Skip to main content

AgendaQuick™

View Agenda Item

Back to View Meetings Back to Agenda
Next Item
Item 1.
 
City Council Work Session
Date: 03/17/2025
Title: Drafted 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan Findings and Strategies Review
Presented by: Brenda Beckett
Department: Planning & Community Services
Presentation: Yes
Legal Review: Not Applicable
Project Number: N/A

RECOMMENDATION

No formal action is expected at this Work Session. The purpose of tonight's presentation is to review drafted Consolidated Plan findings and strategies (See attachment to this memo) to guide Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding for the next five years. 

BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)

PROCEDURAL HISTORY & FUTURE EVENTS
  • Community Development staff began citizen participation and outreach efforts in August 2024 with a presentation to the City Council to describe HUD programs and processes and garner understanding of the Council’s funding priorities for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan.
  • The Billings City Council held a public hearing on Monday, September 23, 2024, to obtain public comment on current community needs to assist the Community Development Board in designing the application process for the upcoming program year, before the publication of the drafted Consolidated / Annual Action Plan.
  • Community Development staff presented during a City Council Work Session meeting on November 18, 2024. Topics included: prior work session material, recent challenges Community Development is navigating to move the Consolidated Plan forward and to seek clarity on the Council’s goals for the new Consolidated Plan, schedule review, public engagement, etc.
  • Staff made a presentation to the North Park Task Force on December 4, 2024, to present information on the Division and to identify community needs to address with CDBG and HOME.
  • A Consolidated Plan survey was developed and launched on 1/31/25. The survey is set to close on 3/31/25. Survey distribution was as follows:
    • Four weekly ads with QR codes ran in the Yellowstone County News (2/14 thru 3/7)
    • It was posted on the PCSD Facebook page 2/18/2025.
    • Several email blasts, including to the 2-1-1 distribution list we used for the Coronavirus Survey, to the December 2022 CD Info session distribution list, to the neighborhood task forces, to the VISTA service provider distribution list, to the Billings Association of Realtors, to local lenders
    • Flyers w/QR codes were distributed at the Library, on downtown kiosks, on grocery store bulletin boards, and in many coffee shops
  • A public hearing was held on February 4, 2025, at the Community Development Board meeting to garner public comment on community needs, and for organizations interested in funding to present information on applications submitted. No public comment was provided to the Board.
  • Planning and Community Services Department’s Annual Report was distributed, and it includes a QR code for the Consolidated Plan survey, posted on February 6, 2025. The report was also shared with the City’s boards, councils, and email distribution lists.
  • The Community Development Board meeting on March 4, 2025, included a discussion of the Consolidated Plan structure, drafted findings, and recommended strategies and priorities. 
  • Community Development staff and Board members attended / will attend neighborhood Task Force meetings to share information about the Consolidated Plan and distribute the survey:
     - North Park, March 5, 2025
     - South Side, March 20, 2025
     - Billings Heights, March 25, 2025
  • Information and the survey will be shared at the Combined Task Force Leadership meeting on April 3, 2025. Note: The Central Terry and Midtown Community Collaborative task forces we just learned recently may be inactive for a while.
  • The public comment period for the Consolidated Plan began on March 15 and ends on April 14, 2025. The plan can be viewed online at www.BillingsMT.gov/ConPlan. 
  • A public hearing will be held during the City Council meeting on April 14, 2025, to garner public comments on the drafted Consolidated Plan. 
  • The City Council is scheduled to take action on the Consolidated Plan on April 28, 2025.

STAKEHOLDERS

CDBG and HOME funding benefits low-income households through a variety of programs. These populations, and the nonprofit organizations providing social services for those in need, are stakeholders. They have been invited to participate in the planning process, and will be invited to provide public comment on the drafted Consolidated Plan and participate in future public meetings and hearings. 

ALTERNATIVES

There is no formal action on this Work Session item. 

FISCAL EFFECTS

No fiscal effects are anticipated as a result of tonight's meeting. Fiscal decisions will be made during future City Council meetings regarding specific projects and administration of programs. 

SUMMARY

City staff is seeking the City Council’s input on the attached draft five-year Consolidated Plan findings and strategies. These will also be outlined in the presentation at this work session.

Attachments