**ATTENTION**
The City Council meeting will be held in a hybrid format that may include both in-person AND virtual attendance via Zoom. Unless they have cause to appear virtually, Councilmembers will attend the meeting in person in Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall, 220 N. 27th Street. In order to honor the Right of Participation and the Right to Know in Article II, Sections 8 and 9, of the Montana Constitution, the City of Billings and City Council are making every effort to meet the requirements of the open meeting laws.Citizens are invited to:
- Review the Agenda Packet on the City’s website at: www.billingsmt.gov and click on “Your Government,” “City Council,” and “Agendas & Minutes”.
- View the meeting:
- On Community 7 TV - Channel 7 or Channel 507 – Spectrum Cable. (On evenings when there is a conflict with School District No. 2 Board meetings, the City Council meeting will be broadcast on Channel 8 - Spectrum Cable.)
- Online at www.comm7tv.com and click on the “Watch Live” icon. Community 7 also has links to their Facebook page and YouTube channel.
- On the City's website at www.billingsmt.gov and click on "Watch Meetings Online" on the homepage.
- In-Person.
- Virtually via Zoom (see the link below).
Citizens may submit public comment via the following methods:
- Mail: City Clerk, P.O. Box 1178, Billings, MT 59103
- Email: Council@billingsmt.gov.
- Emails received after 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting, may be posted on the Council's webpage the following day for public viewing.
- Attend the meeting in person.
- Attend the meeting virtually through Zoom by entering the Webinar ID and Passcode indicated below. Click on Zoom Meeting Instructions and Zoom Hybrid Meeting Details below for more information. The link will allow you to attend, view and participate in the meeting on your computer, laptop or smart phone. (You must have the Zoom App on your device Click Here to Download Zoom App) To provide public comment at the appropriate time, click on the “raise hand” icon located at the bottom of the screen and the moderator will unmute your device.
o Don't have a smart phone, computer or laptop? That's okay -- you can attend a Zoom meeting using your landline phone. Call the Zoom phone number, 1.253.215.8782 to join the meeting and follow the operator’s instructions. Want to give public comment? Simply “raise your hand” by pressing *9 and the moderator will give you permission to speak when it is your turn. *Note this is a long distance toll number and charges may apply depending on your plan.
- Click Here for City Council Zoom Hybrid Meeting Details and Schedule
- Click Here for Zoom Meeting Instructions for Attendees (as guests)
Webinar ID: 875 1907 7348
Passcode: 820876
Or join by phone: US: +1-253-215-8782
Please contact Denise Bohlman, City Clerk, at bohlmand@billingsmt.gov, or at 406.657.8205, with any questions.
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| WORK SESSION AGENDA |
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| COUNCIL CHAMBERS | MAY 16, 2022 | 5:30 P.M. |
- Present:
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- Councilmember Kendra Shaw
- Councilmember Ed Gulick
- Councilmember Roy Neese
- Councilmember Jennifer Owen
- Councilmember Denise Joy
- Councilmember Danny Chorki
- Councilmember Pam Purinton
- Councilmember Mike Boyett
- Councilmember Daniel Tidswell
- Councilmember Tom Rupsis
- Mayor William Cole
- Staff Present:
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- Chris Kukulski, City Administrator
- Kevin Iffland, Assistant City Administrator
- Gina Dahl, City Attorney
- Kevin Ploehn, Aviation and Transit Director
- Jessica Iverson, Building and Facilities Manager
- Debi Meling, Public Works Director
- Jennifer Duray, Deputy Public Works Director
- Mac Fogelsong, Engineer
- Louis Engels, Utility Engineer
- Kyle Foreman, Solid Waste Superintendant
- Andy Zoeller, Finance Director
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cole
1.
Non-General Fund Budget Presentations.
Jessica Iverson, Building/Facilities Manager, gave an overview of the Building Divisions duties and positions, highlights, revenues, expenditures, FY23 goals, Facilities Division mission, functions and services, highlights, revenues, challenges and opportunities. She reviewed the new City Hall plans. Council discussed the plan licensing Request for Proposals, implementing a building customer survey, and disaster recovery. Council discussed building frustrations in the older districts of downtown. Mayor Cole acknowledged Board of Appeals vacancies and revising the ordinance to make it easier to fill positions. Ms. Iverson indicated they could make some changes to help the Board.
Debi Meling, Public Works Director, introduced leadership team, discussed hiring issues, She gave an overview of the PW core services, accomplishments, project highlights, and challenges. Jennifer Duray, Deputy Public Works Director, gave an overview of the proposed fees and budget summary.
Recess 7:35 pm. Reconvene 7:43 pm.
