Billings City Council Meeting - April 27, 2026

The Billings City Council met on April 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM for a regular business meeting that lasted until 12:02 AM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including a lengthy discussion on domestic violence following the death of Shauna Grove, the approval of operations and naming rights for the Amin Park Recreation Campus (ARC), the sale of the Babcock Theater, the disposal of city-owned property, and several annexation and zoning changes. Key decisions included a unanimous vote to approve the ARC resolution and MOU with the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), a 9-1 vote to sell the Babcock Theater, and a 9-1 vote to approve the Barber Farm annexation and zone change despite a valid protest. The council also approved $1 million in tax increment financing for a workforce housing project.

Consent Calendar

• 1J (approved 10-1, with Councilmember Aspenlighter recused): Routine item.
• 1G (approved with amendment): The annual action plan was amended to drop the foreclosure program and redirect the remaining funds to the first-time home buyer assistance program, passing 10-1 (Councilmember Aguirre opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Domestic Violence (Pre-Agenda): Multiple speakers, including survivors, family members of Shauna Grove, and advocates, testified about systemic failures in responding to domestic violence. Speakers called for improved training, swift enforcement of protection orders, and better coordination between agencies. Specific concerns included delayed police response, lack of real-time GPS monitoring, and wrongful arrest of victims. Lily Iamoni, founder of the Montana Domestic Violence Railroad, noted that 36% of victims who call for help are arrested. A family member of Shauna Grove stated that the police failed to enforce a restraining order, allowing the abuser to remain near the victim despite multiple reports.
• ARC Operations (Item 2): No public comment.
• Babcock Theater Sale (Item 3): One speaker, Jeff Kettleson, opposed the sale, arguing that the city should have listed the property with a realtor to maximize taxpayer return instead of selling it to a nonprofit for $1.
• 802 Yellowstone Avenue Disposal (Item 4): Several neighbors and community development board members spoke. Rebecca Knoll urged the council to prioritize affordable housing on the site. Jack Hansen argued for a policy precedent to incentivize middle-market housing. Nathan Blanding expressed interest in developing the property for mixed-use commercial and residential.
• Barber Farm Annexation and Zone Change (Item 6): Extensive public testimony. Opponents cited traffic congestion on Central Avenue, overcrowded schools (Meadowlark Elementary at 644 students against a capacity of 460), incompatibility with surrounding single-family neighborhoods, and concerns about rental housing lowering property values. Supporters, including a teacher and a manager from Happy Homes, argued the development provides needed workforce housing, generates property taxes, and follows the city's growth plan. A valid protest petition was submitted, requiring a two-thirds vote for the zone change.
• Larson Family Properties (Item 7): No public comment.
• Skyview Apartments TIF (Item 8): No public comment.
• Non-Agenda Items: Jennifer Strong criticized the city for selling the Babcock Theater for $1 while approving $1 million in TIF assistance for an 18-unit project, calling it fiscally inconsistent.

Discussion Items

• Domestic Violence Crisis: Councilmembers Aspenlighter and Lindley delivered emotional remarks, calling for a special work session within 10 days, improved training for police (including live scenario-based training), a dedicated domestic violence unit, and accountability. Councilmember Lindley explicitly stated the city failed Shauna Grove. The council agreed to schedule a work session and directed staff to begin assembling data.
• ARC Operations and Naming Rights: Gavin from PRPL presented a resolution to operate the facility for three years with a goal of 100% cost recovery in Year 3. The resolution included an advisory board (with a permanent seat for the TBID sports tourism director), naming rights prices (e.g., main building $1 million for 10 years), and a partnership with TBID ($500,000 over three years). Councilmember Nees raised concerns about the TBID seat being tied to funding, but the council approved the resolution with amendments to clarify the seat and add a sentence about excess revenue use.
• Babcock Theater Sale: The city agreed to sell the theater to Art House Management for $1, plus pay a $100,000 insurance deductible for the collapsed ceiling. Councilmember Pittman opposed the sale, arguing the city should have listed the property on the open market. Councilmember Shaw supported it, noting Art House had successfully operated the theater and that the city would no longer have liability.
• 802 Yellowstone Avenue Disposal: The council debated whether to impose conditions to prioritize housing. An amendment to prioritize housing failed 6-5 (with those in favor: Shaw, Aguirre, Lindley, O'Donnell, Nees? Actually need to check the vote: