HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Bozeman Legislative Policy 2023 FINALt a b l e o f c o n t e n t s
LE TTER FROM C ITY CO M M IS S I ON ............3
B OZE M AN'S TO P P RIO RI T IES....................4
PR IOR ITI E S T O SUPP OR T, DE FEND &
W AT CH..........................................................9
UN IQUE I SSUES AFF E C T IN G T HE C ITY...15
PA RT NER AG E ND A S...................................18
CONTAC T I NFORMA TIO N..........................19
f r o m t h e b o z e m a n
c i t y c o m m i s s i o n
City of Bozeman Residents, Montana State Representatives, Senators, and Governor
Gianforte,
We, the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, adopted the following legislative
agenda which we plan to pursue during the 68th session of the Montana
Legislature. As the local elected representatives of 54,000 Bozeman residents, we
provide a unique perspective on how the City interacts with the State and how to
improve the policies impacting the lives of our residents.
Many of the priorities on our list apply to small and large cities and towns across our
State. We are all experiencing challenges with limited sources of revenue to serve
our community, a lack of housing, the need to create a sustainable future, and a
desire to control our own affairs. We will stand arm-in-arm with our fellow
Commissioners and Council Members wherever they are from—the Hi-line, the other
side of the continental or partisan divide, or in one of our many wonderful valleys
across the State—to advance these priorities and oppose ideas that will harm our
vibrant cities and towns.
Over the last several decades, we have experienced unprecedented growth. The
growth has created many new opportunities. Opportunities for Montanans to come
back home to pursue jobs, raise a family, and enjoy our wonderful way of life.
Opportunities for residents from all over the globe to discover our clear, cold
streams, stunning vistas from our mountaintops, and food and drink from Montana
fields and ranges. Opportunities to build a future that benefits all Montanans.
With those opportunities, we have experienced some negative impacts as well. We
cannot solve these problems on our own. Our agenda reflects how we, as a City,
would like to work with the State to improve the lives of Bozeman residents and
Montanans all over the state. We look forward to working closely with members of
Montana’s citizen legislature to advance meaningful change for years to come.
Sincerely,
Mayor Cyndy Andrus
Deputy Mayor Terry Cunningham
Commissioner Christopher Coburn
Commissioner Jennifer Madgic
Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy
3 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
4 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
B o z e m a n 's t o p p r i o r i t i e s
Workforce Housing
Clean Energy
Make Cents for
Montana
Local Control
Sample Legislation:
Property Tax Circuit Breaker
Revolving Loan Fund for Workforce Housing
Expansion of Low Income Housing Tax
Credits
W o r k f o r c e h o u s i n g
5 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
W h e ther w e c a ll it affo r d abl e , a t t ai n a b l e, or w or k forc e housing, i t r e m a ins
c lear , M onta n a a n d B ozeman need m o r e housing. If peo p le do n ot have a
s a f e, affo rdable p lac e to liv e , t h e n t h e y do n ot hav e a plac e i n t h e L a s t B e st
Pl a ce.
T h e r e a r e n o e a sy an s w e r s f or ho w t o so lve t h e p r ob lem. We agree w ith the
n eed to r igh t -si z e r e g u lat io n f or the gro w ing 21st cen t u ry c ommuniti e s in the
s t a t e . Howe v er , we ca n n ot st op there. Lab or, Lan d , a n d L um be r a re t h e t h r e e
“L ’s” dr iv in g our aff or d a bi li t y c r is is i n t h e State. T o assist wi t h t h e c os t of
h ous ing, th e C it y ne e ds re so urc es an d mo re t ool s t o redu c e t h e c os t of
c on s t ruc t ion, to s p e e d u p t h e devel opment rev iew process , a n d t o trac k t h e
lo n g -term agreements that ac co m p a ny many w orkforc e housi ng p ro d ucts .
