BILLINGS CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN // nov.12.2024 | |
// BILLINGS ANIMAL FAMILY HOSPITAL & VEMCO, INC. TIF APPS | |
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Two TIF applications are on the agenda for City Council to consider tonight. The first is for construction of a second Billings Animal Family Hospital location on 1st Ave. Once complete, the new veterinary hospital will add six full-time jobs in the EBIRD. The second is for a remodel of Vemco, Inc., a plumbing and HVAC business on 2nd Ave. The remodel will include facade work on the storefront, roof replacement, parking resurfacing, and interior remodelling. Both projects are well above the 5:1 private to public funding ratio required by the City's TIF policy.
BILLINGS ANIMAL FAMILY HOSPITAL
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- TIF funding request: $475,000
- Project cost (w/o land cost): $3,378,413
- Ratio of private:public funds: 14:1
- TIF payback estimate: 17 years
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- TIF funding request: $26,000
- Project cost (w/o land cost): $283,000
- Ratio of private:public funds: 9:1
- TIF payback estimate: 9 years
CITY LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
In addition to approving TIF projects, Council will also be discussing their slate of 2025 Legislative Session priorities which includes support for tax increment financing (TIF), one of Montana's only economic development tools to help incentivize private investment. Every legislative session TIF comes under fire from opponents critical of its use. During the Legislative Interim, committees discussed TIF revisions and put forward bill requests focused on increasing transparency and re-defining "blight." While those changes are probably fine, it's highly likely that bills will be introduced that would cripple TIF districts and jeopardize the tool's appeal for incentivizing private dollars and new economic development. When those come up, we'll be reaching out to you for assistance in communicating with legislators to let them know how TIF has benefited our community. The two applications listed above are great examples of TIF spurring private investment.
After all, who doesn't want to assist a business that helps our furry friends lead long, healthy lives—oh!, excuse me, I'd better end this Bulletin I'm getting a call from *checks caller ID* the NY Department of Environmental Conservation…
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// BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA - 5:30 p.m. - BILLINGS CITY HALL | |
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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:
- Family Court Awareness Month - November
- National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregiver Month - November
COUNCIL REPORTS:
ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS - CHRIS KUKULSKI
PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-PUBLIC HEARING” Agenda Items: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ONLY. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes or as set by the Mayor.
1. CONSENT AGENDA -- Separations:
A. Bid Awards:
1. W.O. 25-03: Contract 2, Schedule 1 Pavement Patching, Schedule 2 Crack Seal/Mastic. (Opened 10/15/24) Recommend Schedule 1 to Askin Construction; Schedule 2 with the Additive Alternate to Z and Z Seal Coating, Inc.
2. W.O. 25-03: Contract 3, City Chip/Scrub Seal. (Opened 10/15/24) Recommend Hardrives Construction, Inc.
3. W.O. 23-23: Briarwood Lift Station H2S Mitigation. (Opened 10/15/24) Recommend Western Municipal Construction.
B. Non-Commercial Aviation Ground Lease with the State of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
C. Purchase of three (3) mowers from Midland Implement Company for Parks Department.
D. Amendment No. 2 to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) for Current City Hall with Honaker Realty LLC and JWT Capital LLC.
E. Agreement with Broadcom (formally VMware) for Virtual Server Licenses.
F. 2024 Federal Homeland Security Grant for Police Department Bomb Squad.
G. 2024 Justice Assistance Grant Application and Memorandum of Understanding with Yellowstone County.
H. Donation to Police Department from Rimrock Credit Union for School Resource Officer summer camp.
I. Final Minor Plat of Zimmerman Home Place Subdivision, 5th Filing. *Quasi-Judicial
J. Resolution updating Tax Abatement Policies.
K. Second/Final Reading Ordinance adopting 2021 International Fire Code (IFC).
L. Council Holiday Meetings Schedule.
M. Bills for the Weeks of:
1. October 7, 2024 2. October 14, 2024
REGULAR AGENDA:
2. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES for the 2025 Montana State Legislature's 69th Session. Staff recommends approval.
3. RESOLUTIONS for lease purchase financing and historic tax credit financing for New City Hall. Staff recommends approval.
4. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ASSISTANCE from the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD) to Billings Animal Family Hospital for remodel and redevelopment of property at 1616 1st Avenue North, up to a maximum reimbursement of $475,000, as recommended by the Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD) Board.
5. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ASSISTANCE from the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD) to Vemco, Inc. (DDG Partnership, LLP) for exterior remodel improvements of the property at 2016 2nd Avenue North, up to a maximum reimbursement of $26,000, as recommended by the Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD) Board.
PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-AGENDA ITEMS”. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or as set by the Mayor.
COUNCIL INITIATIVES:
ADJOURN:
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// WATCH THE MEETING ON COMMUNITY 7 TELEVISION | |
// CITY ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY REPORT | |
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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 utility bill audit process, checking residential meters
- Update on RFP selection for Amend Recreation Campus design work
- And much more...
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// GET MORE INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY | | |
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(Your email will be publicly available, similar to those you can read by clicking the button above.) | |
// BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS | |
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"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
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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 November 11, 2024.
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BOARD OPENING (SEATS)
Animal Control Board (2)
Aviation & Transit Board (3)
Bike & Ped Advisory Cmte (2)
Billings BID (2)
Board of Health (1)
Community Development Board (1)
Community Development Board (1)
Exchange City Golf Board (1)
Housing Authority (1)
Housing Authority, Elderly (1)
Human Relations Commission (1)
Parks/Recreation/Cemetary Board (4)
Planning Board (1)
Planning Board (1)
Planning Board (1)
Planning Board (1)
Police Board (2)
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REQUIREMENTS
Must live in Billings
Must live in Billings
Must live in Billings
Must own land in BID District
Must live in Billings*
Must live in Billings
Must live in Billings—Low-Mod
Must live in Billings
Live w/in 10 mi. radius of Billings
Must live in Billings—Res-Comm
Must live in Billings
Must live in Billings
Must live in Billings—Ward 1
Must live in Billings—Ward 3
Must live in Billings—Ward 4
Must live in Billings—Ward 5
Must live in Billings
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* - Background in healthcare or finance preferred | |
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Calling all West End neighbors and community enthusiasts!
Join us for a planning workshop to help inform the land use plan of West Billings. In this hands-on workshop, participants will collaborate and get creative, working together to explore options for a 20 year land use plan. This is a fantastic opportunity to make your voice heard and contribute ideas as a community. Ideas collected during this event will be used to develop the proposed land use plan for West Billings.
Workshop Highlights:
- Collaborative exercises focused on long-term planning.
- Engaging activities are designed to inspire creative solutions.
- Discussions about infrastructure, transportation, housing, and neighborhood character.
Bring your ideas, passion for our community, and a readiness to collaborate with fellow neighbors. Although registration is not required, we will be working in groups and to utilize our time efficiently, registration is recommended.
Please RSVP to Lauren Waterton at lwaterton@sanbell.com if you plan on joining the workshop.
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// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES | |
// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS | |
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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.
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Billings Chamber of Commerce | Website
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