// BILLINGS MAYOR REMAINS TOUGH ON GOBBLER CRIME, DECLINES OFFICIAL TURKEY PARDON /s

Under "Courtesies" on tonight's agenda is a recognition for the Billings Police Department's Citizens Award. Certainly an honor worth highlighting. However, the "Courtesy" that I expected to see was not actually listed. So I reached out to the Mayor and asked why he wouldn't be pardoning any turkeys tonight.

"What are you talking about?" replied a confused Mayor Cole.

I pressed the question again, "Since tonight is the last opportunity to take official action before Thanksgiving, surely you'll be pardoning a couple Billings turkeys, right?" 

The Mayor met my question with a few of his own. "Isn't your background in political science? Aren't you supposed to understand Constitutional powers...which make the pardon ironic and humorous in the first place?

Now I was confused. "What are YOU talking about?"

Ten minutes later, I'd gotten the entire history of turkey pardoning, starting with an apocryphal tale of President Lincoln supposedly granting clemency to a turkey, to the American tradition of gifting gobblers to the sitting president, and finally the official first pardoning which was carried out by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, declaring, "But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone's dinner table, not this guy—he's granted a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children's farm not far from here"

Then the Mayor suggested I have a look at the Billings Charter which explicitly defines the powers of Billings local government. "You'll see that I don't have any authority to pardon anyone or anything. Frankly, you should know the President is the only official with pardoning power—where did you say you got your political science degree from? Never mind. Look, the Constitution grants the President the power to pardon offenses against the United States. It's a serious and significant power, which is why pardoning a bird is ironic, humorous. Got it?"

Now I was tracking. And thinking I should probably have a look at the City Charter, considering it's basically our Constitution, outlining all of the City's powers. But what I found on page 4 of the Charter did not comport with what the Mayor had claimed! Has HE read the Charter?! Was he gaslighting me so he didn't have to go soft on troublesome turkeys?

When I get more answers, Council Bulletin readers will be the first to know. Until then, make sure to read our City Charter so you know about the powers local government has, or doesn't have...

// A RETURN OF TIF APPLICATIONS TO COUNCIL

Silly, fictitious stories aside, Council will be discussing three tax increment finance (TIF) requests tonight. The first application comes from the Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD), requesting funds for a 3-month safety pilot program. According to the staff memo, "Sundown Security will provide patrol services, with detailed reports to assess security needs and effectiveness. Evening and nighttime patrols (critical hours based on crime patterns) will be conducted. Patrols will monitor business areas, parking lots, and alleyways, addressing trespassing, loitering, vandalism, and other incidents. Guards will provide a visible deterrent to crime and create a safer environment for business owners, employees, and customers. The guard presence will address legitimate safety incidents and contact law enforcement to address true criminal activity."

The other two are in the Downtown TIF District and made possible because a previous TIF project commitment never materialized, freeing up capacity. Back in August, Council declined funding for three non-profit TIF requests, bollards at Alberta Bair Theater, renovations at Babcock Theater, and concrete repair at the Billings Depot. The requests were not approved due to the districts financial projections and current TIF obligations. Now that funding has been freed up, staff is recommending Council reconsider two of those projects previously rejected.

BIRD SAFETY PILOT PROGRAM

• Total Funding: $30,000
• Purpose: Security Patrols in the District

BABCOCK THEATER

• Total Funding: $300,000
• Purpose: Exterior Marquee Rehab, Boiler stack masonry repairs, & repair projection booth

BILLINGS DEPOT

• Total Funding: $75,000
• Purpose: Matching Historical Preservation Grant, Sidewalk Repairs

// HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO COUNCIL BULLETIN READERS!!

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Whether you're feasting, relaxing, or just enjoying the day, we hope it’s filled with good food, family, and fun. Break out those Thanksgiving pants and have a wonderful holiday!

// BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA - 5:30 p.m. - BILLINGS CITY HALL

In this section, we will include the meeting agenda for you to view. Clicking on the items will take you to more information. No need to read it all, but if something catches your eye, be sure to check it out.

COURTESIES: 

• Billings Police Department Citizen's Award

PROCLAMATIONS: 

COUNCIL REPORTS: 

ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS - CHRIS KUKULSKI 

PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-PUBLIC HEARING” Agenda Items: 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 ONLY Comments are limited to three (3) minutes or as set by the Mayor.

1. CONSENT AGENDA -- Separations: 

A. Bid Awards: 

1. Airport's West End Sewer and Water Expansion Project.  (Opened 10/29/24) Recommend Cayton Excavating. 

2. W.O. 23-96: Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Intake No. 2 Catwalk Improvements. (Opened 10/29/24) Recommend Dick Anderson Construction. 

3. W.O. 24-31: WRF Solids Process Building Ventilation. (Opened 10/29/24) Recommend Empire Heating and Cooling. 

B. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Bright n' Beautiful. 

C. Landfill Use Agreement with MT Rolloffs, LLC. 

D. Purchase of one (1) 2025 Backhoe Loader from Tractor and Equipment Co. 

E. Purchase of Rebuild for Landfill Compactor Powertrain and Hydraulics; Tractor and Equipment Co. 

F. Change Order No. 2, to General Contractor/Construction Manager Construction Services Contract with Dick Anderson Construction, Inc. for W.O. 19-12: West End Reservoir Project. 

G. Amendment No. 22 with Morrison-Maierle, Inc. for Engineering Services on the Runway 7/25 Reconstruction and Extension Project. 

H. Donation from Scheels to the Billings Police Department. 

I. Donation of one park bench from Lockwood Precast to the Parks Department for Mountview Cemetery. 

J. Bills for the Weeks of: 

1.  October 22, 2024 

2. October 28, 2024  

REGULAR AGENDA: 

2. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE FOR ZONE CHANGE 1058: generally located at 2135 Grand Ave. Zoning Commission recommends denial. *Quasi-Judicial

3. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ASSISTANCE from the East Billings Urban Renewal District for EBURD Safety Pilot Program, up to a maximum amount of $30,000. Billings Industrial Renewal District (BIRD) Board recommends approval.  

4. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE for the Babcock Theater to Art House Management, LLC. Staff recommends approval.

5. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE for the Billings Depot to Billings Depot, Inc. Staff recommends approval.

6. ADOPTION OF CITY'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. Staff recommends approval.

PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-AGENDA ITEMS”. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or as set by the Mayor.

COUNCIL INITIATIVES: 1. Professional Services Contracting Review / Update. (CM Aspenlieder) 

ADJOURN:

// WATCH THE MEETING ON COMMUNITY 7 TELEVISION

// CITY ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY REPORT

City Administrator Chris Kukulski began the routine of sending a weekly report every Friday to City Council and department heads with the intent to, "communicate the highlights of the past week and any critical issues coming up." The most recent CA Report includes updates on:

• The City of Billings is working with the Vet READY program.
• Utility bill update
• And much more...

// GET MORE INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Below are some additional public meetings being held this week, along with information about when and where to attend, and what's on the agenda (if one is available).

Tuesday, November 26th

Heights Neighborhood Task Force

7:00 - 8:00 pm, Oasis Conference Room, 543 Aronson Ave.

// THE SQUEAKY WHEEL

// BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS

The Mayor's Office is accepting letters of interest to fill the vacancies listed on the city website. For more information on each specific board, visit the city website. City Boards and Commissions are appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by City Council, are advisory only, and members serve without compensation.

Submit applications to: Mayor's Office, PO Box 1178, Billings, MT 59103-1178.

The DEADLINE for applications is ASAP.

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

Animal Control Board (1)

REQUIREMENTS

Must live in Billings

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS