Billings City Council Meeting – July 27, 2026

The Billings City Council held a regular business meeting on July 27, 2026. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer from Councilmember Nicholson, roll call, and approval of the July 13, 2026 minutes. The council recognized a local youth golf champion and a retired undersheriff, heard public comment on the Citizen Police Advisory Board, approved consent agenda items with separations, held public hearings and adopted the Billings Heights and West Billings neighborhood plans, considered amendments to the Billings 2045 Land Use Plan, and voted to dissolve several advisory boards including the Citizen Police Advisory Board. The meeting concluded with public comment on non-agenda items and a council initiative.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: The council unanimously approved the minutes from July 13, 2026.
• Consent Agenda Items: Items 1A, 1D, and 1I were separated for discussion. Items 1G, 1H, 1J were approved (10-0, Councilmember Aspenlighter recused). Item 1I (44 West Subdivision) was approved (9-1, one recusal). Item 1B (payroll software contract) was noted with praise for a 48% price reduction. The rest of the consent agenda passed unanimously.
• Donation Acknowledged: A $171,488 grant from Mountain America Federal Credit Union and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines for the South Park pool was highlighted.

Public Comments & Testimony (Non-Public Hearing Items – Items 1 & 5)

• Penny Ronning (Ward 4): Provided a historical review of the Citizen Police Advisory Board (CPAB), citing its role in reducing fatal officer-involved shootings from 12 (2012–2018) to 2 after CPAB's creation. Emphasized the board's value in building trust and preventing crises.
• Bill Kennedy (Heights resident): Expressed frustration with the police complaint process, stating it took six months for a response, and argued a civilian review board is needed.
• Ann Harris (Ward 4): Supported retaining the CPAB, noting that removing a board that increases accountability would undermine community engagement, especially ahead of a potential public safety mill levy.
• Sonia Davis (Ward 1): Quoted Councilmember O'Donnell's earlier statement that police should not be cordoned off from the public. Criticized the efficiency rationale for dissolution, noting the CPAB's role in collaboration and crime prevention.
• Lisa Harmon (310 N 27th St): A founding steering committee member for the CPAB, she argued that dissolving the board would waste the volunteer investment already made and harm police-community trust.
• Marcus Fry (Ward 1): Urged retention, stating the CPAB is the most direct official channel for public input on police policy, and dissolving it without serious discussion erodes trust.
• Carrie Boyer (Ward 3, CPAB Chair): Provided facts: 13 deadly police shootings in Billings between 2012–2020 (ninth in the nation per capita); since CPAB, that number declined to 2. Noted the board initiated a community safety campaign (cost under $100) and appointed a domestic violence liaison to the Family Justice Center. Stated the board is a proven, effective tool and now is not the time to push aside citizen engagement.

Discussion Items

Council Courtesies / Recognitions

• Eric Opegard (Ben Steele Middle School): Recognized for winning the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship. Councilmember Aspenlighter praised his commitment and encouragement of others. Eric thanked his parents and supporters.
• Sam Bofto (Director, Youth Service Center): Described the center's dual role: a 24-bed detention facility for youth aged 10–17 from an 18-county region, and a 15-bed shelter care facility for referrals from DFS and juvenile court. Emphasized the work of 34.5 FTEs and invited council for tours.
• Councilmember Kennedy: Announced a free back-to-school resource event at South Park on August 1, 2026 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), with carnival, food, and resources from 17 agencies.

Administrator Report (Kevin Ifflin)

• The new public works director candidate meeting is scheduled for July 28, 2026 at noon in the EOC Center.
• Council members should forward any communication from Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) to the city attorney's office, as YVAS's attorney requested no direct communication.
• Fraudulent emails posing as planning staff requesting wire transfers or gift cards were reported; do not send payment; contact the planning division to verify.

Consent Agenda Separations & Discussion

• Item 1A (Anafeld North Street Lighting): Councilmember O'Donnell questioned the choice between street lights and property lighting for affordability. Councilmember Aspenlighter responded that the SID was already approved, and the developer considered all options. O'Donnell did not pursue a vote against.
• Item 1D (Grand Avenue Reconstruction): O'Donnell questioned why the project budget is $25.2 million when $33.8 million in federal funds are available. Staff explained the difference covers risks (inflation, right-of-way, utility relocations) and the project is only at 2% design. O'Donnell expressed concern about getting the most value.
• Item 1I (44 West Subdivision): O'Donnell questioned the traffic impact study showing minimal percentage increases despite hundreds of new homes. Staff explained that studies focus on peak-hour turning movements. Councilmember Friday clarified the subdivision has only 23 lots, not hundreds. Motion to approve passed 9-1.