T h e Co m m iss io n w il l sup p or t s t a f f
p a r t neri n g with o r g ani z a t ions
r a n g in g from t h e Montan a Leag u e of
Ci t ies and T owns to t h e M onta n a
Chamber o f Co m mer ce t o the
Montan a Ho u si n g Co unc il t o
So uthwest Mo ntana Bu il d i n g
I n d ustr y A s s o ci a t ion. C on s t ruc t ing
more a f f ord a b le ho u si n g wil l require
c re ati vi ty from a ll M ont a n a ns.
c l e a n e n e r g y
6 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
I n De cember 20 20, the C ity Comm is s ion ado pted a b old pl a n es t a b l ishing
lo n g -term cli m a t e goal s for the C ity of Bo z e m a n . T he g oals w ill c re ate a more
r es il i en t ec onomy , p r o t e ct M o n t a na’s nat u r al res our c e s, and supp ort the
t ec hno logi e s t o m ak e u s m ore e nergy independ en t .
Montan a ha s t a k e n s t r id es to in crease cle an e n e rgy pr odu c ti on i n t h e s t a t e . A
n otab le a dv a n ce w a s t h e c reati on of t h e Co m m er ci a l P r op e r t y A ssess ed C l ea n
E n e r g y (C -P A CE) program. Th e C it y of Boze m a n s upports furth er expansio n of
t h e pr ogram to inc lud e residential p r oper t ies.
W e wi l l loo k t o partn er wi t h ot h e r c it ies i n t e r e sted in su p p o r t in g c lean
ener g y in itiati ves, t h e Montana En vi ro n m e n t al I n formatio n Center, inno v a t ive
gr e en energy a nd t e chnol ogy co m p a ni e s t o gro w t h e ir companie s, and citi e s
ac ro s s t he s tate t o su p p o r t just tra n s it io n initi a ti ves to a ll ow C olstrip w or k e r s
a fai r opportu n ity f or futur e j ob s .
M a k e c e n t s f o r M o n t a n a
7 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
Bl a m e Y e llo w s t o n e . B la me A Ri ver R u ns Through It. B lame Lo n e so m e D ove .
Bl a m e the Lewi s a n d Cl a rk E x p e d it io n . No m a tter w h o m o r w h a t w e bl am e , it
is c lear that the Last Bes t Pl a ce h as bee n d is co vered. Ne w r e s id en t s co n t in u e
t o mo ve i n . I n f a ct, fro m Ju ly 2 020 t o Jul y 20 21 , M ont a n a welcome d m ore than
19,0 00 new r e si d e n t s. In 20 21 , t h e B ozeman Inter n a t i onal Airport had 1 .9 4
m il lio n p a ssengers c ome t hro ugh the a ir p or t .
The City Co m m iss io n s tro ngl y supports as k ing those t o u r is t s t o pay for the
s e rv ic e s t h e y consume. Tourists benefi t fr om the same ci t y serv i c e s a s ou r
r e si d e n t s—s af e n eighborhoo d s, cl e an d ri n k ing water, an d a wel l-p lann e d
co m m u n it y. H owev e r, the b urden o f pa yi n g for tho se s e rv ic e s fall s s ol e ly on
r e si d e n t s t hro ugh pro pe rty t a xes.
The City of B o z eman su p p o r t s a llo w ing j u ri s d ic ti ons of a ll s izes to p r o p ose a
b a l lo t m ea s u re a sk i n g vo t e r s t o app r ove a s a les tax t a rgeti n g g oods and
s e rv ic e s c ommonl y consu med by t ou r is t s s u ch as o utdo o r gu idi ng se rv ic e s ,
a lc oh ol co n sumpti o n , h ot el stay s, and restau r a n t m e a ls. Any n e w tax sho u l d
b e u s e d t o reduc e t h e pr opert y tax b u r de n on res idents an d make
investments i n t h e fu t u re of the ci t y suc h a s infras t r uct u r e improv e men t s
a n d w orkforc e housi ng.
Bo z e ma n wi ll p artner wi t h oth er large ci ti es , co u nti e s , a nd a ny one i n t e re sted
in redu c i n g th e property t ax bu r de n on senio r ci t izens , yo u ng f a m il ies , a n d
f irs t -ti m e home b u yer s .
L o c a l C o n t r o l
8 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
The Bo z e ma n Ci t y C ommi ssi o n beli e ves the g o vernment c lo se st to th e peopl e
is the go vern m en t which go v er n s b e s t. We are e lec t e d t o go vern the
co m m u n it y w he re w e l ive. Our c ons t itu e n t s a re our nei ghbo rs, fri e n ds, and
f a m il y me m be rs. C ommi ssi o n e r s h a v e a uni que int e r e s t in ensur ing the C ity
of Bo z e m a n co n t in u e s t o thriv e l o n g a fter our terms e nd a nd w e le av e o ur
f a n cy t itl e s b e h in d t o reclai m th e mo s t importan t titl e in America n li fe—
ci t izen.
