Billings Council moves on trash lid rules; advisory board dissolutions and neighborhood plans on the agenda
Council reaches consensus on solid waste lid requirements
At a July 20 work session, the Billings City Council reviewed infrastructure and planning documents but took no formal votes. Council members did reach a consensus to require closed trash lids as part of solid waste amendments. Members also asked staff to continue evaluating the design and extent of a proposed multi-use path on Monad Road.
The council reviewed the Economic and Financial Analysis of Complete Streets, received an informational overview of the civil litigation process, and reviewed updates to the Billings Heights and West Billings Neighborhood Plans. No formal action was taken on any of those items.
Bicycle/Pedestrian committee forms sub-committee
The Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee met July 28 and approved the May 26, 2026, meeting minutes. The committee approved forming a sub-committee to prepare a presentation for the next meeting of the City Council and County Commissioners. Stephanie Donovan and Kristy Halderman were named to the sub-committee.
Members also discussed draft committee goals, parking garage safety mirrors, and camera options for recording problem areas. No further formal action was reported beyond the minutes and sub-committee approval.
Planning Board meeting cancelled
The July 28 meeting of the Yellowstone County Board of Planning was cancelled because there were no agenda items to address. The regular August meeting will be held as legally advertised and announced.
Items awaiting final action
Several meetings held in the past two weeks have agendas published but minutes not yet available, meaning outcomes are not yet confirmed.
The July 27 City Council regular business meeting was set to hold public hearings on adopting the Billings Heights and West Billings Neighborhood Plans and amendments to the Billings 2045 Land Use Plan. The council was also considering the dissolution of six advisory boards and commissions: Animal Control, Aviation and Transit, Board of Adjustment, Citizen Police Advisory, Energy and Conservation, and Zoning commissions. Bid awards were on the agenda for streetlights at Annafeld North and Annafeld Subdivision, MET Transit security and fire alarms, and pavement preservation. A funding agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation for the Grand Avenue Reconstruction Project was also listed, along with preliminary plats for Yellowstone Club Estates (8th Filing), 44 West Subdivision (2nd and 3rd Filings), and Gabel Farms Subdivision.
The Billings/Yellowstone County Policy Coordinating Committee was scheduled July 21 to take final action on the 21st St. Underpass Study, the FFY27 Unified Planning Work Program, and the MET Transit Governance Study. A future agenda item on Complete Streets Economic Analysis is noted for final action on August 18, 2026.
The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board was scheduled July 21 to discuss potential projects for $6,000 in remaining state funding, a Vice Chair appointment, progress on the Wayman Chapel assessment, outreach on a proposed Downtown Historic District, and bylaws updates.
Coming up
- **Aug. 3 — City Council Work Session:** Discussion of South Park Pool, Wilson Park Lease, and the Department of Justice Model Cities Initiative. Public comment is invited on each item.
- **Aug. 6 — Interim Planning Commission:** Meeting cancelled due to lack of agenda items.
- **Aug. 18 — PCC:** Final action on Complete Streets Economic Analysis is noted as a future agenda item.