**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: 812 0771 9204
Passcode: 409413
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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| SPECIAL WORK SESSION AGENDA |
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| COUNCIL CHAMBERS | MAY 17, 2022 | 5:30 P.M. |
- Present:
-
- Councilmember Kendra Shaw - Left at 7:30 pm
- Councilmember Roy Neese
- Councilmember Jennifer Owen
- Councilmember Denise Joy
- Councilmember Danny Chorki
- Councilmember Pam Purinton
- Councilmember Mike Boyett
- Councilmember Daniel Tidswell
- Mayor William Cole
- Absent:
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- Councilmember Ed Gulick
- Councilmember Tom Rupsis
- Staff Present:
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- Chris Kukulski, City Administrator
- Kevin Iffland, Assistant City Administrator
- Gina Dahl, City Attorney
- Andy Zoeller, Finance Director
- Debi Meling, Public Works Director
- Wyeth Friday, Planning Director
- David Watterson, IT Director
- Rich St. John, Police Chief
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cole
1.
Non-General Fund Budget Presentations.
Council discussed trash concerns, neighborhood planning, Billings Bypass, future projects, Re-Code, revenue model, counter permits, social services, code enforcement, and an updated Growth Policy.
David Watterson, IT Director, introduced staff from the IT Department, and gave an overview of the IT network/security highlights, software/GIS highlights, web presence, expenses, central telephone services, expenditures, document imaging for records management, and challenges.
Council discussed body cam footage storage for the Police Department, possibility of internships, and succession concerns.
Andy Zoeller, Finance Director, gave an overview of the Urban Renewal funds, Downtown Revolving Loan program, North 27th St. Billings Tax Increment, South Billings Tax Increment, and East Billing Tax Increment.
Council discussed the use of TIF funds to the Parking Department for the holiday season, loan payback status, street conversions, affordable housing and staffing. Dick Zier, SBURA, spoke of how funding would be used. Zach Terakedis, EBURD, spoke of an increase in the next several years. Katy Easton, DBP, spoke of affordable housing, and staffing.
Recess at 7:00 pm. Reconvene at 7:11 pm.
Mayor Cole invited the public the following day for the annual interment for the cremains of people without the funds for a burial.
Chris Kukulski, City Administrator, spoke of Council’s wishes in proceeding with approval or amendments to the budget.
Council spoke of the 2 mills to be set aside for Public Safety needs (such as mental health and substance abuse), and a suggestion was made to use an RFP process to establish ways to use the money. Council discussed ways to keep the public informed of investigations, traffic, noise and DUI issues, and staffing. Chief St. John indicated the Police Department was in contact with victims and their families, but some of the information was private. He spoke of policies and ways the department were fulfilling PS promises and traffic issues.
Council discussed Public Safety funds, breakdowns of spending, behavioral health unit (BHU) costs, Mr. Kukulski indicated a broad overview of the behavioral health units would be presented to Council on June 6, 2022.
Andy Zoeller discussed budget changes with the new revenue marijuana excise funds, future staff costs and inflationary costs issues.
Council mentioned costs for a Charter review, and possible election expenses. Council asked about green barrels and crushed glass recycling. Debi Meling, Public Works Director, spoke of the programs.
-Public Comment:
- Planning/Code Enforcement/CDBG
- IT
- TIF
- Wrap-up
Council discussed trash concerns, neighborhood planning, Billings Bypass, future projects, Re-Code, revenue model, counter permits, social services, code enforcement, and an updated Growth Policy.
David Watterson, IT Director, introduced staff from the IT Department, and gave an overview of the IT network/security highlights, software/GIS highlights, web presence, expenses, central telephone services, expenditures, document imaging for records management, and challenges.
Council discussed body cam footage storage for the Police Department, possibility of internships, and succession concerns.
Andy Zoeller, Finance Director, gave an overview of the Urban Renewal funds, Downtown Revolving Loan program, North 27th St. Billings Tax Increment, South Billings Tax Increment, and East Billing Tax Increment.
Council discussed the use of TIF funds to the Parking Department for the holiday season, loan payback status, street conversions, affordable housing and staffing. Dick Zier, SBURA, spoke of how funding would be used. Zach Terakedis, EBURD, spoke of an increase in the next several years. Katy Easton, DBP, spoke of affordable housing, and staffing.
Recess at 7:00 pm. Reconvene at 7:11 pm.
Mayor Cole invited the public the following day for the annual interment for the cremains of people without the funds for a burial.
Chris Kukulski, City Administrator, spoke of Council’s wishes in proceeding with approval or amendments to the budget.
Council spoke of the 2 mills to be set aside for Public Safety needs (such as mental health and substance abuse), and a suggestion was made to use an RFP process to establish ways to use the money. Council discussed ways to keep the public informed of investigations, traffic, noise and DUI issues, and staffing. Chief St. John indicated the Police Department was in contact with victims and their families, but some of the information was private. He spoke of policies and ways the department were fulfilling PS promises and traffic issues.
Council discussed Public Safety funds, breakdowns of spending, behavioral health unit (BHU) costs, Mr. Kukulski indicated a broad overview of the behavioral health units would be presented to Council on June 6, 2022.
Andy Zoeller discussed budget changes with the new revenue marijuana excise funds, future staff costs and inflationary costs issues.
Council mentioned costs for a Charter review, and possible election expenses. Council asked about green barrels and crushed glass recycling. Debi Meling, Public Works Director, spoke of the programs.
-Public Comment:
- Kristen Lundgren, Substance Abuse Connect, spoke of new funding, BHU (Cruise Unit), and Continuum of Care, State reimbursement.
- Bill Kennedy, YWCA Billings, spoke of the Gateway Horizons home and the increase in domestic violence.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
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: 8:47 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.