L a st sessio n , t he L e g islatur e add ed six n e w pol ic ies to t h e l i s t of p o wer s
d e n ied to local g overnments wi t h s e lf-g ove rni ng p owers . Fur t h e r , t he
legi sl a t ure to ok ai m at the abi lity for ci t i es to g o vern themsel ves —as their
ci t izens ha ve e m p owered them to do so —th r ou g h s e veral oth er pieces o f
legi sl a t i on.
We b e lie v e i ssues best dec ided at the loca l level su ch a s lan d u s e c on ce rns
s ho u ld remain t he jur isdict io n of l oc a l go vern ment s . The n e e d s of
co m m u n it ies l ike Bo z e m a n a r e distinc t from t h o s e in M is s o u la, Chester,
Bi ll in g s , L e w ist own, o r G la s g ow. Ea ch ci t y and tow n ou g h t t o be e m p owered
t o make d e ci si ons i n t he co n t e x t of t h e ir l oc a l c ommunity . We s tand uni te d
w ith o ur partner s in ci ti e s an d t owns ac r os s t h e State to oppose e ro si on o f
local co ntro l .
The City of B o z eman wi ll s upport l eg islati on requ iring a t w o-t hi r d s m a jori t y
t o add add iti o n a l prov isio n s t o the po w e r s d e n i ed to local g overnment.
9 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
Allow for c i ty staff t o adminis trative l y
r eview and app r ove final plats rat h e r
than requirin g t he City Comm i s sion to
do so . Re q u ir ing f i nal p l a ts to r e c eive
City Comm i s sion approv a l delay s
p r oject s ad d i ng co st s a nd frus tratio n t o
devel opers. The C i ty will suppo r t
leg i sl a t i on to allo w st a ff to
a dm i nistra t i vely a p p r ov e final pla t s .
P a r tners: S outhwest M ontana B uild i ng
In du st r y A sso c i a ti on
Ad mi n is tr ati ve F inal Plat
b o z e m a n p r i o r i t i e s : S u p p o r t
Easements to th e City are required t o g o
to the C it y Com mission o n th e consent
agenda. I f f i n a l plats are all owed to be
adminis trative l y rev ie w e d, then t he City
M a n a ge r ought to be a l lowed t o
adminis trative l y accept e a se me nt s. T h e
Cit y of B oz e ma n will suppo r t legis l ation
to allo w t h e City Manager to acc ept
easements adminis trativ e l y to s h orten
the d e velo pm e n t process.
Partner s: So uthwe st Mo nt a n a Building
Industry Ass ociatio n , Mon tana
A sso c i a tion o f Planners
Acceptance of Easements
Bozeman c ur r e n t ly allows multip l e u nit s
on a lot a s l ong as the lo t m e ets our
d e velo p m e n t s tan dards. The Cit y of
Bozeman w ould support a l lowing u p to
five d we l li n g units on a l ot by r i ght
t h r oughou t the stat e . Six or mo r e
d we l li n gs wo uld b e s ubje c t to a n
a d ministrativ e revie w e s t a blis h ed by
e a c h l ocal gov e rn me nt .
Pa r t n e r s : Mon tana Le a gue of C i ties an d
Tow n s Land Us e Plannin g Gro up
Allowable Units by Right
As Mo n tan a becomes an att r a c tive
v a c a tion loc ation, w e are not i c ing an
uptick in the number o f properties t ha t
re main v a c a nt fo r m uch o f the year.
Propertie s t h a t rem ai n vacant f or mu c h
of t h e year l e a d to a n i ne ff i c i e n t u se of
ou r pu b l i c i nfrastruc tu r e and reduce
neighbo r hood vibranc y. Further, i t only
e xacerba t es our work fo r ce h ous i ng
crunch. The Cit y of Boz e ma n wou l d
suppo r t legi s l a tion to ass es s a n
a d d i tional t a x o n unde r util i zed
re sid e n t i a l prop e r ties. The f u nds
generat e d from the tax would suppo r t
workforce housing .
