Billings City Council Business Meeting Summary | September 28, 2026

The Billings City Council held a business meeting on September 28, 2026. The meeting featured a report from Superintendent Dr. Edwin Garcia on traffic safety around schools, a proclamation celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Billings Public Library, and public comment dominated by concerns over school zone safety following a recent fatal accident near Will James Middle School. The council debated and voted on the dissolution of the Citizen Police Advisory Board and consolidated the advisory committees for the city's three urban renewal districts. Multiple public hearings were held on special improvement district (SID) assessments, landfill fees, false alarm fees, weed abatements, and sidewalk costs, with several residents testifying against specific assessments.

Presentations & Proclamations

• School Traffic Safety (Superintendent Dr. Edwin Garcia): Dr. Garcia requested a stronger partnership with the city to address traffic safety near schools, citing a struggle to staff crossing guard positions (only 40 of 48 filled). He raised concerns about drivers speeding through school zones, ignoring bus stop signs, and the dangerous behavior of minors and adults on scooters and motorbikes.
• Library 125th Anniversary: Mayor Nelson proclaimed October 1, 2026, as the 125th anniversary of the Billings Public Library. Library Director noted the library served over 172,000 people across Yellowstone County last year, with over 300,000 visits and 729,000 items checked out.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Consent Agenda & Agenda Items:
  • Jack Hanson (Ward 4) urged the council to reject the $59,000 Homeland Security Grant for the bomb squad (Item 1H), arguing its requirements for information sharing with ICE and adherence to a federal executive order on reverse discrimination would cause moral injury.
  • Maggie Roberts and Brittany Brester (Wyoming Ave) testified against sidewalk assessments for which they were charged over $7,000, stating the sidewalks did not improve safety at the intersection of 25th and Wyoming and that the process lacked transparency.
  • Jeffrey Kettleson (Ward 5) opposed using $560,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for soccer field lights (Item 1E), arguing the funds could better be used for school crossing guards.
  • Katie Schreiner (Downtown Billings Partnership) spoke against consolidating the three urban renewal district advisory committees (Item 11), citing a loss of localized expertise.
• SID 1430 (Annafeld Subdivision): David Roberts and Michelle Whiting opposed the assessment for streetlights and park improvements, claiming surprise costs of up to $11,000 and a lack of transparency from the developer.
• Traffic Safety (Non-Agenda Items): Following the recent tragedy at Will James Middle School, several residents, including Leslie Cook, Ben Dorman, John Halverson, and Tanya Ludwig, addressed the council urging immediate action on traffic safety, safer street design, and a review of the school zone policy.

Discussion & Action Items

• Consent Agenda (Items 1A-1Q): The council approved the consent agenda with several items separated. The majority of items were approved. A notable debate occurred on Item 1N (Citizen Police Advisory Board). A substitute motion to repeal the board passed 7-3, with council members supporting the repeal citing the need for the new police chief to establish their own advisory structure, and those opposed arguing against eliminating a citizen oversight mechanism.
• Fees, Fines & Abatements (Items 2, 3, 4): The council approved resolutions for solid waste fees, false alarm violations, and weed abatements as recommended by staff.
• Special Improvement Districts (Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 9): The council held public hearings and approved assessments for SIDs 1428, 1429, 1430, and sidewalk SIDs 2928 and 2929. The vote on SID 1430 passed with one vote in opposition (Councilmember Kennedy), following significant public testimony against the assessment for lack of homeowner notification.
• Advisory Board Dissolution:
  • Item 10 (Animal Control Advisory Board): The council voted 9-1 to approve the first reading of an ordinance repealing the board, based on a recommendation that the board was seldom used and not considered helpful by the animal control officer.
  • Item 11 (Urban Renewal District Advisory Committees): The council approved a resolution merging the three existing urban renewal district advisory committees into a single statutory advisory committee, with two at-large representatives from each district. The motion passed on a divided vote, with council members expressing concern over the loss of district-specific expertise, while others argued it would streamline the process.

Council Initiatives

• Councilmember Aspenlighter: Introduced an initiative to enforce stricter time limits and rules on council debate to improve meeting efficiency. The initiative was moved to the Operations Committee for placement on a future agenda.
• Councilmember Lindley: Introduced an initiative to review and revise school zone speed policies, specifically around middle schools, prompted by the recent accident near Will James. The council voted unanimously to place the discussion on the October 5th work session agenda.

Key Votes & Outcomes

• Citizen Police Advisory Board: Motion to repeal passed 7-3.
• Animal Control Advisory Board: Motion to repeal passed 9-1.
• Urban Renewal Advisory Committees: Motion to consolidate passed on divided vote.
• SID 1430 Assessment: Motion passed with one vote opposed.
• School Zone Initiative: Unanimously directed to October 5th work session.