// PAYIN' IT FORWARD: DONATIONS TO CITY NEED APPROVAL

The City of Billings receives a substantial amount of donated/granted funds throughout the year and this week is no exception. Six of the consent agenda items require City Council to accept $133,880 of grants and donations towards various city departments. It is Council policy to officially approve any donation over $500.

Phillips 66 grant to the Billings Fire Department

The Phillips 66 refinery is donating $20,000 to the Billings Fire Department for the purpose of establishing a second Rescue Apparatus, which will include rescue gear, 11mm rope, and gear for high-angle, industrial, confined space, and water rescue.

Plains All American Pipeline grant to the Billings Fire Department

Plains All American Pipeline company transports 7 million barrels of crude oil and natural gas each day in it's pipelines. Accordingly, they collaborate with local Regional Hazardous Materials Teams, and Billings Fire Department is one of six in Montana. The BFD team has six FAA Part 107 certified drone pilots who can operate their DJI Matrice 300 drone. Tonight, Plains All American Pipeline is granting $10,000 to BFD in order to install audiovisual and networking technology on vehicles to allow streaming footage to responders on the ground and share the drone footage with offsite personnel.

Library Foundation donation to Billings Public Library

The Billings Public Library will receive $92,130 to go toward two book lockers, one located in Lockwood and the other at the Billings Westend Children's Clinic. The lockers allow more convenient access to our library resources. See how they work in the video below. 

Addie Allen donation to Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund

Addie Allen, a Billings West High Student-Athlete who was recently named the Gatorade Montana Volleyball Player of the Year, has chosen to gift her $1,000 grant to the Billings Parks & Recreation scholarship fund to help allow more participation in Parks & Rec programs. Addie has coached the 3rd-5th grade division recreation program, and chose the scholarship fund for her grant award because she credits the City of Billings Recreational Youth Volleyball program for her entry into the sport.

Scheels donation to Billings Police Department K9 Unit

Scheels is offering $10,000 to the BPD K9 unit to help pay for dog food, vet bills, and training. While good news for the puppers at the PD, Winston over at the Fire Department was reported to be giving irresistible sad puppy eyes upon hearing that he was left out. He's been working extra hard comforting our fire fighters after their crushing 6-3 loss to BPD in their inaugural Guns and Hoses Charity Hockey Game this weekend.

U.S. Tennis Assoc. of MT donation to Parks & Rec Tennis is Elementary Program

The U.S. Tennis Association of Montana is donating $750 to the Parks & Rec's Tennis is Elementary program, available to K-5 students at Eagle Cliffs and Meadowlark Elementary Schools. The program offers eight 45-60 minute lessons that include teaching a specific shot with the QuickStart method, a fitness component, and utilizes stations to ensure kids remain active the entire lesson. Registration for the Fall 2024 program opens April 1st.

City of Billings FY2024 Donations/Contributions

This year, the City budgeted for $437,000 of donations/contributions. And in fiscal years 22 and 23 brought in $1,094,356 and $499,500 respectively.

(Table found on pg. 20 of FY24 Operating Budget and CIP)

// 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.

PROCLAMATIONS

• April - Child Abuse Prevention Month 
• Week of the Young Child - (April 6-12, 2024)

COUNCIL REPORTS: 

ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS - CHRIS KUKULSKI 

PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-PUBLIC HEARING” Agenda Items: 1, 4c, and 5c ONLY. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes or as set by the Mayor.

1. CONSENT AGENDA -- Separations: 

A. Bid Awards: 

1. Airport's Cargo Ramp Slot 5 Project. (Opened 3/5/24) Recommend Knife River.  Click to View 

2. W.O. 24-28: Water Treatment Plant Sediment Hauling. (Opened 3/5/24) Recommend Gairrett Excavation and Trucking, Inc. Click to View 

B. Contract Renewal for 1-year with Mimecast Email Protection Services. Click to View 

C. Lease Purchase Agreement with Montana Board of Investments to Finance the Construction and Improvements to the New City Hall. Click to View 

D. Non-Commercial Aviation Ground Lease with Agri Systems. Click to View 

E. Amendment No. 5, with Burns and McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. (BMcD) for W.O. 19-42: West End Water Treatment Plant Project. Click to View 