Pa r t n e r s : Mon tana Ho using Co a l i tion
Surtax on Vacant Properties
The f ol lowi n g p r iori ti e s ar e i ssues whi ch the C ity of Bo z e m a n wil l act iv e ly
s upport. Support i n cl udes, but i s n o t li mited to , d r af ti n g legi s lat io n,
or g a n izing co al iti o n s , te sti f yi ng, rel e a s in g edito ri a ls o r oth e r s s t atem e nts to
t he med ia, and c ol la b or a t ing wi t h p a rtners to e n s ure the p ri oriti e s b e co m e
p o li cy .
T o f a c i l i t ate the d evelopm en t of new
h ous i ng su pply, t h e City of Bo zeman
supports the creat i on of m ode l c ovenant
l an guage state wid e w h i ch wou l d allow
HOAs to ad opt t he l a n guage quic k ly.
Any mo d el cov e n a n t language should
i nclude p r ovisio ns t o repea l p ortion s of
th e cov en a n ts that are in co n flict with
st a te o r c i t y po l i c y.
P a r tn ers: M ontana A ssoc i a tion o f
P l an n e r s , Mon tana Le a gue o f C i t i es an d
T owns
Statewide Model Covenants
In Bo zeman, sev eral key travel r ou tes are
on M ontana Dep a r tm e n t of
T r a n sportatio n maint a i ne d r oads. The City
w ould su p p ort l e gislat i on to a l low for
municipal co nt r ol o f sig n a l i n g syste ms o n
MDT maintained high w a ys in City Limits.
P a r tners: M ontana Infras tru c tu r e
Coa l i t i on
Municipal Control of Signaling Systems
St r e am l i ne the dev e lopment app l i c a t i on
pro ce ss if the pro j ec t do e s not require
ch an ge s t o the zoning in the ado p ted
g r owth plan. The City of Bozeman
s u p p orts chang i ng state l aw to a l l ow an
ado p ted growth pl a n t o gov ern lan d u se
decisions in the C i t y.
Partners: Monta na As s ociatio n of
Planners, M ontana R E ALTORS , M ontana
Le a gue o f C i ties an d T owns
Growth Policy Statute Revisions
W h en i t is c h e aper to s en d yo ur college-
aged child t o M ontana S t a te University
for a y ear than it is to place y our c h i l d in
quality daycare, s omething i s no t rig h t .
The C i t y o f B oz em a n wil l support
le gislatio n to impro ve access to q ua l i t y
childcare for a l l Mo n tan an s .
Part ne r : Childcare C onnectio n s
Affordable, Quality Childcare
10 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
R e s t ri c tive co venants regarding future
land us e are o ft e n p l a c ed on la nd whe n
a dev elopment is firs t created . T h e City
o f B oz e m a n will d r a ft l e gislat i on to
su n se t r es trictive covenants no t alig ne d
with Cit y or State p ubl ic policy unless
the co venants receiv e an affirm a tive
vote o f the majority of own ers party t o
the co venant.
Partners: Mont a na Leagu e of Citie s a nd
Towns
Zombie Covenants
b o z e m a n p r i o r i t i e s : s u p p o r t
In m a n y s tates, munic i pal libraries
receive a subsidy of $2 to $3 per capita
to suppo r t pro grams. In M ontana,
libraries o nly receive $0.40 p er capita.
T h e City of Bo zeman su p p orts increasing
s tate aid t o librarie s t o $0 .50 per capit a .
Partners: M ontana Li brary A s soci ation
State Aid to Libraries
11 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
T h e Big Sky T r ust Fund is a key sou r c e of
econo mic de velo p me nt d ollars t o
s upport jo b c r eatio n in ou r st a te
es pecially jobs in the m an ufacturin g
s e c tor. T h e City of Bo zeman will su p p ort
the B i g S k y Tru s t F und including effort s
to e xpand t he tru s t fund to s upport
STEM jobs .
P artners: M ontana Econom i c D evelopers
Associat ion
Big Sky Trust Fund
b o z e m a n p r i o r i t i e s : s u p p o r t
M ontana is home to a burg e oning film
indu s t r y. Under t h e c u r r e n t s ystem, large
pro d uct ions s uch as Y ellowston e u s e u p
m ost the film tax c redit. The City of
Boz e man wou l d s upport an expans i on o f
the film tax c r e d i t to a llow smaller, l ocal
pro d uct ion c ompanies to b en ef it fro m
the cred i t .
