The Billings City Council met on October 13, 2025, to address a wide range of issues including approving funding for the LB Lofts affordable housing project, amending the sidewalk snow removal ordinance, considering an annexation and zoning change (with a controversial 20-foot buffer strip), creating a utility connection assistance program for the South Billings Urban Renewal District, and launching a discussion on reforming traffic impact studies and impact fees. The meeting also featured a proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day and public comments on ICE activities and infrastructure concerns.
If you would please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance, and our invocation tonight will be by Councilmember Aspen Later. Pleasure to the planet. Amen. Tony, uh, if you would, please call the roll. Councilmember Shaw. Here. Guewick. President. Owen. Here. Rogers. Kennedy. Here. Aspen Ider. Tidswell. Boyette. Repsis. Mayor Cole. Here. Our first order of business are minutes. Uh Council. Uh, the minutes from September 22nd. Councilmember uh Neys had some uh questions about that, which he posed to Denise, who's not available today. So we'll put those off until our next business meeting. And uh, but we still have the minutes from September 8th. Uh, are there any comments uh or a motion relating to the minutes from September 8, 2025? Uh Councilmember Boyette. Thank you, Mayor. I move that we approve the minutes from September 8th, 2025 as read. Very second by councilmember Rogers. Any discussion. Seeing none, if in favor of the motion for approval of the minutes from December 8, 2025 is drafted, please say aye. Aye. If opposed, please say nay. Motion passes unanimously. Uh Council Courteses this evening, uh, do we have any? No council courtesies. Very good. We'll move on to proclamations. We do have a proclamation on your agenda, but it's in recognition of Indigenous People's Day. And the proclamation reads as follows. Whereas the state of Montana recognizes through its highest law, the state constitution and Article 10, the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians and is committed to its educational goals and to the preservation of native culture and integrity. And whereas the city of Billings as a self-governing municipal government operating uh pursuant to its charter and the laws of the state of Montana embraces the its responsibility to promote equality and the historical integrity of indigenous people, especially the 13 tribes that together constitute approximately 7% of the population of the state of Montana. And whereas the state recognizes that indigenous people are the original stewards from time immemorial of the land underlying the city of Billings, and that over the ages has been the homeland and traditional use area of the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, Blackfeet, and other native people in this region. And whereas the city recognizes the important contributions of indigenous peoples, the region's rich indigenous history and the contemporary cultural, political, and economic influences that contribute to our diverse community. And whereas the city opposes any and all forms of oppression, including those directed toward indigenous peoples who through history have been harmed by policies aimed at forced assimilation and cultural suppression. And whereas on this day, October 13, 2025, the City of Billings recognizes, commemorates, and celebrates the contributions and resilience of all Native peoples. Now therefore, I, William Cole, mayor of Billings, to hereby proclaim that the City of Billings supports the contributions of American Indians and our community, economy, and rich Western culture by observing and celebrating indigenous people the second Monday of October. With that, uh on to council reports. Are there any council reports uh uh from uh organizations, groups that you serve on on behalf of the city council members?