HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-22 Public Comment - M. Wictor - getting REAL inputs for UDC re-work_updates for BozemanFrom:Mary Wictor
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment 9-20-2022 on getting REAL inputs for UDC re-work/updates for Bozeman
Date:Tuesday, September 20, 2022 12:01:26 PM
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Dear City of Bozeman--please provide this written Public Comment to the City Commission today, and for
all advisory boards, too
(e.g., including but not limited to the Sustainability Board, Community Development Board, etc.)... plus
City Manager & appropriate Staff.
Here are most recent TOP topics, concerns, & input/feedback... I hope you will read this and take action
to do and address these issues:
"PUBLIC" MUST INCLUDE BOARD MEMBERS--in their volunteer roles for their Board and also
allow as an individual person(s)
A) At recent meetings, it was verbally communicated or discussed the importance of getting PUBLIC
inputs as the Unified Development Code (UDC) is updated over the next months/year.
[Yes, I agree, the UDC rewrite is vitally important--and it can be really difficult to get the public informed
and involved... and advisory Board members are extremely key to this process and should be a part of
that process, not only as Board members but as their own invidivdual selves, too.]
UDC reformat / changes AND to INCORPORATE ADOPTED POLICIES
B) What I heard is that through consultants, the UDC will be reformatted (e.g., work Code Studio and
others are doing), and that POLICY from all Bozeman recently adopted documents will be included.
The list of what adopted documents to include was not mentioned or provided.
Is this the Strategic Plan, the Housing plan, the 2020 Community Plan (which should be to "top" of the
pyramid of all Plans & has Policy).
Most of these have some level of POLICY and Goals, etc.
RECENT EMAIL/DIRECTION FROM CITY MANAGER TO BOARDS as was stated in pieces... (and
Board members reacting to)
C) At the most recent City Commission meeting it was stated that there was a email from the City
Manager to Boards indicating that they should NOT attend City Commission meetings but stay home and
watch virtually, to avoid quorums.
To me, it seems fundamentally important to TOTALLY INVOLVE the Boards in this incorporation of many
things adopted, all since 2018+. While not all policies/goals are related to the area of focus for each
board, they can and should be provided to ALL the BOARDS so that they are known and can be
considered for the best way to incorporate/regulate. The Boards also have individual budgets & Work
Plans.
This needs to happen NOW... at the START of all this UDC update, and NOT later over the next many
months Sept-March and only after the City Commission looks at it. The City Commission adopted and set
the Policies & Goals, and the Boards with their diverse members are the BEST resource the City of
Bozeman has for giving the first look, input, and feedback to and throughout the process. I believe and
have heard these people state that it is the reason they have volunteered and also have been selected
into the Super Boards for the roles they fulfill.
In conclusion, the City Commission gets to make the decisions and already has set Policy and Goals. The
Boards are essential and can really help formulate the information that is planned and will come to the
City Commission. The Board members should be involved BEFORE, and allows to be "from the public"
representing themselves DURING meetings.
Last night at the ComDevBoard, even Chris Saunders spoke as himself vs a long time, very valuedPlanner.
There are ways to AVOID QUORUMS.
Please act to use and support inputs for ALL your best resources.
Mary Wictor, owner 1504 Boylan Rd, Bozeman
At several most recent advisory Board meetings (including the Community Development Board &Sustainability Board), I heard strong verbal comments made by Chair/ViceChair and some Boardmembers--with some level of angst.