CAN YOU BELIEVE THOSE RUFFEREES?!?!

Yesterday’s shootout was one for the history books! Those who were able to tune in will agree, Sunday’s matchup was a dog-eat-dog battle. No, I’m not talking about the game that Taylor Swift won. I’m talking about the title-winning performance of Team Ruff, besting their rivals, Team Fluff, and bringing home the Lombarky Trophy in Puppy Bowl XX.

Special congrats and many pets go to the Most Valuable Pup (MVP), Moosh, who carried his team to a major upset and a final score of 72-69! Check him out below in Team Ruff’s orange scarf.

The final item on tonight’s regular agenda is somewhat related to the news above. Council will discuss a request from Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter which is looking for a location to construct a new shelter. There is also an opportunity to collaborate with Rocky Vista University to provide space for their newly announced veterinary medicine program. City staff identified Wilson Park, an undeveloped 16-acre city park south of the sugar beet factory as a potential candidate for city property disposition. Currently, the park serves as a storage area for excess snow and other city operations and is not open to public use.

Rocky Vista University will need up to 3 acres for their veterinary training facility and Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter is looking for 3-5 acres. A recent needs assessment study for the animal shelter identified the following parameters needed for a future shelter site:

20,900 gross sqft of interior conditioned area
2,645 gross sqft of exterior covered area
1,800 gross sqft of utility structures

The report also outlined the animal capacity requirements for a new shelter facility.

62 adult dogs

6 puppies

72 adult cats

43 kittens

9 other

192 TOTAL

One of the considerations that Council will discuss is a requirement to offset the potential disposition of the park land because it was originally acquired using Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant funds. The City will need to either provide additional parkland, or develop a currently undeveloped public property. Sites under consideration are trail connections like Stagecoach Trail.

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:

Update on midtown’s Glock Neighborhood Watch.
City Hall updates.
Public Works department update covering recycling, water treatment facility design progress, landfill gas collection, and more.
And much more…

READ MOS RECENT CA REPORT

VIEW PREVIOUS CA REPORTS

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, February 13th

Midtown Community Collaborative Task Force

7:00 – 8:00 pm @ Black Dog Coffee House, 3115 10th Ave. N

Thursday, February 15th

Southside Neighborhood Task Force

6:30 – 8:00 pm @ Family Church, 501 S. 29th St.

THE SQUEAKY WHEEL

READ CITY COUNCIL EMAILS

EMAIL ALL OF CITY COUNCIL

(Your email will be publicly available, similar to those you can read by clicking the button above.)

BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS

“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

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 FEBRUARY 12, 2024.

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

Yellowstone Soil Conservation (1)

REQUIREMENTS

Must live within district—Laurel or Broadview

APPLY HERE

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Billings Fire Department recently announced it received an upgraded ISO rating, moving from three to two on a scale of 1-10 with one being the best. According to the City’s Facebook video, only 4% of Fire Departments receive a rating of two. The ISO rating improvement could mean lower homeowner’s insurance rates.