If you’d like to let your legislator know what you think you can offer testimony virtually. Legislative Services created a platform to submit testimony and receive a Zoom link. All you have to do is navigate to leg.mt.gov and click on the “HAVE YOUR SAY MONTANA” speech bubble icon. Follow the directions provided and make sure you submit everything by noon the day prior to the hearing. When you log onto the Zoom meeting, your camera and audio will be turned off. Once the chair calls for proponent and opponent testimony, you can click the “Raise Hand” button and wait for staff to turn your audio on. At which point you can give your testimony. Be sure to stick around in case members of the committee have questions for you.
Author: Press Room
Cattle Methane Emissions Reduced by New Feed
From the Northern Ag Network
A 2-year large-scale trial in beef cattle in Alberta, Canada has successfully demonstrated that a novel feed ingredient, developed by Royal DSM, can be included in commercial feedlot diets to reduce methane emissions by up to 80%, without negative effects on animal health and performance parameters and carcass characteristics, according to the company.
This was the largest and longest trial for methane reduction in beef to date. The trial alone already reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 1,473 tonnes CO2e. This is comparable to taking 500 cars off the road for a year.
The trial was conducted by a Canadian Research Consortium consisting of Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, Feedlot Health Management Services, Viresco Solutions, and DSM Nutritional Products, and with support from the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) committed $1.5 million to this $3 million project through its Methane Challenge.
The project was recognized for having positive implications for the province due to the fact 70% of Canada’s cattle production happens in Alberta. With ~15,000 heads of beef included in the trial, it represents the largest single trial conducted on methane reduction technologies for ruminants. Methane emission from ruminants represents a significant portion of anthropogenic greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and sustainable living, has developed a feed ingredient to reduce enteric methane formation in ruminants by over 30% on average. The ingredient is scientifically called 3-NOP and is considered a breakthrough technology that inhibits methane formation in the rumen of cattle
Billings Real Estate – 2020 Billings Real Estate in Review
By Lowell Cooke, Coldwell Banker The Brokers
Despite Covid 19, Billings real estate can be summed up as a year of broken records:
Highest average sales price: $291,505
Most # of homes sold: 3397
Total $ volume closed: Almost a Billion! $990,242,756, shattering 2019’s record year by
$181 million, over 22%.
(Billings MLS statistics encompasses a large area and actual Billings areas account for approximately 70% of these numbers.)
Declining Number of Homes For Sale Continues
The December home inventory slid to a historically low level of 295 homes on the market. This compares to an average of around 800 homes for years 2017-2019, or about 60% fewer homes on the market. As of January 13, 2021, there were 156 single family homes for sale in the Billings market. (Not including surrounding areas.) Covid 19 seems to still be affecting this low inventory.
Sales Outpace Listings
The limited number of homes on the market can also be attributed to a greater number of homes being sold verses the number of homes being listed. The last four months of 2020 accounted for 1250 homes being sold compared to 1018 being listed. This means the existing inventory was getting sold. With fewer homes coming on the market, the “seasoned” or overpriced homes most likely saw price reductions which resulted in sales.
Low Inventory-Higher Average Sales Prices
As mentioned earlier, the year over year average sales price in 2020 was $291,505. This was an incredible increase of over $24,000 in one year, or a 9% increase in average value. Our office, Coldwell Banker the Brokers, does its own inhouse statistics of just the Billings area and the median sales price in December 2020 was $263,000 compared to $247,700 in 2019. This is slightly above 6% for the median sales price in 2019.
Sales Distribution By Sales Price Range
The Coldwell Banker the Brokers inhouse “Current Market Trends,” shows 58% of Billings sales in 2020 were between $176,000-$325,000, with the largest percentage of sales between $226k-$275,000, making up 23%. The chart shows the sales distribution by price range. Interestingly, there were 79 homes sold over $600,000. Billings current “months supply of homes” is just over one month. A market supply is “in balance” when the months supply is six months. Below six months indicates a “sellers” market and above six months tends to be a “buyers’ market. Consequently, overall, Billings is definitely in a sellers’ market, unless you are in the $700,000+ range, where the “months supply” is eight months.
New Single-Family Construction On the Rise?
2020 residential building permits in Billings (those serviced by Billings City Services, not subdivisions with their own private water or sewage systems) surged 26% from 2019 and was the highest number of permits issued since 2015. In 2020, there were 344 residential permits compared to 273 in 2019. 2015 had 411 permits issued which was the highest number since 2007, when there were 427 issued. The most prolific new construction year was 2003 with 601 permits issued. There were several years of steady declines until finally bottoming out in 2011.
