HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-06-23 Public Comment - I. Indreland - Citizen Advisory BoardFrom:Ileana Indreland
To:Agenda
Subject:Citizen Advisory Board
Date:Friday, January 6, 2023 4:39:48 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
My name is Ileana Indreland, I serve on the BID Board, live on Willson Avenue, and own downtown
property with my husband Michael Delaney.
I am writing this letter to you as a citizen, taxpayer, and property owner. I have lived in Bozeman
since 1980 and grew up in Livingston. I attended MSU. Most of my life has been in downtown
Bozeman and it is near and dear to my heart. We are also financially invested in downtown
Bozeman for 40 plus years. Downtown has evolved over the many years. We have experienced the
real economic lows and highs of downtown. We have experienced many diverse opinions of how
downtown should look and function, and with the various members of the Citizen Boards and City
Commission have had some lively and sometimes controversial debates. This is what a community is
and what a democracy is about – to have discussion about a variety of opinions, look at the facts and
make good business decisions.
It is of sincere concern that I learned about the recent URD Board appointments being delayed and
that a key member of this board, Cory Lawrence is not being recommended to continue on this
Board. I agree with the letter that Bobby Bear submitted to you regarding this matter. Cory has
spent tireless energy and countless hours on this board. He has a huge financial investment in
downtown. He is extremely capable and committed to the downtown and is the most well qualified
person to serve on this board. There are millions of dollars of business that are at risk if we do not
have someone on this board who understands the financial details of the TIF funds. He is extremely
knowledgeable and valuable to the URD Board.
It is a mystery to me why this sudden change is happening at the commission level. This method of
appointment has not happened before. Each of the Downtown Partnership Boards have always
sought applicants for the Boards and have had a diverse group of members. The City Commission
vote on these Board members has always been in June. There were applicants who submitted in
good faith and have heard nothing until now. This is not supposed to be top-down governance –
this is about Citizens and Community participation. It is difficult to find people to join boards as it is,
and if this approach of top-down governance becomes the norm, it will be even more difficult.
I urge this commission to support Cory Lawrence to remain on the URD Board, as he is the most
qualified person who has applied. There is always time for new people to go to meetings and learn
more about what this is really about and then join the board. The other experienced applicants
should also be given priority. Our success downtown is in large part due to these people who have
served.
Let’s keep transparency in our leadership so we are not surprised by last minute decisions to remove
qualified candidates.
Sincerely,
Ileana Indreland
Broker, Owner
Phone: 406-586-3132
Mobile: 406-580-1973
Email: ileana@delaneynco.com
Delaney & Company
101 E Main Street Suite D
Bozeman, MT 59715