Billings City Council Business Session - February 10, 2026

The Billings City Council held a regular business session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, council courtesies, committee reports, a postponed appointment, public comment on ICE-related concerns, and three council initiatives aimed at efficiency, technology, and board oversight.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the minutes of the January 26, 2026 meeting unanimously.
• Consent agenda items B through H (excluding item 1A1, which was separated) were approved unanimously. Notable: acknowledgment of a $2,500 donation from Rimrock Federal Credit Union to the anti-graffiti fund.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Non-Public Hearing Agenda Items (items 1 and 2 only): One speaker (Amanda, from the Heights) attempted to ask about the budget process but was redirected because it was not on the agenda items open for comment.
• On Non-Agenda Items (open for any topic within council control):
  • Sonia Davis (downtown resident) raised two issues: (1) urging council to direct Parks and Rec to use an alternative to Placer AI, an Israeli-owned software for geofencing; (2) expressing concern about counter-protesters at an anti-ICE protest who wore tactical gear and concealed faces, and asking the city to define policies for law enforcement conduct.
  • A speaker (name not given) demanded action against ICE, citing a September 17, 2025 raid on an 89-year-old woman's home in Billings and a traffic stop in Whitefish. The speaker called for a resolution similar to Helena's, directing Billings PD not to sign a 287(g) agreement, and for the city not to disclose immigration status without a court order.
  • Jennifer Strong (ward 3) thanked council for a recent presentation on council authority and made a general comment about constitutional rights.
  • Ann Clancy (organizational change consultant) urged council not to enter agreements with ICE, arguing ICE is a domination-oriented organization that would undermine partnership-based community values.
  • Andreas (Billings Alliance for Immigrants' Rights, lives off Reburg) reiterated demands for a resolution instructing BPD not to cooperate with ICE, stating ICE makes communities unsafe and citing national protests.
  • Cheryl Messina (Anafeld) asked council to consider the community's identity and trust in local law enforcement, cautioning against wholesale agreements with ICE.
  • Isabella Franklin (Yellowstone County resident) cited DHS data that over 70% of individuals detained by ICE in 2025 had no criminal convictions, and argued that ICE agents are not held accountable and use racial profiling.
  • Jeff Kettless (ward 5) honored the late Dick Zier, a community leader who was instrumental in tax increment financing (TIF) and the IC Arena project, and expressed concern over scrutinizing boards that have been productive.

Discussion Items

• Removal of Agenda Item 2 (Council Appointment to Yellowstone County Behavioral Health Coalition): Councilmember Boyette moved to remove the item to a future date, stating a desire to understand it better. City Administrator Kukulski noted it is a coalition seeking a voice, not a formal appointment. The motion to remove passed unanimously.
• Postponement of Appointments (Item 1A1): Councilmember Pittman moved to postpone all appointments from the mayor's list (1A1) to the February 23, 2026 business meeting. Concerns were raised about boards with statutory requirements (Board of Adjustments, Board of Appeals) needing quorum. Councilmember O'Donnell's proposal to review all boards and commissions was mentioned. The motion passed with Mayor Nelson and Councilmember Nicholson voting nay. The city administrator clarified that applications remain open and that the packet for the next meeting would go out by Friday, February 13.
• Council Initiatives:
  • Councilmember Boyette – TIF Consolidation Study (initiative to explore consolidating administration of the three TIF districts under one consultant). After debate, the initiative was placed on a future work session agenda. Motion passed with one nay (Councilmember Nicholson). The goal is to analyze administrative costs ($665,000 annually) and possibly issue an RFP after discussion.
  • Councilmember Lindley – Technology Advisory Commission (TAC) (proposal for a two-year commission focusing on cybersecurity, citizen-facing technology, AI governance, technology decision-making, and local tech partnerships). The council voted unanimously to place this on a future work session for discussion.
  • Councilmember O'Donnell – Committee to Review Boards and Commissions (proposal to create a council committee to evaluate all 28 boards/commissions for relevance, statutory requirements, and efficiency). The council voted unanimously to place this on a future work session (likely to be handled by the Operations Committee).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved.
• Consent agenda items B-H approved unanimously.
• Agenda item 2 removed to a future date (unanimous).
• Appointments (1A1) postponed to February 23, 2026 business meeting (9-2 vote; Mayor Nelson and Councilmember Nicholson opposed).
• Council initiatives on TIF consolidation, technology commission, and board review all advanced to future work sessions.
• Meeting adjourned.