New single-family construction occurring outside the services of Billings is a little more difficult to pin down because new construction here does not require a building permit. The best indication of how many new residences are constructed outside Billing but in Yellowstone county, is by new addresses, which are tracked by Yellowstone County GIS. According to Mike Powell, GIS Manger for Yellowstone County, here are the numbers of new residence addresses since 2015: 2015-208, 2016-258, 2017-188, 2018-236, 2019-632, 2020-271.
Except for 2019, new construction in Yellowstone county appears to be consistent, in the 250 range. It must be noted, there are several new and newer subdivisions on the outskirts of Billings. These newer subdivisions are usually one half acre and up and require a central water or sewer system, well and septic or a combination of both. These areas seem to be attractive because of the larger lots and “country” feel.
What Does 2021 Look Like?
The most unscientific prediction I can make is for, at best, the first six months of this year. It is my hope sellers will be increasingly more comfortable with putting their home up for sale as the vaccine for Covid 19 becomes more available. If confidence in our safety and well-being are restored or at least somewhat eased, I think the inventory will begin to increase and bring some stability to prices. This could make it a “win-win” scenario for buyers and sellers, given the interest rates should remain low (hopefully) through 2021. Sellers will be able to sell for a good price and buyers will enjoy the lower interest rates.
Billings Chamber Pushes to Protect Businesses from Liability
Among business organizations in Montana passing legislation that will provide liability protection for businesses, non-profits and other organizations is at the top of all their priority lists. The Billings Chamber of Commerce stands among them, according to Daniel Brooks, Billings Chamber’s business advocacy director.
Brooks is monitoring the 3000-plus bills that are waiting to be considered in the state legislature, working as much on defense as offense in dealing with issues that the Billings Chamber has identified as important. Chamber membership developed a policy statements a couple months ago that will guide Brooks advocacy efforts.
At the forefront of legislation dealing with providing liability protections is Senator Steve Fitzgerald’s bill SB65. Governor Greg Gianforte has declared that before he will lift the COVID mask mandate in the state he must have a bill to sign that will provide liability protection.
Brooks said that he will also be focused on a proposed change in gaming license law, reducing the cost of doing business in Montana and working on making broadband more available to communities. The latter is a most important issue given how much the COVID crisis has transitioned businesses to doing business much more business virtually. While the need for better connectivity throughout rural Montana, even in Billings with the providers there are, “we need more capacity,” said Brooks, “With everyone loading up the system we will drop a zoom call.” Adequate broadband is also necessary to attract more businesses.
Also identified as an important mission by Brooks is passage of the early childhood education for which he is working in collaboration with other organizations, including the Missoula Chamber of Commerce.
The top priorities identified in the Chamber’s policy guide include making the state more attractive to the “next generation” workforce; invest in education; address gaps in equality of opportunity for minority populations; reduce the cost of doing business in Montana; diversify government revenue streams to alleviate dependence on property taxes; encourage economic development “tools.”
