The City Commission appoints the City Manager who serves at the Commission's pleasure. The Chairman, with the Commission's approval, appoints members to several advisory boards and Commissions whose terms vary according to the by-laws of the individual group.
Ordinances are laws and may carry a penalty for violation. Resolutions are motions, carrying no legal status or penalty and merely express the intent or policy of the City Commission.
Digital recordings of City Commission meetings have been designated as the official public record of meeting proceedings; these recordings will be available online at www.livingstonmontana.org and the City Office. Written minutes are summary minutes that can be viewed online or at the City Office, and are meant to be a supplement to the digital recordings (2-3-212 MCA). Any citizen may review minutes of Commission meetings since all regular meetings of the Commission are open to the public.
The Chairman, or in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairman, may call special meetings of the Commission whenever public business may require it. A meeting may also be called at the express written request of any three members of the Commission. Whenever a special meeting shall be called, a summons or a notice in writing signed by the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman shall be served upon each member of the Commission either in person or by notice left at their place of residence, stating the day and hour of the meeting, the purpose for which such meeting is called, and no business shall be transacted except such as is stated in the notice. Such notice must be served at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
A special meeting may also be held without the requirement of notice being served, if the Chairman and all Commission members, prior to the meeting, sign a waiver of notice of meeting but in this event, the public media shall be notified as soon as practical prior to such meeting.
The City Commission can hold executive sessions on matters where the Chairman determines that the right of individual privacy exceeds the public’s right to know. These meetings are not open to the public.
