HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-20 City Commission Packet Materials - A5. Res 5214 Final Adoption of 2021 Legislative Priorities
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission FROM: Mike Veselik, Economic Development Specialist Brit Fontenot, Director of Economic Development
Anna Rosenberry, Assistant City Manager
Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager Jeff Mihelich, City Manager SUBJECT: City Commission discussion and adoption of the City of Bozeman 2021
Legislative Priorities
MEETING DATE: September 22, 2020
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action
RECOMMENDATION: Comment on and revise the City’s 2021 Legislative Priorities as
appropriate, receive public input and comment on the agenda. Adopt Resolution 5214 the 2021 Legislative Priorities and Agenda (Attachment 1) with or without revisions proposed during the meeting.
SUGGESTED MOTION: I move to adopt the Resolution 5214 The City of Bozeman’s 2021
Legislative Priorities and Agenda (as drafted or as amended).
STRATEGIC PLAN: 1.3 Public Agencies Collaboration - Foster successful collaboration with other public agencies and build on these successes. f) Develop and support a legislative agenda.
BACKGROUND: Over the past several sessions of the Montana State Legislature, the City of Bozeman has developed a prioritized legislative agenda for Commission consideration and
adoption.
City staff have formed a cross functional core legislative team and created the Legislative Priorities and Agenda: 2021 Montana Legislative Session document. Staff introduced a robust prioritization process—soliciting input from all city departments, presenting a draft to the City Commission, and sharing the document with our local legislative delegation—for the 2021
session to develop a set of priorities and agenda reflecting Bozeman’s values. Each item lists the effort level required by the city and identifies potential partners who also have an interest in the issue. Additionally, the top priorities and preferred policies are linked to specific strategic goals. (Attachment 2)
For reference, information on the 2018 Legislative Priority packet material and meeting minutes is included here:
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• November 26, 2018 City Commission packet material (LINK)
• November 26, 2018 City Commission meeting minutes. (LINK) UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None ALTERNATIVES: As proposed by the City Commission. FISCAL EFFECTS: There are no fiscal impacts caused by prioritizing and adopting a 2021 Legislative Agenda. Costs will likely be incurred for lobbying efforts during the session.
Attachments: 1. Resolution 5214-Adoption of 2021 Legislative Priorities and Agenda 2. City of Bozeman Legislative Priorities and Agenda: 2021 Montana Legislative Session Report compiled on: 10/09/2020
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Version April 2020
RESOLUTION 5214
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN,
MONTANA, ADOPTING THE CITY’S 2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND
AGENDA.
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman is invested in the work of the Montana Legislature as
it relates to local government; and
WHEREAS, the 67TH Montana Legislature is scheduled to begin on January 4, 2020;
and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 global pandemic could alter the operations of the
Legislature; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman has identified a number of legislative priorities and
agenda items to support, monitor, or defend during the 2021 session of the Montana Legislature;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman, Montana, that the attached Legislative Priorities and Agenda:2021 Montana Legislative
Session be adopted in preparation for the 2021 session of the Montana Legislature.
146
Version April 2020
PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman, Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the _____ day of ________, 20____.
___________________________________
CYNDY ANDRUS
Mayor ATTEST:
___________________________________ MIKE MAAS City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________ GREG SULLIVAN City Attorney
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Legislative Priorities
and Agenda
2021 Montana Legislative Session
148
t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s
C I TY 'S M I S S I O N
H E R E
LETTER FROM CIT Y COMMISSIO N....................3
B OZEMAN'S TO P PRIORI TIES............................4
B OZEMAN'S PREFER RED POLICIES .................8
B OZEMAN'S ISSUES O F INT ERES T...................10
COMM ISS ION IN T E RESTS.................................12
PARTNE R AGEND As TO END OR SE.....................13
S TAFF CONTACT INFORM ATION........................1 4
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f r o m t h e b o z e m a n
c i t y c o m m i s s i o n
Dear Bozeman Residents, State Representatives and
Senators, and Montanans,
Since the Blackfeet referred to the Gallatin Valley as many
come together country, Bozeman and the surrounding area
have drawn folks who are interested in living in a thriving,
resilient community. It is going to take more than a global
pandemic, economic crisis, and social unrest to shake
Bozeman’s strong sense of community. Despite these
circumstances, residents and neighbors continue to pull
together to achieve big things like passing a levy for parks
and trails maintenance and opening a new high school.
