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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-20 FINAL MINUTES City Commission Meeting of Bozeman, MontanaPage 1 of 4 THE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA MINUTES Monday, November 09, 2020 Mayor - Cynthia Andrus: Present Deputy Mayor - Terry Cunningham: Present Commissioner - I-Ho Pomeroy: Present Commissioner - Michael Wallner: Present Commissioner - Jennifer Madgic: Present Staff Present in the Webex: City Manager (CM) Jeff Mihelich, City Attorney (CA) Greg Sullivan, City Clerk (CC) Mike Maas Delegation Present in the Webex: Senator-elect Chris Pope, Senator Pat Flowers, Senator JP Pomnichowski, Representative Jim Hamilton, and Representative-elect Ed Stafman A. 06:00:34 PM (00:55:13) Call to Order – 6:00 PM – Webex Videoconference B. 06:04:20 PM (00:58:59) Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence C. 06:05:13 PM (00:59:53) Public Comment There were no public comments. D. 06:09:12 PM (01:03:52) Work Session 1. Commission-Delegation Special Meeting (Veselik) 06:09:28 PM (01:04:08) Introductions The Commission, staff, delegation, and the City’s lobbyists John MacDonald and SK Rossi introduced themselves. 06:17:58 PM (01:12:37) Priorities Overview DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F9F69AE-1C07-43C3-B42A-7FE8681348CF Bozeman City Commission Special Meeting Minutes, November 9, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Mayor Andrus provided an overview of the process developing the City’s legislative priorities. 06:20:10 PM (01:14:50) Staff Presentation CM Mihelich presented the City’s top priorities, preferred policies, issues of interest, legislative agendas to endorse and other legislative information. 06:24:46 PM (01:19:26) Delegation Comments Mayor Andrus opened the discussion to the delegation’s interests Sen. Pomnichowski stated the potential form of the session given the COVID-19 pandemic and her opinion on the opportunities for the session. Sen. Pope stated the efforts to identify working coalitions and other communities to partner with. Rep. Hamilton stated his opinion that affordable housing is the most likely for statewide support and should be a focus of efforts. He gave an overview of past efforts and his ideas for where to begin with the priorities. Sen. Flowers stated his opinion that tax relief is a likely issue with support. Rep. Stafman stated his optimism for net metering based upon past efforts and the potential for property tax relief. Lobbyist MacDonald agreed with Sen. Pomnichowski’s view on the opportunities for the session and stated the efforts to work with the Montana League and other cities to form a coalition. Lobbyist Rossi added the more collaboration prior to the session the better. Mayor Andrus asked about other strategies and how the City can work with the delegation to advance the priorities. 06:38:22 PM (01:33:01) Discussion Rep. Hamilton stated the need for communication. Sen. Pomnichowski stated her opinion that starting efforts earlier are better. Sen. Pope stated his opinion that the session will focus on free markets, economics, and jobs. Cr. Madgic asked about the possibility to expand the definition for resort tax and any potential connections with Governor-elect Gianforte. Mayor Andrus stated the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) would be an avenue for revenue by redirecting funds already collected and not a new tax. Cr. Wallner stated he spoke with Governor-elect Gianforte and agreed with the Mayor’s comments related to TBID funds. He commented on past efforts for a rural revenue fund and comparative tax analysis that he authored. He highlighted the priority of expanded broadband access as a personal priority and one that has options and possibility with the Governor-elect. Cr. Pomeroy agreed with Cr. Wallner on efforts for expanded broadband. She asked about opportunities other than funding that are available for affordable housing at the state level Sen. Pope asked about the City’s plan for affordable housing to tie to requests. DM Cunningham provided an overview of the Community Housing Program. Cr. Wallner stated his support for redistribution of the TBID funds and asked about the viability of such a program. DM Cunningham commented on communication efforts between the City and the delegation. He stated DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F9F69AE-1C07-43C3-B42A-7FE8681348CF Bozeman City Commission Special Meeting Minutes, November 9, 2020 Page 3 of 4 his opinion that building fees for affordable housing administrative fees and septic replacement grant program are smaller asks. He noted the priorities that will be pursued by other organizations and the potential for supporting those efforts. He noted the need to defend revenue. He asked about how the City can support the delegation’s efforts and priorities. Mayor Andrus stated her interest in hearing potential legislation that will support the City’s priorities. Rep. Stafman noted efforts for clean energy, efforts for supporting hospitals, and interest in affordable housing. He stated it is too early in the process for much consideration on specific bills. Mayor Andrus clarified her interest in the local government committee and preemption of City’s efforts. Sen. Pope provided previous actions through the local government committee. Sen. Pomnichowski stated the amenability of the Solutions Caucus towards affordable housing and the possibility of self-governing powers and City control on some issues. Rep. Stafman noted the possibility of a prohibition on sanctuary cities bill again. 07:29:18 PM (02:23:58) Public Comment There were no public comments. 07:32:59 PM (02:27:39) Discussion Continued Mayor Andrus asked for more information on communication efforts between the City, their lobbyists, and delegation. CM Mihelich noted the plan for Monday morning meetings for weekly communication. Rep. Hamilton stated his desire for a member from the House and the Senate participate in regular communication. Cr. Pomeroy asked a follow-up question about climate change and stated her desire to oppose taxation on large-scale renewable energy projects and support promotion of renewable projects for businesses, non-profits, and governments. She also stated her desire to see an increase in the cap on net metering systems and aggregated metering. Sen. Pope stated the topics highlighted by Cr. Pomeroy are likely to come up and his efforts for the new energy economy. He noted the improvements in the relationship with Northwestern Energy. Lobbyist MacDonald provided his closing comments. Sen. Pomnichowski stated her desire to see the City use its connection to the Governor-elect. She stated her admiration for the City’s efforts to conduct remote meetings. She expressed thanks for the City’s efforts. Sen. Pope mentioned the need for the City to come up with local health standards. DM Cunningham agreed with Sen. Pomnichowski regarding the need for relationships. Cr. Pomeroy asked about relationships with Governor-elect Gianforte. Cr. Wallner asked how the City can help with efforts to fight the pandemic. Mayor Andrus stated she is looking forward to more efforts like this meeting. E. 07:55:19 PM (02:49:58) Adjournment DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F9F69AE-1C07-43C3-B42A-7FE8681348CF Bozeman City Commission Special Meeting Minutes, November 9, 2020 Page 4 of 4 ___________________________________ Cynthia L. Andrus Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Mike Maas City Clerk PREPARED BY: ___________________________________ Mike Maas City Clerk Approved on: March 23, 2021 DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F9F69AE-1C07-43C3-B42A-7FE8681348CF