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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-21 Public Comment - H. Happel - Board ConsolidationFrom:Henry Happel To:Agenda Cc:Martin Matsen Subject:Resolution 5330 Date:Sunday, August 8, 2021 9:49:47 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Commissioners: I am writing with regard to Commission Resolution No. 5330, which is on the CityCommission’s agenda for consideration at its August 10 meeting. Although I am the chairman of the Bozeman Planning Board, these comments are submitted in my individual capacity only. The Planning Board has not engaged in any considerationof Resolution 5330. I am in favor of adoption of this Resolution. There is, however, one provision in Resolution 5330 which I think is ill-advised: the outright prohibition in the first sentence of Section 4, Subsection 2.D on Board members serving more than two terms. I think the Commission will come to regretthis unnecessary, self-imposed restriction on its discretion to make board appointments. I agree that as a general matter the City will be better served if Board members serve no more than two terms. However, the City has the legal authority to enforcethis limit without the language in question since (the County appointee aside) all Board appointments are made by the Commission or the Mayor. The City could signal its intentions regarding term limits, without tying its hands, by merely letting it be known that Board members would be limited to two terms. Alternatively, thefollowing could be substituted as the first sentence in Subsection 4.2.D: “Except for the Mayoral appointment of the person designated by the County Commission, it is the general expectation that, except in unusual circumstances, Board members shall be appointed to serve no more than twoconsecutive terms.” Just as a thought experiment, consider a term limited Board member who has special knowledge of planning in Gallatin County and is in the midst of leading a joint planning boards initiative to promote greater cooperation. Or consider a termlimited black woman who has shown herself to be an extraordinarily capable chairperson of the Community Development Board. The current language would deny the City Commission the ability to reappoint either to a third term. Not good. Sincerely, Henry Happel 608 S. Grand Ave.