2.50.010 Establishment

Pursuant to the Charter for the City of Great Falls, a program of neighborhood councils is hereby established. (Ord. 2727, 1997)

2.50.020 Purpose

The purpose of the neighborhood council program is to provide a means for the citizens of Great Falls to actively participate in their local government through a formal organization working at the neighborhood level.

2.50.030 District boundaries

1. The City Commission shall divide the City of Great Falls into no less than nine (9) and no more than thirteen (13) neighborhood council districts. The residents of a district shall comprise the electorate for that district pursuant to the Great Falls City Charter.
2. The district boundaries shall be established by a resolution of the City Commission.
3. Neighborhood councils may petition the City Commission to amend district boundaries for good cause consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter.

2.50.040 Council elections

1. Each neighborhood district shall have a council comprised of five (5) resident members; who must live within their designated neighborhood council district for which they were elected, as defined in M.C.A. 1-1-251, for their term of office; such members shall be elected to two (2) year terms at the election held in conjunction with the City general election.
2. Nominees for election to a neighborhood council must be qualified electros and residents of their designated neighborhood district. (Ord. 2968, 2007)
3. The filing period for neighborhood council candidates shall close 45 days prior to the general election. Neighborhood council candidates are not subject to primary elections. (Ord. 2968, 2007)

2.50.050 Duties and powers

1. The councils shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Commission, the City Manager and to other City advisory bodies. They may contribute information, opinions, advice, suggestions and recommendations to the City Commission, City Manager and other City advisory bodies on all governmental affairs and services having an effect on the area the neighborhood council represents. Topics and issues for council involvement may include, but are not limited to the following:
   1. public finance;
   2. public works;
   3. public safety;
   4. social services;
   5. transportation;
   6. economic development;
   7. planning and zoning;
   8. public health and sanitation;
   9. parks and recreation;
   10. environmental issues.
2. Neighborhood Councils may also work cooperatively in an advisory capacity with other governmental and quasi-governmental entities such as school districts, county government and the transit district.
3. As advisory bodies, neighborhood councils shall not:
   1. Appropriate or commit City resources;
   2. Enact or enforce City codes or ordinances;
   3. Engage in law enforcement;
   4. Assume a supervisory role or directorship over any City employee; nor
   5. Interfere in any way with a City employee in the performance of his/her duties.

2.50.060 Organization

1. Each council shall organize with a chairman, secretary, and an official delegate to attend City Commission meetings.
2. In the event of a vacancy on the council, the remaining members shall appoint a person eligible to hold the position to fill the vacancy until the next general election.
3. Within thirty (30) days after each election, each neighborhood council shall meet to organize as provided in this section.
4. Neighborhood councils are encouraged to involve business persons, young people, and other individuals who may not necessarily qualify as an elected council member.
5. Neighborhood Councils and the Great Falls Citizen’s Council are further encouraged to involve minorities, ethnic groups, community service organizations, environmental interest groups, and other like organizations to ensure broad participation in the neighborhood council program.

2.50.070 By-laws

1. Each council shall adopt by-laws prescribing additional duties of the council, meeting criteria and times, and such other provisions as the council may deem appropriate.
2. The City Clerk shall provide model by-laws for use by the councils in drafting their own by-laws.
3. By-laws shall be reviewed by the office of the City Attorney and certified for consistency with the provisions of the Great Falls City Charter, the City codes and the laws of Montana.
4. A copy of the by-laws shall be on file in the office of the City Clerk.

2.50.080 Open meetings and public records

1. All meetings of the neighborhood councils shall be open to the public.
2. All records maintained by the council shall be available for public inspection.

2.50.090 Great Falls Citizen's Council

1. The purpose of the Great Falls Citizen’s Council (GFCC) is to act as a forum to address issues of community wide concern and to resolve disputes among the individual neighborhood councils.
2. Organization.
   1. The GFCC shall consist of one (1) member from each neighborhood council and two members of the Great Falls City Commission who shall be appointed by the Mayor.
   2. The GFCC shall determine its rules of organization and operation, except that no rules adopted shall be inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter or the laws of Montana.
   3. In addition to the membership set forth in subsection B, any council representing any unincorporated neighborhood or community may petition the GFCC for membership.

2.50.100 City resources

1. The City Commission, at its discretion, may provide funding and other resources to neighborhood councils and to the Great Falls Citizen’s Council.
2. A neighborhood liaison function is hereby established within the Community Development Department.
3. The City of Great Falls shall not be liable for any obligations incurred by the councils or the GFCC unless expressly approved by the City Commission.