Public Hearing & Resolution: Billings Heights Neighborhood Plan (Item 2)

• Presentation: Staff presented the plan as part of Billings 2045, complying with the Montana Land Use Planning Act. Four amendments were proposed: (1) wording correction on page 57; (2) adding “with the following strategies in no specific order” and “encourage smaller single-family homes at higher density per acre”; (2A) aligning language in the housing section; (3) regarding the County Water District of Billings Heights – Councilmember Pittman offered substitute language to acknowledge ongoing discussions; (4) changing “complete street safety” to “improve street safety”.
• Public Comment: Jeff Kettleson (Ward 5) attempted to speak about an ethics complaint but was redirected to non-agenda public comment. He did not address the plan directly. No other public comment.
• Outcome: The council approved all amendments except amendment #4 (complete streets) on a voice vote (11-0). Amendment #4 was then separated and approved after discussion, with Councilmember Nicholson dissenting. The plan as amended was adopted unanimously.

Public Hearing & Resolution: West Billings Neighborhood Plan (Item 3)

• Presentation: Staff described the plan covering land use, community vitality, natural/recreational areas, and transportation, including an MPO traffic analysis. The plan updates the 2001 West Billings plan and the 2016 West End Multimodal Plan.
• Public Comment: Jeff Kettleson spoke against the plan, criticizing the lack of comprehensive impact fees. Steve Zier (Ward 4, West End task force chair) thanked staff and praised the plan as a regulatory success.
• Outcome: Motion to adopt carried unanimously (11-0).

Public Hearing & Resolution: Amendments to Billings 2045 Land Use Plan (Item 4)

• Presentation: Staff outlined changes to chapters (reordering, added content on transportation, neighborhood info, etc.) and proposed amendments from the Interim Planning Commission (IPC) and council members. The main IPC amendment was to develop a public dashboard reporting system. Councilmember Nees had proposed 18 additional amendments to Chapter 7 (implementation matrix).
• Initial Motion: Councilmember Kennedy moved to reject all amendments. Seconded by Councilmember Nees. After discussion (questioning the rush to amend a plan adopted only two months prior), Councilmember Shaw offered a substitute motion to adopt the chapter restructuring and additions (items 1–6) but leave Chapter 7 unchanged as originally adopted. The substitute motion passed (8-3: opposed by Councilmembers Kennedy, Pittman, and O'Donnell).

Item 5: Dissolution of Advisory Boards (Recommendation from Council Operations Committee)

• Animal Control Advisory Board: Motion to dissolve passed (voice vote, with Councilmembers Lindley and Nicholson voting no).
• Aviation and Transit Board: Councilmember Pittman moved to keep the board active until the airport authority board is finalized, tasking it with transition and appointment assistance. Dissolved after airport authority board is seated. Passed (7-5: opposing votes from Councilmembers Boyette, Aspenlighter, Aguirre, Nees, and O'Donnell).
• Board of Adjustment & Zoning Commission: Combined motion by Councilmember Boyette to dissolve both at the end of September 2026. Passed unanimously.
• Citizen Police Advisory Board: Motion to dissolve was made by Councilmember Kennedy, seconded by Boyette. After extensive debate, the motion passed (6-5: opposing – Councilmembers Shaw, Nicholson, Aguirre, Nelson, Lindley).
• Energy and Conservation Commission: Motion to dissolve by Councilmember Pittman, seconded by Lindley. Passed (6-5: opposing – Councilmembers Shaw, Nicholson, Aguirre, Nelson, and Gary?).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes of July 13, 2026; consent agenda items (with separations); Billings Heights Neighborhood Plan (with amendments); West Billings Neighborhood Plan.
• Amendments to Billings 2045 Plan: Adopted chapter restructuring and additions but left Chapter 7 unchanged. Motion to reject all amendments failed.
• Dissolved Advisory Boards: Animal Control Advisory Board (immediately), Board of Adjustment and Zoning Commission (end of September 2026), Citizen Police Advisory Board (immediately), Energy and Conservation Commission (immediately).
• Retained Temporarily: Aviation and Transit Board – will remain active until the airport authority board is finalized, then dissolved.
• Council Initiatives: Councilmember O'Donnell requested a staff report on the federal "21st Century Road to Housing Act" and its impact on Billings housing within one to two months.

Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items

• Jordan Weber (Ward 1): Criticized council members for making premature statements blaming agencies in the domestic violence death of Shauna Grove, noting the city's own review found no legal failures. Urged trust in institutions.
• Jack Hansen (Ward 4): Praised new recreation facilities (ARC Courts Complex, Signal Peak Ice Arena) and urged opposition to the costly jail expansion, advocating for investing in youth programs instead.