REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Tuesday April 14, 2026

 

            ALL PRESENT:  Commissioner Morse, Chair; Commissioner Waters and White; Board Clerk Teri Reitz; Clerk and Recorder Jeff Martin.

            PLEDGE: MOMENT OF SILENCE, Held.

            MINUTES – April 7, 2026.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve the Minutes, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous.

            9:00 a.m. BID OPENING – Open and Acknowledge RFP for Metra Arena East Rock Stabilization.  Mr. Steve Williams, County Attorney explained that bids were opened last week, however this bid was delivered to the wrong office but was delivered on time.  The RFP was opened and acknowledged from Global Rock Works.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to refer the bids to staff for recommendation back to this board, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous. 

            PUBLIC COMMENTS ON REGULAR, CONSENT AND FILED AGENDA ITEMS – Public Comments were received about the Board Appointment for the Billings Library Board.  Sixteen people spoke in opposition of the proposed board appointee and two people spoke in favor of the board appointee.  Hearing no other comments Commissioner Morse continued the Board Meeting. 

            METRAPARK – Marketing Update.  Ms. Stoney Field, General Manger stated that PBR is this weekend.  Mr. Field also mentioned the Matt Rife tickets went on sale and we have sold over 6,000 tickets.  The band Chicago will be here is September and we have sold over 1,000 tickets for that event.  Ms. Liz Arlian, Marketing Coordinator stated that the social media growth has increased.  In the last 30 days the MetraPark Facebook has had 1.2 million views, content interaction is at 10,000.  Our Instagram in the last 30 days has had 184,000 views, 4000 interactions.  In the last 7 days our MetraPark Facebook has had 450,000 views, 5,000 content interactions.  In the last 30 days we have had 27,000 page visits and 15,000 in the last 7 days.  For MontanaFair we have had 148,000 views, 2,000 content interactions and 6,000 page visits.  For the month of March, we have had 31,000 views sitewide.  We have 93,000 subscribers to our email platform.  An update is sent out on the 1st and 15th of each month so that subscribers know what events are coming up.  We have hired Amy Nelson a photographer and this is our second year with her, and she shares event recaps and photos of the events.  MontanaFair social media is inhouse and we share sponsorship acknowledgments and all events that going on during MontanaFair.  We have now met and exceeded our sponsorship goal for this years MontanaFair. Visit Billings and the Billings Chamber of Commerce hosted the TOAST of Billings and MontanaFair won the Event of the Year Award.   

            PLANNING DEPARTMENT – Amended Plat of Eastlope Meadows Subdivision, for the purpose of dedicating right-of-way easements as roads.  Ms. Anna Vickers, Planning Division Manager stated that the proposed subdivision creates no new lots for development but amends the original plat to dedicate the original right-of-way easements as roads.  The subject property is generally located west of S 64th Street W and north of Danford Road.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to conditionally approve Amended Plat of Eastlope Meadows Subdivision, for the purpose of dedicating right-of-way easements as road, with the SIA and the Findings of Fact, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous. 

            CLAIMS – Batches 26-131, 26-132, 26-133, 26-134, 26-135 & 26-136, Commissioner White made a MOTION to approve the Claims, Commissioner Waters seconded.  Passed Unanimous. 

            CONSENT AGENDA – 1.  CLERK AND RECORDER – Amended Plat of Lot 1, Longhorn Way Subdivision, and the Amended Tract 1A, Certificate of Survey 3709.  Boundary Line Relocation Exemption.  2.  COMMISSIONERS – A.)  Board Openings – Updated List.  B.)  Board Appointment – Christian Jette to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee & Amanda Scheidler to the Billings Public Library Board.  3.  ELECTIONS – Resolution 26-44 to Cancel and Elect by Acclamation for Lockwood Irrigation District.  4.  FINANCE – A.)  Sheriff’s Office Contract – Tel Net Systems, Inc. – Access Control Upgrade.  B.)  Bonds for Lost Warrants.  C.)  Guardian Security Notice of Termination – Courthouse Security Contract.  D.)  Request to Expend – Facilities – Detention Boiler Repair.  E.)  Request to Expend – Public Works – Tire Changer.  F.)  Request to Expend – Public Works Walk’n’Rolls.  G.)  MetraPark IATSE Contract.  H.)  Change Order #3 – Yellowstone Basin Construction – Cedar Hall Renovation.  I.)  Change Order #4 – Dick Anderson Construction - Ostlund Building.  5.  METRAPARK – MetraPark Trust Check Log March 2026.  6.  SHERIFF – Motorola Services Extended Warranty Service Agreement for In-Car Camera System.  7.  HUMAN RESOURCES – PERSONNEL ACTION REPORTS – County Attorney – 3 Appointments; Detention Facility – 2 Appointments, 1 Termination; Youth Services Center – 1 Salary & Other; Sheriff’s Office – 1 Salary & Other, 2 Terminations.

            FILE ITEMS – 1.  AUDITOR – Payroll Audit March 16 to March 31, 2026.  2.  COMMISSIONERS – A.)  Letter from BOI 4/3/26.  B.)  Board Minutes – March DUI Task Force.  3.  FINANCE – Capital Fixed Assets FY25.  4.  HUMAN RESOURCES - March 16 – March 31 Payroll Audit.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve the Consent Agenda and place the File Items to file, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous.    

            PUBLIC COMMENTS ON COUNTY BUSINESS – One citizen spoke regarding having the public be part of the budget hearings coming up.  One citizen spoke regarding the Commissioners credibility.  One citizen spoke in opposition of the new library board appointee.  Hearing no other comments Commissioner Morse adjourned the meeting at 9:57 a.m.

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