2024 City Council and Leadership Team Retreat Agenda

The following time allotments are speculative and should not be used to stop critical dialogue.  Therefore, if as an attendee, you want to be present for a specific topic, please come early and be prepared to stay later than the tentative schedule anticipates.

Noon          Lunch

12:30 pm   Public Comment: Please keep your comments under 3 minutes.

12:45 pm   Kick off the meeting with an overview of the DRAFT Strategic Plan – Vision, Mission, Values

Vision – The Magic City: A diverse welcoming community where people prosper, and businesses succeed.
Definition: The vision is a forward-looking statement that describes the desired future state an organization aspires to achieve. It paints a compelling picture of what success looks like and provides inspiration.
Characteristics: An effective vision statement is inspirational, aspirational, and future-oriented, motivating employees and stakeholders to work toward a common goal.

Observation/Opinion:  Our vision needs to be updated.  The City Council and community should set the vision.  A well vetted Vision, like Mission and Core Values rarely change over time. "We have so much potential!"   This is a consistent theme I've heard since 2018, especially in 2022 when I met with employees throughout the organization and community leaders to discuss our vision and core values.  An authentic, believable vision needs to inspire us to exceed our potential.

Policy Discussion – Are we agreeable to setting aside time and resources in 2024 to develop a "vision" for our organization and community?
Once we confirm or refine our Goals and Objectives, than we will move into the critical policy discussions.

1:00 pm    Do we have the right goal statement and objectives for goal #2?

Strategic Goal - Sustain and Upgrade Critical Infrastructure.
Objective 1 – Expand the capacity and improve resiliency of the water system.
Objective 2 – Increase the number of airport passengers using BIL by 15% by the end of CY 2025
Objective 3 - Increase BIL's air cargo nationwide position by two places (to 61).
Objective 4 – Optimize the efficiency of the transportation system to strengthen the economy and livability of neighborhoods and business districts. (tightly linked to goal #3 objective 2)
Objective 5 – Maximize the capacity of our waste-water treatment plant.
Objective 6 – Build and upgrade an effective storm sewer system.

Objective 7 – Analyze and determine land use and infrastructure policies to serve the Skyway Drive and Billings bypass (Mary Lane and 5 mile).
Objective 8 – Complete new city hall and sell the current city hall by November 2024

 Policy Discussion
1.    Define the policy issues associated with objective 4 - private land development and movement of people (auto, pedestrian, public transit, bikes).
2.    Land use and utility extension policies for Skyway Drive and Billings bypass.
3.    Other items identified during the meeting.


2:15  pm   Do we have the right goal statement and objectives for goal #3?


Strategic Goal - Foster economic vibrancy through quality designed neighborhoods and business districts.

Objective 1 - Stimulate infill and redevelopment throughout the city's business and residential districts by 2026.
Objective 2 - Improve multi-model transportation system to foster investment and redevelopment - auto, transit, bike, pedestrian (tightly linked to goal 2 objective 4)
Objective 3 - Update subdivision regulations in 2024.
Objective 4 - Update 2016 growth policy to comply with the MT Land Use Planning Act.
Objective 5 - Develop housing strategies to strengthen and stabilize neighborhoods.
Objective 6 - Update neighborhood plans over the next decade.
Objective 7 – Complete cost of services study and determine its impact on regulations and fee structures.

Policy Discussion
1.    Conversations on land use will be limited without our director and planning manager positions available to participate therefore, we want to focus discussions by defining the issues and consider supporting a city administrator appointed committee with 3-5 council members and staff to tackle policy approaches to this strategic goal.  
2.    Cost of services update
3.    Other items identified during the meeting.

3:15  pm   Break
3:30  pm   Do we have the right goal statement and objectives for goal #4?

Strategic Goal - Offer Outstanding Library, Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Cultural Amenities.
Objective 1 – Activate parks and public spaces to improve a sense of community, improve health and reduce crime.
Objective 2 - Maximize the useful life of parks, recreation, and trails assets.
Objective 3 - Through existing funds, grants and new funding sources, increase trail network through complete streets implementation and recreational trails construction. 
Objective 4 - Increase rec participation by 10% by Fy26.
Objective 5 – Create opportunities for dual purpose public spaces for parks and PW (storm water, reservoir etc.) by 3.
Objective 6 - Install two (2) additional Library Express Lockers by FY26.

Policy Discussion
1.    PD1 being rolled into the general fund will cause us to go backwards on funding maintenance and operations unless we assign the # of mills dedicated.
2.    Capital projects like South Park Pool, Zimmerman Center and North Park Centers need replacement or removal soon.
3.    Recreation program cost recovery – continue and/or expand targeted programs to engage children in enriching activities, to activate spaces and prevent crime?  Former policy direction was to target full cost recovery.   
4.    Funding options:  PD1, park districts, dedicated mill levies, bonds.
5.    Other items identified during the meeting.

Conversation continues into Saturday if needed.

5:30  pm   Dinner at Bin 119