3.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 03/02/2026
- TITLE
- Boards, Commissions and Committees Review (CM O'Donnell Initiative)
- PRESENTED BY:
- Chris Kukulski
- Department:
- City Hall Administration
Presentation:
No
Legal Review:
No
Project Number:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council consider the proposed initiative.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Councilmember O'Donnell's proposed an initiative to review whether existing boards, committees and commissions are statutorily required; could be consolidated with others; or are no longer relevant and should be dissolved. "A list of existing boards, commissions and committees is attached as Exhibit A."
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
Councilmember O'Donnell brought forward an initiative on February 9, 2026 to review whether existing boards, committees and commissions are worthwhile; could be consolidated with others; or are no longer relevant and should be dissolved. Council voted unanimously to move forward with the initiative.
The review process could be assigned to the existing Council Operations Committee without the need for additional legal advertising or a Council resolution. If Council wishes to create another Ad-Hoc Council Advisory Committee, which would require legal advertisement, appointments by Mayor and Council and approval of a resolution by Council at a regular business meeting.
Council Operations Committee current members are: Mayor Mike Nelson, Deputy Mayor Boyett and Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore Neese. The meetings are open to the public and other Councilmembers are welcome to participate. They meet the first Monday of each month at 11:00 AM. This committee already exists, notice of their meetings are published and a web page for this committee is maintained.
Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC) Article 2-500 Boards, Commissions and Committees (See Exhibit B attached)
Sec. 2-501. - Permanent advisory boards, ad hoc council advisory committees or statutory boards.
There are three (3) different types of advisory boards, committees or commissions.
(1) Permanent advisory boards are established by ordinance (this article; City Charter, Article V).
(2) Ad hoc council advisory committees (section 2-224) are created by council resolution, have a specific purpose, and have a limited duration.
(3) Statutory boards are required by state or federal law.
Sec. 2-501.2. - Appointment.
Members of advisory boards, commissions, and committees shall be appointed by the mayor with the consent of the city council, unless otherwise provided by federal or state law, or interlocal agreement.
(1) Notice of a vacancy shall be published thirty (30) days prior to appointment.
(2) Members of boards, commissions, or committees shall hold no elected city office unless required by federal or state law, or interlocal agreement. (See Exhibit C attached)
The review process could be assigned to the existing Council Operations Committee without the need for additional legal advertising or a Council resolution. If Council wishes to create another Ad-Hoc Council Advisory Committee, which would require legal advertisement, appointments by Mayor and Council and approval of a resolution by Council at a regular business meeting.
Council Operations Committee current members are: Mayor Mike Nelson, Deputy Mayor Boyett and Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore Neese. The meetings are open to the public and other Councilmembers are welcome to participate. They meet the first Monday of each month at 11:00 AM. This committee already exists, notice of their meetings are published and a web page for this committee is maintained.
Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC) Article 2-500 Boards, Commissions and Committees (See Exhibit B attached)
Sec. 2-501. - Permanent advisory boards, ad hoc council advisory committees or statutory boards.
There are three (3) different types of advisory boards, committees or commissions.
(1) Permanent advisory boards are established by ordinance (this article; City Charter, Article V).
(2) Ad hoc council advisory committees (section 2-224) are created by council resolution, have a specific purpose, and have a limited duration.
(3) Statutory boards are required by state or federal law.
Sec. 2-501.2. - Appointment.
Members of advisory boards, commissions, and committees shall be appointed by the mayor with the consent of the city council, unless otherwise provided by federal or state law, or interlocal agreement.
(1) Notice of a vacancy shall be published thirty (30) days prior to appointment.
(2) Members of boards, commissions, or committees shall hold no elected city office unless required by federal or state law, or interlocal agreement. (See Exhibit C attached)
FISCAL EFFECTS
N/A
STAKEHOLDERS
N/A
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Assign the Boards, Commissions and Committee review initiative to the existing Council Operations Committee or;
- Create a new Ad-Hoc Council Advisory Board, Commission and/or Committee to manage Councilmember O'Donnell's initiative or;
- Vote to not move forward with Boards, Commissions and Committee review