The State of Montana Historic Preservation Office has designated the City of Billings as a Certified Local Government (CLG) for historic preservation activities. As a CLG, the City is eligible to receive state funding to coordinate historic preservation efforts in our area. Applications for FY2012-13 funding from the State are due on March 8, 2012. The City of Billings has been utilizing Certified Local Government funding for activities in support of the efforts of the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board since 1997. A description of these activities is provided in Attachment A. The City Council must approve of the FY12-13 grant application for staff to complete the submittal.

The Billings City Council may accept or decline to participate in State CLG program and accept CLG grant funding to coordinate historic preservation activities. The program has funded efforts in the community to designate historic districts, provide public education programs on historic preservation, and support efforts to preserve historic buildings and places.

City Council approval would allow the City of Billings to apply for $5,500 in State of Montana Certified Local Government funding. The local cash match for the Certified Local Government will be $2,500 and $21,475 will be provided in in-kind match for a total match of $29,475. The majority of the in-kind match is from calculating time and salary of the Historic Preservation Officer. The total cash funding package is $8,000 that is used for consulting services provided by the Western Heritage Center to perform activities identified in the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board Annual Work Plan. The Planning Division will provide $1,031 towards the local cash match. The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board will request $1,000 from Yellowstone County and $469 from the City of Laurel towards the remaining local cash match.

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the submission of an application for a $5,500 Certified Local Government grant from the Montana State Historic Preservation Office.