There are approximately 12 organizations throughout the City of Billings that sponsor, facilitate or manage fun runs, parades or similar events.  In many cases, event organizers utilize civilian volunteers to provide traffic control or regulation of traffic flow.  Research reveals there is no mechanism for any City employee to grant authority to civilians to direct other civilians to disobey traffic signals or traffic control devices.  Without such mechanism, both the City and event sponsors are exposed to significant liability.  This ordinance amendment will allow the City to legally authorize civilians to regulate traffic flow as long as the civilians successfully complete an authorized safety course.  Proof of completion of the course will be presented to the Director of Public Works as part of the permitting process.  City Council held a public hearing on March 08, 2010, and approved the ordinance on first reading.  

The City Council may:

• Approve the proposed amendment and creation of new sections to the ordinance on second reading; or
• Not approve the proposed amendment and creation of new sections to the ordinance on second reading.

All costs associated with the safety course are to be paid by the participants.

Staff recommends approval of amendments to Billings City Code, Section 24-501 and creation of Sections 24-312 and 24-541 on second reading.