HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-21-21 Public Comment - Bozeman Climate Partners - Board ConsolidationFrom:Jay Sinnott
To:Jeff Mihelich; Agenda; Melody Mileur
Cc:kristen.walser@gmail.com; Kathy Powell; joan.montagne@gmail.com; Natalie Meyer; Terry Cunningham
Subject:Re: Bozeman Climate Partners comments regarding board consolidation.
Date:Friday, May 21, 2021 8:35:49 AM
Attachments:Board Consolidation .docx
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Bozeman Climate Partners
Citizen Advisory and Workgroup Re: Board Consolidation
May 21, 2021
Dear City of Bozeman, We are writing to provide input into the proposed advisory board consolidation initiative. We do not oppose a reorganization and streamlining of citizen advisory groups, but have substantial concerns with the initial proposal. We agree with placing implementation of the Bozeman Climate Plan within the category of sustainability. We are not sure, however, that the interests of greenhouse gas reduction and environmental sustainability in general are best served by the proposed grouping.
A dilemma for input to environmental sustainability is that the climate plan touches on most areas of City operations, particularly the built environment, transportation and the management of green spaces. The word sustainability rightly includes areas such as housing and economic development, but these programs
are not primary to environmental sustainability and the goals of the climate plan. Perhaps a more specialized group is needed to address environmental sustainability, which the Climate Plan touches comprehensively. It will be a challenge to “break down the silos” of government without a more
specialized group of interests which rightly deserve more oversight and advisory input. The large Climate Plan included input and assistance from staff in many programs, such as planning, parks and waterways, transportation, waste management and buildings. We have major interest in these areas and will be including non-traditional community interests such as energy, food systems, wildlife and agriculture, not to mention air and water pollution.
Perhaps a grouping specializing in Environmental Sustainability, which is in itself quite broad, would better serve the needs of the community and the City. In any case, to address the needs of the natural climate will require involvement with an array of City programs. The proposal to regroup dozens of Citizen Advisory Boards, the Bozeman Climate Partners and other Citizen groups into only six Citizen Boards appears extreme and would likely short change many areas of citizen interest. If such an extreme consolidation comes to pass, subgroups might be needed to focus on more specialized
subjects. We propose one of two outcomes:
1. An additional board specializing in Environmental/Ecological Sustainability, or 2. Sub-Board level specialty groups
In either case, we will need a strategy to involve Climate issues with the business of other Boards, or involve other Boards in Climate Plan implementation.
Please consider these thoughts from the Bozeman Climate Partners as the consolidation initiative progresses. Successful implementation of the Bozeman Climate Plan will require widespread cooperation from the City Staff, Commission and talented citizens and institutions of our community.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide citizen input. Respectfully,
Jay Sinnott Member, Bozeman Climate Partners
Member, 2019/20 Bozeman Climate Team Kristen Walser Co-Lead, Bozeman Chapter Citizens Climate Lobby Member, Bozeman Climate Partners Kathy Powell Member, Bozeman Climate Partners