HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-19 Public Comment - E. Mason-1 - HRDC Warming Center SiteFrom:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Request for Public Hearing
Date:Thursday, October 17, 2019 1:29:26 PM
Chris Mehl
Bozeman Deputy Mayor
cmehl@bozeman.net
406.581.4992
________________________________________
From: Emily Mason [emilykmason@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2019 9:36 AM
To: Sarah Rosenberg; Chris Mehl
Subject: Request for Public Hearing
Hi Ms. Rosenburg,
The Figgins Addition neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods would like to formally request a public hearing
regarding HRDC's special use permit for the proposed warming center on Westridge and Graf.
Please see my letter to the editor below:
On behalf of those who are concerned about the proposed warming center in Figgins Addition ("Some balk at
proposed warming center"), I would like to clarify some points that the Chronicle article left out. The neighborhood
found out about a meeting that was organized by HRDC for those who live within 100 feet of the proposed site
hours before it was to take place. The proposed site sits on a major thoroughfare of school traffic, mostly
unsupervised children, on foot and bike, going to and from an elementary school and a middle school. Aside from
being less than 100 yards from an elementary school, neighbors feel deceived that the neighborhood wasn't
informed, the principals at either school were not informed, no one in the school district was informed, and no
elected official was aware of the proposed site (at least that is what they say) or of the meeting. HRDC neglected to
work with any major stakeholders impacted by the proposed site. At the meeting, we were told that while the site
will prioritize women and families, HRDC could potentially also allow men to stay at the shelter. They also said, to
seemingly reassure us, that they would "check all weapons at the door."
We are scratching our heads as to why HRDC seems to have been trying very quietly and very quickly to get the
Special Use Permit approved so as to not give major stakeholders a chance to voice concerns or be a part of the
process. It should go without saying that we all care deeply about people in need. And, of course, we all want people
to have a safe place to sleep at night. If HRDC had been more transparent, had engaged major stakeholders and
surrounding neighborhoods in the process, shed a little sunlight on their intentions instead of operating in the dark,
this may have unfolded much differently. Alas, we were all blindsided and are now wondering if HRDC is naive,
disorganized, deceptive, or some combination of all three. None of which bode well for how HRDC may operate a
warming shelter that could house up to 38 people every night for several months in a house that was meant for one
family. Currently, the city is not planning on giving the community a public hearing, which to seems very
undemocratic and lacks serious transparency. Figgins Addition and the surrounding neighborhoods respectfully
request a public hearing on this matter.
Emily K. Mason
"FAILURE IS FUEL. AND FUEL IS POWER."
- Abby Wambach, American retired soccer player, coach, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's
World Cup champion