Partners: Mont a na Fil m O ff i c e
Film Tax Credit
The l a nd cost in Boze man has risen
ra p i d l y o ver the la st se veral y e ars . To
re flect t h i s change, t h e City of Bo zeman
will suppo r t ef fo r ts to increa se t h e value
of l a n d i n t h e c as h -in-lieu o f parkl a nd
cal culat ion to r e fle ct this i ncre a sing cost
of l a n d .
Pa r t n e r s : Parks Directors of the B i g S e ven
Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland Increase
I n 2 021, the City of Bozeman
con s olidate d b oards throu gho ut the
C i ty. The P l a n ning and Zoning Bo a r d
fu n c t i ons are bo th u n d e r the juris d i c tion
of t h e Co mmun i ty De velo p me nt Bo a r d ,
b ut must f ollo w s om e arcane pro c e s se s
t o indicate t h e different fu n ct i ons . The
C i ty o f B ozem a n w i l l s upp ort legislatio n
t o allow c i ties to fo r mal l y combine
Pl a nning an d Z oning Bo a r d functions
a cros s th e s tate t o short e n the
d e velo p m e n t review process .
Pa r t n e r s : So u t h w e s t Mon tana Building
I n d ustry Associat i on
Planning and Zoning Board Consolidation
G i ven recent t r a ged i e s i n Bozeman , the
City Commis s ion w i ll s u p p ort le gislation
to r e verse the b a n on red-light cam eras
to a l l ow f or mu n i c ip a l c ontro l of
s i gnaliz atio n and spe e d lim i t s of a ll
s treets in the cit y, and to allo w th e City
Co mmiss i on to determine all fines for
m oving vio l a tions in city limits.
P artners: M ontana L eag ue of Cities and
T owns , S a fer Bozem an
Public Safety
The Ci ty of Bozeman w i l l s up p ort
l e gislat i on to a l low citie s t o have
non -sworn s p ec i al s ervices o ff i c e r s
p r ovide se c urity in municipal co urt
r ooms rather t h a n sworn law
e n fo r ce me nt of ficers.
P a r t n ers : Montana Chiefs of Police
Municipal Court Security
Many start -up co m p a n ie s r e ly o n
inv es tm e n t s fro m v en tu r e capital firm s
a nd others to laun c h t h eir once-in-a-
generat i on idea. T he City of Bozeman
wil l support po l i c i e s t h a t attra ct n e w
cap i t a l from a n gel i nv es tors to the
st a te to s upport these onc e-in -a -
generat i on ideas.
P a r t n ers : Th e Gov e r n or’s O ff i c e
Angel Investing
12 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
b o z e m a n p r i o r i t i e s : s u p p o r t
Residents o ut sid e City l i mit s are
of t en s erved by a vo l u nt e er f i r e
st a ti on. Oft e n , when a f ir e c a l l is
r e c ei ved, th e City of Bo ze man f i r e
d e partment is the firs t on the sce ne
b e c a use of mutual aid agree ments.
The Ci ty of Bozeman w i l l s up p ort
l e gislat i on to c r e ate regio nal fire
a ut horities to pool resources and
p r ovide a h i gher l e vel o f serv i ce
t h r oug hou t our regio n.
P a r t n ers : Montana L e a gue of Fire
Ch i efs
Regional Fire Authority
T w en ty-f i r s t c en tu r y job s re q uire tw enty-
first ce nt ury i n frastructure. The C i ty o f
Boze man will suppo r t programs to
ex p a n d ac c es s t o hig h -spe ed f ib e r opt ic
broad b a n d c onn ectio ns throu gho ut th e
Sta t e.
Partners: Montana Eco nom i c D evelopers
Associat i on
High-Speed Broadband Expansion
F or the l a st ten yea r s, Ga l l a tin Co l l eg e
h a s suppo r ted jo b growth in our
c om m unity th roug h th e creation of
a c a d em i c p r ogram s wit h r e al world
a p plicability. T h e Co l l eg e h a s outg r own
th eir cu r r en t f a cil it i es a n d h a s b eg un to
r en t s pace f r om private b usinesses
th r oug h out Gallatin Valle y to s upport
th eir ris i n g enrollm en t and new
p r ogram s . T h e City of Bo zeman will
support requests by Ga l l a tin Co l l eg e for
fundin g t o co nstruct a new facility .