Billings Building Permits Commercial and New Residential 01-15-21
Commercial
Noraca Llc/Laughlin Construction Inc., 2701 1st Ave N, Com Remodel, $75,000
Boise Cascade Building Material/Lennick Bros. Roofing & Sheetmetal, 1240 S 29th St W, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $43,500
Askin Construction Llc/ Swenson, Randall D, 1736 Shiloh Rd, Demolition Permit Commercial, $13,500
Northwest Development Llc/Jares Fence Company, Inc, 536 Kathy Ln, Fence, $12,352
Friendship House Of Christian/Bradford Roof Management Inc, 3123 8th Ave S, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, 17,880
Imperial Investments Llc/Beartooth Constructors, 810 Wicks Ln, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $89,000
Mic-Lyn LP/Beartooth Constructors, 810 Bench Blvd, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $89,000
Youth Dynamics Inc/ Wegner Homes, 2334 Lewis Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $24,000
KMK LLC/ Wegner Homes, 902 Central Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $3,800
WDSS LLC/ Zane Merrell Construction LLC, 1410 38th St, Com Remodel, $22,000
SLM Properties LLC/Yellowstone Basin Construction, 1601 Central Ave, Com Remodel, $125,000
Yellowstone Bank/Hulteng, Inc., 2901 Millennium Cir, Com Remodel, $232,900
King McCall LLC/ Yellowstone Basin Construction, 2499 Gabel Rd, Com Remodel – Change In Use, $58,000
932 Grand Avenue Llc/B & C Homebuilders, 923 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $4,800
Yellowstone County/Empire Roofing Inc, 3165 King Ave E, $69,279
JSC Properties Llc/S Bar S Supply Contractor, 1410 Central Ave, Com Remodel, $2,500
Fagg Family Properties Llc/Jones Construction, Inc, 235 N 32nd St, Com Remodel – Change In Use, $425,000
Comstock Real Estate Holdings/Empire Roofing Inc, 3175 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $179,43
Red Horse Rentals LLC/Big Sky Exterior Designs, Inc, 82 W Antelope Trl, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $24,418
Smith, David H/Big Sky Exterior Designs, Inc, 86 W Antelope Trl, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $30,923
1201 Yellowstone Ave Llc/Big Sky Exterior Designs, Inc, 1201 – 5 Yellowstone Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $52,483
Jones, David J & Kelly R/Big Exterior Designs, Inc, 1816 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $6,549
Trailhead Builders Of Montana LLC/Trailhead Builders Of Montana, 3131 Iron Horse Trl, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $1,328,975
Swenson, Randall D/Beartooth Holding & Construction, 1736 Shiloh Rd, $881,705
School District #2/Star Service, Inc., 1801 Bench Blvd, Com Remodel, $200,000
The Billings Gazette/S Bar S Supply Contractor, 501 N 22nd St, Com Remodel, $60,000
Opportunity Bank Of Montana /Dick Anderson Construction, 1005 N 27th St, Com Remodel, $950,000
Witham, Robert J & Donna R/Lake Elmo Coin-Op, 1903 Grand Ave, Com Remodel – Change In Use, $95,000
Residential
Maul, Randy W & Susan M, 1503 12th St W, Res New Accessory Structure, $51,840
Oakland Built Homes Inc /Oakland Built Homes Inc, 904 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $174,422
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 908 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $174,984
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 912 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $174,422
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 916 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $172,860
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 924 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $167,668
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 920 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $174,984
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 921 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $172,270
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 915 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $167,668
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 911 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $174,984
Stordahl, David Michael & Amy/Wells Built Inc., 2107 S Stone Creek Trl, Res New Single Family, $831,105
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 807 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $172,270
Oakland Built Homes /Oakland Built Homes Inc, 803 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $174,422
Legacy LLC/CDH, LLC, 5303 Rich Ln, Res New Single Family, $321,576
Neary, Richard & Marcee F/Mike’s Handyman Service, 1529 Avenue F, Res New Accessory Structure, $50,000
Houghton, Nels & Rochelle, 5873 Summerwood Cir, Res New Accessory Structure, $40,000
Big Sky Contractors/Big Sky Contractors LLC, 1111 Clark Ave, Res New Accessory Structure, $11,700
Cox, Paul L & Rachel E, 716 N 31st St, Res New Accessory Structure, $46,464
Felton Associates Inc/Green Jeans Llc, 1322 Jean Ave, Res New Single Family, $254,686
Na /Trails West Homes Llc, 822 Grouse Berry St, Res New Single Family, $247,732
Trails West Homes Llc /Trails West Homes Llc, 804 Grouse Berry St, Res New Single Family, $247,732
McCall Development Inc /McCall Development, 6109 Eva Marie Ln, Res New Single Family, $277,720
Cox, Paul L & Rachel/Jorden Construction, 716 N 31st St, Res New Two Family, $482,620
Wattles, Jeremy S & Danelle/Big Sky Custom Builders, 305 Sahara Dr, Res Addition Single/Duplex/Garage, $11,000
McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6133 Farmstead Ave, Res New Accessory Structure, $25,344
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 903 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $174,984
Oakland Built Homes Inc/Oakland Built Homes Inc, 907 Presidio Ln, Res New Single Family, $172,860
High Sierra II Inc/Infinity Home LLC , 403 Montecito Ave, Res New Single Family, $198,150
HLL LLC/Yellowstone Property Solutions LLC, 5341 Amherst Dr, Res New Single Family, $250,446
Ochsner, Kalena/Cougar Construction, 5130 Clemson Dr, Res New Single Family, $248,000
McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6133 Farmstead Ave, Res New Single Family, $257,768
Lorenz Construction /Lorenz Construction, 3343 Pipestone Dr, Res New Single Family, $231,967
McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6103 Eva Marie Ln, Res New Single Family, $251,904
High Sierra II Inc/Infinity Home LLC, 1531 Rancho Vista Ave, Res New Single Family , $194,306
LC Custom Homes Inc/LC Custom Homes, 6173 Masters Blvd, Res New Single Family, $376,706
DCL Ventures LLC/Infinity Home LLC, 5440 Riesling Ln, Res New Single Family, $354,780
Veitor Properties Llc/Sureshot Construction, 608 Avenue F, Res New Accessory Structure, $34,944
Zweegman, Brian, 1119 Pepper Ln, Res New Accessory Structure, $50,000
NMTP 002 Llc/Better Building Technologies Llc, 6328 Ridge Stone Dr, Res New Single Family, $207,549
Trailhead Builders Of MT/Trailhead Builders Inc, 1413 Carson Way, Res New Single Family, $255,761
Copper Ridge West Inc/Infinity Home LLC, 7032 Shiny Penny Way, Res New Single Family, $242,671
Acting Provost
Dr. Susan Balter-Reitz, professor of communications, has been named Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs while the college conducts a search for permanent Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Balter-Reitz has held various positions at MSU Billings during her 18-year tenure.
