In the interest of public safety, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has asked the City to enter into an agreement for emergency traffic signal response. The signal emergency response agreement allows staff from the Public Works Department to provide emergency work on the traffic signals for MDT on the state routes within the City of Billings and to be compensated for that work. The state will perform routine maintenance and locates on the signals on these routes.  This agreement is similar to ones approved by the Council for 2012 and 2013.

The Council may:

1. Approve the Signal Emergency Response Agreement (term is through June 30, 2014); or
2. Do not approve the agreement and the State would be required to perform emergency signal work on their routes within the Billings city limits.

The State of Montana will reimburse the City of Billings for this work based on labor, materials and equipment as specified in the agreement.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Signal Emergency Response Agreement between the City of Billings and the State of Montana.