Billings City Council Regular Meeting – September 22, 2025

The Billings City Council met on September 22, 2025, with Mayor Bill Cole presiding. Councilmembers Gullick, Owen, Rogers, Aspenlighter, Boyette, and Ripsis were present; Councilmember Shaw attended online, Kennedy was excused, and Tidswell participated online. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation, and a roll call. The council approved minutes from August 25, 2025, and recognized a proclamation declaring October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Key topics included several consent agenda items, public hearings, a special review for a parking lot, renewal of the Citizens Police Advisory Board, and council initiatives on traffic noise and HB 231 levy adjustments.

Consent Calendar

• The non‑separated items of the consent agenda were approved unanimously after items 1D (Safe Streets for All contract), 1P (resolution of intent to expand the South Billings Urban Renewal District), and 1Q (public arts policy) were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Nelson (speaking on Item 1P) opposed expanding the TIF district, arguing the mechanism should not be used to fund a swimming pool and that it unfairly diverts tax revenue from schools and other jurisdictions.
• Representative Denise Joy (speaking on Item 1Q) expressed strong support for the public arts policy, describing the drafting process as collaborative and enjoyable.
• Susie Casper and Sam Miner (Shiloh Road residents) described severe noise from street racing and modified vehicles, stating the problem is unbearable and dangerous. They presented a resident petition and requested enforcement, sound cameras, or speed bumps.
• Jordan Weber (Park Lane resident) supported the noise reduction initiative, recounting frequent late‑night disturbances on Rimrock Road.
• Public Hearings (Items 2–8): No members of the public offered testimony on the CAPER (Item 2), weed abatements (Item 3), nuisance abatements (Item 4), false alarm assessments (Item 5), SID 2925 reassessment (Item 6), the Alkali Creek Elementary electronic sign (Item 7), or the Energy Laboratories parking lot special review (Item 8).
• Paul Clark (non‑agenda comment) raised concerns about underpass flooding, the animal shelter incinerator, inconsistent parking requirements, and the case of Charles Kirk.

Discussion Items

• Item 1D – Safe Streets for All Contract: Councilmember Aspenlighter opposed the $672,000 contract, calling the soft costs excessive and the process inefficient. City Engineer Mac Fogelson explained that federal requirements added about one percent above the standard twelve percent. Councilmember Shaw moved approval, seconded by Gullick. The motion carried 7–2 (Rogers and Tidswell dissenting).
• Item 1P – Resolution of Intent to Expand South Billings Urban Renewal District: Councilmember Ripsis sought a delay, wanting clearer financial projections before a final vote. Councilmember Gullick moved approval, seconded by Shaw. Councilmember Owen spoke in favor, noting the area’s identified infrastructure gaps and potential for revitalization. The motion passed, with Nees and Ripsis dissenting. A public hearing and a community meeting were scheduled.
• Item 1Q – Public Arts Policy Resolution: Councilmember Nees separated the item but opposed it due to potential future costs. Councilmember Ripsis moved approval, seconded by Boyette. The policy sets a framework for accepting and placing public art donations. The motion passed 7–2 (Nees and Aspenlighter dissenting).
• Item 2 – CAPER: Brenda Beckett presented the Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report for FY 2024–2025, covering HUD‑funded programs (first‑time homebuyer loans, COVID relief, Mitchell Court housing, Washington School HVAC, Boys & Girls Club expansion, downtown restroom, and North Park improvements). No council action was required.
• Item 3 – Weed Abatements: Staff recommended assessing 34 properties ($7,000 total); after payments, $5,599.18 remained. The resolution, as amended, passed unanimously.
• Item 4 – Nuisance Property Abatements: Two properties totaling approximately $1,500 were assessed. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Item 5 – False Alarm Assessments: The first enforcement cycle collected $11,750 after payments. The resolution assessing unpaid fees passed unanimously.
• Item 6 – SID 2925 Reassessment: Unspent construction funds (~$75,000) were used to pay down debt, reducing individual assessments. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Item 7 – Electronic Message Display Sign: A public hearing was held for Alkali Creek Elementary’s proposed sign; no council action was taken. Staff noted that brightness regulations would apply.
• Item 8 – Special Review 1001 (Energy Laboratories Parking Lot): The Zoning Commission recommended conditional approval for a 40‑stall surface parking lot at 1108/1110 South 28th Street, with landscaping, fencing, and shielded lighting. Councilmember Ripsis opposed, arguing the city’s parking code forces excessive parking in an area with ample street parking, contradicting infill goals. Councilmember Nees agreed. The motion passed, with Ripsis and Nees dissenting.
• Item 9 – Annexation/Zone Change (Items 9A–C): On the applicant’s request, the council voted unanimously to postpone the public hearings and continue them to October 13, 2025, due to unresolved traffic concerns.
• Item 10 – Citizens Police Advisory Board Renewal: Chief Rich St. John reported progress on the board’s four goals and recommended renewal for four years (through December 31, 2029) with membership changed to seven at‑large members. Councilmember Nees expressed caution but supported the renewal. The motion passed, with Aspenlighter dissenting. New board member Jordan Weber and Chair Carrie Boiter described upcoming data and outreach initiatives.

Council Initiatives

• Aggressive Driving and Vehicular Noise Reduction: Councilmember Ripsis introduced an initiative to schedule a work session exploring strategies (environmental, technological, legislative). The motion passed unanimously.
• HB 231 Levy Adjustments Codification: Councilmember Ripsis moved to direct staff to draft an ordinance (later amended to bring a draft to a work session) that would lock the allocation of the 34.71 mills raised under HB 231 to align with voter intent. Councilmember Owen opposed, arguing the law’s ambiguity and that the approach would restrict flexibility and risk future tax increases. Councilmember Aspenlighter sought further discussion before drafting. The motion passed 7–2 (Owen and Rogers dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• Approvals:
  • Minutes of August 25, 2025 (unanimous)
  • Consent calendar non‑separated items (unanimous)
  • Safe Streets for All contract (1D) – 7–2
  • Resolution of intent to expand South Billings URD (1P) – majority
  • Public arts policy (1Q) – 7–2
  • Weed abatement assessments (3) – unanimous
  • Nuisance property abatements (4) – unanimous
  • False alarm assessments (5) – unanimous
  • SID 2925 reassessment (6) – unanimous
  • Special Review 1001 (8) – majority
  • Citizens Police Advisory Board renewal (10) – majority
  • Noise reduction initiative – unanimous
  • HB 231 codification (directed to work session) – 7–2
• Postponed: Items 9A–C (annexation/zone change) to October 13, 2025, with the public hearing continued.
• No Action: The CAPER (Item 2) was informational; the electronic sign hearing (Item 7) was for input only.
• Next Steps: Work session on noise reduction; drafting and work session on HB 231 levy adjustments; public hearing and final vote on URD expansion in late October; community meeting on October 9 at Orchard School.