F. Purchase of residential refuse carts for Solid Waste Division from Sierra Container Group. Click to View 

G. Purchase commercial and roll-off containers for Solid Waste Division from WasteQuip Manufacturing Company, LLC. Click to View 

H. Phillips 66 Grant to the Fire Department for the setup of a second rescue apparatus. Click to View 

I. Plains Pipeline Grant to the Fire Department for Hazardous Materials Team enhancements. Click to View 

J. Donations from the Library Foundation to the Library to fund two book lockers in Yellowstone County. Click to View 

K. Donation from Addie Allen for Parks and Recreation's scholarship fund. Click to View 

L. Donation from Scheels for the Police Department K9 Operations. Click to View 

M. Donation from United States Tennis Association of Montana to Parks and Recreation Department for the Tennis is Elementary program. Click to View 

N. Preliminary Minor Plat for Skyview Ridge 2nd Filing. Quasi-Judicial Click to View 

O. Resolution of Intent to Create SID 1425 and set a public hearing for April 22, 2024. Click to View 

P. Second/Final Reading Ordinance amending Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC), Article 22-800, Storm Sewers. Click to View 

Q. Bills for the Weeks of: 

1. February 20, 2024 Click to View 

2. February 26, 2024 Click to View 

REGULAR AGENDA: 

2. PUBLIC HEARING allowing the City to submit a revised infrastructure grant application to the Montana Department of Commerce. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 

3. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE FOR ZONE CHANGE 1043: generally located at 4190 South Frontage Road. Zoning Commission recommends approval and adoption of the 10 review criteria. *Quasi-Judicial. Click to View 

4. GEORGE JUROVICH PROPERTY - South of Grand Avenue and East of 80th Street West. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING FOR ANNEXATION 24-01 AND ZONE CHANGE 1044: 

a. RESOLUTION APPROVING ANNEXATION 24-01: A parcel generally located south of Grand Avenue and east of 80th Street West. Staff recommends conditional approval. *Quasi-Judicial. Click to View 

b. FIRST READING ORDINANCE FOR ZONE CHANGE 1044: a 1-acre parcel located within and surrounded by the Buffalo Crossing Subdivision. Zoning Commission recommends approval and adoption of the 10 review criteria. *Quasi-Judicial. Click to View 

c. ANNEXATION AGREEMENT with George Jurovich. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 

d. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE expanding the boundaries of Ward IV to include recently annexed property in Annexation 24-01: a parcel generally located south of Grand Avenue and east of 80th Street West. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 

5. BROWN BUILDERS, LLC PROPERTY: 4524 Central Avenue. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING FOR ANNEXATION 24-02 AND ZONE CHANGE 1045 

a. RESOLUTION APPROVING ANNEXATION 24-02: A parcel generally located south of Central Avenue and east of South 48th Street West. Staff recommends conditional approval. *Quasi-Judicial. Click to View 

b. FIRST READING ORDINANCE FOR ZONE CHANGE 1045: generally located at 4524 Central Ave. Zoning Commission recommends approval and adoption of the 10 review criteria. *Quasi-Judicial. Click to View 

c. ANNEXATION AGREEMENT with Brown Builders, LLC. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 

d. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE expanding the boundaries of Ward V to include recently annexed property in Annexation 24-02: a parcel generally located south of Central Avenue and east of South 48th Street West. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 

6. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE FOR ZONE CHANGE 1046: generally located at 1202 West Wicks Lane. Zoning Commission recommends approval and adoption of the 10 review criteria. *Quasi-Judicial. Click to View 

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

COUNCIL INITIATIVES: 

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:

• Discussions with Heights Water District
• New buses at MET Transit
• An Eagle Scout project at Rose Park
• 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 26th

Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee

11:30 - 12:30 pm @ Miller Building, 1st Floor, 2825 3rd Ave N.

Agenda here.

Yellowstone County Planning Board

6:00 - 8:00 pm @ Miller Building, 1st Floor, 2825 3rd Ave N.

Agenda here.

// 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

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Safety Squad, the Billings Fire Department's recent partnership program with SD2, aimed at educating students on fire safety, has published videos and presentation materials on their website.

(Click on images above to access content)

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS