Great Falls commission appoints housing and police members, approves consent items after public raises concerns about meeting-rule revisions

The Great Falls City Commission on July 7 approved a package of consent items, confirmed two board appointments and removed proposed changes to the Commission’s rules of conduct from the consent agenda after members of the public asked staff to present revisions with tracked edits.

Mayor Cory Reeves presented the Commission’s appointments and consent items. Commissioner Shannon Wilson moved, and Commissioner Rick Tryon seconded, to appoint Nena Frances Horner to the Great Falls Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for a two-year term through June 30, 2028; the motion carried 5-0. Later the Commission appointed Bryan Lockerby to the Police Commission for a three-year term through June 30, 2029 following the Police Commission’s recommendation; that motion also passed 5-0.

The consent agenda included minutes, a contracts list, a grants list, and total expenditures of $4,158,776 for the period May 28 through June 10, 2026, along with setting several public hearings for July 21, 2026 and awarding the Beverage/Vending Service and Sponsorship Agreement to Admiral Beverage Corporation (Pepsi of Great Falls). Commissioner Rick Tryon moved to approve the consent agenda; after discussion Commissioner Tryon amended the motion to remove Agenda Item 15 (the proposed revisions to the Commission rules) from the consent package, a change the Commission adopted unanimously.

During public comment, resident Jeni Dodd urged staff to post a version of the proposed rules showing deletions and additions with strikethroughs and underlines so the public could easily identify changes, and said she opposed a proposed shift to a 6:00 p.m. meeting start time because it could reduce participation. Ron Paulick reiterated that showing lineouts and additions would improve transparency. City Manager Greg Doyon said staff would research posting the changes with tracked edits and provide additional information as needed. City Attorney David Dennis said the proposed procedure for members of the public to ask questions would apply equally to everyone.

Commissioners also discussed the proposed beverage agreement’s scope. Commissioner Joe McKenney asked whether the contract under consideration would create exclusivity that might prevent other vendors from operating; City Manager Doyon and City Attorney Dennis said the city generally discourages exclusive agreements and noted the city is only permitted exclusive contracts in narrow circumstances.

The amended consent motion, with Item 15 removed, passed 5-0. The Commission adjourned at 7:35 p.m.