P a r tn ers: Gallatin C ollege, Southwest
Mo n t a n a Manufa ct uring Partnership
Gallatin College Funding
L a st s e s sion , the S tate Leg i s l a tu r e
passed seve r a l pieces of legis latio n
ho st il e to t h e LGB TQ+ co mmun i ty,
wo men’s re p r oductive h e a lth, and C i t y-
led D EI i n i t i a tives. The City of Bozeman
will stro n gly oppo s e an y legis latio n t h a t
seeks to cu r t ail to r i ghts o f ou r fell ow
M ontanans ens h r i ne d i n Article I I
S e c t i on IV of t h e Stat e Co nstit ut i on and
dimin i s h ou r ability t o be a w e l c omin g
Cit y to a l l.
Partners: Mo nt a n a Hu man Right s
Ne t w ork, Mont a na Racial Equity Project
Inclusive City Values
For severa l se ssio n s, the L e gislat ure ha s
t a ken aim a t Tax I n c r e me n t F i n a ncing
(T IF) stat ut es . Le gislators h a ve
a t tempted t o reduce t he i n cre me nt
a vailable for p r ojects and to lim i t the
a b i l i ty to create ne w d i st r i c t s . T IF is one
of t h e only ec ono mic dev elo p ment t oo l s
a vailable t o cities and co untie s t o
e n cou r a ge r edeve l opment in bligh ted
a r e as . The City of Boze man will stron gly
oppo se a n y legi s l a tion t hat w ould
r e du ce the City’s ability to le verage TIF
d ollars.
P a r t n ers : Montana L e a gue of C i ties and
Town s, Mo n tan a Associat i on of Cou nt i e s
Tax Increment Financing
The C i ty o f Bozem an w i l l def en d the
a b i l i t y f or cities t o m ake mu nicipal r ule s
re l ated t o our fire cod e . This p olicy wil l
a l so fa l l u nde r our to p priority of
d e fending local control .
Pa r t n e r s : Mon tana Le a gue of C i ties an d
Tow n s
Municipal Fire Code
I n p a s t Legislative s e s sio n s, the S t a te has
a t tempted t o reduce the fun din g
p r ovide d to citie s t o su pport p ubl i c
d e fende r of fices. The C i ty will o ppose
a ny attempt t o reduce t he st a te’s share
of fun d i n g public defenders—a
con s t i tu tional right establ i shed i n
Gide on v. Wainw ri ght .
Pa r t n e r s : Mon tana Le a gue of C i ties an d
Tow n s
Public Defender Funding
13 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
C i t y o f B o z e m a n p r i o r i t i e s : D e f e n d
The f ol lowi n g p oli c y areas h a ve co m e u n d e r a t t ack i n t h e pa s t a t th e
legi sl a t ure. C ity of Boz e m a n s taf f a n d our l ob b yi sts wi ll work to d efeat any
legi sl a t i on that di m in ishes our abi lity t o achiev e the l on g -term g oa ls f o r t h e
City of B o z eman .
B i l l s R e l a t e d t o W a t e r R i g h t s , Q u a l i t y, a n d
M a n age m e n t
P rop o s e d C h a n g e t o t h e M o n t an a F l o o d P l a i n
M a n a g e m e n t Ac t
R ed u c t i o n i n M u n i c i p a l A u t h o r i t y o v e r B u i l d i n g C o d e s
A l l o w i n g L i b r a r y B o a r d to d e t e r m in e M a t e r i a l s
P u r c h a s e d f o r a L i b r a r y
S u n se t s f o r S p ec ia l D i st r i c t s t o f u n d C i ty s e r v i c es
14 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
C i t y o f B o z e m a n p r i o r i t i e s : w a t c h
The f ol lowi n g li s t inc lu d e s p r iori ti e s t h a t t h e Ci t y o f B ozeman w ill moni t or
a t t h e 68 th L e g is lativ e Sessio n . At this ti m e , we do n ot anticipate the S t a t e
L e g is latu r e wi ll t ak e a cti on o n t he se t op ic s . How e ver , we are prepared to
a ct i n th e best i nterest o f th e C it y o n th e s e topi cs.
