Billings City Council mourns longtime member Peggy Kagan and discusses upcoming agenda

The Billings City Council held a work session on July 7, 2025, addressing several key topics and community concerns. The meeting commenced with the mayor acknowledging the recent passing of long-time council member Peggy Kagan, who served Ward 1 and was instrumental in the establishment of the public library. The council expressed condolences to her family and recognized her contributions to the community.

Following this, the mayor indicated a desire to discuss recent events in Texas related to emergency services and their implications for Billings. He suggested inviting the disaster emergency services coordinator, Derek Yager, to provide insights on potential lessons learned and notification procedures.

The agenda also included a request from Council Member Bill Kennedy to discuss litter in Billings. However, due to his absence, the discussion was postponed to the first work session in August, pending a motion from the council to confirm this change.

City officials emphasized the importance of clear communication during meetings, particularly regarding microphone usage, as they are testing AI tools to improve the efficiency of meeting minutes. The mayor noted that better audio quality would enhance the recording process.

Additionally, the mayor commended the Heights for hosting a successful Fourth of July event at Castle Rock Park, highlighting the absence of any reported tragedies, unlike incidents in other Montana cities.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for public comments on agenda items, allowing community members to voice their opinions and concerns. Overall, the session focused on community remembrance, procedural improvements, and upcoming discussions on local issues.