As we enter a new decade, our community faces unique
challenges from ensuring access to modern necessities like
broadband and childcare to transitioning from fossil fuels to
clean, renewable technologies. In true Montana spirit,
Bozeman continues to do what we can to solve these
problems with the tools and skills at our disposal such as
constructing affordable housing units with the Human
Resources Development Council. However, we cannot solve
all our challenges without help.
Therefore, we will engage in a concerted lobbying effort at
the Montana State Legislature beginning in January 2021.
Whether the session is in person or remote, we are
prepared. The City will have a lobbyist who will represent
our interests before legislators. Additionally, staff will testify
before committees of jurisdiction on bills relating to this
agenda and provide expert opinions from the City’s
perspective.
We look forward to working closely with local legislators
and partners across the state to ensure Bozeman’s voice is
heard loud and clear in the Statehouse halls or over video
conferences from right here in Bozeman!
Signed,
Mayor Cyndy Andrus
Commissioner Terry Cunningham
Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy
Commissioner Michael Wallner 3 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
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4 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
B o z e m a n 's t o p p r i o r i t i e s
Affordable
Housing
Clean Energy
Opportunities
Property Tax
Relief
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A llow municip al ities to fund th ei r affor dable
housi ng sta f f from build ing pe rm it reve n u es.
Montana law curre ntly p rohi bits such uses of
building pe rmit fee s.
funding affordable housing personnel with building
permits
S u pport legis la tio n that creates new f un ding
to pres erve subsi dized ho me s tha t wo u ld
oth er wise retur n to the pri va te marke t when
subsid y pr ograms expire.
preservation of subsidized housing
Potential partners:
Montana league of cities and towns
montana housing coalition
city's effort level:
draft legislation
a f f o r d a b l e h o u s i n g
ST R A TE G I C P L A N G O A L S:
A S A FE , W E L C O M I NG C O M M U N I T Y
A W E L L -P L A N N E D CI T Y
5 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
The C omm i ssio n h a s four po lic y pro p osals to i mprove ho u sing affor d a b i l i ty throu gho ut
Bozeman . W it h r i sing home prices o ut p a c i n g wages, the C omm i ssio n c a l l s on the S tate
Leg i s l a tu r e to p r ovide l ocal gov ern me nt s wit h ne w t oo l s to manag e housin g supply.
Supp ort the crea tio n of State Housing Tax
Credi ts to a ttract mo re p ri va te investm ent
and fed eral housing dollar s to Mont ana t o
s u pport the creation o f mo re singl e-f amily
homes an d apart me nts .
Expand low income tax credits
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C oll aborate w ith Montana cities a nd co u n ties
to help communit ie s reach t h ei r 10 0%
r ene wable energy goa ls by 2030 .
Allow Inves tor O w n ed Utili ties the ab ility to
offer a customi zed elec tric portfolio o r cl ean
e n er gy pr od u ct to increas e u til ity-scale
r ene wable energy.
Community renewable energy
Al low juris dic tio n s the opti on to parti cip at e
in a st at ewi de C-PA CE Progr am to reduce th e
up front c osts of ren ewab le energy or water
effi ciency im provements.
commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE)
renewable net energy metering
D efe nd small-scale net en er gy metering la w s
including int er co n necti on standar ds.
c l e a n e n e r g y
o p p o r t u n i t i e s
S T R A T E GI C P L A N G O A L S :
A SU S T AI N A B L E E N V IR ON M E N T
A W EL L -P L A N N E D C I TY
6 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
The Bozem a n City C omm i ssio n r ec ogn i zes the t h r eat o f climate chang e to our lo cal
e con omy, p ubl ic inf r as tru c t u r e , commu nit y health, a n d th e natural enviro n me nt .