15 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
u n i q u e i s s u e s a f f e c t i n g t h e c i t y
p a i d s i c k l e a v e f o r c i t y e m p l o y e e s
State statu t e pr ohibi t s p ubl ic emplo yees f ro m ta king any s ic k l e av e dur ing
their f irs t n inety d a ys of emp lo yment. Giv e n t h e rec e n t CO V I D-19 pandemi c
and o ur l a b or sh ort a g e , t h e Ci t y sup p ort s g r e a t e r flex ibil ity t o al low
empl oyee s t o us e sick l e a ve as acc rued f r o m day one o f empl o yment.
P artners : Pub li c Empl oye e Un io ns, Mo ntana League o f C it ies and Tow ns
R e m o v e N e w s p a p e r N o t i c i n g R e q u i r e m e n t s
Shrinki n g n e ws p a per subsc ri p t ions and the v a r i et y o f o t he r ou t lets i n
whi ch to p r o vi d e t h e pu b lic wi t h p r op e r n oti ci ng cal ls fo r g r e a ter
fl e xibi li ty fo r ci t ies and towns to p r ovi d e th e requ ired pub li c no t ic e . I n t h e
pas t , n o t ic ing i s sues between t he City an d th e pap er ha ve d e la yed
hear ings and o ther act io ns by the C ity e ven when resi d e nts w e re g iv e n
app r op r iat e noti ce b y o t he r m e a n s. The C ity of Bo z e m a n wil l supp ort
add ing additi on a l o p t ions bey on d news p a p e rs f or c iti e s t o sat isfy t h e
pu b li c no t ic in g req u irements to co m pl y w ith Arti cl e I I, S e cti on s VI I I a nd IX
of t h e Montan a State C on s t it u t ion.
Partner s : M on t a n a L e a g u e of Citi e s a n d T o wn s , M on t a n a As s oc ia t io n of
Ci t y C lerks
Legi sl a t ion passed i n 201 9 p r oh ibi te d f irefi g h ters f ro m us ing to bacc o . W it h
mari ju a n a legal iza t ion, state stat u t e is unc lear whether the ban al s o app li e s
to m a r ijuana use. T h e Ci t y o f B ozeman w ill s u p p o r t legi sl a t ion that clari f ies
this is s ue.
P a rtners : M onta n a L e a g u e of Fi re Chief s
t o b a c c o a n d m a r i j u a n a u s e f o r f i r e f i g h t e r s
16 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
u n i q u e i s s u e s a f f e c t i n g t h e c i t y
I n t i m i d a t i o n o f P u b l i c S e r v a n t s
The curr e n t p ol i t ic a l cli m a t e ha s inc r e a s e d t h reats to p u bl ic empl oyees
a cross the state. T h e Ci t y o f B ozeman strongl y sup p or t s expan d ing the l eg a l
d e f initi on o f inti m id a t ion t o i nclude stalk i n g a pub li c serv a nt,
co m m u n i c ati n g a th r e a t t o a p ubl ic s e r van t , or pub li shi n g t h e p u b lic servant
or th eir f a m ily ’s p e r so n al i nf o r m a t ion.
Pa r t n e rs: Mo ntana A sso ci ati on o f Chi e f s of Pol ic e
L a s t s e ssi o n , a bil l to r e vi se t h e d a t e s for spec ial e lect io ns to be o n t h e s a m e
d a y as general e lect io n d a y (H B 31 9 ) pas s e d t h e Ho u se 89-11 on thi r d r e a di n g .
T h e legi s l a t ion di ed i n t he Sena t e . T h e Ci t y wo ul d li k e to r e viv e this bi ll a s it
is bo th a s ignifi cant cost sav i n g s in e l ec ti on admi n i s t rati on and makes i t
ea s ier fo r c i t izens to p a rti ci p a te in thei r g ove rnment through el e c ti ons .
Part n e r s: Mo n t ana Muni ci pal Cl e r k s , Treasu r e r s, and F inan ce Of f ic e r s
Ass oc iatio n
S p e c i a l E l e c t i o n D a t e C h a n g e
R e m o t e P a r t i c i p a t i o n i n C i t y P r o c e s s e s
During the CO V ID-19 pandemi c, remo te p a rti ci p a ti on i n p u bl ic meeti n g s a nd
p ro ce sses suc h a s b id o peni n g s b e came co m m onp lac e . T h e Ci t y o f B ozeman
w il l sup p or t le g i s lat io n t o clarif y what process e s c an b e c o n d ucted remo tel y
a n d h a v e remo t e p a r ti ci p a nts.
