Staff recommends the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Right-of-Way Grants for the two Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) parcels, Section 14 and Section 22 that are required for the Northwest Billings Connector project (Inner Belt Loop).

W.O. 09-12, Northwest Billings Connector will construct a road, multi-use path, and storm drain appurtenances from the terminus of Skyway Drive at the intersection of Alkali Creek Road to the roundabout at the Zimmerman Trail and Highway 3 intersection.  The proposed roadway crosses two DNRC parcels, Section 14 and Section 22.  The right-of-way costs are $31,465.00 for Section 14 and $46,880.00 for Section 22.  The Right-of-Way Grants were approved by the Montana DNRC Land Board at the May 16, 2022 Land Board meeting.  The next step in the process is to have the City execute the Right-of-Way Grants and route them back to DNRC for the Governor's signature.

City Council may:

• Authorize the Mayor to execute the two Montana DRNC Right-of-Way Grants; or,
• Do not authorize the Mayor to execute the DNRC Right-of-Way Grants.  If the Grants are not signed, the City will not have the necessary right-of-way to construct the Northwest Billings Connector.  

The funds for purchasing right-of-way in the amount of $78,345.00 were budgeted in FY23 using Arterial funds.  The remaining funds will be used to purchase the remaining right-of-way required for the project and for construction.