The City of Billings agreed to lease space for a camera and telecommunications equipment at its Black Otter Trail tower to KTVQ Communications, Inc., in 2004.  The 5-year lease gave KTVQ the option to extend the lease for an additional 5-year period, and the television channel informed staff this summer that it would like to do so.  The previous lease expired Sept. 1, 2009.

KTVQ has given the City $3,500 per year for non-issue and non- political advertising of City projects or services in exchange for the tower use.  That figure would rise 12.5% a year to $3,937 a year under the new contract.  The City has used the advertisement for things such as explaining how to use roundabouts before they were built. 

In addition, KTVQ has assisted staff on several occasions by turning the camera toward sites where emergency situations were occurring, assisting in the monitoring of these events.  Inclusion of the television equipment has created no known interference with City operations.  KTVQ cannot assign or sublet the lease to another firm without City consent.

• Approve the lease renewal; or
• Deny the release renewal.