Two Options Explored for 27th Street Railroad Crossing in Billings
A public hearing recently gathered public input on proposals to deal with traffic conflicts at the railroad crossing on 27th Street. The Montana Department of Transportation, working with several consultants including HDR and DOWL engineering firms, is doing a feasibility study to identify the most viable of short term and long term solutions.
Short term solutions involve making improvements to the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) which can give drivers advance information about what is happening at the railroad crossing.
27th Street railroad Crossing 
27th Street railroad Crossing
Long term involves building one of two possible grade separations on 27th Street as it crosses the railroad tracks. One option is to build a two-lane overpass over the railroad tracks and above S. 27th Street and the other is to build a two-lane tunnel as part of 27th Street that would go under the railroad tracks. The idea of both options is to maintain connectivity to downtown, said Tim Erickson with HDR. “We are avoiding impacts as much as possible,” said Erickson, “So far there are no impacts on existing buildings on 27th Street.”
Both projects would each take about two years to build, however, while the overpass could keep streets open most of the time, the underpass would require closing streets in the project area most of the time.
Building an overpass would cost between $35 million and $40 million, about half the cost of a tunnel at $80 million. Funding would come from the federal funds the state receives annually for priority projects on its Five Year Plan. So far, the 27th Street Project is not on that priority list.
The preferred alternative will be announced in 2020-21 and a preliminary design would be available later in the summer.
The Holidays and Alzheimer’s During COVID-19
The holidays should be filled with sharing, laughter and memories. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic adds a layer of stress, disappointment, sadness, and a heightened risk for spreading the virus, especially for older adults who tend to have underlying health conditions.
For the families of the 22,000 Montanans living with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to realize that a person living with Alzheimer’s may feel a special sense of loss during the holidays because of the changes he or she has experienced. And for their 51,000 family caregivers, there will be the added challenge of maintaining traditions while providing care and adhering to safety precautions.
To help ensure safe and enjoyable holiday gatherings, the Alzheimer’s Association offers the following tips for safely engaging with family and friends during the holidays.
Continue holiday traditions by dropping off favorite baked goods or a care package in a way that avoids close contact.
Schedule your own “holiday parade” and ask family members and friends to drive by the older adult’s home with homemade signs or other festive decorations.
Plan an outdoor visit with hot chocolate and blankets.
Go outside for a walk in the neighborhood.
Create and send holiday cards.
Take extra precautions for in-person gatherings
If you choose to include older adults in an in-person holiday gathering, weigh the risks to their health. Even when precautions are taken, close contact with anyone outside of your household increases the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Adjust expectations
The stress of caregiving responsibilities layered with holiday traditions can take a toll. The current COVID-19 crisis is creating challenges that can feel overwhelming for many families impacted by dementia. It’s more important than ever to take care of your physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Arrange for a group discussion via telephone, video call or email for family and friends to discuss holiday celebrations in advance. Make sure that everyone understands your caregiving situation, the safety precautions you’re taking and has realistic expectations about what you can and cannot do.
A conversation in advance is also a great time to let others know about any changes they might see in the person living with dementia.
— Give yourself permission to do only what you can reasonably and safely manage. This likely means much smaller and more casual gatherings, if at all. No one should expect you to maintain every holiday tradition or event.