Bozem a n r es i d en ts are alrea d y fa miliar with so me of the consequences o f inactio n—
ho tter and drie r s umm ers , m ore e xtre me we a ther eve n t s , an d m ore frequent wildf i r e
and poor air q ual it y days. With these chall e n ges, com e s grea t opportun i ty,
part i c ularl y for clean energy. Advancing a c lean and equitable e n e r gy future req uires
co llective a c t i on and the C i ty wo uld l i k e to p a r tn er with M ontana state go vernm en t in
t a c k l i ng this challeng e to a c c e lerate a t r an s it i on that be ne fits all Monta nans.
Potential partners:
Montana league of cities
and towns
the big 7
the nature conservancy
Sierra Club
city's effort level:
draft legislation
Montana Renewable Energy
Association
Northwestern Energy
Northern Plains Resource
Council
Montana Building Industry
Association
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25% for propert y t ax relief
25% for Rural Revenue F u nd
(communit ie s of <5,000 p eople)
5 % to admi nis te r Rural Revenue Fund
4 5% for lo cal infrastructure and
a ffo rdabl e ho u sing proje cts
Ch anges to the lo cal option sales tax law t o
allow B ozema n to p u t t he is sue befo re
v ote rs. R equire the tax be us ed as fol lows:
Modi fy the possible uses of funds c oll ected
by the Tourism Business Improve me n t
Dis tric ts (TBIDs) t o in clude inf ras tructure
proj ects. S u ch change s benefit co mmuniti es
acros s Montn a, n ot just Bozeman.
tbid changes
Potential partners:
tourism heavy communities
the big 7
city's effort level:
draft legislation
p r o p e r t y t a x r e l i e f
ST R A TE G I C P L A N G O A L S:
A N I N N OV A T I V E E C O N O M Y
A H I G H P E RF O R M A NCE O R G A N I Z A TI ON
7 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
Unde r Mo nt a n a l a w , Boze man’s on ly sources f or co l l ecting r e venu es are pro p erty t a xes,
special d i st r i ct s fo r a s se ssments on property owners, and user f e es . Theref ore, the
burde n for l ocal g ov e r n ment operat ions falls almo st exclusively on permanent
re sid e n t s a n d b usinesses in the commu n i t y witho ut ca p t u r ing any rev enu e fro m
t ouris ts or busin es s t r aveling through the Cit y. The C i t y Com mission is lo oking to wo r k
wit h l e gislat ors an d ot he r i n t erested pa r t i es to d e velo p n e w r evenue streams to ease
t h e prope r t y tax bu rden on reside nt s.
local option sales tax
Montana league of cities and towns
montana infrastructure coalition
Montana REALTORS
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8 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
B o z e m a n 's p r e f e r r e d p O L I C I E S
b r o a d b a n d
The COV ID-1 9 Pandemic has only furt her h ighlighted the need for high-s peed, re liable , an d
af f orda ble internet co nnection s throughout our c ommunity. The City of B oze ma n will support
e f forts to re mov e re st ri ctive regu lations on bro adband de ployment a nd to pl an and fund an
e x panded statewide bro adb and network a n d ensure t hat all resi dents and b u sinesses have
acces s to h igh speed int er n et c onnections.
Potential Partners: Montana Leag u e of C ities and Towns, Montana Ec onom ic Devel op er s
Association, The Big 7
C ity Effor t Level: E n do rse Legisla tion
Strategic G oa ls : An Inno v at ive Eco n omy; A Cr eative , Lea rni n g Cul tur e
c h i l d c a r e
The COV ID-1 9 Pandemic drew m ore att ention t o t he growin g ne ed for hi g h -qualit y, affordab le
childca re in our c ommunity. Many parent s were already s trugg ling to balance demand s on t h ei r
time wi thout wor kin g fr om home while schoo ling the ir c hildren. Boze man supports init ia tives to
make childc are more acce ssibl e and af f orda ble.
