Recently on September 23 and  October 15, 2019, the Mayor and Council amended the ordinance that establishes membership qualifications for City advisory boards and commission. One of the amendments under City Code (BMCC) Section 2.501.1(a) allows for nonresidents to be appointed to a specific advisory board of a governmental or non-governmental entity where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is agreed upon between such organization and the City of Billings.

The Housing Authority of Billings (HAB) is a Municipal Housing Authority created under the statutory authority of Section 7-15-4401 through 7-15-4401, et seq., Montana Code Annotated. The Housing Authority of Billings (HAB) has jurisdiction within the City which also extends to a ten mile radius outside of the City limits. The HAB Board consists of seven commissioners appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Billings City Council.
 
The HAB Board has requested that the City enter into an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows for a nonresident living within the ten mile HAB radius to be appointed to the HAB Board by the Mayor.The HAB has presented an MOU that accomplishes this appointment as revised by the City Attorney. The MOU is attached to this memo.

City Council may:

• Approve the MOU, or,
• Modify the MOU, or;
• Disapprove the MOU.

There is no financial impact to the City if the MOU is approved.

Staff recommends that the Council approve the MOU between the HAB and the City.