive Session will be closed, as allowed in Section 2-3-203(3), MCA, as discussions relate to matters of individual privacy and wherein the demands of individual privacy exceed the merits of public disclosure. 

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

1. Updating Resolution SettingTax Rebatement Policies.

- Public Comment Click to View 

2. South Billings Urban Renewal Association - Sports Complex.

- Public Comment Click to View

3. DRAFT Strategic Plan.

-Public Comment Click to View 

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:

• Semi-annual report from Planning & Community Services Department
• Update on the Short-Term Hold Facility
• City Office relocation update
• 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. 3rd

City Zoning Commission

4:30 - 5:30 pm @ County Commissioner Board Rm, 3rd Floor, 316 N. 26th St.

Agenda here.

South Billings Urban Renewal Area (SBURA) TIF District

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

Wednesday, Sept. 4th

North Park Neighborhood Task Force

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

Thursday, Sept. 5th

City Council Operations Committee

4:00 - 5:00 pm @ City Hall 1st Floor Conference Rm, 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

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

None at this time

REQUIREMENTS

N/A

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The City Administrator's Weekly Report offered an update on the short-term arraignment hold facility, being built in partnership with the County:

Short-Term Hold Facility - Yellowstone County Detention Center Addition Project is currently in design.

The city held a pre-application meeting with the architect, general contractor, and owner’s representative on Monday, August 26, 2024. The city representatives included staff from planning, engineering, fire, and building divisions. The schedule put forth by the County is as follows:

Package #1: Demo, site work, and foundation - submit for permit on 9/4/24.

Package #2: Structural, steel and CMU design - submit for permit on 9/18/24.

Package #3: Interior fit out and full Construction Documents - submit for permit on 10/30/24.

The contractor intends to mobilize in early to mid-October. There are several things they will need to do for site prep and can complete that work prior to the permit being issued, so I do not foresee the permitting process affecting their work planned schedule.

The Building Division is committed to keeping the lines of communication open with the architect, contractor, and owner and we look forward to a successful completion of this project.

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS