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Item 4.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 01/27/2025 |
| Title: | Ward III Councilmember Appointment |
| Presented by: | Chris Kukulski, City Administrator |
| Department: | City Hall Administration |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | No |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Mayor Cole is appointing TJ Rogers to fill the Ward III vacancy and requests consent of the City Council.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
On December 17, 2024, the Yellowstone County Commissioners appointed Councilmember Denise Joy to replace Emma Kerr-Carpenter for the Montana House of Representatives. Councilmember Joy resigned her seat on City Council effective January 6, 2025, when she was sworn in as a House Representative, leaving her position for Ward III vacant on the Billings City Council. The Billings City Charter in Section 3.09(C) states:
Mayor Cole reviewed the applications and hosted a community "meet and great" event on January, 16 in the library's community room. The following individuals applied to fill the Ward III vacancy: Amy Aguirre, Sam Bower, Conrad Caron, Danny Choriki, Alexander Clark, Chris Friedel, Andrew Gutierrez Sr., Diana Krumm, Charles Loveridge, Rebecca Noell, TJ Rogers, Tammy Schwabe and Mark Snyder.
Fillings of Vacancies of City Council. Vacancies of less than five (5) in number on the City Council shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the majority of the remaining City Council. The appointed Councilmember shall be a resident of the ward in which the vacancy occurs and a qualified voter of the City of Billings. A vacancy shall be filled within thirty (30) days after it occurs. If not filled within thirty (30) days, a special election shall be called in that ward. At the next general election, an appointed Councilmember shall stand for election for any remaining portion of the term of the office to which he or she has been appointed. If five (5) or more Council positions are vacant, a special election shall be held within ninety (90) days for the unexpired terms of the vacant positions. In the event that all members of the City Council are removed by death, disability, forfeiture of office, or other cause, the Governor 6 shall appoint an interim Council which shall hold office until a special election can be held within ninety (90) days.
Mayor Cole reviewed the applications and hosted a community "meet and great" event on January, 16 in the library's community room. The following individuals applied to fill the Ward III vacancy: Amy Aguirre, Sam Bower, Conrad Caron, Danny Choriki, Alexander Clark, Chris Friedel, Andrew Gutierrez Sr., Diana Krumm, Charles Loveridge, Rebecca Noell, TJ Rogers, Tammy Schwabe and Mark Snyder.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve the Mayor's appointment for Ward III Councilmember to replace State Representative Denise Joy, who left office on January 6, 2025; or,
- Disappove the Mayor's appointment and provide him with feedback regarding the appointment and acceptable alternatives; or
- Disapprove the Mayor's appointment and call for a special election to fill the vacant Ward III Councilmember seat.
FISCAL EFFECTS
This action has no financial impact on the City of Billings unless a special election is needed. The cost of a special election, based on past election costs, could exceed $20,000.