HomeMy WebLinkAboutStatement of Interest and Qualifications_Aaron KnoebelBozeman City Commision Application
Aaron Knoebel
406-599-7334
1104 S Pinecrest Bozeman, MT 59715
Aaronknoebel@gmail.com
The role of government is to serve all citizens. The current system creates inefficiencies and
barriers to citizen participation. The role of local government should be to encourage business
and help citizens and the community, not make the system a barrier to growth and productivity.
The goal of the local government should be to steer this growth in a direction that is of benefit to
all its citizens well being. The success of this growth should not just be measured by broad
economic measures of success, but by measures to enhance general mental, physical health,
safety and economic well-being of all its citizens.
I am the person the city commission needs. My name is Aaron Knoebel. I am a Bozeman
resident since 2006, a parent of two, a local business owner and entrepreneur. I graduated from
the University of Vermont with a degree in geography focusing on GIS. My I would take a data
driven and technology based approach to addressing inefficient city practice. I have experienced
the city process of development from a citizen prospective. I represent a demographic not
represented in the council currently but is a large portion of the Bozeman population; that of a
young community member who chose to move to Bozeman to raise my children and start a
business. I experienced the boom of Bozeman in the early 2000’s and witnessed first-hand the
economic prosperity for some and the difficulties Bozeman has endured as a result. I represent a
vast number of young adults working respectable jobs our community needs and feels left behind
by the direction of rapid economic growth. I bring a pragmatic, logistical mind, and
compassionate heart with a desire to see Bozeman grow for ALL our citizens well being.
I believe there are some fundamental issues needing to be addressed from a city planning and
progress prospective not included in the current development plan. Pedestrians and bikers safely
navigating the city is important. However, before considering new bike lanes and other features,
we need to address uncontrolled intersections. These roads are ideal biker corridors in the busiest
bike traffic area of town and are uncontrolled and unsafe.
The commission should be commended for taking leadership to shift Bozeman to renewable
energy. The goals are ambitious but certainly achievable. The work done with the city to start
city composting is a great step towards carbon neutrality. I could help lead the group with ideas
on how to grow the programs and monitor the progress in conjunction with the city GIS
department. The commission should lead by example and set ambitious goals of converting all
city buildings to renewables quickly. I reject the assertion that our ability to convert to
renewables relies on NorthWestern Energy to build the infrastructure. City net metering and
solar leasing programs should be explored to install solar panels on existing roofs, working with
existing local businesses in the renewable space.
I would bring a creative voice to the table, helping to clarify the vision of our future, and
ensuring we are growing in a way that benefits all citizens. I would use my background in
geography and mapping to use data driven decisions to help guide our infrastructure
development. I would speak up for the less advantaged in our community and make sure our plan
is not creating more economic disparities. I would be a voice for urban non-service based
economic growth in our downtown area.
I have worked with HDRC and Fork and Spoon and believe they are vital parts of our
community. The current affordable housing plan tries to control a free market and offers buyers
no opportunity to grow wealth and improve their economic position. The city’s approach should
encourage growth that takes pressure off the rental inventory market. The city and University can
work together to increase campus housing and development high-density housing in the
university district area to take pressure off the rental market across the rest of the city. I believe
in developing the downtown district and the North Seventh district more densely by encouraging
smart dense development to add volume to the market at a more affordable price. I believe the
nurses, teachers and firefighters that take care of our community should be able to afford to live
in it. To be a growing city and community, the essential members must be able to live in the
community they serve.
I want to bring my energy and big ideas to improve our inefficiencies and keep our growing city
a place where everyone is welcome, and opportunities exist for all demographics. The
cross-roads we are experiencing is exactly why the commission needs a fresh voice with new
ideas. I am a strong communicator with a focus on listening to the people and my fellow
commission members. I would work tirelessly on making every decision representative of the
voices of Bozeman, decisions based on data in the best interest of the greatest number of citizens.
I would be a voice for our small business owners, entrepreneurs. I would be a voice for nurses,
teachers, first responders and all essential city workers who deserve a seat at the table and a wage
allowing them to live in our city. I would be a voice for human centered economics, benefiting
all citizens. I am a life-long student, hungry to dig in, learn, grow, and lead. Bozeman can be a
leader in Montana as an example of how to modernize, and grow in a beneficial way for all our
citizens.
Thank you for your consideration,
Aaron Knoebel