The Planning Division received five proposals for the Federal Fiscal Year 2011 Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) dollars. The projects included the Shiloh Conservation Area, Hillner Lane Sidewalk and Highway 87 Crossing in Lockwood, a Bicycle and Pedestrian Education Program, Aronson By Pass trail segment, and the Will James Connection (See attached maps of project locations). Attachment A is a quick reference sheet listing the FY2011 projects in some detail with the associated estimated costs. Attachment B consists of the Technical Advisory Committee’s (TAC) recommendations on prioritizing the five projects with CTEP funding allocations.

The Yellowstone County Board of Planning at its meeting on January 24, 2012, conducted a public hearing to receive public testimony on the proposed projects. Aside from the application presenters, no other members of the public spoke during the public hearing. After discussion, the board made two motions. The first motion was to forward a recommendation to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) to fund the Hillner Lane Sidewalk and Highway 87 Crossing project in Lockwood, the Will James Connection, and the Aronson By Pass trail projects.  That motion passed 6-1.  On a second motion, the Board forwarded a recommendation to approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Education project.  This would be the first time CTEP would be used for an education project rather than for capital projects. The education project is eligible to be funded by CTEP dollars, according to the CTEP program application criteria.

The City Council discussed these project proposals at its February 6, 2012, Work Session, and is being asked to formally make a recommendation to PCC at this meeting. The PCC has final say on all transportation-related projects in the urban area and will meet on February 21st to finalize the local recomendation for CTEP project approvals and funding.

The City Council may make a recommendation to PCC that:
• Approves the CTEP applications for submission as recommended by TAC and the Planning Board.
• Approves a Council-initiated project priority and funding list.
• Does not approve any of the CTEP project applications for funding.

There are local funding sources already identified for the proposed CTEP projects to provide the required local CTEP match. All of the local match source,s except for the Shiloh Conservation Area project, are from grants or other entities and do not directly affect City funds. The Shiloh Conservation Area local funding is from City Public Works sources. All of the funding sources for these projects are outlined in Attachment A.

Each CTEP project must follow an established approval procedure before funding is allocated. The first step of the process is the submission of project applications. All the applications are reviewed and prioritized through a previously approved process that includes TAC, the Yellowstone County Board of Planning, City Council, and Board of County Commissioners. The applications for this CTEP funding cycle are consistent with previous CTEP project agreements accepted and executed by Council.

The Planning Board conducted a public hearing at its regular meeting on January 24, 2012. Aside from the presenters for the various applications, no other public comment was provided.

The proposed projects are supported through the current Billings Area Bikeway and Trail Master Plan or City of Billings and Yellowstone County Growth Policy. In some cases, the projects are specifically identified in planning documents and in other cases, the overall community goals of safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle travel are met with these projects. All the projects will proceed through the established CTEP project approval process for the City of Billings and Yellowstone County.