Staff recommends the City Council approve the second and final reading of amended ordinance Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC) Section 18-1100, Graffiti.

At its meeting on April 8, 2024, the City Council conducted a public hearing and approved the first reading of amended ordinance BMCC 18-1100, Graffiti.

The residents of Billings will ultimately benefit from making these ordinance amendments as the changes will increase efficiency of enforcement, better clarify the codes so people understand their rights and obligations under City code, and it is easier to apply the code by City Code Enforcement.

City Council may:

• Approve the amended ordinance BMCC 18-1100, Graffiti; or,
• Not Approve the amended ordinance BMCC, 18-1100.  If not approved, ordinance BMCC, 1100 Graffiti will remain the same and not align with the effectiveness and updates the Code Enforcement staff, City Legal staff and City Council have been working toward.

An initial dollar amount to create the Anti-Graffiti fund as outlined in BMCC, 18-1100 is necessary as the only fiscal element of this Code Section.  City Council approved a resolution to create this fund during the April 8, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting.  Code Enforcement, Finance and Administrative staff will look at what an initial allocation to the fund could be and monies derived from fines and donations will also supplement this fund.