Council discussed lead services, site development, intersections at Colton and 24th Street, water fund utilization, 2-way streets, back in diagonal parking. Councilmember Shaw spoke of an initiative regarding project prioritization. Councilmember Neese spoke of naming the west end reservoir. He asked questions about electric power and Heights water rates. Council discussed BRIC Grant, trash and litter concerns, litter details, and possible reservoir partnerships.
Councilmember Tidswell left the meeting at 8:05 pm.
George Maragos, TBID Chairman, gave an overview of the TBID’s mission, team members, impact of tourism on Billings, growth in Citywide occupancy and average daily rate (ADR). Alex Tyson, Billings Chamber of Commerce, gave an overview of accomplishments, upcoming strategic priorities, and marketing strategies.
Council discussed marketing, points of interest, the proposed Recreation Center, historical points of interest, marketing opportunities, hotels
Katy Easton, DBA CEO, gave an overview of the BID strategic priorities, Clean Program, Public Art Program, Community engagement and events and the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). Council discussed increasing downtown housing, safe zones, and downtown.
-Public Comment
None
- Aviation/Transit
- Building/Facilities
- Public Works
- TBID
- BID
Jessica Iverson, Building/Facilities Manager, gave an overview of the Building Divisions duties and positions, highlights, revenues, expenditures, FY23 goals, Facilities Division mission, functions and services, highlights, revenues, challenges and opportunities. She reviewed the new City Hall plans. Council discussed the plan licensing Request for Proposals, implementing a building customer survey, and disaster recovery. Council discussed building frustrations in the older districts of downtown. Mayor Cole acknowledged Board of Appeals vacancies and revising the ordinance to make it easier to fill positions. Ms. Iverson indicated they could make some changes to help the Board.
Debi Meling, Public Works Director, introduced leadership team, discussed hiring issues, She gave an overview of the PW core services, accomplishments, project highlights, and challenges. Jennifer Duray, Deputy Public Works Director, gave an overview of the proposed fees and budget summary.
Recess 7:35 pm. Reconvene 7:43 pm.
Council discussed lead services, site development, intersections at Colton and 24th Street, water fund utilization, 2-way streets, back in diagonal parking. Councilmember Shaw spoke of an initiative regarding project prioritization. Councilmember Neese spoke of naming the west end reservoir. He asked questions about electric power and Heights water rates. Council discussed BRIC Grant, trash and litter concerns, litter details, and possible reservoir partnerships.
Councilmember Tidswell left the meeting at 8:05 pm.
George Maragos, TBID Chairman, gave an overview of the TBID’s mission, team members, impact of tourism on Billings, growth in Citywide occupancy and average daily rate (ADR). Alex Tyson, Billings Chamber of Commerce, gave an overview of accomplishments, upcoming strategic priorities, and marketing strategies.
Council discussed marketing, points of interest, the proposed Recreation Center, historical points of interest, marketing opportunities, hotels
Katy Easton, DBA CEO, gave an overview of the BID strategic priorities, Clean Program, Public Art Program, Community engagement and events and the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). Council discussed increasing downtown housing, safe zones, and downtown.
-Public Comment
None
2.
Highlight Upcoming Agenda Items of Council Interest.
(Presented by: Chris Kukulski, City Administrator)
NorthWestern Energy easement at 36th Street
3 Zone Changes
Parks Discussion – Multi-Generational Sports Plex/Recreation Center
-Public Comment
None
(Presented by: Chris Kukulski, City Administrator)
NorthWestern Energy easement at 36th Street
3 Zone Changes
Parks Discussion – Multi-Generational Sports Plex/Recreation Center
-Public Comment
None
COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
Councilmember Purinton indicated she wanted public comment to be at the beginning of the meeting. Council discussed the options available and the ordinance requirements.
Councilmember Choriki asked for clarification on using money from the Council Contingency fund.
Councilmember Purinton indicated she wanted public comment to be at the beginning of the meeting. Council discussed the options available and the ordinance requirements.
Councilmember Choriki asked for clarification on using money from the Council Contingency fund.
PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-AGENDA ITEMS”. Speaker Sign-in required. (Restricted to ONLY items not on this printed agenda. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or as set by the Mayor. Please sign the roster at the cart located at the back of the Council chambers or at the podium.)
None
None
ADJOURN: 10:03 pm
Note:
- This meeting is an “informal” meeting of the City Council. The content of the Agenda is subject to change at the meeting.
- In the event there is a Closed Executive Session at the end of a Work Session, the sole purpose is to discuss litigation strategy. The other parties to the case(s) discussed are not public bodies or associations as described in Section 2-3-203(1) and (2), MCA. The meeting is closed, as allowed by Section 2-3-203(4)(a), MCA, “to discuss a strategy to be followed with respect to litigation when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the litigating position” of the City of Billings.