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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-08-21 Public Comment - S. Kirchhoff - Kagy BlvdFrom:agenda@bozeman.net To:Agenda Subject:Thank you for your public comment. Date:Saturday, May 8, 2021 1:08:15 PM A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted. Form Name:Public Comment Form Date & Time:05/08/2021 1:03 PM Response #:1082 Submitter ID:38066 IP address:2600:6c67:527f:8151:d89:f099:ca42:6813 Time to complete:3 min. , 38 sec. Survey Details Page 1 Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options. Public comment may also be given at any public meeting. Email: agenda@bozeman.net Mail to: Attn: City Commission PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771 First Name Steve Last Name Kirchhoff Email Address skirchhoff3@gmail.com Phone Number 582-7543 Comments Dear Bozeman City Commission and City Manager: I am writing to ask that the city commission reconsider at a future meeting an item from the commission agenda of March 2, 2021. I refer to the nearly $17 million plan to expand Kagy Boulevard to four lanes that was included on the March 2, 2021 meeting agenda as “Work Session Item I.1. Kagy Boulevard Expansion.” When the commission voted to move forward with a four-lane improvements plan discussed under this item, the commission acted far beyond the scope of what was advertised on the March 2nd agenda. It is customary for Bozeman City Commission meeting agendas to use the heading “Work Session” to indicate small items that don’t result in significant decisions and actions. Conversely, the agenda heading “Action” calls attention to items that involve significant commission discussions, motions, and votes. Commission votes taken on “Action” items have substantial social, ecological, and economic significance. Because improvements to Kagy will impose heavy costs and will substantially alter the transportation system and fabric of neighborhoods on Bozeman’s south side, the improvements plan should have been noticed as an “Action” item. By noticing the expansion to Kagy in a way that minimized its importance, the commission substantially reduced public participation in a matter of significant interest and concern, thus failing to provide a genuine public process. After all, the improvements for Kagy between 19th and Willson have a history. Several years ago an “open house” was hosted by city engineers, state engineers, and others, at the MSU football stadium, located on the section of Kagy Boulevard to be improved. The hosts of the open house took it upon themselves to educate and solicit opinions from the public on numerous improvement alternatives. Nearly 200 residents showed up for that meeting, and they were treated to long presentations on design options. Before they departed, citizens were asked to indicate their design preference. A substantial majority of residents preferred a three-lane section, less expensive and intrusive than the $16.8 million four-lane section wrongly set in motion by the commission action of March 2, 2021. The upshot is that on March 2nd the commission acted on a matter of public concern without first notifying the public of the full importance of their action. The commission failed to properly notify and involve citizens in its decision-making process. I ask you to bring back this item for reconsideration at a future city commission meeting. I ask that when you bring this item back that it be posted according to the real significance it has as an “Action Item.” Sincerely, Steve Kirchhoff If you would like to submit additional documents (.pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .gif, .jpg, .png, .rtf, .txt) along with your comment, you may alternately address agenda@bozeman.net directly to ensure receipt of all information. Thank you, City Of Bozeman This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email.