The City of Billings submitted Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Community Transportation Enhancement Project (CTEP) grant applications for four trail projects. The projects include:
 
1. Ponderosa School Path – this project consists of constructing approximately 2,000 lineal feet of hard-surface bicycle and pedestrian path from the end of the trail in Kings Green Subdivision west towards Ponderosa School. The trail runs south of Ponderosa School and then turns north up to King Avenue East along the west side of the school. The local match for this project is being funded through Tax Increment Finance dollars, as recommended by the South Billings Urban Renewal Association. The administration of the construction project will be through the City of Billings Parks, Recreation & Public Lands (PRPL) and Public Works Engineering.

2. Arrowhead School Path – this project will construct approximately 1,200 lineal feet of hard-surface bicycle and pedestrian path along the ditch bank through St. John’s Ministries Campus at 3940 Rimrock Road between Shiloh Road and Arrowhead School. The local match for this project is being provided by School District #2 and BikeNet. The administration of the construction project will be through Public Works Engineering.

3. Swords Park Trail Outlet – this project consists of constructing approximately 1,150 lineal feet of hard-surface bicycle and pedestrian path on the west side of the 6th Avenue Bypass between Main Street and Aronson Avenue. The local match for this project is being provided by BikeNet. The administration of the construction project will be through Public Works Engineering.

4. Poly Drive School – this project consists of the construction of two curb extensions and associated street crossing, a bicycle and pedestrian landing area, approximately 280 lineal feet of ADA compliant sidewalk, and approximately 390 lineal feet of curb and gutter. The local match for this project is being provided by School District #2 and BikeNet. The administration of the construction project will be through Public Works Engineering.

All four of these projects were approved through the local CTEP project selection process involving the City Council, Board of County Commissioners, Planning Board, and the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The PCC approved these projects at its regular meeting on February 26, 2013. The projects also were approved by MDT. The Project Specific Agreements represent the formal agreement between the City and MDT for the project scopes, funding, and federal aid compliance. Council must authorize the Mayor to execute Project Specific Agreements for each of the projects to begin development.

The City Council may:
• Approve the CTEP Project Specific Agreements and authorize the Mayor to sign them, or
• Not approve the CTEP Project Specific Agreement. This would result in the loss of CTEP funding for these projects.

The funding breakdown for the projects is as follows:

Ponderosa School Path:
CTEP Grant                              $155,844
SBURD TIFD                             $ 24,156
Total Funds Available               $180,000

Arrowhead School Path:
CTEP Grant                              $ 72,727
BikeNet/ School District #2       $ 11,273
Total Funds Available               $ 84,000

Swords Park Trail Outlet Trail:
CTEP Grant                             $103,896
BikeNet                                    $ 16,104
Total Funds Available              $120,000

Poly Drive School:
CTEP Grant                             $ 84,110
School District #2/BikeNet       $ 13,037
Total Funds Available              $ 97,147

Staff recommends that Council authorize the Mayor to execute the CTEP Project Specific Agreements for the four approved CTEP projects