Par t n e r s: Mo n tana Municipal Cl e r k s, Treas u r e rs, and F in a n ci a l Offi cers
As s oc iat io n
A u t h o r i z a t i o n f o r t h e D e s t r u c t i o n o f R e c o r d s
Ci t y cle rks m ust submit a r e co r ds de stru c ti on requ es t t o the M o n t a na
H i s t or ic a l S o c i et y and S e cretary of S t ate’s Offi ce. Onc e a p p ro ved, the l oc a l
el e cted bo d y must furt h e r a u t ho r ize the re cords destr u cti o n . I n or d e r t o
st r e a m li ne t h e p r oc e ss a nd rem o ve unnec es s a ry an d c os t ly s te ps, the C ity of
B ozeman supp orts el i minating t he n e e d for loc a l e lec t e d offi ci a ls to a p pro ve
a rec ords des t r uct io n r e q uest.
Partner s : M on t a n a M u ni ci p a l C lerks , T re asur er s , a nd Financ e O f ficers
Associati on
D i g i t a l N o t a r i z a t i o n
T h e Secr et a r y o f State’s off i c e a ll ows fo r p ri vate no t ari e s t o no tari z e
docu m en t s d igital ly. The C ity of Bo z e m a n s u ppo r ts streaml i n ing the rul e s t o
all ow f or an ex p ansi o n of d igital d oc u m e n t n ot a r izat io n t o the publi c s e ctor
esp ec ia ll y when o n e c ons iders th e high vol u m e of d oc um e n ts requi red t o be
notarize d b y l oc a l go v er n m e n t s.
Partner s : M on t a n a M u ni ci p a l C lerks , T re asur er s , a nd Financ ial Of f ic e r s
17 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
u n i q u e i s s u e s a f f e c t i n g t h e c i t y
18 LEGISLATIVE P O L ICY 20 23
P A R T N E R A G E N D A S
T h e Ci t y o f B ozeman ackn owl e d g e s m a jo r p oli cy
c h ange often requ ires i n vol vement f ro m pa r t ne rs
an d organizati o n s with v a r ying perspec t ives.
O f t e n , ci t y staff w e r e inv olv e d in cra fting the
legi s lat iv e a g en d a s f or som e of t h e fol low in g
organizati o n s . Fu r t he r, partn e r organizati on s
b r ing di f f er e n t s e t s of ski ll s, e x p e r t i s e , a n d
p er s p e ctiv es to pro b l ems affecting o u r s t ate. The
Ci t y o f B ozeman has ch osen to e n d o r s e t h e
legi s lat iv e a g en d a s of the f ol l owi n g
organizati o n s .
The M o n t a n a Leag u e o f Ci t ies and T owns
The M onta n a A s so ci a t io n o f C ou n t ies
Th e M onta n a As s o c i a t io n o f Pl anner s
The M onta n a Ec ono m ic D evel o p er s A s so ci ati on
The M ont a n a Ho u s ing C oali t io n
The M o nt a n a I n f ras t r uc t ur e C o a li t i on
l e g i s l a t i v e c o r e t e a m
T H E P E O P L E T O K N O W
Mayor Cyndy Andrus
candrus@bozeman.net
Deputy Mayor Terry Cunningham
tcunningham@bozeman.net
Commissioner Christopher Coburn
ccoburn@bozeman.net
Commissioner Jennifer Madgic
jmadgic@bozeman.net
Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy
ipomeroy@bozeman.net
Jeff Mihelich, City Manager
406-582-2306, jmihelich@bozeman.net
Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager
406-582-2327, cwinn@bozeman.net
Greg Sullivan, City Attorney
406-582-2309, gsullivan@bozeman.net
Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director
406-582-2258, bfontenot@bozeman.net
Takami Clark, Communications & Engagement Manager
406-582-2322, tclark@bozeman.net
Anna Saverud, Assistant City Attorney
406-582-2309, asaverud@bozeman.net
Mike Veselik, Economic Development Manager
406-582-2919, mveselik@bozeman.net