Potential Partners: Montana C hildcare Co nnections, Mo n ta na Ad voca tes f or Child re n Membe r
O rganizati ons
C ity Effor t Level: E n do rse Legisla tion
Strategic G oa ls : An Inno v at ive Eco n omy; A Cr eative , Lea rni n g Cul tur e
g a l l a t i n c o l l e g e F a c i l i t i e s
O ver t h e last ten years, Gallatin Coll ege has b ecom e the center piece of the Gal la tin V alley ’s
work force d ev elo pment str at egy. Th e co llege is l ooking f or ways to meet the str ong de man d f or
its prog ra ms i n ph otonic s, indus trial sew ing, aviation, and vario u s other h igh-g rowth industr ie s
critical to Mont ana’s e co n omy . Bo zeman will continue to support th is exc ellent c ommunit y
asset.
Potential Partners: Montana Stat e University, G allatin Vall ey Manufa ct u ri ng Partnership, Gallatin
C oll ege
C ity Effor t Level: E n do rse Legisla tion
Strategic G oa ls : An Inno v at ive Eco n omy; A Cr eative , Lea rni n g Cul tur e
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A g i n g s e p t i c s y s t e m s
Bozeman’s g rowth ha s created lo ts of n ew op po rtunities. Howeve r, there are several areas i n the
cit y t hat h av e agin g sept ic systems which threa ten water qua lit y and s afety. Boz em an supports
cost effect ive meas u re s s u ch as a gra nt or l oa n p rogra m to replace ag ing se ptic systems w ith
sewer s ys tems to a chiev e the stat e’s nut ri ent water qualit y stand ard.
Potential Partners: Montana Leag u e of C ities and Towns, The Bi g 7, Depar tment of
Environment al Quality, Environm ental Gro u ps
C ity Effor t Level: E n do rse Legisla tion
Strategic G oa ls : A W ell-Pl anned Ci ty; A Sustai n abl e E n v ir onment
s p e c i a l e l e c t i o n d a t e
The Bozeman Cit y Com missio n s suppor ts changes to M ontana el ecti on l aw to al low for spe cial
e lect ions t o o ccur on the n ext c lose st ge n er al election date . C hangi ng the sp ecial el ecti on da te
wi ll al low for co st savings as well as increase d c itizen par ticipati on i n the special electi ons.
Potential Partners: Montana Leag u e of C ities and Towns, The Bi g 7, Montana Association o f
C ounti es
C ity Effor t Level: Draft Legislation
Strategic G oa ls : A n Engaged Com muni ty; A Hig h Pe rfor ma n c e Organ iz at io n
9 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
B o z e m a n 's p r e f e r r e d p r i o r i t i e s
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The State of Mo ntana funds certain criminal
just ice activi ties lo cal gover nments manag e.
The Ci ty op po ses burde ning l ocal
governmen t with additi onal fi nancial
r esp ons ibility for these pr ogram s.
Potential Partners: Montana Leag u e of C ities
an d T owns , Monta n a Assoc ia tio n of Count ies,
M ontana Cou nty Attorneys
C ity Effor t Level: Defend
Criminal Justice Funding
1 0 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
Bozeman would s u pport leg islation to a llo w
ci ty building c od es to e xc ee d a mi nimum
st andard set forth i n state law es pec ially in
referenc e to w at er effic iency s ta n dards.
Po tent ial Part n er s: Mo n ta na L eague of Cit ie s
and Towns, The Big 7, Dep ar tment of
Envir onmental Quality, Departme n t o f
Natur al Res ource s and Conservati on,
Envir onmental Groups
City Effort Level : M onit or
Building Codes
Str eaml ine the p ublic pr oc u re me n t and
bi ddi ng req u ir em ents w hile m ai n taining best
practic es t o ensu re transparency, opennes s,
and pa rtic ipat ion.
Po tent ial Partn er s: Mo n ta na L eague of Citie s
and Towns, Montana Association o f Coun ties
City Effort Level : M onit or
Co-op Bidding and Procurement
b o z e m a n 's I s s u e s o f I N t e r e s t
The COV ID -1 9 pandemic contin u es t o have a
m aj or im pact on our ec onomy an d the d ai ly
lives of Bozeman r eside n ts . C ity staf f will
ac tiv el y m onit or any furth er relief efforts
fr om the State o f Mo n tana and offer input as
ne eded.
