Staff is requesting the City Council receive and review information at this meeting regarding the need to amend the Billings MPO Boundary Map to comply with the Federal Highway Administration and the US Census Bureau definition of Urban Area. At its November 13 regular business meeting, the council will consider action on the map amendment that will recommend approval of the amendment to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) and authorize the Mayor to sign the updated official map.  
 

The Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is tasked with coordinating transportation planning within the Billings metropolitan area. Its responsibilities encompass long-term transportation planning, allocation of funding, and ensuring that transportation projects align with regional goals and objectives. The MPO's planning boundary defines the specific geographic area over which it exercises planning authority.

In response to the recently released 2020 Census data, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) mandates that the MPO, in collaboration with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and local government agencies, adjust the planning boundary accordingly. These adjustments are based on the 2020 Census urban area boundaries, which are determined by housing density. The population within these adjusted urban areas determines the respective share of urban program funds. Final approval of the proposed boundaries is granted by the FHWA.

To define the MPO boundary, certain criteria were employed:

• Reasonable Distance: Areas within the urban boundary must be reachable within a 0.5-mile drive.
• Large Traffic Generator: This category includes industrial, commercial, or retail areas that do not encompass residential zones. Large traffic generators must primarily serve the urban area's population and have a significant impact, such as major hospitals, for example.
• Minimizing Impacts to the Highway Systems: The overarching goal is to avoid any adverse effects on the state highway system.

Additionally, when adjusting the urban boundaries, it is essential to consider the most recent city limit boundary, create a single contiguous area, adhere to political boundaries, census blocks, or physical features/intersections.

The first attached map illustrates the 2010 Urban Boundary, City Limits, 2020 Census Urban Area Boundary, and the proposed 2020 Urban Area Boundary. After discussions involving MDT Helena, MDT Billings District, City and County Public Works, and the Billings MPO, all proposed changes were accepted, with the exception of a section of King Avenue West. MDT Helena recommended converting a portion of this route from an Urban to a Secondary route. However, MDT Billings District and staff opposed this change due to the area's complex and rapidly changing land use. Ultimately, MDT Helena reviewed and concurred with the local recommendation.

The second map illustrates the ultimate proposed version, and MDT Helena is seeking a review and endorsement of this map from the municipal and county authorities. On October 18, 2023, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) conducted a review of the map amendment. TAC is now suggesting that the local governing authorities grant approval for the map amendment to the PCC, which would then enable the Mayor to officially sign the map. MDT Helena will oversee this process using DocuSign.

This map amendment originated from MDT Helena and was subsequently introduced to the MPO, MDT Billings District, and the Public Works Departments of both the City and County. After undergoing a thorough examination and receiving a suggestion from the local review team, MDT Helena has made necessary adjustments and is presently seeking final approval and signatures from the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners.
 

At the Council Work Session, staff recommends the City Council receive information and a presentation on the MPO Boundary Map Amendment. The Council is scheduled to take action on the MPO Boundary Map at its November 13 meeting and the action includes recommending approval of the amendment to the PCC and authorizing the Mayor to sign the official map. To remain in compliance with Federal Law and continue to administer transportation planning funds in the MPO Urban Area, the boundary map must be amended per the latest census.

The approval of the MPO Boundary will not result in any new financial implications for either the City or County. Instead, it will guarantee the uninterrupted flow of Federal PL funding to support ongoing Transportation Planning Programs within the MPO.
 

Following the conclusion of the ten-year census conducted by the US Census Bureau, the MPO Boundary undergoes a review and adjustment process based on the Census Bureau's Urban Area definition and recommendations provided by the Federal Highway Administration and the Montana Department of Transportation. This revision is necessary to ensure the continued allocation of Federal PL funding.