Consider celebrating earlier in the day so you can work around the evening confusion (sundowning) if it sometimes affects the person living with Alzheimer’s.
Connect through technology
Use video call software like Zoom or Skype to gather virtually. Since it can be difficult to have conversations with larger groups over video, adding some structure to the call can help. Play a trivia game, sing carols or share pictures from past gatherings.
Use video to capture and digitally send special moments, such as children opening gifts.
Plan a video call to cook or bake a special recipe together.
— Record and send a “video holiday card” that includes personalized messages.
—Schedule a time to watch a favorite holiday movie together from separate homes. Text or video chat while you watch.
If your loved one struggles with technology, ask a primary caregiver — or staff in an assisted living community — if they can help.
—Cross talk or simultaneous conversations can be challenging for people living with dementia, so consider this when planning.
Familiarize others with the situation
The holidays are full of emotions, so it can help to let friends and family members know what to expect. If the person is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, relatives and friends might not notice any changes. But the person living with dementia may have trouble following conversation or tend to repeat himself or herself.
Family can help with communication by being patient, not interrupting or correcting, and giving the person time to finish his or her thoughts. If the person is in the middle or late stages of Alzheimer’s, there may be significant changes in cognitive abilities since the last conversation. These changes can be hard to accept. Make sure friends and family understand that changes in behavior and memory are caused by the disease and not the person.
Involve the person living with dementia
Involve the person in safe, manageable holiday preparation activities that he or she enjoys:
Ask him or her to help you prepare food, wrap packages, help decorate or set the table.
— When making holiday plans, consider what will be most comfortable and enjoyable for the person living with dementia, while keeping safety in mind. Maintain the person’s normal routine as much as possible, so that holiday preparations don’t become disruptive or confusing.
— Focus on the things that bring happiness and let go of activities that seem overwhelming, stressful or too risky. Taking on too many tasks can wear on both of you.
— Build on traditions and memories and experiment with new, physically distanced traditions that might be less stressful or a better fit with your caregiving responsibilities, such as watching seasonal movies.
Adapt gift giving
Opening gifts over a video call like Zoom or Skype or even over a phone call can still feel very personal.
—Provide people with suggestions for useful and enjoyable gifts for the person, such as an identification bracelet or membership in a wandering response service. Or, suggest comfortable, easy-to-remove clothing, favorite music, photo albums of family and friends, or favorite treats.
–Advise people not to give gifts such as potentially dangerous tools or instruments, utensils, etc.
—Depending on his or her abilities and preferences, involve the person in gift giving.
—If friends or family members ask you what you’d like for a gift, you may want to suggest a gift certificate or something that will help make things easier, like house cleaning; lawn, handyman or laundry services; food delivery etc.
Ask for support
Alzheimer’s Association Helpline is staffed 24/7 by trained professionals. Call the Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Plans Underway for the first Chase Branch in Montana
Located at Milton Road and Main Street in Billings, the first local Chase branch is set to open its doors in the second quarter of 2021. Current plans call for opening approximately three Chase branches in Montana.
“We look forward to establishing our roots in Montana and helping the people of this state make the most of their money,” said Claudius Duncan, head of Chase branches in Montana. “Our bank has enjoyed serving credit card and corporate customers in Montana for many years. And now we are bringing the power of our branches. It’s a game changer.”
Branches serve as a hub for all of Chase businesses, including helping customers in opening savings and checking accounts, buying homes, or planning for retirement.
“The opening of our new branch represents Chase’s commitment to serving the community of Billings. Chase has vast experience in helping consumers and businesses with their financial needs and our branch is proud to announce plans to join the community. Bringing branches to the area gives customers expanded access to our products, digital tools, and tailored in-branch experiences, like financial advice, from short-term savings to retirement,” said Duncan.
New Construction in US
New residential construction rose 4.9% to 1,530,000 units at the annual rate in October, the strongest pace since February. The data were buoyed by continued strength in the single-family segment, which increased to 1,179,000 units, the best reading since April 2007. Americans have responded to historically low mortgage rates, which hit another record low last.. Other data also reflected strength and optimism in the housing market, including the following:
o Housing permits were flat at 1,545,000 units in October, remaining the strongest pace since March 2007 and pointing to solid growth over the coming months.
o For their part, builders also feel more upbeat in their expectations for single-family sales over the next six months, with sentiment reaching another all-time high in November.
