HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-23 Public Comment - M. Wictor - Public Comment MON 1_23_2023 on getting real involvement & inputs to UDC Changes (summary of 1_12_23 email)From:Mary Wictor
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment MON 1/23/2023 on getting real involvement & inputs to UDC Changes (summary of 1/12/23
email)
Date:Monday, January 23, 2023 12:00:14 PM
Attachments:2023-01-12 Email Boards - Public Comment for UDC changes process.pdf
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Dear City of Bozeman, City Commission, & Advisory Boards via agenda@bozeman.netRE: UDC changes/process and Development Code/regulations
Please provide this written Public Comment to the following ASAP: City Commission, City Manager,Appropriate staff, and all Advisory Boards including but not limited to Community Development Board,
Sustainability Board, etc. Note: This is a shorter / EXCECUTIVE SUMMARY of my 1/12/2023 emailed PM input.
GENERAL feedback
BACKGROUNDA) Bozeman Municipal Code (includes the Unified Development Code) has changed many times
B) Bozeman 2020 Community Plan adopted end-2019 contains former (maybe untapped)/ modified & new Goals & Policies
C) >5 Super Boards plus a handful of original boards exist to Advise per their very experienced folks whoare involved & knowledgeableD) PROBLEM: I do not see nor feel that enough Stakeholders are involved nor are Super Boards beingused even adequately!I hear this stated at Advisory Board meetings
E) What is being done at this time will change the way develop occurs for at least the next 5 years, and
the face of Bozeman for decades.
PUBLIC COMMENT / STRONGLY SUGGEST1) Key users of BMC/UDC must be tapped NOW, early on, to give vital input to incorporate then ask forreview/feedback in cycles
2) Stakeholders must include developers, architects, engineers, applicants, owners, and frequent plusinfrequent users
THIS IS YOUR BEST SOURCE FOR really good knowledgeable and experienced inputs!These are the people who will be most impacted by changes, and Bozeman impacted by what theydesign, develop, & build
3) People with "lived experience" as professionals or just residents, are essential especially if they havebeen impacted by Code/Policy changes.
REACH OUT TO THESE people/groups NOW--they were activated by impacts, know, & care
4) Follow laws, rules, regulations at City, State, and Federal levels to ensure disputes, conflicts,challenges will not take away time from the opportunities Bozeman has for changes
Use this very key time and people/experienced sources by inviting them and allowing them multiplechances for input through CYCLES of input, changes, review loops to give feedback
5a) Use "Statistically valid" surveys to gather small but meaningful/representative thoughts, but then alsomake surveys widely available online and via outreach (like is being done) to meet people where they are
but with more diversity versus popular events.
5b) Use ALL Advisory Boards as they have general public people who are energetic and knowledgeable,
plus professionals who know things from work in their fields. Board members have volunteeredthemselves, their time, what they know & think--so use & respect it!
6) Ask, allow, and gather inputs EARLY & OFTEN. Show how ideas/concerns are beingused/incorporated. Encourage feedback during the process though CYCLES of input-review-questions-comments. Only having a draft, with many months between idling is not effective--allow time for topics, discussion,and see changes & give new input
SPECIFC SUGGESTIONS / FEEDBACK
i) Start NOW thru 2023 having a Regular Agenda Item (5-15min) at Each Board/Commission Meeting forUDC and/or other in-process topics [similar to "upcoming" Agenda presentations] but NOT aspresentations to inform, but for DISCUSSIONS/comments/concerns allowed in an Open Public meetingwith liaisons and staff and the public present so points can be made/heard
ii) Allow $ & time for Advisory Boards to sponsor small event or meeting with in-the-know/experiencedresources. This can help understanding, answer questions, provide new ideas or paths forward
iii) Allow and encourage sub-groups to work as interested to engage on various points/topics
iv) Particularly for the UDC, there are REAL changes needed for form & function. What the code says andhow it works (or not), places/ways to improve is paramount! Note: re-formatting to simplify and addinggraphics is important, but is NOT the 1st/primary purpose!
v) Ethics training is vital and useful. Please ensure to document (I see 1/25/23 Special Meeting/Ethics)HOW & WHEN Advisory Board members might be impacted per their rolls. I do NOT feel nor believe thatthey lose their ability to make Public Comment as individual selves, as long as so stated.
vi) Change/Remove the two-term limit for Board positions. Throughout my life, I have seen and know howvery key it is it have and honor those with dedication and institutional knowledge. In fact, experience hasshown that there are very key members and chair roles that can and have lead well for a long time, andhelp the Board/groups be very effective.
It does take time to get on a board, learn the info and processes, and then also how to discuss, act,motion, and suggest to make things better and improve. Limiting to 2 terms is not appropriate and will domore harm than good. Positions will change to new faces over time as people apply for those roles andhow they qualify and could represent being on that Board--in a new seat or continued position.
Let interested, experienced, knowledgeable people who are willing to dedicate and continue to offerthemselves for that board are very key--let them stay, vs just having a rule/limit to leave.
vii) Board appointments can be done well and efficiently using an open process for applications, virtual/in-person interviews that the public can see, and with question(s) asked of individual applicants to whichthey respond in writing, know ahead of time, or impromptu.
I believe one of the key strengths the City of Bozeman has is the variety and number of Advisory Boards.I have listened to quite a number of meetings since 3Q2021 and registered for Engage Bozeman byFebruary 2022. It is so very important, critical, crucial for the City of Bozeman in its operations andprocesses, and public meetings, to respect, use, and involve all the Boards and members that the Citycan--and as often and in as many ways as might be tapped--to aid extremely impactful changes neededfor topics such as UDC changes, etc.
I've attached a print-out of my multi-color commentary emailed 1/12/2023 for further detail and
background.
With sincerest hopes that I have been heard, and that real changes might be aided via inputs.
Sincerely, Mary WictorOwner: 1504 Boylan Rd & other property in Bozeman and Gallatin County
Honestly, I hope that this summary email today, and my 1/12/2023 longer intial feedback email willactually make and have an impact. It is so