On January 7, 2019 the Northern Plains Resource Council made a presentation at a City Council Work Session to reestablish a Commission on Energy and Conservation in Billings, MT. During the work session two main points were discussed on the reestablishment of the Commission; Duration of the Commission and Allocation of Staff Time. There was a previous Resolution (06-18468) adopted by City Council establishing a Commission on Energy and Conservation and the appointment of members. A ten member Mayor's Commission was created by the Council on August 14, 2006. The Resolution expired at the end of 4 years on December 31, 2010. The previous Energy and Conservation Commission was an ad hoc committee created under Billings Municipal Code 2-224.

Sec. 2-224. - Ad hoc council advisory committees.

The mayor and city council may, by resolution, create such ad hoc council advisory committees as needed. Provided, however, that all such committees must be created pursuant to an adopted council resolution establishing, at a minimum, the following:

(a) The purpose or charge of the committee;

(b) The scope of its responsibilities;

(c) The composition of the committee; and

(d) The duration of the committee.

The city administrator shall be charged with assigning appropriate staff to any committee created under this paragraph to ensure compliance with all applicable open public meetings law.

The proposed Resolution would create an ad hoc advisory committee as outlined in Billings Municipal Code 2-224. The Commission on Energy and Conservation would advise City Council on policies, practices regarding energy consumption, ways to reduce the amount of money spent on energy and to limit impacts on the environment. The Commission would expire at the end of four (4) years or when the Commission members determine by majority vote that their work has been completed, whichever comes first. There would be four (4) citizen members appointed to four-year terms and three (3) citizen members shall be appointed to two-year terms, with all terms beginning on July 1, 2019. The idea is to create staggered appointment terms for continuity on the Commission, if the Commission was renewed past the 4 year expiration date. City staff may be allocated to coordinate the City’s ongoing and future energy conservation efforts, to facilitate, internal and external communications, and administrative duties for the Commission. The City anticipates having the Utilities System Engineer and the possibility of a Vista member taking on lead roles for the City. 

City Council may:

• Approve, the Resolution establishing the ad hoc Council Advisory Committee - Commission on Energy and Conservation or;
• Modify, the Resolution establishing the ad hoc Council Advisory Committee - Commission on Energy and Conservation or;
• Disapprove the Resolution establishing the ad hoc Council Advisory Committee - Commission on Energy and Conservation

The financial impact to the City will involve staff time allocated to coordinate the City’s ongoing and future energy conservation efforts, including but not limited to, Commission facilitation, internal and external communications, and administrative duties.

Staff recommends approval of the ad hoc committee created by the Resolution.