HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-22-2020 Public Comment - R. Zimmer - Budget Request that DIFFERS from Similar Ones You've Received!From:Ralph Zimmer
To:Chris Mehl; Cyndy Andrus; I-Ho Pomeroy; Terry Cunningham; Michael Wallner
Cc:Jeff Mihelich; Anna Rosenberry; Kristin Donald; Mitch Reister; John Vandelinder; Shawn Kohtz; Taylor Lonsdale
Subject:Budget Request that DIFFERS from Similar Ones You"ve Received!
Date:Monday, June 22, 2020 11:35:09 AM
Importance:High
Monday, June 22, 2020
Mayor and Commissioners,
This is a personal request. While I am quite certain the Bozeman (Area) Pedestrian and
Traffic Safety Committee (PTS) would concur with this request, they have not met recentlyand thus they have not had the opportunity to discuss this.
I suspect you have been receiving some emails supporting budgeting an ADDITIONAL
$50K for bike/ped projects making a total of $100K. I personally support that increase..
However, I have a major concern about HOW that might be done. At least thatadditional $50K should be available for work OUTSIDE the curb lines (e.g., separatedpaths and sidewalks). John Van Delinder tells us there is a legal question about whethermoney from the street maintenance assessment can be used OUTSIDE of curb lines. Toavoid any possible legal constraints, I urge you to make it clear the revenue funding thatadditional $50K is NOT coming from the street maintenance assessment. The GeneralFund obviously would be one alternative source but I leave it up to you to figure out howto achieve that needed flexibility. (FYI, I have been in communication with both John Van
Delinder and Kristin Donald on this issue.)
There is another matter of admittedly lesser importance that it would be helpful if youaddressed. Line item STR20 is currently labeled "Annual Bike Path Improvement Program"
(that's the existing $50K referred to above). City staff has told us it is intended not just forbike projects but also ped projects. Therefore it would seem appropriate to have a more
generic name such as possibly "Annual Bike/Ped Improvement Program". Kristin Donaldtells me this could be done by either Commission action or by the staff (but I suspect that if
the Commission would at least suggest the change it would result in action).
Even with the additional $50K, the resulting $100K is still just a drop in the bucket butevery drop helps. I could give you a list of reasons why that additional $50K is justified, but I
am sure others are doing that. Instead I want to emphasize that you need to allocate thatadditional $50K in such a way as to achieve maximum flexibility in its use.
Thank you for your attention.
Ralph
Ralph W. Zimmer
cc: Jeff Mihelich Anna Rosenberry Kristin Donald
Mitch Reister Jon Van Delinder
Shawn Kohtz
Taylor Lonsdale