The Billings Chamber of Commerce and the Billings Parks, Recreation and Preservation Foundation have raised pledges of more than $450,000 for the restoration of the grave site of Luther Sage "Yellowstone" Kelly at Swords Park, and the construction of an interpretive  site overlooking the Yellowstone Valley to commemorate the post-Civil War hunter and scout's career in Montana.

A City Administrative Order requires Council approval of any donation of more than $500.  Five pledge agreements,  totaling $169,000 have been received from the following corporations and individuals, and are ready for Council approval:

1. The Billings Tourism Business Improvement District, $50,000 over three years;
2. Kris and Larry Carpenter, $4,000 over four years;
3. Kampgrounds of America, $15,000 over three years;
4. Lee Enterprises, $20,000 over two years; and
5. Singh Contracting, Inc., $80,000 over two years.

The construction contract is scheduled to be bid in September and work completed by June 2017.
 

City Council may:

• Approve the pledge agreements and accept the donations, or;
• Do not approve the pledge agreements and accept the donations, and find another way to fund the project.

The City Council previously approved the donation of $50,000 from the Park District 1 Fund and $25,000 from James and Linda Roscoe to the project.

Since some of the donations will be funded over two or more years, the City will need to advance about $100,000 from the General Fund to complete construction.  Those funds will be reimbursed by donations as they are received.

In addition, the City will need to schedule repair of Black Otter Trail Road in a future Capital Improvements Plan to handle the traffic that is expected at the site. No funding source has been identified for this project.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve five pledge agreements and accept the donations for restoring the Yellowstone Kelly grave site in Swords Park.