Pot ential Pa rtners: Mont ana Leag u e of C ities
and T owns , The Big 7, Montana Associati on of
C ounti es, De partment of Comm er ce
C ity Effor t L evel: Mo nitor
covid-19 response
U n der current la w , bloo d warrants ar e
limit ed t o drivers who have previo u sl y
ref used to pro vide a bloo d sampl e to law
enforc em ent or individua ls with a prior D UI
c onvict ion. Bozeman supp ort s c hange s to
allow blood dr aws on a sus pec ted first
offense DU I.
P ote n tial Par tners : M ontana P eace Officers
Ass oc iation, M ontana Co u nty Attorneys
Ass oc iation
City E f fort Le ve l: Endorse L egi slat ion
DUI Blood Draws
Bozeman’s growth h as l ed t o new
c onstruction acro ss th e city. T he Cit y
supports l egi slat ion to re quire ne w
developm ent to us e co mmunity water
sys tems a n d to limit the use of exemp t wells.
P ote n tial Par tners : M ontana League of Ci ties
and Tow ns, The B ig 7,
En vironm ental Groups
City E f fort Le ve l: Endorse L egi slat ion
Exempt wells
157
T he Cit y must fol low spec ific st andard s for
n oti cing different types of assessment and
meet ings. S tandardization of a n d increased
options for notic ing requi re me n ts woul d
yield a mor e effici ent proce ss.
P ote n tial Par tners : M ontana Cl er ks, Mont ana
League of Ci ties a n d Towns
City E f fort Le ve l: Dr aft Leg islation
Public Noticing Options
If the Const it uti onal Amendme n t to
l egal ize marijuana for recreational use in
t h e Stat e of Mo n tana passes in Nove mber,
t h e Le gislat ure could begin t o cons ide r
bills relating to land-u se regulat ion ,
safety, an d taxation of marijuana sales.
Poten tial Partners: Monta na Lea gue of
Cities and Towns
City E f f or t L evel: Monitor
marijuana
In Montana, l egislativ e redi stri cting is
done by an independent panel after the
com plet ion of a decen n ia l ce n sus. If
Montana is reapport ioned a s econd
C ongress ional Di stri ct, the Cit y will
m onit or the proce ss to ens u re Bozeman is
pro perly represe nted at the fede ra l lev el.
Pot ential Pa rtners: L ocal legisl at ors
C ity Effor t L evel: Mo nitor
Legislative Redistricting
Board consol idation allows for co n sistent
meetin g times , a str eaml ined public
inp u t process , a n d greater ef f icien cies by
reducing s ta ff time expen ded on
managi n g a n d staffi n g a second boar d.
Potent ial Part n er s: Mo n tana L eague of
Citie s and To w n s
City Effort Level : Draft L egislation
Planning and Zoning Board Consolidation
Bozeman is int er ested in any legislation
assisting citie s meet wate r quali ty st anda rds
at wate r and was tewater faci lit ie s.
Pote n tial Par tners : M ontan a League of Ci ties
and Towns, Indust ry Groups, Depar tment of
E n vironmental Qua lity
Ci ty E f fort Le vel: Monitor
Nutrient Water Quality Standard
1 1 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
Many of Bozeman’s major thor oughfares ar e
control led by the M ontan a Dep artm ent of
Transp ort at ion (MDT). M DT co n tro l l imits th e
ab ility f or c ities and ot her local government s
to m anage infr astruc ture as sets within it s
j u risdiction.
Pot ential Pa rtners: Mont ana Leag u e of C ities
and T owns , The Big 7, B ozema n D owntown
Pa rtnership, Mont ana A ssoci at ion of C ounti es
C ity Effor t L evel: Mo nitor
Montana Department of Transportation Local
Agency Processes
b o z e m a n 's i s s u e s o f i n t e r e s t
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1 2 LEGISLATI VE POLICY 2021
Subdivisio n review appli cations r equire a
lon g, burden so me pro ces s un der s tate la w.
