HomeMy WebLinkAboutRalph W. ZimmerFrom:webadmin@bozeman.net
To:Agenda
Subject:Citizen Advisory Board Application
Date:Thursday, September 30, 2021 3:36:22 PM
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name:Citizen Advisory Board Application
Date & Time:09/30/2021 3:36 PM
Response #:85
Submitter ID:44232
IP address:69.51.86.238
Time to complete:33 min. , 23 sec.
Survey Details
Page 1
WELCOME
Thank you for your interest in joining a Citizen Advisory Board. The City of Bozeman elected officials
and staff believe in the value of public participation and local governance in the decision-making
process and encourage all interested members of our community to apply. As set forth in Resolution
5323, the City is committed to building Advisory Boards that advance the City’s goals of increasing
diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because of this goal, the City is actively working to achieve
membership that reflects, at the least, the demographics of our community. Women, minorities,
individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The City will need to communicate with all board members via email for a number of annual
communications, so a valid email address is required for all applicants. Please notify the City Clerk's
Office if your email address changes for any reason.
The City will need to communicate with all board members via email for a number of annual
communications, so a valid email address is required for all applicants. Please notify the City Clerk's
Office if your email address changes for any reason.
Please note that your application will become public information. All required fields are marked with a
red asterisk *.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
Each official and employee serving on a multimember agency is expected to devote the time and
effort necessary to ensure the successful functioning of such agency (Bozeman Municipal Code, Section
2.03.490.C.). Additional standards of conduct and norms are included in Resolution 5323.
Applicant Information
First Name Ralph W.
Last Name Zimmer
Physical Address 1201 Highland Blvd., Apt. D-308
PO Box (if different from
physical address)
Not answered
City Bozeman
State Montana
Zip Code 59715
Primary Phone (406) 586-9152
Additional Phone Not answered
Current Occupation retired
Employer retired
Email RalphZimmer@mcn.net
Which position are you applying for?
(○) Transportation Board
Do You Live in the City Limits? (Some positions do require you live within Bozeman city limits while
others do not.)
(○) Yes
How long have you lived in the Bozeman Area?
(○) 11 years or more
Have you ever served on a City or County Board or Commission?
(○) Yes (If Yes, where and how long?)
Bozeman (Area) Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee 40+ years; Bozeman Transportation Coordinating
Committee and predecessor groups 40+ years; Bozeman TMP Advisory Committee 3 years; Bozeman
Community Transportation Safety Plan Advisory Committee 2 years; etc.
Please describe your professional and personal experiences, interest, and qualifications that make you
a good fit for this board.
I have long had a commitment to traffic safety. I was an active member of the Colorado Teen Age Traffic
Safety Association. I was one of twelve national winners in the 4-H safety program. I have received
numerous certificates from the National Safety Council. I was the first ever recipient of the Distinguished
Achievement Award from the Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals.
I am a transportation engineer by education and experience. I have a B.S. in civil engineering, M.S. in civil
engineering (transportation engineering), and a Ph.D. (traffic engineering and transportation planning).
I worked several years for the Federal Highway Administration in an office two blocks from the White
House. For many years I taught transportation engineering, traffic engineering operations, transportation
planning and similar courses at Montana State University where I am an emeritus professor and recipient of
its College of Engineering 2019 Distinguished Faculty award.
At MSU, I headed numerous research projects with the Montana Department of Transportation, Montana
Department of Community Affairs ,and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The City of Bozeman strongly values diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Describe any efforts you have
engaged in to expand your understanding of DEI.
My commitment to these concerns is best illustrated by what I have done.
For one international professional society, I chaired the nominating committee that nominated the first
female to be President after the first 11 Presidents were all male. Upon learning of this, the society's paid
staff member said "Ralph, you can't do this. Joyce is a woman. You know what women are like. You can't
work with them." In perhaps my proudest moment ever, I immediately and forcefully responded "Ted, not
only CAN you work with Joyce, you WILL work with Joyce and I will be watching to make sure you do!" The
response was a docile "Oh, okay."
Four times I chaired the nominating committee for an international religious organization. The
organization's polity mandated special consideration to racial and ethnic minorities, youth, young adults,
older adults, and people with handicapping conditions. We complied with those expectations. While
struggling to do this, one committee member, a black female, said to me "This is hard!!". But we did it!
On several different local committees and before the City Commission, I have advocated for improvements
in our transportation infrastructure for non-motorized users thus benefiting the economically deprived, the
handicapped, and various other deserving groups. I have similarly advocated for increased funding and
accommodations for transit.
References: Please provide name, phone, and email contact information for two references.
Reference 1
Mary Pohl, 406-570-8011, marypohl46@gmail.com
Reference 2
Danielle Scharf, 406-698-3233, dscharf@andersonstewart.com
The Bozeman City Charter, voted in by the citizens of Bozeman in 2008, requires annual ethics training.
If appointed, do you understand you will be expected to take online and in person ethics training?
(○) Yes
How did you hear about this board or vacancy?
By listening to City Commission meetings
Is there any other information that you feel we need to know?
I am legally blind and basically limited to reading plain text email messages and to text documents sent as
Word attachments to email messages.
If you have a disability that requires assistance or need accommodations, please contact our ADA
Coordinator, Mike Gray, at 582-3232 (TDD 582-2301).
Please note that for most Citizen Advisory Boards, materials are distributed electronically for each
meeting.
Your application and all information submitted is considered a public record. All applications are
included in the City Commission’s Meeting materials for consideration which are electronically
archived and available to the public.
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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