B ozema n s u pports eff orts to s trea mlin e the
pro cess s u ch as fin al plat pr ocessing u nder
state law.
Pot ential Pa rtners: Mont ana Leag u e of C ities
and T owns , M ontan a REAL TORS
C ity Effor t L evel: Dra ft Legisl ation
subdivision review
The C ity of Bozeman curre ntly h as five ur ban
renewa l dist rict s tha t ut ilize tax i ncrement
financing to s u pport developm ent and reuse .
Any chan ges to lim it the us e of thi s too l
w ould harm the C ity’s a bility to impr ove the
liv elihood o f it s res idents.
Po tent ial Part n er s: Mo n ta na L eague of Cit ie s
and Towns, The Big 7
City Effort Level : Defend
Tax Increment Financing and
Urban Renewal Districts
c o m m i s s i o n i n t e r e s t s
The Bo zeman Ci ty Commissi on recognizes
th at the se pr iorities ar e u n likely to advanc e
given the current politi cal c limate.
However, we do bel ie ve the se pr iorities ar e
importan t enough to th e City's long term
fut u re to include i n our report.
The "wish list"
Reform h ow t he De par tment of Revenue
is sues beer and wine licen ses to
restaur ants acr os s the s tate to create a
mor e inc lusive pr oc ess.
beer and wine Licensure
The creation of a l oc al option sale s ta x on
soda, ca f feine, o r sugary drin ks. Soda T axes ,
as they ar e ofte n referred to , ha ve
genera ted re venue and imp roved health
o u tcomes i n other citi es in the western
Uni te d States .
soda tax
b o z e m a n 's i S S U E S O F
i N T E R E S T
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M ONT A N A LE A GU E O F C ITI ES A N D T O WNS
Bozeman participates in the development of the League’s
legislative agenda ahead of every State Legislature session.
The League serves as an advisory body in contacts between
municipal officials and state and federal governments. By
cooperating through the League municipalities provide for
themselves a research program and a legislative voice which
would be impossible for any of them individually.
M ONT A N A E CO N O MI C D EV EL O PERS
AS S O C IAT IO N N E X T G ENE RA T ION A G E N DA
In 2019 MEDA, the Montana Economic Developers Association,
created a vision to bring Montana’s economic development
policies, programs and practices into the 21st century. The Next
Generation Analysis process assembled over 250 stakeholders,
conducted over 50 community roundtables, performed 7 outreach
visits and processed over 200 survey responses.
The framework is centered on building a unified coalition to move
Montana forward by modernizing Montana’s programs and tools,
investing in Montana through entrepreneurship and training, and
upgrading Montana’s economic and community structures.
THE M O N T A N A INF RA STRUC T UR E C O A L ITI O N
The Montana Infrastructure Coalition members represent over 100
industry, labor, and trade associations, local governments and
business entities. This Coalition provides an inclusive, non-
partisan forum to research and develop funding solutions for our
most pressing infrastructure needs.
Based on its research and analysis, the Coalition develops funding
and financing suggestions for infrastructure investment to meet
ongoing maintenance needs, to meet increasing health and safety
standards, and to accommodate and stimulate growth.
P A R T N E R A G E N D A S
T O E N D O R S E
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l e g i s l a t i v e c o r e t e a m
T H E P E O P L E T O K N O W
Jeff Mihelich, City Manager
406-582-2306, jmihelich@bozeman.net
Anna Rosenberry, Assistant City Manager
406-582-2325, arosenberry@bozeman.net
Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager
406-582-2327, cwinn@bozeman.net
Greg Sullivan, City Attorney
406-582-2309, gsullivan@bozeman.net
Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director
406-582-2258, bfontenot@bozeman.net
Melody Mileur, Communications Coordinator
406-582-2322, mmileur@bozeman.net
Anna Saverud, Assistant City Attorney
406-582-2309, asaverud@bozeman.net
Mike Veselik, Economic Development Specialist
406-582-2919, mveselik@bozeman.net
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